text:
All of you lucky ones that have gotten your hands on Gunslinger already feel free to post your review here!
All of you lucky ones that have gotten your hands on Gunslinger already feel free to post your review here!
Moving this to the Album Review Forum.
Listen not to the critics
Who put their own dreams on the shelf
~ How You Ever Gonna Know ~
Kent Blazy/Garth Brooks
Honkytonk Somewhere: Garth brought the steel guitar back... yay! This song is super fun and very country. I actually think this should have been the lead single over BLLDAD. A mix between AHBA and Rollin. Has a much more classic Garth sound than most the songs on MAM. Oh, and this needs to be a live staple like, right now. Don't be afraid Garth, do it!
Weekend - Again, another fun song. Garth wasn't kidding when he said this album is just stupid fun. Has a beachy Kenny Chesney / Two Pina Colada sorta sound. Great chorus. You can almost hear Garth smiling while he sings this one.
Ask Me How I Know - This one has a different sound from anything Garth has recorded, but that's not a bad thing. Mid tempo, kinda rockfish. You know, I'm three songs in, and this album so far is so classic Garth. When I first heard MAM (which I love btw), I felt it had a Chris Gaines-ish kinda sound. This, this sounds like Garth. I like the lyrics to this one a lot. Can't wait to dissect this one more in future listens.
Baby Let's Lay Down and Dance - We've all heard this one. The breakdown in the middle is longer like we heard on Inside Studio G. I've heard the single version so many times now, the longer breakdown is weird to hear.
He Really Loves You - Haunting piano intro. Great vocal. Slowly builds to a more urgent sound. Again, I can't think of another song in the catalog that sounds like this one, but it's undeniably Garth. Maybe a mix between The Storm and That Summer, but even that doesn't quite fit. Good song.
Whiskey to Wine - I was almost nervous to push play on this one. I have heard the Ryman version so many times now, and that performance is just so raw, so intimate, so emotional, and oh so perfect. I love the simplicity of it being just Garth, Trisha, and the acoustic guitar. It was sooooo country and awesome. So I was nervous about the studio version losing a lot of that. In a way, it kinda does, I'm sorry to say. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome. There's steel, the vocal is flawless, and the band plays fine. Kinda sounds like Red Strokes. That said, I feel like the drums are a bit of a distraction and takes away from the close intimacy that the Ryman version has. I truly and sincerely hope they either record an acoustic version of this someday or that the Ryman version is on the new live album that's coming out next year. Please don't think I'm being critical. I looooove this song. Remember I said it sounds like Red Strokes, and that's one of my top 5 favorite Garth songs of all time. All I'm saying is that it's such an intimate song, I kinda wish they had kept it like that for the studio version. Still great though.
Bang! Bang! - The opening and chorus sound like he singing "Batman" like they do in the old 60's TV show. In fact, now that I've made that connection, I don't know if I'll ever be able to hear anything else. Otherwise a decent rocker of a song. Bonnie & Clyde type of story. But the chorus... na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na an, Batman!!
Pure Adrenaline - We've heard most of this and there's no surprises in the album version. I think this should be the tour opener now instead of MAM. Also could have served well as the album opener.
8teen - Mid tempo acoustic driven song. Lyrics are fun. I've only listened once, so haven't been able to decipher any of the meanings yet. Kinda sounds a little like Allison Miranda. Love the chorus!
Sugarcane - Another uptempo electric guitar driven track. Fun lyrics. Somewhat similar to Pure Adrenaline.
Cowboys & Friends - Probably the most classic country song on the album. Not as epic as The Cowboy Song or Night Rider's Lament, but will still be fun to sing along to. Fans of songs like Wild Horses and Midnight Sun will probably like this one.
FILP25 - A straightforward remake right down to the instrumentation. Nothing drastically different except one part in the middle where an electric guitar solo is pretty high in the mix (which is probably Keith Urban's contribution, and thus why it's so loud). All the guests do fine jobs, but oh man I wish it was just Garth and king George, and/or that they had George do more parts than he did. In fact, Garth sings very little on this, and in a way it sounds like a Jason Aldean song in which Garth & George and the others joined in. Not bad, but not earth shattering either.
In sum, this album is indeed very fun. It's much more cohesive than MAM, which I still think sounds uneven and disjointed. If I had to compare it to one of the past albums, I would say it's closest to Fresh Horses. That said, there are several songs here that are completely unique and sound like nothing else in the catalog. But they also don't sound out of place either. Now, if you're looking for No Fences 2, I'm sorry to say you will likely be disappointed. There is no Wolves, no Lonesome Dove, no The Change, and no Tacoma type of song here. But there are a lot of very fun upbeat songs that will probably make you smile whenever you hear them. So all in all, my first impression is that I really like it and I think if the general public finds it, it will do quite well sales wise. Can't wait for you guys to hear it.
Hate to be a pain, but can't reviews be on the main page for a few days so it's easier to find them? Same with TV appearances.
Having their own sections in the forum is normally fine, but for times like this where there's so much going on, it'd be nice to have all the action together in one section. Just my opinion.
Honkytonk Somewhere: Love that he started the record with this!! I feel that 90s country sound right off with that Brad Paisley style electric guitar. Perfect way to say this album is gonna be a fun ride. Loved the reference to "Siri, where's the party?" Cool that he is embracing this generations references with a classic Garth sound.
Weekend - Love this hook, The melody is super catchy, and I love all the city references across the country...even the little "Muncie, Indiana" which is not too far from me!!
Just fun. Great 1-2 punch to start this album.
Ask Me How I Know - Mitch Rossell wrote this and I knew that going in. He has such a way of fitting a ton of words in a line, and I knew that was coming at some point. That being said I love the passion in Garth's voice like he is talking straight to the listener. (which is the whole idea.) When I first saw this title, I had a whole other idea for what this was going to be about. I was pleasantly surprised with what it ended up being. I'd say this is in my Top 3 for favorites on this album.
Baby Let's Lay Down and Dance - The single. At the perfect spot on this record. The order so far has really fit the emotions good. Not too much too fast. Hearing the extended Chapman bass solo is surreal, with his passing and I much prefer the extended version of this song with the added 15 secs in that break.
He Really Loves You - Favorite song on the record! Oh, the place this song takes you if you let it....Man! it got me 1st listen. Starts off kinda all over the place and then it has you chasin' down the reality of the lyrics...Garth's story songs really are his best. The melody on this is so unique that I am glad to see Garth challenging his pen This is going to be the first song I learn to cover. I can very much relate to way this man feels for "her"
Whiskey to Wine - I'm with EmeraldIsle on this one...Hearing the Ryman version so many times of this somehow takes a little bit away from this cut. When they did it live, just the voices and that Takamine acoustic, it really allowed the lyric to hit and for their voices to carry it. The drums are a little much, but I enjoy the walkdown guitar part into the chorus a lot. This song is still incredible lyrically and melodically, but after first listen though, I think the Ryman version tops it.
Bang! Bang! - I don't know why, but I'm not feelin' this... Cool little story about a clever heist, but that "bang,bang" repeating itself gets old real quick haha it honestly takes away from the song for me. Anything with Garth's voice on it, I'll find a way to like though....eventually haha
Pure Adrenaline - Hearing the full cut of this actually makes me like it more than I did when I hear the CBS Football clip. The second verse is my favorite part, and I can see this becoming a fun one to hear live. Johnny Garcia could solo ALL OVER THIS! Fits well right after "BANG! BANG!" too
8teen - I think this song is Garth's "American Pie." He alludes to many things in metaphors! A couple references in this song relate to his influences and his parents. A few I caught on first listen: "will forever be enshrined and underlined in red" (George Jones forever the king..."He Stopped Loving Her Today" lyric, he had underlined in red every single I Love You") , "Once a marine, met a Colleen." (Obviously about his parents..) "he rode that SILVER BULLET cross the border line. the song he hummed that NIGHT MOVES me everytime" (Bob Seger references) This is my 2nd favorite on the album behind "He Really Loves You."
SugarCane - Reminds me a little bit of Aerosmith with the guitars, but a real uptempo rockin' song. I keep waitin' for Steven Tyler's shriek to resound in this one. I also like Garth's voice on the chorus of this one, as he adds a little rock vibrato into his notes.
Cowboys and Friends - Wish this wasn't the only one like it's kind of the record. I love this one. Could tell Garth enjoyed recording this for the album, and I think I'll probably have this before "8teen" on a copy just like the regular release because it fits a little better there for transitioning from song to song. (i think it was put here so the two most traditional country songs are back to back)
Friends In Low Places (25th Anniversary Edition) - Sounds like they used the original mix of the No Fences version as a base, and then built the rest of the song of it. Honestly could have done without Florida Georgia Line on it at all. As I don't feel like their voices mesh well with Aldean, Strait and Garth's. A guy like Alan Jackson would have been right at home on this. Keith Urban's contribution didn't really add anything to the song, but it' s cool knowing that he left his mark on it, especially with his history with Garth.
Bottom line, what. a. record...I'm not even remotely disappointed with this as a whole in any way. You can absolutely feel Garth's stamp more on this record than Man Against Machine, although I love them both in completely different ways. This CD plays much more like songs meant to be played together, versus MAM which was more of a list of songs you could play your way through and enjoy individually.
I'll be buying the regular edition to support this record as well.
I'm still trying to nail down what it is about the production that is bothering me. I've had a chance to listen to both Gunslinger and the new Christmas Album in my car this morning.
I think I have an issue with vocal clarity. 8 don't know if it is Garth, Mark Miller, or something in between. I lose text when he drops down, and it isn't crisp up top. There are places in most songs where I don't hear it, but the only track where I don't hear it at all is "What I'm Thankful For" (the duet with James Taylor).
Thanks for the reviews. Looking forward to hearing the album
The sevens have aligned. It has begun...
Thanks for your reviews of the new album. Just a reminder to keep the dissection of the lyrics to 8teen in the spoiler thread.
As for keeping all the threads in the Main Forum, as I mentioned in another thread, the icon is "lit" when there are new posts in a Forum; and the purpose of the separate Forums was to keep the topics organized. However, we'll take your suggestions for moving everything for now to the Main Forum under advisement.
Listen not to the critics
Who put their own dreams on the shelf
~ How You Ever Gonna Know ~
Kent Blazy/Garth Brooks
Ok, going to give my 'as it goes' impressions/review of Gunslinger… have NOT read any other reviews out there..
for what it's worth:
1- Honky Tonk somewhere (2:25)- I like it!! It's definitely a throwback type of song, to the earlier 90's… Don't know if the phrase 'honky tonk' is AS relevant any more, at least not in my area of the country- yet the song, while seeming to (at the very first ) to rush things, really settled in quick to a nice, fast swing tune.. kinda short.. radio friendly timeframe
2- Weekend - RADIO.. (2:41) That's the first word that came to mind when listening to this song… It'll be a single- or at least it should, given the current climate of radio… it has (at least at first listen) a kenny chesney/luke bryan/bro country /party type of vibe… It's not bad… will take a bit to grow on me. radio friendly timeframe
3- Ask Me How I Know (3:34) - not bad.. Driving rhythm… don't know if it's radio friendly.. don't totally know how to feel about this song yet.. seems to be yelling a bit (or straining JUST a bit) on the higher notes.. not a bad song.. (kinda of almost has a MAM vibe for me at first listen)
4- Baby Lets Lay Down and Dance (3:11) - definitely know this one.. I didn't like the tone of the song at first I will admit- I like the rhythm, the guitar, the beat, all of that- it was the well, morality that got me a bit the wrong way.. Yet, I've listened to it umpteen dozen times and it's def. infectious.. I like it- mountains better than what was released for radio from MAM as a lead single (even though I like PLP as a song- a comeback shouldn't go out of the gates with a message song.) . a Good song, with my favorite Chord walk down (G - D/F# - Em) in the chorus… love the line (when it comes to love my heart is black and it's blue..) like the longer instrumental "beatdown" section… ONLY thing I can't stand (as a teacher I guess..) the "I gots to tell you" on the last part of the song- I know it should/could be I GOT to tell you but it's a bit of a n Aggh moment when I hear it
5- He Really Loves You (4:01) - not a downer at all, for the first ballad/slower song on the album… but def. the first real KICK of emotion…. at first it had a waltz feel, then switched to a march type of feel.. then a powerful emotional kick again… it's reminding me of a few other garth songs… I think (at first listen) A bit of the storm and thicker than blood (don't know why)… and maybe mr midnight. that may change…
6- Whiskey to Wine (4:13) - I know we've heard part of this before from Inside Studio G… It's not bad.. I'm not always a huge fan of Garth and Trisha Duets.. They are somewhat hit and miss with me sometimes. This definitely harkens back to the duets of the past though- .. Also has parts that sound like songs from No Fences (New way to fly I think is what's hitting me as the song the chorus is echoing a bit tone wise) as far as 'duets' go with Garth and Trisha… this is definitely one of the better ones to me… not to mention, I like the waltz (3/4) beat….
7- Bang! Bang! (3:10) - The Party kicks back into session.. FIRST impression of the start of the song- not too keen on it- reminded me of the south park episode 'finger bang'. Going to be a good crowd pleaser/sing along song though… or it could… (can see the house lights being brought up or spotlights being used for the 'bang bang' part… hmmm…. the only part that's corny to me is the 'bang bang' line… I don't MIND the song, but it's kinda the weak point for me on the album right now.. I can see Garth trying to put this as a single - think it might be a mistake (at first listen)
8- Pure Adrenaline (3:49) - Nice to finally hear the whole thing and not an abbreviated CBS football version… could be a concert opener…. sounds like it would meld nicely into RODEO like they did with MAM on this tour… a good workout song.. Lots of energy.. Definitely kicked things back up (and an appropriate song title… I can sort of see line dancing but it'd be fast.. this one will def be heading to my workout mix.. (would go on the Crank it up collection I think, if on the boxed set..) I can see them trying this as a single…
9- 8teen (4:49) - lol my computer imported it as Steen. I have to change that .. love the acoustic opening…. . has the slightest sounds of 'alison miranda ' to me. I like it- this is the song that's gonna be digested right? the one with all the clues? I don't know if it's a single for me, but its' a good song.. maybe with a few hints of 'she's tired of boys' too- but would have to look more closely at the lyrics first… (that middle part- interesting- in a billy joel pop type of way…) (weird)…
10- Sugarcane - (3:15) - a fun song.. kinda dorky at first listen.. kinda all over the place at first listen, though its' also going to have a place on a workout playlist- the driving beat at times.. I get a 'whirlpool' type of vibe…it swirls….
11- Cowboys and Friends (3:14) - DEF a cowboy vibe… (and that was before I wrote the title down..) Not a bad song.. chuckled at the line about the beer 'being breakfast'.. I can hear a decent live version of this song coming out… or an acoustic version.. not the STRONGEST cowboy song Garth's had ,but dare I say it better than Rodeo or Juliet. almost has a sped up 'heroes and friends' vibe in small parts.. ..
12- FILP (25 anniversary edition) - (4:20) - hmm.. After hearing the sample, I couldn't wait to hear this song- George Strait sounded incredible in his part. I'm honestly going to have to listen to it a lot more.. It's not GRABBING me the same way Garth's solo effort on the song did- my first impression was that it'd be a better garth/George duet.. I know the party atmosphere is there, and I know my bias against Jason Aldean/FGL/Keith Urban may be at play, but I was hoping for a bit more.. George seems to be straining a bit later in the song too. That's only first listen though- I'm sure it'll change in feeling for me..
I can't wait to listen through the album again.. on the whole? I like it- it has a looser feel, a more 'party' or 'summer' type of feel. Not as heavy or message laden as MAM. I think it'll do better radio wise. don't know how well it'll do commercially but it's too early to tell. Well worth the purchase though…
An objective Garth fan, with my own views...
I have a purpose
Made in His image
Accepted by Him
Given new life in Christ
Eternity with Him
My collection of all things Garth....
The GarthCast
Enjoying the album so far! Favorites are Weekend, Lay Down and Dance, He Really Loves You, and Eighteen. If Weekend isn't the next single I'll eat my hat.
On the other hand, Bang Bang is easily the most annoying and possibly the worst thing Garth's ever recorded imo. Ugh, just hated it.
I wanted to be fair. I wasn't going to purchase, but the wife did and I wound up listening to it as she played through it. First listen, I only liked one song. So I listened to it a few more times, and a couple others have grown a bit on me. Overall, It's my least favorite album. That doesn't mean I necessarily think it is a horrible abomination, but, if I were making a playlist there would be very, very few songs off this album I would include. For me it just sounds like it is trying too much. Same issue I had with the parts of 'Machine' I didn't care for. I also am not a fan of the way the vocals are mixed and sound in my ears. I do think this will be a far bigger hit with radio and 'the public' than Machine was, which is a shame as I feel Machine had a few more stronger songs.
I know they are married, and they are happy, but I am a little tired of Trisha at this point. I could just do with a little bit less. She is on every album, ever, of his but it seems like I'm hearing her more and more and more in Machine and Gunslinger. It's like I never need to listen to any of her stuff, I can just put on a new Garth disc and hear her. There are times they just DON'T sound good together to me, and I'm not sure if it is actually the case or if it is over saturation of the two of them together that is getting me.
I also miss the old, sad Garth. I know, it's horrible to say and pretty selfish - but I feel the art was far better when he had something he was struggling with. It felt like there was some struggle on Machine, of getting back in the game. On this one....it doesn't feel like the same struggle is there. It could be the song choices or the production, but I just don't feel it throughout the whole album.
ALL THAT SAID..... I'll still rate this album better than everything else out there on the radio. On my Garth scale though, it's down at the bottom. A solid 3/5.
Honky-Tonk should be a single, it's pretty radio friendly. I like it more than Weekend - which will probably be a big hit - a song that I find incredibly boring lyrically and cookie-cutter to the rest of current radio. Both will be huge if they get air time.
Ask Me How I Know is absolutely my favorite song on the album. It should've been on Machine. It has that feel, and it has the emotion I'm looking for on my Garth records. This is easily in my top 20 Garth songs, if not higher. Can't praise this song enough. Too bad the 'First Edition' didn't come with lyrics and songwriting credits.
Baby Let's Dance, I still am not the biggest fan of. I will say that in the context of the album (and hearing the album cut vs the radio edit) I do like it more. It's one of the better songs on the album for me actually.
He Really Loves You. I love the idea of this song. I really applaud the attempt to create something different. It just doesn't mesh well for me. There is something in the tempo change that turns me off, and I hate that because I otherwise would love this song. I'm hoping this gets some kind of live/acoustic treatment somewhere that I can hear and appreciate more.
Whiskey To Wine. I don't like it. I think they sound horrible together, even hated the Ryman version. I get the premise of the story, and it's something I normally would gravitate to, but I just don't like it. Easy skip every single time.
Bang!Bang!. Another easy skip every time. Easily the second worst song ever on a Garth Brooks album. The music and story are fun - but the 'Bang Bang' in the background the WHOLE SONG kill it for me. The only song I have ever hated more was 'Fish' off of the last record.
Pure Adrenaline. I like this song, possibly my second favorite as I can think of how it would go live. I wish it actually had more punch though. I've listened through a couple different systems, but I'm getting treble heavy on it. I want more punch. Will never be a radio hit, will never be a single (wisely), but could be an amazingly fun live song. I don't think it would be an opener though - I'd prefer it in the spot where 'The Fever' used to go.
8teen. Wow. I get a lot of the references.....and yet I find this song so boring. Another one of those that sounds like someone was trying too hard to write. It also suffers the same fate as some of the rest on the album - poor vocal mixing. I had to listen multiple times to even understand lyrics in spots. Never had to do that on Garth albums before Machine. This is one of the ones that was hyped up and I was excited for, that really fell flat for me - and again had a cookie-cutter sound. It almost sounds like a wanna-be Taylor Swift song. It even started out great....but quickly lost my interest.
SugarCane. I can see why this was left off Machine. Not only wouldn't have fit on that album, it sounds a lot better after they went back and re-wrote it to create Pure Adrenaline. This song is a complete throw away for me. It sounds like one of those songs that you start with at the beginning of production just to knock the rust off playing and songwriting, that gets tossed once you get serious making an album.
Cowboys and Friends. The one 'cowboy' song on the album, is also another snooze fest for me. Once again, I find the story decent but the music and presentation is so bland that I don't want to continue listening. Easy skip for me.
FILP - This is a joke. Not only including FLA GA Line, a slap in the face to anyone who respects music at all, but the whole thing sounds like a mess of a karaoke session. You could've just had George Strait cover this song, and it would've been amazing. Leave GB in as harmony vocals. The way this is presented though, is just like anything else Garth has done - Overhyped and under delivered. Not worth the price of the box set for this song.
To me this album is not worth the price of the box set - because really, that's why anyone bought the box set. To listen to this 2 weeks early and get the 'bonus' tracks. That privilege, and those 2 tracks were not worth double the cost of the standalone album. Especially when you don't even get a case just for this album, and a lyric/songwriters credit booklet isn't included. This was a great way to give songwriters on previous albums some change from sales of their songs (look at the 'duplicates in the box on the mix discs even) while getting 'fans' to increase total albums sales for him. Possibly even sell more copies of this album, due to the attraction of the 'other' stuff in the box. To make it less of a sales disappointment than Machine was. The problem for me - this album isn't half the quality of Machine.
But, that's my opinion. I'm glad that others really dig it though - as that will keep him making records :-)
Agree with review above. The vocal mixes are terrible since Mark Miller became the producer. I miss Allen Reynolds a lot. There are 3-4 songs on here that should never have seen the light of day. The balance ranges from good to very good.
I wish I owned a CD player.......Amazon won't let you download until November 25th. Maybe one day Garth will enter the 21st century and how music is consumed now.
I really loved this album. After a few listens, I *think* it's my fourth favorite Garth album behind No Fences, In Pieces, and Ropin the Wind. I agree with others that some of the vocal production is lacking. He sounds great, but some of the words are lost in the production. Other than that, I really enjoyed it and I think the first half of the album is as strong as any he has ever put out other than the incomparable No Fences. One thing I will say about Garth, he has never released an album that is a clone of another. His belief in himself to continually take chances and be the artist he sees himself as is still remarkable.
To offer a little different review, here's my rankings of my top choices for singles.
1. Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance - I really believe this was the best choice for the lead single. It sets the tone for the feeling of the album perfectly. 3 minutes of fun!
2. Ask Me How I Know - I had high expectations for this song since Garth let it slip that it would likely be the next single. I was blown away. It feels like something Sam Hunt or Dierks Bentley would release while still remaining true to the side of Garth that releases a song like More Than a Memory. I find this stunning and I feel confident in saying it is one of my favorite Garth songs of all time.
3. Weekend - Like Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance, this one is pure fun. It has summer hit written all over it.
4. Honky-tonk Somewhere - I debated putting this at #1 and yet it falls down to 4. The reason for that is I'm not sure radio is ready to play a pure 90's song like this. If this was 1995, this one would run up the charts to #1 in a heartbeat.
5. Pure Adrenaline - Pure Adrenaline jams so hard! This is another one that I think would've been a huge hit in the 90's and Garth might've been called a satanist by some for releasing it to country radio lol. It kind of sounds like some of the power country that Aldean or Eric Church would release mixed with some Aerosmith. I'll never skip this one when it comes on.
6. Whiskey to Wine - Since I first heard it I've thought about how much it fits Chris Stapleton and his wife so much and that's a great thing. I'm not sure it's a radio hit, but it'd stand a chance.
7. Cowboys and Friends - George Strait could've made this a #1 hit in the 80's. Unfortunately, todays radio would mostly ignore it. Really nice song.
8. He Really Loves You - I'd be lying if I said this didn't make me emotional on the first (second and third) listen. I find this song to be terrific, but it will be one I skip the most because of the subject matter. There's a chance this could surprise if sent to radio, but it'd be risky. For the second time this album, it reminds me of a Dierks Bentley song.
9. 8teen - I see very little chance of this being a single. This one is just okay for me. I don't really understand a lot of it and I guess that's the point!
10. Bang! Bang! - This one is...weird. I don't like the constant "bang bang". I enjoy the story, but I can't get past the weird melody and bangs. This would be an absolute disaster if sent to radio lol.
Overall: I think this album has 4-5 hits in it if radio proves they are willing to buy into Garth again. A lot hinges on BLLDAD climbing the charts in the next couple of months.
I'm with the rest of y'all as I think Gunslinger should have been in it's own case and with liner notes and lyrics but I will get a copy of the stand alone Target version too
When we're free to love anyone we choose, when this world's big enough for all different views When we all can worship from our own kind of pew, then we shall be free
I plan to do a song by song review like others are doing, but after listening to it a couple times - my early review is that Gunslinger is a major improvement from MAM. This one flows better, it sounds more Garth AND modern. Not every song lands, but I think it has more hits than misses.
Okay, here goes m two cents which is probably only worth one cent.
I'm approaching this thing trying to be objective.
As I drove 500 miles in my rig last night, I listened to the entire album about 7 times.
In my opinion, this is easily the worst album he's ever made. Easily. The whole "most Garth thing" is a bunch of BS. That being said, there are some real highlights here.
I'm not going to break it down song by song like some of my better peers in the community, but to me the highlights include Honky Tonk Somewhere, Whiskey to Wine, Cowboys and Friends and Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance. That's it.
Ask Me How I Know, Pure Adrenaline, Bang! Bang! and Sugarcane are probably the worst four songs in his entire catalog. I don't like them at all. I dare say the word "sucks"
Weekend, He Really Loves You and 8Teen feel like fillers that grew on me throughout the night due to listening to it seven times.
This album feels like an overall mess for me. After 26 years, it could just be me, who knows. This album certainly seems to be made to fit in with today's musical format and that's fine and I get it. I'm just really disappointed is all. But this is not "the most Garth thing" but more like the "least Garth thing". So there's my humble opinion. I'm really glad that so many of you are enjoying the album though.
at first listen, I agree, those were good songs..I'm not going to break it down song by song like some of my better peers in the community, but to me the highlights include Honky Tonk Somewhere, Whiskey to Wine, Cowboys and Friends and Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance. That's it.
I think Garth's in a bit of a quest to 'be relevant' again, to the younger crowd...it's not working fully I'd wagerThis album certainly seems to be made to fit in with today's musical format and that's fine and I get it.
thanks for sharing your thought(s)!I'm just really disappointed is all. But this is not "the most Garth thing" but more like the "least Garth thing". So there's my humble opinion. I'm really glad that so many of you are enjoying the album though.
An objective Garth fan, with my own views...
I have a purpose
Made in His image
Accepted by Him
Given new life in Christ
Eternity with Him
My collection of all things Garth....
The GarthCast
Charlie, that's the cool thing about being a Garth fan. He is such a versatile artist able to adapt to so many different sounds. The songs you listed as your least favorites were, in fact, my favorites along with Weekend. I think a lot of it depends on which side of Garth you most prefer. I happen to think the Chris Gaines album and In Pieces are his best albums. Anything that gets closer to those sounds is what I look for in new albums.
For me, my least favorite songs are Cowboys and Friends and the remake of FILP. My favorites are Bang Bang, Weekend, Sugarcane, He Really Loves You and Whiskey to Wine.
Like Skywise said, don't feel bad about expressing your opinion. Music enjoyment is quite subjective.
Last night after listening to He Really Loves You over and over I realized how great of a song it is. Definitely my favorite on this album.
After listening to it a couple times, it has grown on me some, and I suspect it will continue to grow on me like MAM did. Right now, I'm of the opinion that Garth has to get a better producer. I know Garth loves Mark Miller, but he is not what Garth needs. He is no good for Garth. The album is not mixed well (too bassy and vocals are not clear) and Garth's vocals are horribly produced. Maybe some of it has to do with Garth trying to sing differently, but even if so, the vocals are not produced like they should be. They are lacking the power we all used to love in Garth's voice. It just sounds too pop now. He needs to find a country producer...... Mark Miller is not one.
And the FILP remake........ that should have never seen the light of day. Butchering of a great song.
I love ASK ME HOW I KNOW. We all have our opinion. For me, mho, it's my stand out track. I think FILP25 should have had a little less FGL. I'm not hating on them, but it feels they had more air time than the other artist, on the first few listens. I would've been happy with replacing Whiskey To Wine or Bang Bang with The Call.
All and all, it's going to be a fun road trip/driving album.
After digesting the album for a few days, I am still really liking it overall. Very fun and upbeat. I'm holding firm that I think it's most similar to Fresh Horses.
My favorite song by far is Honkytonk Somewhere. Other standouts are He Really Loves You, Weekend, and Whiskey to Wine (although I still prefer the Ryman version). Surprisingly, the song that has grown on me the most and that I have really come to love is Bang Bang. When I first heard it I almost hated it, but now I really enjoy how original it is in both its structure and Garth's vocal delivery. It does so many things that are unexpected. Anyway, it's now a highlight for me.
Ask Me How I Know is good middle of the road Garth, as is Pure Adrenaline, Cowboys & Friends, and Sugarcane (although I would say Sugarcane is the least memorable of the bunch).
The biggest disappointment for me is 8teen. It's a fine song and all, but he hyped it up so much that I think my expectations were a little too high. I also can't understand half the lyrics. So maybe I'll enjoy it more when I get the standard edition and can finally read what he's saying.
Finally, I agree with others that FILP25 is just okay. Too many guests. Should have been just Garth and George. If this song is the one thing that's making someone consider buying the box, then I would say save your money and just get the Target standalone which will probably still have Sugarcane. Just my 2 cents though.
Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong...but is the Gunslinger booklet just a slip of paper?
Listen not to the critics
Who put their own dreams on the shelf
~ How You Ever Gonna Know ~
Kent Blazy/Garth Brooks


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Sofia had been fiercely on the attack all day. Paolo was very much on his back foot. And then this tease. Paolo seemed to have nothing to lose.
"OK Sofia. I've levelled with you... how about some recognition?
"So you want a reward, eh Paolo? What had you in mind.. a quickie or a shagathon?"
"Do you think you have the energy for a shagathon...?
"At your age!" Sofia finished what she imagined would've been his riposte, adding "you cheeky little bastard!"
Making claws like a cat, she went as if to scratch him. They both ended up to scratch.
Paolo had dealt with Tony well. He was in the clear... or so he thought.
"So that tart gave you the clap eh?"
If Paolo had remotely thought that Sofia was finished her grilling, then he was wrong.
"No, not at all. I don't have chlamydia, Not now, not ever!"
"So why lie to Tony?... I assume it was Tony?"
"It was Tony and I didn't want to see him until tomorrow afternoon. I'm busy before then."
"Shagging someone else I don't doubt!" Sofia insisted.
"Well there's not much chance with you tonight, is there?" Paolo fought back.
"Says who?"
"Sorry Tony, but I'll come in when I've had the treatment. The only thing is these bloody hospitals keep you waiting for hours, probably because you've got the clap and they wanna make you suffer!"
"Who'd you get it from then? Nobody I fucking know I hope!"
"Nobody you'd wanna know Tony!" Paolo, seeing he was getting off the hook, added "and nobody I can complain to anymore!"
Tony twigged, or he thought he had. Sofia in the background Drew the same conclusion.
"Oh, I get it Paolo. See you tomorrow afternoon... and for fuck's sake, keep your trousers zipped!"
Paolo was in a fix. Given Tony's current behaviour, Paolo didn't want to cross him by refusing to meet or go into the office. But then there was Marcia expecting him at 11.00 for a little something... and of course there was Livia and their meeting with Mary Flaherty. He had to think fast.
"I've gotta go to hospital tomorrow." That was all Paolo could come up with at short notice.
"What for?" Tony was trying to be calm.
"What's that!"
"The Pox!"
"Fuckin' 'ell Paolo... can't you keep your knob under control?
"No!" mouthed Sofia in the background.
"Paolo, I want you back in the office tomorrow!" Tony never beat about the bush.
Paolo indicated silently to Sofia that he had to talk on his mobile. She was smart enough to guess it might be smart to keep quiet.
"But Tony, you said 48 hours!" Paolo had plans tomorrow and wanted to use Tony's instructions to keep him away from the office.
"I know... but something's come up. I need you back here 9am sharp. I talked to Livia; that's OK. Oh, and I'm gonna buy you a good lunch in the West End!"
'Oh shit' thought Paolo.
Tony needed a friend. That friend would be Paolo. In order to get Paolo back on stream, Tony needed to do the unthinkable... apologise! He knew that Paolo would be keeping away until his 48 hour deadline was up. But Livia had stormed in and told him what was going on. He hadn't liked it, but it showed that Paolo hadn't ducked the task, so all was forgiven. Forgive what, he couldn't remember!
Paolo was trying to work out what to tell Sofia about 'that tart' when his mobile rang. It was Tony.
A moment's respite, but only a moment!
Tony meanwhile was finding it difficult to focus on work and difficult to control his mood swings. For the first time in his brutal, but successful career, he was lost. The only one of his crew he actually trusted was Paolo and he had to admit that he'd not treated the young man well recently. He needed a friend right now, and Paolo seemed the best available, despite the age gap.
Tony and Terry had had a good relationship, although there was never any doubt who was the boss. But Tony had guilt running through his veins like lettered rock!
Paolo wasn't going to get anywhere trying to change Sofia's mind. She was a very determined woman and once she'd decided on a course of action, there was no way to stop her. She might just have a point, but it would surely have him constantly looking over his shoulder, particularly if she insisted on telling everyone that he had given her the ring.
"OK, OK... but can you not involve me in it?"
"But you are involved, Paolo, aren't you? You're up to your balls in involvement, all over the place. Now then, tell me all about that tart..."
"No, no, no Sofia, fuck no! You need to wait until any dust has settled. Don't flash that diamond around yet. It might prompt a load of questions right now if there's anyone around who's looking for it!"
"That's exactly it, isn't it Paolo. You're not confident that only you know of it's existence... and you're scared shitless! But I say that if there's anyone out there who thinks they have a claim on my diamond, by wearing it, that might flush them out. And then you'll know what to do about them."
"Like what?" demanded Paolo.
"Like termination perhaps?"
"Keeping the ring under wraps for a while? That does make a lot of sense Paolo. But how much of 'a while' is a while, eh?" Sofia seemed to be convinced.
Paolo simply said "Dunno... not long I guess."
"But that's it, isn't it Paolo? You guess. Well maybe your guessing takes too long! I have a better idea... well I guess it is. Why don't I just wear it and show it off. I'm really proud of it and I want everyone to know you gave it to me. I guess you'd want me to give you the credit?"
"How do you think, Sofia?" Paolo was banged to rights. No escaping.
"You were shagging the tart with the diamond in her fanny, as I suggested earlier! How does that make me feel, Paolo? I'll tell you... it makes me feel maybe I ought to get a test for the clap pretty damn soon. And it makes me also wonder who else might've been getting rather too close to the sparkler?"
"She really liked me, I'm sure I was the only one."
"Says you!"
"OK... says me... but that's good reason to keep the ring under wraps for a while."
"Relax, Paolo!" Strangely, Sofia was smiling. "I understand what you're capable of. I know what you've done. I know you'd only do bad stuff to someone who deserved it... and I know how generous you've been giving me the diamond. But I do need to know if anyone's looking for it."
"How would anyone know about it? The guy, who I won't name, a very married man, had a girlfriend he was crazy about. In fact he was crazy. He got her a diamond, but only for her pussy. Nobody knew."
"Except you Paolo... and how come you knew that?"
The only thing Paolo omitted to describe was the hand he played in the woman's 'mercy killing', the help he'd given Nicole to find ultimate enlightenment, or whatever might or might not be coming to her. Best not to mention that.
"Killed each other? That sounds a bit too neat, Paolo! How on earth could they both kill? Surely, the first to die instantly stops any attempt to kill. Surely one of them must've survived?"
"It takes a while to bleed to death, Sofia... enough time to finish the job!"
"That answer doesn't ring true!"
Instinctively, Paolo protected his groin.
"You're not making much sense here! How the hell can this diamond be a secret only you and two dead people know... and how could you have stolen it if you weren't there? Sofia waited for a reply.
Paolo would have to make his reply good, because this woman's deductive powers were impressive. The truth might be the only option.
"I was hiding in a broom cupboard outside. I'd scarpered when we heard him coming. There was a helluva row and they killed each other. A terrible mess, blood everywhere.... but why leave the diamond? She didn't need it anymore."
Sofia took time to think through what Paolo had said, and left unsaid. She was smart. She could work things out.
"Jealousy. And nobody else knows about it... and you got the diamond! That means you must have been there when they killed each other or shortly after. Jealousy... does that mean you were the one causing the jealousy?" Sofia was on a roll.
Paolo said nothing. He wasn't about to interrupt for fear of getting into deeper shit, prompting more difficult questions.
"So you were shagging some guy's woman and he caught you at it?"
"No! I wasn't there!"
Sofia shook her head slightly.
"Let me get this straight... this diamond was worn in a secret place... by a man... a gay man maybe?
"Who said anything about gay men?" Paolo realised that in pointing to his own crotch, Sofia had got the wrong end of the stick. But on the other hand, if he'd pointed to Sofia's crotch, she might retaliate, painfully!
"It seems to me I need more details, Paolo... tell all I said!"
Paolo coughed again.
"Did you kill this couple, Paolo?" Sofia continued.
"I didn't have to... they killed each other!"
"Jealously!" replied Paolo.
"The truth?" said Paolo.
"And nothing but it!" added Sofia, with a slight upward jerk of her right knee. Paolo got the message.
"It is stolen," he answered truthfully, adding "but the person who wore it won't be coming looking for it..."
"And why's that?"
"On account of being dead!"
"Interesting!" mused Sofia. "But who else might know about it... and come looking for it?"
"Also dead!"
"All dead?"
"Just the two of them."
"Surely others would know about a big stone like this?"
"Not if they couldn't see it!"
"How so?"
Paolo double-pointed down to his crotch.
On the dot of 8pm Sofia arrived at Paolo's flat. As always, she was very well turned out, but not in a sexy curve-enhancing tight dress or skirt, but trousers and jumper. She was there for business, not pleasure... and certainly not for Paolo's pleasure.
She glided in and didn't beat about the bush.
"No need to cross your legs this time, Paolo," she said, "unless you tell me lies that is!"
Paolo coughed slightly and an involuntary reaction down below was a sharp reminder to take care what he said.
"Where the fuck did you get the diamond?"
Paolo may have been off work for a couple of days, but it was a very busy break. Seeing his three lovers in turn plus another woman he was very unsure of, all in the period of 24 hours... that would be full-on!
Meeting Sofia would be very difficult he thought as he still had the memory of his aching testicles. He had no idea how much to tell her about her diamond.
Sex with Marcia would be good, but it would have to be a quickie.
Meeting Livia and Flaherty's widow could be both interesting and very dangerous!
Marcia liked sex. She just didn't like sex with her husband. And, it seems, he was no longer bothered about anything physical with her either. Was he getting something somewhere else? Maybe, but Marcia didn't care. Was he now of different sexual persuasion? She doubted that, but couldn't care either way.
So why did she stick with Tony? Simple... he was her meal ticket, she had status and a very comfortable life. She had a child she doted on, when she wasn't getting laid.
She had the regular attention of two men who wanted her. What was not to like?

subset: commoncrawl


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|Sammy wanted to make a Haunted House so this is our combined effort.
We had a fun October with lots of Halloween celebrations:
School Costume Parade,
'Brick or Treat' at Legoland, (which Doug said was sorta lame)
The ward 'Trunk or Treat',
and our own party Halloween night with some fun neighbors, donuts, and cider.
At least one kid ended up passed-out in a semi-sugar coma sooo...
I call that a success!


text:
Recipe from Liz Watson of Lexington, Ky.
1 stick butter
1 whole sweet onion
3 zuchinni (8" long)
1 can stewed tomatoes or 4 large fresh tomatoes
1 bell pepper (opt)
mushrooms (opt)
salt & pepper
sleeve of saltine crackers
1 T Thyme
dash red pepper
1T Italian seasoning
1 T minced garlic or 1 t garlic powder
Saute veggies in 1/2 stick butter until soft (not soggy). Add spices and simmer for 5-7 minutes on stove.
Transfer to 13x9 pan. Top with velveeta slices, then top with crushed saltines and dot with butter. Bake at 400 degrees until light brown (approx 15 minutes).
Good alone, with rice or mash potatoes!
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.


text:
25 Westgate Heckmondwike West Yorkshire WF16 0HE
0800 612 1039
01924 401622
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We have helped individuals like you claim the compensation they deserved and with the experience and expertise of our panel of solicitors, 99% of referred cases have been successful. We aim to provide excellent customer service and because we offer a NO WIN NO FEE* service you don't pay us a penny if your case is unsuccessful. More info...
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text:
502 E Chicago Road
White Pigeon, Michigan 49099
Listing Office: RE/MAX Elite Group T.R.
Disclaimer: The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of SWMRIC, LLC. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than @properties are marked with the Broker Reciprocity thumbnail logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
White Pigeon
Named after a Potawatomi Indian chief, this rural village located in St. Joseph County offers residents a small town feel with many resources found in larger communities. As one of the first settlements in Michigan, the community is rich in…Learn More
No Nearby Public Transportation Found


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Barron's Buzz: Leon Cooperman's Stock Picking Tips
Leon Cooperman on why stocks are going up, and which names to buy now. Plus, why starting pay for business majors is on the rise. Senior Editor Jack Hough previews this week's Barron's Magazine. Photo: Bloomberg.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I'll what we take a sneak peek at what is in tomorrow's news ... and Hannah helped was ... put on ... scene at a past debt now thank you Brian much for being asked to be with his time and yet it's always good when you have ... some of the big pieces of pipe the value ... of love and so ... to come up to skip the menu writing not component ... glee and children as a hedge fund manager who is trouncing the broad stock market right now I like stories ... with guys who were killed in the market to come for to pick stocks for snus is one of those stories ... on he's got some thoughts on the onthe broad marker right now on why it could move higher from when he points out that the network that households is ... almost back to the key world was in two thousandseven but consumer spending has really caught up so ... this but I would point out that what we talked about last week it was downhill most of the way as asset prices turned around what will we haven't seen yet is or is a ramp up in spending that we had back then so that could be another leg higher this bull market ... is cautious on come visit make a lot of their money from the federal government for obvious reasons their defense companies some health care companies ... companies get some pics here they really likes right now they're cheap and which of those awfully sad to know them you can have to fight the pipe are often useful to many soft supple ALK you've done some luck this week which roars like ... a ... dream nonprofit euro for profits that seems so on into its ... because I've read that you have some ... well you're in the infrastructure telecom infrastructure in Europe is really start to fall behind us when it comes to the highest speed broadband services high speed wireless services what's happened is ... regulators are spent the past fifteen years trying to spur a lot of competition by forcing the big telecoms ... to rent their networks out to new competitors on the cheap ... of course no one wants to build a Mac and environments like rent control were lenders don't want to build new year it's up ... to the infrastructure and fall behind the regulators need to do something about it they're poised to do something about it and sooner rather than later ... my point out here is that ... I can really benefit Summly's mature comers if they're allowed to charge higher rates on her assets which are the happy live do if you wanted ... is for them to invest up to match the new report ... says that business may just pay is done a race that could have jumped by about ten percent in twenty ... three twenty seven C E on notches but it's also a lot higher now than it someone studies business as an undergraduate degree ... you know that ... starring Heather is expected up to seventy seven thousand dollars bike twenty fifteen the comparison with some the other ... two millimeters Ontario Teachers' forty eight thousand dollars ... psychology majors thirty nine thousand on why ... we still have psychology majors ... thirty nine one of the autumn but apparently I mean if if if the economics is somewhat now maybe the lesson if you're looking to go back to school the dentist seventy five thousand dollars it's it's all it's it's almost as good ... as that as a business degree I think it could see was the dentist all thank you that's that's just what I need to act ... like very much


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City Budgets Finally Joining Economic Recovery
City finances are starting to turn a corner as a new survey has found that general funds should stop their long slide that began half a decade ago.
City finances are starting to turn a corner as a new survey has found that general funds should stop their long slide that began half a decade ago.
Seven in 10 city finance officers report that their city will be better able to meet its financial needs this year after years of shortfalls and service cuts, according to a report released Thursday by the National League of Cities. Additionally, 2013 marks the first year in which general fund revenues are expected to increase since 2007 with a 1.5 percent bump.
Although the national economy has been in recovery mode since 2010, city finances tend to lag behind economic cycles, said Michael Pagano, the report's co-author. As such, revenues are starting to pick up, expenditures are stabilizing and ending balances have finally stopped declining. Any prolonged government shutdown could derail that upturn, but overall the dark days for city finances appear to be in the rear view mirror.
"God knows what will happen with the shutdown now but [the national economy] seems to have turned a corner in the last year or two," Pagano said at a press conference on the report in Washington, D.C. "So the lag effect means that municipalities will start to pick up in a year or two as well."
Still, having the worst behind them doesn't mean the good times before the recession will return. Cities grappled with less state and federal support during the recession and with ongoing battles in Washington over government spending, that financial support is likely gone for good.
And the financial improvements for cities in 2013 will be modest ones: an increasing income tax revenue is likely to be balanced with still more declines in property tax revenue as assessments lag behind the real estate market and many are still based in valuations made during the real estate crash. (A little more than half of cities rely on sales taxes as well as property tax revenue.) In 2012, property tax revenue decreased by about a half percent from the previous year while sales tax revenue increased by 6.5 percent.
Additionally, city finance officers report that the three factors in their budgets that have had the biggest increase over the last year – pensions, healthcare benefits and infrastructure – all have been a negative force.
They are strains that cannot be ignored, nor can they be tackled singularly, said James Spiotto, a municipal bankruptcy expert and a partner at Chapman and Cutler in Chicago.
"Addressing those issues is part of the solution," he said. "You can't crowd out healthcare or pensions … by not addressing infrastructure first. Because without infrastructure or essential services, you won't have the money to pay healthcare or pensions."
Last year, the most common way of reducing expenditures was to cut the size of the workforce. Cities also cut down on other personnel costs by implementing hiring freezes (38 percent), reducing healthcare benefits (24 percent) or pension benefits (22 percent). Certainly, pensions and healthcare benefit costs have been cited as big drains on city finances in prominent city bankruptcy cases like in Stockton or Detroit.
"Our sense is that, generally speaking, cities are heeding the warning of some of their colleagues across the country and taking a proactive review of pension fund benefits in communities," said Christiana McFarland the report's co-author.
The following chart shows the share of cities increasing or cutting expenditures in various areas, as reported by the NLC survey of city finance officers:
We invite you to discuss and comment on this article using social media.


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According to Google, "everything is going Google+" but, few search marketers truly understand what that means. Here are a few points to help bring everyone up to speed.
Google+ Sign In:
Even though keyword level data for signed in users is "Not Provided" in Google Analytics, Google's goal is to increase the number of signed in user searches.
According to a recent Google Jobs post:
"The mission of the search growth marketing team is to make that information universally accessible by enabling and educating users around the world to search on Google, search more often, and search while signed-in. Research and analysis has shown that putting Google search access points at the fingertips of users is an effective way of achieving these goals. And the more users that are signed in to Google, the better we can tailor their search results and create a unified experience across all of the Google products that they use."
When users are signed in, Google can better tailor search results and better target ads. Better ads and better search results increase Google's market share not to mention ad revenue. Google+ is one of many programs intended to help increase signed in users.
Google+ Links:
In order to return relevant search results for human users based on what is important to human users, Google needs access to analyze content and links created by humans.
When Google and its "secret sauce" PageRank algorithm were originally developed, the web was a very different place than it is today. At that time, blogs, Tweets and Facebook did not exist. In the late 1990's, content and links tended to be created by humans and both were freely accessible to Google's crawlers. Back then important websites were "likely to receive more links from other websites." As a result, Google was able to leverage the "citation graph" of the internet to measure "importance" based on "people's subjective idea of importance."
Today, content and links tend to be created by software and not by humans. The best place to find high quality human made content and links today is deep within the password protected confines of social media websites. These issues are both problematic for Google because most social media sites prevent Google from accessing high quality content and links.
For all the skeptics, Google does appear to have billions of Facebook pages indexed. That being said, many of the Facebook pages that Google has indexed are duplicate content from Wikipedia, Facebook and other sources. In cases where Facebook pages are accessible to Google crawlers, outbound links are almost always password protected, nofollowed, disallowed via robots.txt or links to internal Facebook pages which cannot be crawled. As a result, Google is limited to extracting only external Facebook content and a few social media signals which can easily be spammed.
Google+ is like the internet used to be before social media websites existed and PageRank ruled the land. Google+ Ripples even provides a visual representation of impact factor like data similar to PageRank. PageRank or not, Google+ is a place where human made content and links are accessible to Google. According to Google, Google+ represents the "unification of all of Google's services with a common social air." This "social air" makes Google+ a place where more important websites are still likely to receive more links than less important websites. Google+ is a new "citation graph" where Google can once again crawl human crafted content and links to measure page importance based on people's subjective ideas about importance.
Google+ Spam Prevention:
Even if Google's crawlers could access the highest quality human crafted content and links on social media sites, fake content, reviews and unnatural link spam are of little value to Google. Without access to social media user account data, detecting these types of spam can be difficult.
According to anti-spam software experts, 40% of social media profiles are spam and by 2014 as many as 15% of reviews on social media sites are expected to be fake. In order to help address these issues, on March 1, 2012 Google moved to a single unified privacy policy across all Google properties. With this new level of shared data, Google's Spam & Abuse Team (the same team that handles GMail spam) has the most advanced systems in existence at its disposal to fight spam on Google+. Google+ has been designed to provide Google's Spam & Abuse Team with an almost endless selection of potential spam detection signals.
For example and without going into too much detail, Google accounts that frequently send and receive GMail, participate in Google+ Hangouts, watch YouTube videos and that are associated with an Android phone that moves around town, might be considered legitimate. On the other hand, if several accounts are associated with the same IP address and one is used to spam Blogger with duplicate blog posts authored by an associated account, each account could be considered untrustworthy.
It is difficult say for sure which signals Google is currently using, but with Google+ the potential for future spam signals is nearly unlimited. Spam, ranking manipulation, impersonation, deceptive behavior, fake profiles and adding people to circles too aggressively are all violations of Google+ guidelines.
Google+ Identification:
In order for content to be authoritative and trustworthy, its source must be identifiable. At the same time, spammers usually setup multiple accounts using fictitious identities.
Google CEO and Co-Founder Larry Page has stated "It's really important to know the identity of people so you can share things and comment on things and improve the search ecosystem, you know, as you and as a real person. I think all those things are absolutely crucial. That is why we have worked so hard on Google+, on making it an important part of search."
Google+ was initially developed as an "identity service." The success of Google+ depends on users using their real name. Real names are entities and Google can use entity related data to infer additional information. This type of data can be especially helpful when it comes to returning better search results for queries where expertise is required, and for queries about a specific individual where multiple individuals have the same name.
According to Google, "The internet would be better if we knew you were a real person rather than a dog or a fake person. Some people are just evil and we should be able to ID them and rank them downward." In order to set up a Google+ Profile or Google+ Page for business, Google requires your "common name". In some cases, Google may require an image of the user's drivers license, proof of identification and/or references to verify a user's name as well as his/her identity. For an author's picture to appear in Google search results, Google requires authors to provide a "recognizable headshot" photo. Images like these not only help searchers recognize authors, they can also by used by Google facial recognition software in various ways to help fight spam.
For example, in the near future expect to see Google roll out Google+ custom URLs for a nominal fee, paid by credit card. Because credit card transactions are one method for verifying a users identity, this approach allows Google to verify the identities of multiple users in a short time at scale.
Google believes that, "letting authors verify their name helps increase their credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of their readers." In addition to name verification, Google+ provides tools for identity verification that Google can use to combat various forms of entity authentication fraud.
Google+ User Data:
Google can only collect personal information from users who are willing to provide personal information. According to a former Google employee, "Google could still put ads in front of more people than Facebook, but Facebook knows so much more about those people. Advertisers and publishers cherish this kind of personal information, so much so that they are willing to put the Facebook brand before their own."
Google+ allows Google to ask users for personal information that otherwise could not be collected. Without Google+, Google would have no reason to collect personal data like relationship status, employment, occupation, education or places lived. In addition to collecting direct user data, Google+ collects indirect user data from Google +1 buttons. Google +1 buttons have been widely adopted and are currently embedded within billions of webpages. According to Google, +1s provide contextual value when users are in the market for a particular product. It only stands to reason that +1s also allow Google to collect sentiment related data. Once collected, Google can translate this new gold mine of user data into increased ad revenue through targeted ads for signed in users.
As you can see, Google+ is far more than just another social network!


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DON PESCI: A citizen's case against the Malloy-Lawlor early release program
When the Democratic dominated General Assembly perhaps unwittingly passed Bill HB 6650 establishing a Risk Reduction Earned Credits program for some prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes, the opposition from Republicans was nearly instantaneous. Then State Senator Len Suzio took the lead in agitating against the program. He was not alone.
In a June 6, 2011 media release, State Senator Joe Markley said that the program "amounts to a jail break." Mr. Markley went on to list the categories of violent prisoners eligible for early release under the program:
Manslaughter in the first degree (with intent to cause serious injury)
Sexual assault in the first degree (sex with someone under the age of 13)
Kidnapping in the first degree (intent to inflict physical injury)
Arson in the first degree (intent to destroy an inhabited building)
Employing a minor in an obscene performance
Importing child pornography
Contaminating a public water supply or food supply for terrorist purposes
Injury or risk of injury to, or impairing morals of, children
Abandonment of child under the age of six years
Firearms trafficking (knowingly giving a firearm to someone barred from firearm possession)
Cruelty to animals (possessing an animal for fighting, intentionally killing a police dog)"
After two credited criminals celebrated their early release by murdering two shopkeepers, one in Meriden and one in Manchester, some media outlets began to take notice of deficiencies in the program. But even so, the drumbeat against early release was hardly ear-shattering. Mr. Lawlor and Mr. Malloy hunkered down and hoped for a reduction in the decibel level.
Connecticut Victims Advocate Michelle Cruz stirred the pot when, representing the interests of victimized families -- her job -- she publically petitioned for an end to the program following the early release of prisoner Kezlyn Mendez, charged with the murder of a store clerk in Manchester. Ms. Cruz's job was put on the auction block by Mr. Malloy, and she has now been replaced by Garvin Ambrose, a political operative from Cook County, Illinois, murder capital of the United States. Mr. Ambrose was cited by a victims advocate group in Illinois as having been insufficiently concerned with the rights of crime victims.
The early release of Frankie "The Razor" Resto, so called because in freedom he was known for shaking down drug dealers with a razor, proved somewhat difficult to justify.
Mr. Resto was, by all accounts, an incorrigible prisoner. Behind bars he dealt drugs, racked up a disciplinary record that should have made him ineligible for early release and burned his mattress. The Lawlor-Malloy early release program was applied retroactively to the violent prisoners noted above in Mr. Markley's press release, which means that in many cases accessibility to the program did not depend on good behavior. While serving time for a 2006 robbery conviction, Mr. Resto was allotted 199 days of credits toward early release. In Mr. Resto's case, a violent prisoner was rewarded with early release credits for behavior that should have extended his sentence. The Lawlor-Malloy program was all carrot and no stick. Once out of jail, Mr. Resto illegally acquired a gun and murdered Ibraham Ghazal, the co-owner of an EZMart store in Meriden, according to arrest records.
The ham-fisted attempt by the Malloy administration to sanitize the predictable effects of its flawed early release program by ridding the political stage of opponents pointing to the blood on the floor may not succeed.
After political operatives in the General Assembly bound by party ties to the governor successfully smothered Republican introduced bills to eliminate the program and bills introduced by Senators Paul Doyle of Wethersfield and John Kissel of Enfield to exclude violent prisoners from the program, Senator Joe Markey forced the Judiciary Committee to draft and schedule legislation for a public hearing by resorting to a petitioning procedure authorized in the General Assembly's joint rules.
A bill conceived by Mr. Markley and state Representative Alfred Adnolfi of Cheshire that first proposed to prevent the violent convicts categorized above from participating in the early release program has now been redrafted and resubmitted. Mr. Lawlor recently told the Waterbury Republican American that he "had no problem" accepting a bill adding language to the current legislation clarifying that violent offenders cannot earn credits towards early release. On other occasions he has said that the early release program would not work if his program allowing credits to the categories of crimes listed by Mr. Markley were to be altered. A citizens' petition designed to catch the eye of those legislators who, perhaps unwittingly, have facilitated two murders in Connecticut communities may be found here: http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2012/08/sign-my-petition-to-suspend-the-early-release-program-4/
Governance in a Constitutional Republic, particularly when it impacts the safety of citizens, is too important to be left to artful politicians. The petition should be widely circulated and signed. The hearing should be well attended. When good citizens are silent, liberty and safety are put on the auction block.
Don Pesci is a writer who lives in Vernon, E-mail: email@example.com.


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Oracle unseen: Republican Reinicke plunges into politics
Ann Reinicke admits she has a tendency to jump in over her head. Certainly that was the case with her current job, teaching UVA employees how to use the university's new Oracle software. "I'd never seen Oracle," she says.
And that's how Reinicke (which rhymes with that muffler company) found herself running for City Council as a Republican.
A newcomer to city life, the former Afton resident was itching to be more involved in the community– "but living 30 minutes away made it harder," she says.
As luck would have it, the Republicans were itching to find candidates to run for the Dem-dominated council.
Reinicke didn't plan on being quite that involved. She started as block representative in her lower-income Prospect Avenue neighborhood. She's aware her choice of 'hoods is interesting, particularly for a software teacher and a Republican. But, she asks, "If you're going to make a difference, where better?"
"I found that as a white woman, there were some stereotypical things to get over and some trust issues," she says.
She says that living in a high-crime area prompted her to join the citizen's police academy. And to start attending City Council meetings.
In trying to get a stop sign for her neighborhood, she talked to council's lone Republican, Rob Schilling, who encouraged her to get involved as a Republican.
Reinicke calls herself fiscally conservative, but on social issues, she says, she's probably more liberal than the typical Republican. Asked about her favorite political women, she names the late Emily Couric and Meredith Richards– both Democrats.
When local Republicans asked her to run for City Council, Reinicke was just the woman to see such an undertaking as her civic duty.
"It wasn't an aspiration," she says, "but what an opportunity to make a difference."
Reinicke says her strength is her ability to pull people together, to see more than one side of an issue and connect with people "who've been left by the wayside."
And there's one other quality that could make her a formidable contender: "The worst thing you can do is tell me I can't do something."
Age: 50 and proud of it
What brought you here? Desire to make a difference
What's worst about living here? Shopping– we need more variety in the city.
Favorite hangout? Pretty much anywhere outdoors
Most overrated virtue? Webster defines a virtue as goodness. How can you overrate that?
What would people be surprised to know about you? I'm running for public office.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would like to finish my degree, but things keep popping up that need attention.
What accomplishment are you proudest of? Being involved with the Charlottesville Police Department/Quality Community Council and their Block Representative Program
What do people find most annoying about you? I tend to speak my mind and sometimes step on toes. Ouch!
Whom do you admire? My co-workers. They have to put up with me eight hours a day Monday through Friday.
Favorite book? Monsters Under My Bed by Shel Silverstein (Can you tell I have three kids?)
What subject causes you to rant? Someone cutting me off in traffic and people who don't understand what merge means
What thrills you about life in the 21st century? Technology. It's truly amazing what's happening every day.
What creeps you out about life in the 21st century? Technology. Same as above
What do you drive? Honda S2000 when I'm having a mid-life crisis (this is on loan from my son),'98 Ford Ranger when I'm hauling, '94 VW Passat when running errands, and my daughter's Jeep Wrangler when we carpool to work
What's in your car CD/tape player right now? S2000: Coldplay, Ranger: Celtic music, Passat: Herbie Mann, and the Jeep: Linkin Park
What's your next journey? Every day is a new journey. I believe I just started a journey running for City Council.
What's the most trouble you've ever gotten in? When I was 14 and sailed my sail-board past the bridge my dad said was off limits. I just had to see what was on the other side and to show him I could do it. He didn't see it from my point of view, and he sold the boat.
What do you regret? Not having enough time in the day to do everything I want
Favorite comfort food? Hot fudge sundae, low carb, of course
What's always in your refrigerator? Diet drinks
Must-see TV? Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Trading Spaces, Fox News, West Wing, and of course, 29 news
Favorite cartoon? Road Runner
Describe a perfect day. The weather fits my mood.
Walter Mitty fantasy? After seeing my picture in the paper, I would have to say this one: "Wouldn't it be fun to be on the cover of a magazine and have your face and body touched up like the celebrities do? "
Who'd play you in the movie? I hope Sissy Spacek
Most embarrassing moment? Sneaking up on my husband and grabbing his "love handles," only to see the shocked face of a stranger. They had on the same shirt.
Best advice you ever got? You need to pick the hills to die on.
Favorite bumper sticker? If City Council won't change, Change City Council
Ann Reinicke


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I don't why? when I encode a video to format H.265 with a check in box "Copy Audio" then it make different to Media info.
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And it make different in Media info of Video
can Anybody help me about that ? Because of I want to check "copy audio" but the resuft of Codec ID must be "hvc1"
Thank you very much.
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Mount Pelion
Where: Only a few kilometres away from the busy port of Volos in Thessaly stands mythical Mt. Pilion, which according to Greek mythology was the home of the mythical Centaurs, creatures who were half man and half horse. Ancient Greek heroes such as Achilles, Jason and Theseus came to Mount Pilion to master the arts taught by the Centaurs. Mount Pilion is home to 24 beautiful villages.
Why: The unique combination of superb natural surroundings, dense greenery, cascading waterfalls and gorges, romantic bays with crystal clear waters and outstanding local architecture make for a "four seasons' destination" that attracts visitors all year long.
Must visit: Pilion boasts some of the most famous traditional villages in Greece; set against an idyllic backdrop of shimmering olive groves, dense forests and lush fruit orchards, these stone-built villages are the true gems of Pilion. Visit the lovely old village of Tsagaráda –home to a 1,000-year-old plane tree; Makrinitsa, the so-called balcony of Pilion, which affords magnificent views over the Aegean; Portaria, which thanks to its impressive traditional mansions has successfully managed to preserve its traditional colour untouched by time, and Chánia, with its famous ski centre.
Activities on offer: Explore this unspoiled world on horseback! The horseback trip starts in Argalasti, an attractive village in the south of the peninsula. From here you can reach beaches on both sides of the peninsula – open sea or calm gulf. The cobblestone trails between villages lead you back through time and are ideal for rides on horseback. The main trails out of Argalasti lead to many interesting locations, such as Kalamos (6 km to the west) and Lefokastro (6 km to the NW). Ski down snowy slopes at the ski resort of Agriolefkes near the village of Chánia or walk along narrow winding cobbled paths known as calderimia. The Chánia-Kissós path is one of the most popular among trekking lovers.
Hot tips:
• Discover one of Pilion's best kept secrets: the tiny, exquisite cove of Fakistra; the highlight is a stream that springs from the mountain and flows into the sea. It is rather difficult to get down to it but it certainly worth it; even in winter the setting is very romantic; pure magic.
• Follow a scenic route from the village of Milies...by train! Take the legendary Pelion stream train, a narrow-gauge rail track built more than a century ago by the father of the surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico, which crosses stone bridges and passes through rugged landscapes; all the stations are of unique architectural interest.
• Visit the village of Damouchari, where several scenes from the movie Mamma Mia were filmed!
Accommodation: Ancient old mansions of traditional Pelian architecture that used to belong to rich merchants have been turned into cosy guesthouses offering an exquisite atmosphere that is difficult to find anywhere else in Greece.
Famous local products: Taste mouth-watering pies and home-made "spoon sweets" (a traditional dessert consisting usually of fruit preserved in syrup) produced by local women's associations with all kinds of local fresh fruit!
Zagorochoria villages
Where: At the heart of Epirus, nestling among the steep and snowy slopes of the Týmfi mountain range.
Why: A complex of 46 picturesque traditional villages built in a magical setting amidst pine and fir trees with one of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in Europe. Its unique traditional architecture, impressive stone mansions and undulating, natural forest surroundings are the perfect ingredients for an unparalleled destination, ideal for action-packed holidays!
Must visit: Visit Zagóri's most picturesque villages; Monodéndri is a restored stone village. Stroll down its narrow streets past the village's stone courtyards; take the rocky trail starting from the central square that leads you to Vickos Gorge, which is awe-inspiringly deep! From there, admire the Monastery of St. Paraskevi nestling on a rock overlooking the Vickos Gorge. Mikro and Megalo Papigko, Aristi, Kipi and Dilofo are just some of the precious gems of Zagori. Gaze at the beautiful stone bridges which connect the villages. These are architectural masterpieces of superb craftsmanship which are often associated with legends and other local traditions.
Activities on offer: Trekking lovers will have the chance to hit a variety of mountain trails in Zagorochoria. Cross the Vickos Gorge following the route from Monodéndri north to Vikos- Vikos to Pápigo, and Monodéndri south to Kipi, a traditional small village with old arched stone bridges. The route is quite long (it lasts at least 5 hours), but it is a very rewarding experience! Starting from Pápigo you can take a much easier, three-hour trail; follow the path leading to Astráka refuge and then head for the summits of Astráka and Lápatos.
Hit the trails that connect the villages Pápigo and Mikró Pápigo through the Vikos-Aoós National Forest; go for an invigorating swim in the two natural forest lakes. The village of Vovoúsa in eastern Zagori is ideal for bird watching as it is located near the National Park of Valia Kalda, a protected forest populated with rare species of flora and fauna.
Hot tips:
• Follow the mountain trails to Kípi, an ideal mountain tourism destination: cross its two rivers (Vikákis and Baniótikos) using the Kaloyerikó (or Plakidas), a three arch bridge with a serpentine deck.
• Explore the magical "Drakolimni", one of the three alpine lakes in the Pindus mountain range, which according to local legends used to be inhabited by dragons!
• Don't miss the opportunity to walk the famous Vradeto Stairs at the edge of Vickos Gorge. These stone 1,200 meter stairs connect the villages Vradéto and Kapésovo, and they were the only access to Vradéto village until 1973!
• Trekking through the Asprággeli, Dikóryfo, Manassís and Kaloutás villages, you will find the Kaloutás Bridge, which used to connect the village to with the Vissikoú Monastery (dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary).
Accommodation: Traditional stone-built guesthouses offer a warm environment to rest in after your day has come to an end; enjoy a glass of fine wine by the fireplace before going to sleep or a delicious breakfast with fresh local products before starting your day!
Famous local products: Experience the true magic of Zayorohória: have a delicious meal in a mezedopoleío (local tavern) and taste the famous local pies accompanied by sweet local wine!
Mountainous Arcadia
Where: Among the steep slopes of Mt. Mainalo in the Peloponnese nestle the mountain villages of Dimitsána, Stemnítsa and Vytína.
Why: Get a deeper insight into Greek history by visiting the places where the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Turks actually began; a place synonymous with legendary heroes, fierce battles and glorious achievements. Today thanks to its proximity to Athens and its striking beauty Mountainous Arcadia is one of the most popular winter destinations in Greece.
Must visit: The village of Dimitsána; built like an amphitheatre overlooking the Lousios River, Lousios valley and the plains of Megalopoli, Dimitsána is nicely surrounded by snow covered mountain tops and lush pine tree forests. Some of its most famous sights are the six remaining legendary Gunpowder Mills that used to produce gunpowder for the Revolutionary War, the Philosophou and Timiou Prodromou Monasteries; the archaeological site of Gortyna and the houses of heroes of the Revolution.
The village of Stemnitsa is a typical traditional Arcadian settlement set amidst ancient plane and fir trees. It boasts grand stone mansions, Byzantine churches, cobblestone paths, a beautiful square and an interesting Folklore Museum.
At the heart of Mountainous Arcadia, among the slopes of Mt. Mainalo, lies the most popular tourist destination in Arcadia, Vytina, famous for its unique architecture and blessed with a rugged landscape. Home to a number of legendary heroes of the Revolutionary War, Vytína faced the rage of the Turks many times and the village was burned down on 7 occasions! Vytína used to be an important centre of for the textile industry and woodcraft but today the economy is largely based on tourism.
Activities on offer: Go rafting down the Lousios River; if you are a trekking fan hit the mountain trails and take in the breathtaking scenery or glide down snowy mountain slopes at Mainalo ski resort, an ultra modern ski centre with first-class facilities.
Hot tips:
• Visit the Open Air Water-Power Museum in Dimitsána, the only museum of its kind, which demonstrates basic pre-industrial techniques using water as the main source of energy to produce a variety of goods.
• Stroll around the picturesque district of Kastro in Stemnitsa and take in an amazing view of the Margaritsa Gorge sprawling below.
• Visit the Folklore Museum, the "Greek School" and the Library of Vytína, where you can admire rare books and manuscripts.
Accommodation: Impressive stone mansions turned into cosy family run guesthouses or first-class hotels offer a wide range of facilities and a cosy atmosphere to relax in with your family or to enjoy romantic moments by the fireplace with your other half.
Famous local products: Sample sweet-smelling honey, crunchy nuts, fresh dairy products, delicious local cheese or healing herbal infusions; don't forget to buy local folklore items like wooden sculptures or textiles before you leave.
Where: Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece
Why: Because it is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favourite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife!
Must visit: The Byzantine churches of the village with their well preserved frescos.
Activities on offer: Get involved in outdoor activities such as hiking or ski down the slopes of Mt. Parnassós at the biggest downhill ski resort in Greece. The mountain's high altitude offers ski lovers long-lasting snow cover at the peaks.
Hot tips:
• Discover the traditional character of the village by taking leisurely walks through its narrow cobblestone streets. Enjoy hot and sweet or soft and fruity drinks in cafés, or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops).
• Stay up all night and enjoy the village's bustling nightlife. There are a plethora of bars and clubs up and down the streets of Aráhova.
• Visit the nearby archaeological site of Delphi.
Accommodation: Various elegant first-class hotels or traditional guest houses offer luxurious accommodation.
Famous local products: Aráhova offers a memorable gourmet experience; taste local specialties: kontosoúvli (big hunks of pork skewered and put on a rotisserie with onions, tomatoes, peppers and seasoned with salt and pepper, garlic and oregano), kokorétsi (the intestines of the lamb stuffed with offal), sarmádes (stuffed grape leaves), traditional pies, handmade trahanás (pasta soup, can be sweet or sour), and hilopites (egg noodles made in linguine-sized strips, cut into small pieces).
Aráhova also produces the famous cheese "formaéla", a sweet smelling hard rind cheese of with a relatively mild flavour that you should definitely taste!
Have a sip of the divine Parnassós local wine, the red "Mavroudi", which achieved Protected Designation of Origin status in 2006. The "Black Aráhova vine" is a full-bodied prolific variety that produces wines of a deep red hue with a high alcohol content.
Complete your meal with traditional "spoon-sweets", or even better, try yogurt with honey, a dessert served compliments of the house. Before you leave Aráhova, pick up some hand-made beautifully coloured woven carpets (flocati rugs) and textiles to take with you as a going-away present.
Where: A mountain village situated in Evritania, Greece.
Why: Towering snow capped mountains; deep ravines; fast-flowing rivers and lakes; impressive gorges; Byzantine monasteries and tiny mountain villages make out an form an alpine landscape that promises to offer the ultimate winter experience!
Must visit: The most popular sights of Karpenissi: The Byzantine Church of Agia Triada in Karpenissi, the Church of Panagia in Fousiana, Agia Paraskevi in Vraggiana and Proussos Monastery, the Library and the picturesque squares of Markos Botsaris and Katsantonis, both famous heroes of the Revolution.
Activities: Trekking along winding mountain paths; canoe-kayaking in Kremaston Lake; kayaking and rafting down the Aheloos, Tavropos and Trikeriotis rivers; horse riding; canoeing through the gorges of Viniani and Vothonas; jeep safari and skiing at the modern ski resort of Karpenissi, one of the biggest and most popular in Greece.
Follow scenic routes and admire the undulating natural surroundings. Two suggested routes are: Karpenissi - Gorgianades - Korishades - Klausi - Voutiro - Nostimo - Megalo Horio - Mikro Horio - Palio Mikro Horio – Proussos and Karpenissi - Viniani - Kerasohori - Marathos - Monastiraki - Epiniana - Agrafa - Tridendro - Trovato - Vraggiana – Agrafa.
Hot tip: Visit the beautifully preserved district of Korishades and tour its fascinating museums such as the National Resistance Museum; visit restored manor houses, Byzantine churches, schools transformed into museums and the arched bridges of the area, wonderful examples of local architecture.
Accommodation: Choose from among family run pensions, welcoming guesthouses or luxurious hotels!
Famous local products: Taste fried trout and mushrooms (morchella) in red sauce. Other exquisite local products on offer include Katiki, which is a Euritanian goat cheese, feta cheese, yoghurt and butter, local meat, beans, noodles, pasta, chestnuts and walnuts, berries, black cherries, crab apples, figs and kumquats, honey and superb "spoon sweets" as well as wine, tsipouro and liqueurs. Don't forget to buy folk art products, like handmade rugs and woven fabrics of exceptional quality.
Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more!
All content included on this site consists intellectual property of GNTO and you are not allowed to reproduce the whole or part of this work in any way.
For information please contact: firstname.lastname@example.com. All Rights Reserved. GNTO © 2020.


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Sunday, November 01, 2020
After 50 years of occupation, Palestine is still steadfast and resisting
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi
- June 13, 2017
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Fifty years have passed since the Israeli army occupied the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. Almost 70 years have passed since more than two thirds of the Palestinian people were displaced at the hands of Zionist gangs.
During all these harsh years, the Palestinian people didn't succumb and didn't concede their national rights. They resisted with all means, everywhere, sacrificing tens of thousands of martyrs, as well as those injured and about one million male and female captives detained in occupation prisons.
Despite repression and abuse, seizing lands and properties and the incursion of the settlement monster, despite the imposition of inadequate and tragic agreements such as Oslo, despite repeated barbaric Israeli invasions and aggressions in the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinian people's cause not only remained alive but rather became the first issue of human conscience in our times.
Perhaps the greatest exploit made by our Palestinian people was during and after what the Arabs called Al-Naqsa or 'The Setback', what Israel named as the "Six-Day War" and what the Palestinians identified as the "
Aggression", that was the heroic steadfastness of the Palestinians on the territory of their homeland and refusal to leave or be displaced after what they learned from the bitter "
" (the Catastrophe) experience in 1948.
Many of us remember their fathers', uncles' and mothers' determination, in those black days, to stay in their homeland even if it cost them their lives. For death, as they say, was easier to tolerate than the humiliation of being displaced once again. This spontaneous and legendary steadfastness, based on bitter historical experience, actually was the best achievement made by the Palestinian people in their struggle against the Zionist movement. For it resulted in destroying the core of the Zionist project based on seizing the land and displacing its Palestinian inhabitants, then claiming that it is a land without a people.
Today, the result of this struggle is that the number of Palestinians living on Palestine's historical land once again returned to exceed that of Israeli Jews. If not for this human steadfastness, Israel would have succeeded in annexing all the occupied lands and liquidating the Palestinian cause. Thanks to the diverse kinds of resistance since the first days of occupation, culminating in the first
, the Palestinian presence became an effective and influential presence, not just a passive human mass.
He who has lived in Palestine over the past 50 years knows that every facet of life was an issue of resistance. For education became resistance, praying turned into resistance, having treatment became resistance, building a house, a school, a clinic, a mosque or a church became a form of resistance.
Generations after generations were engaged in struggle activities from the hardest form to the simplest one, but all of which were a struggle for freedom, dignity and getting rid of the occupation, persecution and forced displacement.
As magic turns on the magician, the new occupation turned to be a reminder and a revival of the memory of the older occupation and the first
that befell the Palestinian people. Today, the Palestinian people are not only facing the repercussions of the
and the longest occupation in modern history, but what turned out to be the worst form of racial discrimination (apartheid) in human history.
The experiences of failed, bitter negotiations, Oslo's horrible mistakes and what resulted in preoccupation with an authority that is entirely under occupation, proved that there is no way for the Palestinians except steadfastness and an honourable and dignified struggle in order to gain their freedom. It has become clear that the occupation will not go away, the refugees will not return and that the captives will not be freed unless the balance of powers is changed through wide scale popular resistance, the adoption of a total boycott against the occupation, strengthening the steadfastness of Palestinians in their homeland, integrating their constituents at home and abroad, working on ending all internal divisions, achieving national unity and setting up a unified national leadership.
Israel's rulers realise the huge impact of the Palestinian demographic presence, whether in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, or in the 1948 lands. Consequently, their plots always focus on partitioning, dividing Palestinians and sowing discord among their ranks. Even partitioning became a mechanism in itself for implementing discrimination and racial apartheid as a United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) report recently pointed out.
Thus, Israel's government is keen to separate Gaza from the rest of the Palestinian territories and strives to isolate Jerusalem from its Palestinian
Most of its effort during the past 70 years has been directed to transform the Palestinian cause from a people's cause with all its constituents into problems of partitioned and divided human groups. It did not miss an opportunity to feed internal divisions.
Therefore, the road to victory and freedom passes first through having real faith in the Palestinian people's ability to resist and overcome injustice, and second through exerting sincere effort to unify Palestinian energies and constituents and their struggling, political and societal forces.
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Map & Facilities
= Featured Locations
The following remain closed: all playgrounds, all pools and most areas & facilities east of Lake Shore Drive except for the Lakefront Trail, harbors, golf courses and many concessions. Beaches are closed for the season. Water fountains remain off. The Lakefront Trail and The 606 are open, users must keep it moving. Most fieldhouses are open 9 am – 5 pm weekdays for washrooms and shelter only. GO HERE to learn more.
1501 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60606