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Beth Collier shares psychotherapeutic perspectives on the harm of Respectability and why it's time to welcome a new era of Assertiveness
In 2016 Beyonce gave an era defining Superbowl performance that thrilled and stunned in equal measure. Referencing the Black Panther movement and declaring her love of black traits and characteristics, it was a voice rarely heard in mainstream cultural spaces. It was unapologetic, and its power reverberated. This beautiful demonstration of black excellence propelled black Assertiveness into global conversation.
With Maxine Waters 'reclaiming my time', King Johnson asserting 'I want you to not teach me lies', Shuri demanding 'don't scare me like that, coloniser,' Issa Rae 'rooting for everyone black' and Stormzy calling out 'where's the money for Grenfell,' black Assertiveness is stepping into the mainstream of conversation and culture, rather than remaining protected from white audiences in black communities and cultural hubs.
And no wonder we have protected our assertiveness, whiteness often interprets it as a threat and attacks it. Enigmatic leaders of colour who have lived a politics of Assertiveness have been sabotaged, brought down or murdered. And we have experienced the same in our struggle to be leaders of our own lives. Physically, emotionally and politically, it has historically felt safer to only share this voice amongst ourselves.
Respectability has long been the currency of being heard within the mainstream, but in recent years and months a momentum has seen Assertiveness, the unapologetic expression of black perspectives, needs and wants, break through and challenge the passivity that Respectability demands. This has seen us speak to each other, and anyone who would like to listen, in the same way we do within communities, without. This doesn't come without kick back. Black Assertiveness is vilified as aggressive and divisive. This angry response has kept us silent for a long time, if we speak up and stand at our full height we're considered aggressive and further punished through discrimination, offering us a lose-lose status quo.
Respectability undermines assertiveness
Although first described as a concept by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham in 2001, Respectability has long been a strategy for black people to mediate white aggression and in navigating space in oppressive environments, by 'speaking so that we can be heard' in conversations with white people about race. Often by absorbing a projected shame and disowning characteristics considered undesirable and at odds with the white mainstream's assertions about what is 'respectable.' Here 'respectable' translates as 'that which won't shake white people's sense of power or prevent white perspectives from dominating.'
In an economy of respectability, we are valued in line with how much we are like or agree with the white mainstream. Respectability is a system of internalised racism requiring self censoring, it sets parameters which marshal how we as black people express ourselves, particularly on issues of race. It requires us to temper, dampen, tiptoe, be submissive and grateful. Respectability undermines Assertiveness.
White framing and the denial of black perspectives
Respectability is always a white perspective. It is a framework guiding black people in how to be 'worthy' of being listened to by white people; a perspective which is then internalised by people of colour who use it to regulate their own behaviour.
Respectability politics demands that you explain black perspectives with a white voice. Speaking with a 'white sensibility' which requires the speaker to understand and speak from the frame of white perspectives. This further dilutes black perspectives and allows white people to not have to engage with black world views.
'Speaking to be heard' prioritises the needs of the listener over the speaker. This requires additional effort and energy from people of colour as the onus is placed on us to filter, censor and translate our expression. And it is tiring. Respectability puts the focus on the behaviour of the speaker rather than the behaviour of the listener. As an ideology Respectability isn't concerned with how white people respond to us. There is no focus on whether white people are able to listen respectfully. It doesn't question eyes being rolled, backs being turned, stories being denied – but rather whether, as black speakers, our words are too harsh, our volume too loud, or our tone too confrontational.
The pursuit of respectability and speaking to be heard is to give your power away. You step into a social contract which says 'you will only be respected you if you do these things', allowing whiteness to set the frame of how things are said and heard – continuing the legacy of the control and manipulation of black expression. Respectability politics is yet another metamorphosis of the colonising of minds.
Sadly, I still encounter demands for Respectability within work arenas, even more sadly by people of colour in leadership positions claiming to represent black people. These individuals have gained status by being a gatekeeper ally to the white perspective – making recommendations of who in the community to speak to, gaining kudos as a mediator, filtering out 'trouble makers' and presenting positive, uncritical views.
Respectability politics and the drama triangle
Respectability politics reinforces the idea of black inferiority, needing to speak up to a white authority, rather than being an equal, speaking with white people. Rendering black people a child to a white adult. An adult that can either rescue or persecute, but will not greet the black person as having equal agency. We are victimised. There is a refusal to engage with our assertiveness.
The drama triangle is a psychotherapeutic model conceived by Stephen Karpman, in the field of transactional analysis. It describes dynamics in relationships and roles we may play with different people at different times in our lives. The triangle is composed of Victim, Rescuer and Persecutor, depicted at each angle. In my formulation, the ideal is to be none of these, it is to be an Assertive Adult outside of the triangle. However each of the dramatic roles is invested in the triangulate dynamics and will try and pull assertive people back in. A rescuer needs a victim to feel good about themselves and will create one if necessary by undermining others, a persecutor needs a victim to feel powerful, a victim needs a rescuer to avoid a sense of their own agency, responsibility and power. They experience safety in this position because it is action and assertion which provokes attacks from the persecutor or the rescuer. Passivity appeases them both. Often people are drilled into being victims, then, as a familiar place, it begins to feel safe to be there, as threats and challenges only occur when you try and step out of the victim position. Both the Persecutor and Rescuer undermine the Victim to remove themselves from their own feelings of vulnerability. An assertive person is seen as a threat by people invested in roles within the drama triangle because they have the power to expose the game, rather than play it. This would challenge those occupying these roles to confront their motivations and actions, rather than avoid them. Whiteness creates blackness as victimised through control by patronisation or aggression. The white saviour is a rescuer. They need us to be a victim so that they can enjoy an identity of helping us. White supremacists are persecutors. They need us to be a victim that feels scared so that they can feel powerful. If we remove ourselves from the triangle by being assertive, they can struggle to define themselves as their identity feeds off our victimhood, which is why our assertiveness makes them angry.
Consider 'white tears' and how this dynamic dances around the triangle. When called out as being racist White Tears claim that we are persecuting them and that they are a victim, making us feel we need to rescue them by backing off. We are rarely permitted to rescue white people, unable to accept our Assertiveness, they default to a drama triangle position in which listening to us feels too much like being rescued, and comparatively disempowering. The request that we rescue them is only allowed with 'white tears' as it is an evasion strategy. 'White tears' is the passive aggressive position of a perpetrator masquerading as a victim.
In a politics of Assertiveness our aim is to remove ourselves from the drama of being made to feel aggressive or that we need to be a victim – submissive and meek – to be acceptable, or needing to address a white saviour who is 'kind enough' to help us. Nor do we need to rescue and feel that racism is our responsibility to fix.
Respectability as a coping mechanism
Respectability, as a strategy to deal with an oppressive relationship with whiteness, is a coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms indicate that there is something to be coped with, a difficulty, a trauma, a survival situation that we are responding to. We will all be at different stages of dealing with the traumas of racism and its destructive legacies within family function, wealth conditions and health.
Trauma and recovery
During our journey of recovery from trauma our ways of coping may evolve and should be reviewed as our circumstances and needs change. We will all travel at different depths, times and paces. Respectability may feel appropriate to where some people are in life. Some may not yet feel ready to let go of Respectability as something that has enabled them to feel safe thus far, where they know what the rules are and the access it can give.
However, Respectability as a coping mechanism holds us back from activating Assertiveness. And there is a collective conscious of black people ready, for whom Respectability is outmoded. Just as with all outmoded coping mechanisms, we should acknowledge the value it once had to us, and how it helped us find a way of existing. It was perhaps the best we could do with the resources (emotional, financial, political) we had at the time. But we now have different powers and opportunities and what once helped to make us feel safe is now holding us back.
We can emerge from this submissive, tentative position and walk tall in our Assertiveness.
Read the second part of this piece here.
If you enjoyed this, and want more like it, then please consider making a donation, it can be anything from £2 and takes no time at all. Or give what you can afford from £2 per month and become an MD member.
Beth Collier is a Psychotherapist and Anthropologist with a research background in human rights and emotional health. She writes about nature, traditional knowledge systems, emotional health and race. She provides training in Nature-based Psychotherapy through the Nature Therapy School. Beth's website is bethcollier.co.uk
All work published on MD is the intellectual property of its creators, and requires permission to be republished. Contact us if you have any questions.


text: ENTERPRISE EDITORIAL: Perot was a true Texan and a trailblazer Back to Article Comments Need to Register? X Remember Me Forgot your password? The Latest Commission will mute Trump's and Biden's mics Conoco's $9.7B deal for Concho will create shale giant 40M cases: As virus flares, strategies target hot spots H-E-B cuts ties with ad firm after founder's racist remarks Analysis: Texas is the most intriguing political state Homicide suspect turns himself in Notable death: Art Hanson, promoter of local musicians El Paso marks concerning COVID number Galveston County voters allowed to vote without a mask Country legend and 'Whiskey River' writer dies at 85 Beto O'Rourke to be college prof Report: Two SE Texas districts ranked among best in state Woman who praised Trump's smile voting for Biden Bob Hope School to provide rapid coronavirus testing U.S.'s largest psychiatric hospital to open in Houston Earth just had its hottest September in more than a century Abbott allows social workers to discriminate against LGBTQ people 24 indicted in probe of white supremacist prison gang PAPD: 1 person killed, home damaged in crash Man in stable condition after Beaumont apartment shooting Silsbee VFD apologizes for role in pro-Trump parade 6 iconic Texas movies that need remakes Boil water notice issued for parts of Jefferson Co. PAISD regains power, will return Thursday Walmart to spread out deals to avoid Black Friday crowds Non-profit seeks local volunteers to help Delta victims Silsbee Chamber of Commerce names Teacher of the Year West Orange-Stark High School moves online amid outbreak Local News BPD: Report says political signs were burned, "body slammed" Southeast Texas voter turnout tops state reports Texas ranks worst in national cost-of-voting study Rep. Babin's challenger breaks racial barrier Utility crews mend Delta damage Report: Area leads in illegal emissions

subset: commoncrawl


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*Blog has been edited to reflect 2019 information*
Downtown Huntsville's Tinsel Trail
The Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas trees in Downtown Huntsville that is free to attend and open all hours during the holiday season. Big Spring Park East is full of creativity, wonder, and holiday spirit with 300 trees starting November 29th!
This is the 9th year of the Tinsel Trail presented by Jerry Damson Automotive Group. You can make an evening at the Tinsel Trail part of your holiday traditions! There are so many wonderful holiday traditions all within a few blocks of Downtown Huntsville. Stop by Skating in the Park behind the Huntsville Museum of Art. You can also find the magic at Santa's Village at the Historic Huntsville Depot and journey to the Downtown Square to shop, dine, and play.
Lighting Ceremony
The lighting ceremony will be November 29th at 6:30pm, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle will share a holiday greeting, Chad Emerson, CEO and President of Downtown Huntsville, Inc., will say a few words then the Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre will perform. The lighting of the trail will commence, and we the evening will end with the Huntsville Community Drumline!
Each Thursday and Friday during Tinsel Trail you will be able to grab a coffee from Arsenal Coffee Co., they will be parked near the Welcome to Huntsville mural on Spragins Street. It's the perfect way to warm up this holiday season!
Tinsel Trot Run Fun
Join us for Tinsel Trot, sponsored by RCP Companies and CityCentre at Big Spring, on December 4th at 5:30pm! This 1-mile fun run is always a holiday favorite. Tegistration is free and you can find it on our Facebook event page. Visit Tinsel Trail's Facebook page for more information and to see a schedule of special events.
Which iHeartHsv Blogger Wrote This?
Katelyn serves as the Director of Communications and Membership for Downtown Huntsville, Inc. She is a graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has truly developed a passion for the city. Katelyn previously worked for the Huntsville Botanical Garden where she developed a love for the nonprofit world and tourism industry. Her family loves Huntsville and has enjoyed putting down roots in the Rocket City.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
There are so many conversations at SXSW that the daily SXSW Baby Podcast can only ever capture a very small part of Austin at this time of year, but we'll do our best to bring you the flavour of everything – just like we do with the blog. With that in mind, on the podcast today we have:
SXSW Cares
Leigh Durst, Deb Ng and Rob Wu (www.sxswcares.org)
Jeff Young, The Black Star Co-op (www.blackstar.coop)
Angry Birds Seasons
Peter Vesterbacka (www.rovio.com)
Yorkshire at SXSW Music (www.musicyorkshire.com)
Pat Fulgoni
Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we're up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby's contact form! Don't forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!


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We are remaining open for delivery & take-out service
The closing of Croxley's, Novita and Waterzooi dining rooms and bars has caused all of our team great financial hardship though-out these difficult times. The compassion and kindness of our great customers has been truly heartwarming and the team is very appreciative and for them we have created a fund to get them and their families some assistance.
See our "GoFundMe" here.
100% of donations will be distributed to our family of over 250 employees. We all look forward to the day we can open our doors to see you again.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to firstname.lastname@example.com. We're here if you need us.
Thank you for all your support over the years we hope to see you in person real soon please be safe.
- Croxley's, Novita, Waterzooi


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Bankruptcy court judge approves Cal Neva Resort & Casino settlement
When the owner of Cal Neva Resort & Casino in Crystal Bay filed for bankruptcy in June 2016, the move touched off a prolonged court battle that has kept the storied property in limbo and shuttered.
The filing by debtor New Cal-Neva Lodge LLC of St. Helena, Calif., led creditors to line up for tens of millions of dollars owed to them for services rendered or money loaned for a highly touted renovation project.
Roughly 18 months later, the major creditors in the case are about to get paid
On Dec. 26, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Reno has signed off on a deal that paves the way for Cal Neva Resort & Casino to be acquired by a Silicon Valley billionaire.
Judge Gregg W. Zive approved a compromise and settlement agreement between creditors tied to the resort and casino, which is located in Crystal Bay. The judgment was entered on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Lawrence Investments LLC, a venture capital investment firm headed by Oracle Corp. co-founder Larry Ellison, will assume control of the property. Lawrence Investments LLC will pay $35.8 million to acquire the resort and casino.
As a result of the agreement between Lawrence Investments and creditors, Hall will receive "the approximate sum of $26,885,000," bankruptcy court documents showed.
The Penta Building Group of Las Vegas, which was the general contractor for the renovation project, as well its sub-contractors and D4US LLC of Incline Village, will receive $8,025,000 to settle their claims in the case. The bulk of that money goes to Penta Building Group, which had filed a claim of about $7.1 million with the bankruptcy court.
The agreement marks a stark turnaround from a few weeks ago when the sale appeared to be doomed, bankruptcy court documents showed.
"The U.S. Trustee is informed and believes the stay of the proposed sale is for a longer period of time than the proposed buyer (Ellison) will accept," Assistant U.S. Trustee Nicholas Strozza wrote in the filing Nov. 24.
Strozza also asked the case be tossed out of court. But the circumstances have changed since that time, and possibly the fortunes for Cal Neva Resort & Casino.
The turnaround has left local officials feeling better about the outlook for Cal Neva Resort & Casino even though it remains unclear what Ellison plans to do with the property. Nothing in the court documents, examined by the Sierra Sun, indicates what's in store for Cal Neva Resort & Casino.
"TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) has not yet heard from anyone regarding the future of the Cal Neva project," said Thomas Lotshaw, public information officer for TRPA.
"TRPA supports the approved project for the revitalization and environmental improvements it would bring to this iconic property, and the agency is willing and able to work with any potential new owner to help keep a good project going."
The bankruptcy proceedings are a byproduct of the spring 2013 purchase of Cal Neva Resort & Casino by Criswell Radovan, a Napa Valley-based real estate firm also doing business as New Cal-Neva Lodge LLC. The resort was later closed in September 2013 for a multimillion-dollar renovation.
"With the reopening, there will be a rebirth … it will be a totally different creature," said Robert Radovan, co-owner of Criswell Radovan, and controlling partner of the property at the time.
"Our goal is to be the entertainment center of the North Shore. The Cal Neva has always been an icon of the North Shore. With a new look and a return to a four- or four-and-a-half-star hotel … we plan to bring it back to what it was in its heyday."
That heyday included the memorable era in the 1960s, when the resort was owned by Frank Sinatra and frequented by the likes of the Rat Pack, Marilyn Monroe, members of the Kennedy family, and mob figures such as Sam Giancana.
However, a series of delays over the years pushed back the grand reopening of Cal Neva Resort & Casino to the point where it never happened. Then, in July 2016, New Cal-Neva Lodge LLC filed for bankruptcy in the midst of the renovation.
"We're looking forward to getting that opened up," said Andy Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, who got an up-close view of the renovation a while back. "I hope this sale goes through. We do need that building."
Originally built in 1926, Cal Neva includes 219 rooms and cottages, restaurants, a spa, open space featuring panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, and a tunnel system Sinatra added so his less reputable buddies could move around unseen.
The property also features a 350-seat show room, 16,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Circle Bar.
For an interactive timeline of the history of Cal Neva Resort & Casino, visit sierrasun.com.


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The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) held a very special event on Saturday, March 2nd 2013, as part of the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards programming. Hosted at the Sony Centre of the Performing Arts, the FanZone gave fans an opportunity to meet their favourite film and television stars and become a part of the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards action.
Academy CEO Helga Stephenson mentioned that ""fans are vital to the screen industry, and so it is important that they are also an integral part of the first-ever Canadian Screen Awards." The event gave an opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with some of their favourite stars, get photos with them and autographs
Hosted by SPACE's Teddy Wilson, the event was attended by the who's who of film and television, including:
- Flashpoint's Sergio Di Zio
- GOON's Kim Coates
- Saving Hope's Erica Durance
- Mr. D's Gerry Dee and Naomi Snieckus
- Degrassi's Aislinn Paul and Jahmil French
- Artic Air's Adam Beach
- Dragon's Den's Arlene Dickinson
- The Bachelor Canada's Bianka Kamber & Brad Smith
- TSN's Brian Williams
- Seed's Carrie-Lynn Neales and Adam Korson
- The Listener's Ennis Esmer
- Bomb Girls' Meg Tilly
- Motive's Kristin Lehman
- ET Canada's Cheryl Hickey
Check out all the photos from the afternoon event below!
Make sure to check back for all the photo and interview coverage of the inaugural Canadian Screen Awards event on March 3rd, 2013. Join our mailing list on the side!


text: If you clean your Pet Loo according to directions and empty the waste container regularly, the smell should be minimal. However, every pet's diet and health is different, so each pet's waste is different too. If you are concerned about smell, our Pee Pods are designed to trap odors. The special powder solidifies into a gel when it comes in contact with your pet's urine, effectively trapping liquid, bacteria, and odor. The disposable pod makes cleanup easier too.


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If you manage a spa, massage center, or you just want to have a supply of warm towels in your home, then a hot towel warmer is an excellent investment for you. This unit works efficiently in warming and sanitizing towels and washcloths in a matter of minutes. What's more, you can find a cabinet that comes with a sleek design with space-saving features just like the item in this review.
Benefits/Product Features
This hot towel cabi by Elite offers the best value for your money because of these great features:
Spacious Interior
You can fit as much as 24 small and facial-sized towels or washcloths inside this hot towel cabinets. So, you can warm as many towels at once, which helps you save time and energy.
Outstanding Performance
This cabinet has insulation with a heating element that is padded, which surrounds the interior walls to warm towels in minutes. It also has an internal temperature control, and this prevents any overheating issues. Lastly, there are no bulbs inside the cabinet, which enables a consistent level of heating.
Easy Maintenance
The unit has a drip pan, and this prevents water from leaking inside the unit. As for the towel rack included inside, this offers a smart way to organize your towels and keep them neat in one place. Just be sure to pre-soak your towels and remove excess water, roll and place them neatly on the wire rack and turn the power on to start warming the towels.
Customer Reviews
A number of product users are impressed by the unit because it does a great job in heating towels quickly. The moment the power is turned on, this hot towel cabinets starts warming the contents instantly. Moreover, with the right level of temperature, towels turn out as warm as you expect.
However, there are those who are not quite satisfied with the depth of the unit. They think it should have been deeper to place the towels properly without having to put them at a slanting manner. Other than this minor issue, the unit works great.
Where to Buy
The best place to buy and expect great savings from this towel cabinet is at Amazon. So, be sure to grab one of these hot towel cabinets that you will find an excellent value for your money.
Similar Posts:
- Hot Towel Cabinet, Hot Towel Cabbie – Mini Review
- Hot Towel Cabinet, Hot Towel Cabbie Double Review
- Amba SAFSB-33 Free Standing Review


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SUH = Hot Water Sanitizing model
For the Low-Temperature (Chemical Sanitizing) model please see the SUL Model
Stero Undercounters provide the powerful cleaning performance you demand, within a small footprint. The compact, flexible design fits neatly under a countertop, and low energy and water consumption supports efforts for utility cost containment.
With a 17" door opening, Stero undercounters can accommodate a variety of ware types. The digital control displays wash and rinse temperatures brilliantly.
Standard features include:
- Energy Star qualified
- .78 gallons of water per rack
- 31 racks per hour rate
- Hot water sanitizing
- 17" door opening
- Rinse Assurance ensures 180° final rinse
- Chemical pumps and alarms included
- Interchangeable upper and lower wash and rinse arms
Warranty: 1 year parts & labour by Hobart Canada (Hobart Service 1-800-444-4764)
PDF Specs


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The Pen-O-Trator V2 reamer shoe is the industries biggest step change in design and performance of casing reamer shoes in a generation. The reamer shoe has been specifically designed to aid with the installation of any casing, liner or screen application where the operator has concerns over potential difficult wellbore conditions such as swelling shales, ledges and washed out areas within the wellbore. The Pen-O-Trator V2 has enhanced the capabilities of the sector leading Pen-O-Trator reamer shoe with improved cutting structure, optimised hole cleaning, improved drillout, enhanced ledgeriding ability and full design variability, all with the industry leading Pen-O-Trator reputation
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Speeches & Floor Statements
Floor Remarks of U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) - Higher Education Act
Posted on July 31, 2008
"Higher Education" July 31, 2008 Mr. President, in case anyone is wondering, these boxes, which are nearly as tall as I am, are the rules and regulations that our 6,000 colleges and universities must comply with in order to receive students who have a Federal grant or loan. As I will make clear in my remarks, my primary objection to the legislation I am about to address is that the legislation doubles the size of this stack of boxes. My fear is we are undermining the quality of American higher education. The greatest threat, I believe, to American higher education is not underfunding, it is overregulation. Before I say that, let me first say a word, as has been said before, about Senator Kennedy, Senator Enzi, and Senator Mikulski. While they have, among themselves, different philosophical views, I regard each of them as institutions whom I greatly admire. In other words, they like to work within this body across party lines to get a result. I thank both Senator Enzi and Senator Mikulski for the courtesy accorded me in the development of this result. And as every other Member of this body does, I greatly admire Senator Kennedy for his tenacity and his commitment to education. Obviously, we wish he were here tonight to join us. Because I admire Senator Kennedy and Senator Mikulski and Senator Enzi does not mean I have to admire the particular result of this work. After 4 years, the Senate has spewed forth a well-intentioned contraption of unnecessary rules and regulations that waste time and money that ought to be spent on students and improving quality. It confirms my belief that the greatest threat to the quality of American higher education is not underfunding, it is overregulation. Current Federal rules for the 6,000 higher education institutions that accept students with Federal grants or loans fill a stack of boxes that is nearly as tall as I am. The former President of Stanford, Gerhard Casper, estimated that it cost these institutions from Harvard to the Nashville Auto Diesel College 7 cents of each federal dollar to do all the busy work to fill out these regulations. The legisation which we are considering tonight doubles those rules and regulations with 24 new categories and 100 new reporting requirements. These new requirements include a total of 54 so-called college watch lists which I believe will be too confusing for families to understand, and complicated rules involving textbooks which only will prove that Members of Congress have no idea about how faculty members prepare their courses. Most of these complications of rules, graduation rates in 48 different categories, disaggregation of student reporting dates by 14 racial, ethnic, and income subgroups, employment of graduates of institutions will leave college administrators scratching their heads and create thousands of new jobs for people who know how to fill out forms. All of this will be put on the Web, I suppose, and most of it will be sent to Washington, DC, for someone to read. Having once been the Secretary of Education myself, I do not know who will read all these new regulations and all these new reports, and I don't know what they would do about them if they did read them. The American higher education system is far from perfect, but it is one thing in our country that works and it works well. It is our secret weapon in maintaining our brain power advantage so we can keep our higher standard of living and keep our jobs from going overseas. The United States not only has the best colleges and universities in the world, it has almost all of the best colleges and universities in the world. Some are big, some are small, some are public, some are private, some are profit, some are nonprofit. They are community colleges, historically Black colleges and church-affiliated institutions. Tuitions range from $50,000 a year at some private institutions to an average of $6,200 a year for 4-year public institutions, to $2,400 for community colleges. In Tennessee, some cities are even making community college free. Their foremost advantage, the advantage of all these 6,000 institutions, is that in a rapidly changing world, these 6,000 autonomous institutions are flexible and able to meet the needs of their student customers. Federal support for higher education goes almost all to these students. It does not go to the institutions. A little of it does, but almost all of it goes to the students who then choose the schools, forcing the institutions to compete, stay flexible and meet real needs. That is the precisely opposite way we fund kindergarten through the 12th grade. We give the money to elementary and secondary institutions, tending to freeze them into whatever they have been doing for the last 50 years. We can compare the success of our higher education system with the lack of success of our K through 12 system and wonder whether the reason might not be that in higher education, we focus on autonomy, choice, and competition. Generous research dollars in higher education are for the most part competitively awarded, which also helps to keep the institutions on their toes. The rest of the world is busy trying to emulate the American system of higher education, which means other countries are creating more autonomy, more choices, and more competition. Yet here we are in the Senate today cluttering up our secret weapon with the same bureaucratic nonsense that has stifled excellence in universities in other parts of the world and will do it here if these trends are not reversed. There is a great deal of beating of breasts about how much good this bill does to address the problem of college costs. It is ironic that the same legislation would add to tuition costs by imposing unnecessary regulations. And it is especially ironic that the very Members of Congress who are complaining the most about rising tuition costs fail to see that at least for public institutions, which about 70 percent of our students attend, Members of Congress are the cause of the rising costs. This is why it is true that State support for higher education has been low during this decade. Between 2000 and 2006, State spending for higher education increased by only 17 percent, while tuition at public institutions during that time was up 63 percent. It is also true that the reason tuition costs are up is that State spending is down. But what Members of Congress seem to be missing is that the principal reason State support of higher education is down is because Congress has mandated that States pay so much for programs such as Medicaid or fail to meet their commitments to programs like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA. When the Governors and legislatures are through paying for the mandates for Medicaid or to make up the lack of the Federal Government's commitment to IDEA, there is very little left for higher education. When Federal requirements for Medicaid dictate that State spending for Medicaid goes up 7 or 8 percent a year when the overall State budget is only going up 3 or 4 percent a year, the money has to come from somewhere. States have to balance their budgets, and in State after State, the money has been coming from higher education. That was true in Tennessee during the 1980s, when I was the Governor, and it is even more true today. During the 1980s, my major goal was to try to help us to spend at least 50 percent of our State tax dollar on education. My major adversary was Federal Medicaid. While I ultimately did succeed in getting to 50 cents, I had to squeeze it and push it and try to control it, and still it grew faster than everything else in the State budget. I was able to do that then because Medicaid and other health services were only about 15 cents of the State tax dollar. But by this decade, 2003 and 2004, the number was 40 percent of the State tax dollars in Tennessee went to education, not 50, and 31 cents went to Medicaid and health services. I am confident most of the cutting came out of higher education, which resulted in most of the tuition increases so the universities could operate and pay their bills. I would respectfully suggest that we in Congress need to start along two completely different tracks if we want to retain the autonomy, competition, and choice that has led to quality and access to American higher education. First, we need to deregulate, not overregulate higher education. Cut this stack of rules and regulations in half and use the time and the money for students and for academic excellence. Second, we need to stop loading State budgets with so many unfunded Federal mandates. For example, if Congress were to fully fund IDEA, the program for students with disabilities, at 40 percent of its cost, which is what Congress said it would do in the 1970s, that would add $250 million to Tennessee's revenue stream. I am sure much of this would go straight to higher education, whose annual budget is about $1.2 billion. More importantly, we need to give States more flexibility in dealing with Medicaid costs and give them an opportunity to take steps to make it easier to free themselves from outdated Federal Court consent decrees, which restrict the ability of Governors and legislators to direct money to higher education priorities. Then, of course, there is the REAL ID, another $4 billion in unfunded mandates for the States, and out of which pot do you think the States might take that? Higher education would be my guess. Most Governors and legislators can point to many more unfunded Federal mandates. These two steps are the best way to drive down college costs and to maintain academic excellence. There are major accomplishments in this bill, some of which I have worked on and of which I am proud. They include simplifying the Federal student aid form and allowing year-round Pell grants for students making progress toward a degree. There is a new compliance calendar, which the Secretary of Education will be required to develop, that will set forth all of the reports and the disclosures required under the Higher Education Act. I am proud to say I suggested that. In other words, the new Secretary of Education will have to make a calendar listing every single report that has to be complied with, so the small Catholic college in Baltimore might not have to hire three more people in to go through this growing stack of requirements. I authored the restrictions prohibiting the Secretary of Education from regulating student learning standards or requiring accreditors to adopt specific measures of learning assessment, which would have been additional federalizing of our 6,000 autonomous institutions. There is an accountability research grant in this bill to focus attention on institutions making progress in measuring student achievement and asking the advisory committee, which has already done such good work in simplifying the student application form, to review this stack of growing Federal regulations. I also sponsored the new discretionary grant program for Teach for America. All these actions in this bill are for the good, as is the increase in the availability of Pell grants for students who need help attending college. But I cannot support a piece of legislation that so undermines the excellence in higher education that comes from institutional autonomy. I would like to offer a few letters and statements, and I ask unanimous consent they be printed in the Record following my remarks. Mr. President, the first of these is a release today from the National Governors Association, which points out that Governors are responsible for making funding decisions that serve the best interests of all citizens. The Governors, in their release, say: Maintenance of effort undermines governors' authority and guarantees students and their families will be writing larger not smaller tuition checks in the future. This is not the answer to affordable higher education. Governors oppose the higher education bill because of the negative impacts of the maintenance of effort and implore Congress to vote against it. We had a vote on stripping out the maintenance-of-effort bill, but I lost that by one vote in the conference committee. Basically, what it says is that Members of the Senate and the House will substitute their judgment for that of Governors and State legislators. My suggestion was that if we are going to pass a bill and take credit for requiring States to spend more money on higher education, whether or not they have other priorities, then we might as well also go back down to our State capitals and join in the pain and suggest to the Governors whom to lay off or what school to close or what mental hospital to limit or what tax to raise because of our requirement about higher education maintenance of effort. The second letter I would like to include in the Record comes from the commissioner of the Department of Finance and Administration in Nashville. Our Democratic Governor, Phil Bredesen, who has done a great many good things for higher education during his 6 years, is in the midst of a budget crisis. He is reacting to the very idea that during the midst of that, when he is laying off employees and making cuts in virtually every program, that we would take it upon ourselves to say that if he doesn't increase funding for higher education, we are going to cut his Federal funding. All when we ourselves are one of the reasons he is having a hard time funding higher education, because of all our unfunded mandates. The third letter I would like to include is from the chancellor of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, one of our most distinguished research universities and one of which I am proud to be an alumnus. It is a well-modulated letter, as you would expect from the chancellor of Vanderbilt. The letter argues very eloquently why the autonomy, competition, and choice that characterizes excellence in higher education is so important and so fragile and needs to be respected by us as we pass higher education bills, rather than to use a blunderbuss and start stacking boxes and boxes of regulations on institutions such as Vanderbilt. Why do we think we can do a better job in the Senate making Vanderbilt University a better university by complying with all this stuff, when it takes money that might be used to educate the students and improve academic excellence? They already have deans, vice chancellors, provosts, chancellors, and a board of trustees. If they are a public institution, they have a Governor, they have a higher education commission. They have plenty of overseers. They do not need us. Two other letters, one from the president of Duke University, office of the president, Richard Brodhead, an equally thoughtful letter about the Federal role in higher education. I might say that North Carolina has done one of the best jobs of any State in accountability for higher education. No one is doubting we need accountability for the money the Federal Government spends. As I mentioned earlier, the dollars we spend for research, tens of millions a year, are made accountable by being competitively granted, for the most part. The dollars we spend for colleges and universities don't go to the colleges and universities, they go to the students, and the students choose the school. If they do not like the school or the cost of the school, they may go to another school. Each of those schools has to be accredited before the student can choose the school. That has been a marvelous system for helping to give autonomous institutions the freedom to be good, while at the same time allowing for accountability for the money we spend. Finally, two letters that were written to Senator Isakson of Georgia. One is from the president of the University of Georgia, Mike Adams, who was president of two other colleges before he was president of the University of Georgia. A distinguished educator. Georgia, of course, is one of our distinguished public universities in America. Finally, a letter from the President of Emory University, James Wagner, and the president of Georgia Tech, Gary Schuster, to Senator Isakson, making the same objections. As I said at the beginning, I admire my colleagues, I admire their 4 years of hard work, and I admire their commitment to a result. My hope would be we could go on two different tracks from here. One would be to look for ways to deregulate higher education, not add regulations to it. Realize that in America, where we are worrying that this might work or that might work, our system of higher education, with all its warts, is the best in the world. The rest of the world is trying to emulate it. Its greatest threat, in terms of its quality, is overregulation, not underfunding. That leads me to the second track we go on. I hope we will be careful as Members of Congress that if we have a great idea for States, that we don't pass it and send them the bill. Because I know from having been Governor and having been president of a university and having been Secretary of Education, and seeing it in different areas. As a Governor making up a budget, it's pretty well set that you start with K-12. That is pretty well set. He then goes to prisons, and that is probably in the courts. Then he does mental health. That might be in the courts too. Then he or she goes to highways, and that comes from the gas tax. Then they are pretty well down to the choice between Medicaid and higher education. I can guarantee you that if we continue to increase requirements for funding of higher education at the State level, at the rate of 7, 8 or 9 percent a year, when State budgets are only going up 2 or 3 or 4 percent a year, we will significantly reduce the quality of our State universities and colleges. We will significantly increase the tuition costs that we say in this bill we would like to lower.


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Question: Dear Luise: I know you get many pleas for advice from people with overprotective parents. Mine is the same. I'm a 22 yr old girl from a small east asian country. As a child i was heavily protected by my mom; NO to sports, friends, going out of the house, boyfriends, the usual. My mom got married at 18 (customary here to get married young), against her parents wishes and got divorced at 22, 2 yrs after i was born. My dad is a great guy but their personalities didnt match. i have talked to my dad about the over-protectiveness of my mom and he told me that her irrational worrying and fears were what drove a chup unti their marriage as well. My mom raised me ever since the divorce (my dad was a background figure in my childhood, we only saw each other a few times every yr). She got married to my stepdad who was great as well, but a very silent character and their marriage also ended, for the same reasons. My mother is very narrow minded, many of my family members have tried to talk to her and so have i, but everytime she picks out things ive done wrong that displeased her and turns everything into a huge fight. Most of my family is just as conservative as she is and so im kind of blacklisted in the family. of course there are ppl in my family that are 'worse'… that they consider as horrible people even though i know they arent. last yr i got married to a man she chose for me. it didnt go well, our marriage is already on the rocks. i got married to her choice because by then i felt defeated. i finished my degree in 2009 but even after that, she continues to treat me the same as always. i know she loves me and shes worried about me, and its all for love but, i have hopes and dreams for my future and i realize now that i want to pursue them, and that i have every right to write my own story. even when i was in college she was with me. for the 3 yrs that i studied abroad she lived with me and continued to forbid me from going out and socialising. she hasnt approved of any of my friends and thinks friends in general are backbiting bundles of trouble who mooch off people and use them and then discard them. so it goes without saying that she hated anyone ive dated too. so after college, in a job, forced to breakup with my boyfriend of 2 yrs, she proposed that i get married and, spirit broken, i gave in. then i rediscovered my zest for life, and im so glad, but there's no way i can go ahead in life without hurting her deeply, and causing anger and disappointment to my family. the only person i believe will understand me is my dad, i have talked to him before, as i mentioned earlier. but he is afraid to meddle because since he was such a non-involved parent when i was growing up, he feels he has no right to say anything. Do you have any advice for me? Please, i feel so torn. Do i follow my dreams at the price of losing my family, at least until i prove my worth, which could talk years (and i have no guarantee that they will ever admit i didnt fail in life), or do i keep my family happy and sacrifice my happiness? Neither sounds right! E.
Answer: Dear E.: More often than most of us realize, we find we have to choose between two courses of action, neither of which appeals to us. We want things to be different, so we can have different choices.
I happen to believe in the value and dignity of every human being. I think you do, too, or you would have knuckled under your mother's rule to please your family…instead of writing to me.
They have the right, all of them, including your mother, to their point of view and they may all disown you. However, to keep that from happening you are going to have to disown yourself. You are a precious being. Everyone is. Your mom is, too, but/and she has elected to follow a course of action that is abusive…in the name of love. You and I know it is abuse.
You are an adult with a college degree and you have a dad that understands what you are up against. Your decision to get on with your life is yours to make because as an adult it is now entirely your business. There is good reason your dad didn't participate in your upbringing, how could he?
If you have the courage, and I think you do, honor and respect yourself and move out of what can only be described as a pathological environment. You deserve so much better. Give it to yourself. Blessings, Luise


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Premier Alden McLaughlin
As we clear away the torn wrapping paper, take down the decorations and swear to go on a diet after the indulgences of the Christmas season, the start of the New Year provides an opportunity for reflection.
It is a time to count our blessings, to thank God for his favor and to spare a thought and a good deed for those less fortunate than ourselves.
It is time for resolutions and to look forward to new opportunities and new beginnings.
2016 has been an eventful year and there is much upon which to reflect.
It was an Olympic year and we were all proud to see our delegates and athletes flying the Cayman flag on the world stage.
It was also a year in which as Premier I had the opportunity on the world stage at the Anti-Corruption Summit in London – to defend the position and the record of the Cayman Islands regarding international cooperation with respect to tax matters and our robust anti-corruption regime.
It was a year during which we were successful in having the UK better understand and agree on our approach to the exchange of beneficial ownership information in relation to Cayman Islands corporate entities. And in so doing continued our leadership in this critical area.
It was a year in which Cayman's Minister of Finance was recognized internationally. This well-deserved award was both a reflection of the minister's hard work and an acknowledgement that the government's policies with respect to both government finances and the economy are succeeding.
It was a year when more Caymanians were employed at any time since 2007.
It was a year when the Cayman Islands government regained control of our budget and a year where the Cayman economy continued to improve, with growth exceeding projections.
It was an historic year regarding the passage of significant pieces of legislation.
The National Minimum Wage Law and a law permitting the use medical marijuana are two examples of such legislation. New legislation providing consumer protection was also passed to help ensure that key industry sectors, including the petroleum sector, are not only competitive in services and quality but also in pricing.
And this year also saw the signing of the renegotiated Dart/NRA Agreement. We now have a much improved agreement that truly benefits Cayman and the Dart corporation has committed to increased levels of development, including the widening of the Esterly Tibbetts Highway, which is currently underway.
And as the year was winding down Government, with the support of the community, rallied to purchase the property adjacent to Smith's Barcadere to ensure that this precious piece of heritage beach can be enjoyed by Caymanians, residents and visitors in perpetuity.
So as 2016 ends there is much that as a Caymanian and as Premier I am grateful for and that brings me great satisfaction and hope for our future.
Our economy continues to improve with growing private sector confidence reflected by increased investment in Cayman.
As a Cayman Compass editorial recently noted, the improved economy is not the result of luck but is an indication that Cayman is moving from strength to strength. The editorial went on to note that Government policy and actions have played a vital role in supporting the private sector to grow the economy.
This Government has provided the stewardship that has encouraged that economic growth. The stability we have brought has helped renew confidence in businesses to invest and grow, a confidence that has been bolstered by restoring Government finances, creating surpluses, greatly reducing debt and reducing taxes where practical.
Indeed, over our last three budgets we have generated net surpluses totaling almost $400 million to be used to repay debt incurred by previous governments and to have something for a rainy day. We were also able to share the fruits of our labor with Caymanians through tax reductions and correcting inequalities in civil servants' salaries to the tune of $30 million dollars a year. Effectively, this represents a $30 million annual economic stimulus.
In other words, we have been good and responsible custodians of the public purse and the economy.
A growing economy has helped to ensure that hundreds of Caymanians have found jobs. Unemployment amongst Caymanians has fallen from a high of 10.5% in 2012 to 5.6% in early 2016. This is the lowest Caymanian unemployment has been since 2007.
And so, compared to 2012, in 2016 there are over 1,000 more Caymanians employed in a growing economy. As the economy improves further in 2017 there will be more possibilities for other Caymanians seeking employment opportunities.
Financial Services is doing well and Tourism continues to grow with numbers not seen for a decade or more.
In 2015, with 1.72 million cruise visitors, we had the best cruise arrivals since 2006! That same year, with 385,000 air arrivals, we saw the best year for stay over tourism since 1999!
And as 2016 winds down we are poised to match or beat our 2015 numbers for both cruise and stay over tourism; proof positive that our tourism strategies are working for all our Islands.
The development sector is also performing well with many private sector projects of all sizes under construction or in the works.
Infrastructure works under way, including major roadworks and the airport expansion project, are also providing jobs and other opportunities for Caymanians.
But my colleagues and I know that despite these improvements there are still families finding it hard to make ends meet. And we pledge to continue our efforts in the remaining months of this term to ensure that every Caymanian willing and able to work has the opportunity to do so.
So heading into this New Year, and into an election season, I want to reassure you that your Government is on the right track. On all the main issues that matter to Caymanians, residents and investors, we are heading in the right direction. The proof is in our record of success and achievement.
A record that as I have said, includes restored investor confidence, record tourism numbers and good economic growth. Infrastructure development, improved job opportunities and the lowest Caymanian unemployment in almost a decade. Importantly our record also includes restored Government finances, greatly increased surpluses and reduced debt and taxes.
These are some of the success stories of the past 3.5 years that are helping improve the lives of Caymanians. But you can add to these:
- the introduction of a national minimum wage;
- the increase in the retirement age to 65 for the private and public sectors;
- resolving pay inequities in the civil service;
- commencing and progressing the long-awaited airport expansion;
- proceeding with plans for a cruise dock and larger port facility;
- developing and proceeding with the implementation of a national solid waste management plan;
- and at last plans are under way for a much needed mental health facility.
All of this is being done without any new debt or new taxes, which are strangling so many of our Caribbean neighbors. Proof indeed that this is a Government that cares and we are a country and a people that can get things done.
Our work is not yet over. As we wind down this term we intend to close out our final legislative session in 2017 with several key pieces of legislation, including a modern Legal Practitioners Law.
As we head into elections in May, should you decide to stay with the Progressives, we will build on the work we have done over the last four years to continue to bring hope and prosperity to these Islands and our people and our young people in particular.
This Progressives Government has shown that we understand what is needed to properly manage government finances, reduce taxation, reduce debt, and to put money aside for a rainy day. We have a proven record of accomplishment in this area and will continue this focus in a new administration in order to provide opportunities for each and every Caymanian who is desirous of sharing in the wealth that good stewardship provides.
We will increase the pace of work on the George Town Revitalisation program now that key bits of the initial phases are in place or nearing completion – including the roads and changes to zoning laws to encourage mixed-use buildings in the commercial areas of central George Town. We will also encourage increased private sector participation to stimulate a rebirth of our Capital to provide better living and working conditions for all.
We have done a lot of work these past few years in understanding how best to progress our education system and putting in place strategies and plans for success. We have also restarted the work on the John Gray High School and initiated several types of job training programs.
Job training and apprenticeships are key tools in the education and job preparation toolbox.
This includes the Cayman Islands School of Hospitality Studies that was started by this Government and is a fine example of private and public sector partnership.
It also includes programs such as Ready2WorkKY that is bringing hope to Caymanians and assisting them to get and keep jobs.
However, time is of the essence and a new Progressives Government will increase the pace of this work to provide our children with the quality education and the support needed to be successful in the 21st Century.
Given recent concerns about aspects of our immigration law, particularly those arising in the courts regarding permanent residency, we are working urgently to resolve the issues with the permanent residency points system that are creating difficulties. I expect to be able to say more about this early in the New Year.
We will continue to defend our financial services industry abroad, and to support it at home, to ensure that it remains a key part of our economy.
And with plans for new hotels and a new golf course and Palmer Lodge, coupled with a new Cayman Airways fleet, we will ensure that our stay over tourism remains vibrant. This includes sports and medical tourism.
Our expanded and modernized airport is under way and when completed will support increasing travel by visitors and residents alike. It will be an airport that Caymanians and residents can be even more proud of.
We will also continue work to complete a new cruise berthing and enhanced cargo facility whilst minimizing impact to the environment. But as we have seen this past year, without proper berthing facilities our environment, especially our reefs, will continue to be in danger of being damaged.
These facilities will help keep our reefs safe and ensure that Cayman can maintain a healthy cruise tourism sector as well as enabling our cargo port to accommodate the newer and larger cargo ships. All of these are vital to our economy long-term.
And with increasing economic activity Caymanians will benefit from the opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurships that will arise. And we will redouble our efforts to ensure that Caymanians have access to the available opportunities.
As we did in protecting the use and ambience of Smith's Barcadere, we will continue to maintain a keen balance between needed development and protecting our environment and access to our beaches.
Internationally there are events in 2016 that will continue to spill over into the New Year.
In the United Kingdom we witnessed an historic Brexit referendum that set the scene for the UK to leave the European Union over the next few years.
In the United States we saw an unusual election campaign that has resulted in the election of Donald Trump as the incoming President.
The Middle East, especially Syria and Iraq, continues to be a hotbed of war and terrorism that have led to immense human tragedy.
In Europe the arrival of millions of refugees coupled with the impact of terrorism, and sluggish economies have brought to the fore populist tensions that potentially threaten the long-term viability of the European Union.
And so at the start of 2017 the world is arguably a less certain place than it was one year ago.
Here at home we had our own challenges in 2016, including the recent spate of gang related shootings. These incidents are very concerning and have been so for over a decade.
I know that the Royal Cayman Island Police Service is working hard to apprehend those involved and Government will continue to support the Police in their efforts. Government can do its part and the RCIPS can seek to prevent and arrest.
But a response is needed by society as a whole, including our churches and civil society, if we are to keep our young men and women safe from the gang culture.
And I am certain that the policies and leadership of a Progressives government offer the best opportunity to help resolve our social ills. Our record in managing government finances so as to have resources to assist our people in need, in focusing on education; in growing the economy and jobs, and in supporting our security services all point to a government that puts people first.
I have said before that the best welfare program is a good job. And the best way to provide jobs is to have a buoyant economy that allows businesses to grow and create jobs. This is what we have done over this term.
So despite our social challenges I do believe that we have much to be thankful for.
The Cayman Islands is still one of the safest places to live and work and to raise a family. Though we live increasingly busy lives, we are still a caring community with many people and businesses helping those in need. And overall Cayman and Caymanians are in a much better position than we were four years ago.
So as we say goodbye to 2016 and look forward to a new year, I can say with gratitude that Cayman, by the Grace of God, is indeed blessed beyond measure. In an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world, the Cayman Islands continues to be one of the most desirable places in which to live, work, invest and visit. And we are poised to do even better in 2017 and beyond.
On behalf of government, I wish each of you and your families God's richest blessings and a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.
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text: Drink By Eat Drink Stay Dubai / October 28, 2017 Share4TweetPin3Share7 SharesDrinking Dubai – are apps your best drinking buddy?Drinking Dubai is a 4-part guide to using apps to find cheap drinks in Dubai.As Dubai Expats and (most) visitors know, Dubai is relatively expensive to drink in – often 30 dirhams is an average price of beer in Dubai. Cocktails, wines, spirits, craft beers etc. all push the price upwards, e.g. Kopperberg in one Pier 7 'bar' is around £16! Perhaps this is why our 'How to Find Cheap Drinking in Dubai' post has proven to be one of our most popular?Drinking Dubai – are apps your best drinking buddy? Booking.com Why use an app for cheap drinking in Dubai?As the article shows, there's plenty ways to find cheap bars in Dubai, especially with Happy Hours and Ladies Nights. However, apps are proving to be an extremely cost effective way to save money on Dubai drinks. Which apps will we cover in the Drinking Dubai series?For now, we're going to focus on the main four apps that help provide cheap drinking in Dubai :-EntertainerGuzzleCheersZomato GoldWhy should I trust your judgement when reviewing Dubai drinking apps?First of all, I'm British, I like a drink (or several) and I dread to think how much money I've spent in Dubai on drinks.Secondly, we have a very clear Disclosure Policy and we stand by our reviews. We don't take freebies, and when we say it's a review you can trust it is. Read our 'Why is there an Issue with Dubai Reviews?' if you'd like to know more about why we're gobby about this point.Thirdly, I'm writing this article to try to help solve a 'pain point' about drinking in Dubai. It's too expensive, but there's no reason to accept that. This series is not sponsored nor is it an advertorial, and no consideration nor recompense from any of the companies has been received.Finally, Google Analytics and page visits tells me there's an audience for topics about drinking in Dubai. Conclusion: Drinking Dubai could be your best drinking buddy, but it won't buy you drinksAre you interested in discovering cheap drinking in Dubai?Join the conversation below by letting us know anywhere you think is cheap – we'd love to hear from you!Why not follow us on Facebook or Twitter?SaveSave Join the newsletter Subscribe to get our latest content by email.Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit Share4TweetPin3Share7 SharesRelated


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Revival happens unexpectedly. We can't schedule it. The Holy Spirit moves like the air. We feel His effects but we can not see where He is going or command His movement. This month, the Holy Spirit has moved in our midst. His moving brought humility and repentance in my own life. I hope you've experiencedContinue reading "October Announcements"
Tag Archives: Reformed Baptist
September Announcements
This year has been an interesting one, but we have been able to further the ministry of the word and of our service to one another and our community. Last month, we established our deacon family ministry and have aligned ourselves more with biblical ministry. As we continue to be conformed to the likeness ofContinue reading "September Announcements"
August Announcements
We are, more or less, back to normalcy. We encourage you to think about plugging back into the gathering of believers. As more and more people get back into the church gathering, we encourage safe practices. Wear masks if you feel you need to. Air hug, and remain six feet apart. We are providing twoContinue reading "August Announcements"
July Announcements
We are, more or less, back to normalcy. Many of you are still physical distancing, and we encourage you to continue to discern what is best for you and your family. As more and more people get back into the church gathering, we encourage safe practices. Wear masks if you feel you need to. AirContinue reading "July Announcements"
June Announcements
This week, we finally get to begin our lunch series! Many of you are still physical distancing or have been out for various reasons. We look forward to seeing everyone again. Please remember to stay connected and discern the appropriate time for your family to return to the gathering of believers. The church gathering isContinue reading "June Announcements"
May Announcements
We are back on campus as of today for all of our regularly scheduled meetings. Please continue to discern whether you and your families still need to observe physical distancing. We are taking the necessary sanitization precautions on campus. It is easy to be friendly with others. Saying what we think, especially concerning the Gospel,Continue reading "May Announcements"
April Not-happenings
At the beginning of last month, we were hoping coronavirus would miss us. It did not. Little did we expect that our governor would issue a shelter-in-place order by the end of the month. While some of our sister churches are complaining about the government violating constitutional rights, we want to recognize God's sovereignty andContinue reading "April Not-happenings"
March Happenings
We continue to march through the year. Pun intended. Since it is our year of missions, we will be taking our next baby-step in serving our community for God's glory. It's an easy step to take, we simply have to do it. We take this next step because we love Christ and desire to seekContinue reading "March Happenings"
It's February, Y'all!
We are more than one-month into 2020 and some of you have already failed your new-year's resolutions! No worries. Yesterday we learned that life isn't about jumping hurdles but celebrating and resting in Christ's work. So, at TCATS we don't focus on your hurdles; we run with you toward our Lord no matter your struggles,Continue reading "It's February, Y'all!"


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'This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids'
This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids
by Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo
c.2014, Chronicle Books $18.95 / $22.95 Canada 240 pages
You didn't know what to expect.
When your child told you he's gay, it came as a bit of a shock even though you kind of already knew. As he was telling you, though, he was nervous, you were nervous, but the conversation went well.
You love your gay son or daughter, but you have a thousand questions. So maybe the next thing to do is to read This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids by Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo.
Who would've thought that two little words—"I'm gay"—would cause so much confusion? That's what you've felt ever since your son or daughter came out to you and that's "completely normal." Working through this journey will undoubtedly be something new, but then again, aren't there always a lot of firsts in parenthood?
It's possible that this may be new to your child, too. He may have only recently understood that he's gay, and talking about it can sometimes be scary! Patience is key here, as is having a home environment that's accepting. And yes, you can gently (and calmly) ask respectful questions; you are, in fact, encouraged to do so. It's the only way you can understand your child better.
Knowing that your child is gay is not license to broadcast it, however. Telling others depends largely on many factors and situations, and it's really up to the feelings of you and your child. Again, communication is important so you're both clear on whom to tell, and when. It's also important to understand that this is a process for loved ones, as well as for you, and that you'll need to "give some room" for their reactions.
Expect changes in your child, but remember that he's still the same kid. Know your child's rights in schools, restrooms, and bullying issues. Talk to your child about sex, and be firm on house rules, especially for sleepovers. Keep a close eye out for any signs of depression or suicide. Be patient, strive for understanding, and talk, talk, talk.
And when it comes to your faith, remember this: "Nearly every religion hinges on love" and you love your child. Isn't that what matters?
Maybe you knew. Or maybe the news had you totally gobsmacked. Either way, you've got questions and This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids has answers.
Springing from the website that the authors created, everyoneisgay.com, this book offers succinct advice, sensible comfort, and a glossary of terms that the authors encourage parents to know. I like that it's comprehensive and not overwritten, and that it's browse-able and not necessarily meant for cover-to-cover reading. That's helpful because the questions you may ask now are "very different from the questions you may have a year from now."
If your child has just come out, or if you suspect she might, then this book may be the best information you can have. Find This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids and you'll know more of what to expect.


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help i want a fag big time me and oh are none stop rowing been with him 9 years.
And we are going out seperate ways and my god i need a fag so so bad what do i do none stop crying none stop rows.
sure he does it more cause he cant pack up god im so so down hs saying its the champix im on making me moody and he is leaving but we havent been geting on for a long time i dont know were to turn
All i feel like doing is going to buy some fags


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The Most Recommended Social and Business Network!
Perfect Alternative to Facebook and More....
Perfect Alternative to Facebook and More....
There is no absolute finish line for every1 in d race of life. Our tracks are different, our lanes are different & our durations are different. For instance one person graduates at age 20 & struggles for another 5yrs to get a job, another might graduate at age 25 & get a job immediately. One may graduate and earn N400,000 a month, another might have dropped out out of school and slowly starts making N20,000 a month. One can marry a virgin & wait for the next decade to have the blessings of children, another lady probably after having a randy past, becomes a mum almost immediately after marriage. A fellow becomes MD at 38 and dies at 56, another becomes MD at 55 and lives to 90, what a life.
Life is full of twists, turns, ups & downs, surprises & disappointments .
Life offers each one of us different opportunities in different places and at different times. Dnt compare urself with others. Value your uniqueness and trust in God. At the end of the day, what matters most is where you stand with God.
Remain positive always !! Happy Sunday to u all.........
Prince of the most High God!


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The Society of Automotive Historians was founded in Hershey Pennsylvania in 1969. We are an international organization with over 900 members scattered across the globe. The Society is an eclectic but serious community of historians that includes academic scholars, automotive journalists and publishers, museum and library professionals, educational and cultural organizations, car collectors and restorers, and enthusiasts.
Our membership encourages research into any aspect of automotive history. We actively support the compilation and preservation of papers, organizational records, print ephemera and images to safeguard, broaden and deepen the understanding of motorized, wheeled land transportation through the modern age and into the future.
To reveal this history, we promote the publishing of research findings in books, journals and conference papers. We support the efforts of educators to teach college level academic courses and those who introduce K-12 students to the panorama of automotive history.
For all members, the SAH provides camaraderie and the exchange of ideas, knowledge and data. The Society's roster allows members to connect with others who have similar specialized interests
Read about the Society's origins here. Please consider joining our Society !
All members receive the Society's three publications. The bimonthly SAH Journal carries news of the SAH and its members along with short feature articles, book and video reviews, plus classified advertisements. The semianual journal Automotive History Review publishes in-depth articles on automotive history, most of them based on original, independent research. And the online Membership Directory includes extensive indexes and cross-referencing so that members can match mutual interests and communicate on automotive topics around the world.
Each year, the Society recognizes significant contributions to the publishing, documentation, and preservation of the worldwide history of the motor vehicle. There are awards for publishing in print (books, articles and magazines) and non-print media (film, video, audio, websites, etc.). Additionally, awards are made for papers authored by undergraduate- and graduate-level students at educational institutions. Service awards are presented for the preservation of archives and for exemplary service to the cause of automotive history. Nominations are received in the spring of each year and awards are presented at the Society's annual meeting, held during October.
The SAH encourages members to participate in programs associated with automotive history, such as conferences on industry topics, locating or identifying repositories of company records and personal papers of historical figures, and preserving and providing access to historical materials. The Society holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the Antique Automobile Club of America's National Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania each October. More than 100 people traditionally attend the Friday night buffet and awards presentation. The SAH also maintains a Hospitality Tent for members and guests on the Hershey flea market fields each year, Wednesday through Friday on the Orange Field at OBB 16 – 19.
The principal source of the Society's income is membership dues. A standard one-year membership is $50. A standard one-year student membership is $25. A digital membership is $20 in which all communications to the member are via electronic means.
A secondary source is its silent auction of automotive books and literature, conducted by mail. Because the SAH is a not-for-profit corporation, it is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a charitable and educational organization. Monetary contributions are deductible to the extent provided by law. Contributions are applied toward the cost of publications and awards.


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Mossberg's Mailbox
Waiting for Windows 8
I am in need of a new computer. I currently run Windows XP. When is Windows 8 due and should I wait for it? Should I just buy a new computer now with Windows 7 and upgrade to 8 when it arrives?
Windows 8 will likely be released in test, or beta, form, early in the year, and then in final form by the 2012 holiday shopping season. Whether you should wait depends on how badly you need a new PC. One thing to bear in mind if you do buy now is that while Windows 8 will work fine with a keyboard and mouse, its slick new user interface is designed for a touch screen.
What is the difference between the AMD and the Intel microprocessor chips?
They are different designs from different companies, though Intel is the dominant brand by far. In broad strokes, Advanced Micro Devices' chips have often claimed better graphics performance and have generally been less expensive. But most computer makers choose Intel, which has lately focused intensely on better battery life without compromising performance.
For average consumers, the most important factor is that Windows runs fine on both, and a typical user doing typical, low-stress tasks might find it hard to distinguish between roughly comparable chips made by the two companies. So, if you are on a budget and an AMD-based machine you like costs less, you are safe to go with it.
I read your article about using Boot Camp to run Windows on a Mac and it was extremely informative. But I did not understand how to create the drivers needed to make Windows recognize the particular features of the Mac hardware.
Apple's Boot Camp Assistant program, which is used to set up the Windows installation on a Mac, includes a step in which you download and store the drivers on either a CD or DVD, or an external USB drive. This is software Windows needs to properly operate the Mac's keyboard, mouse, trackpad and camera.
If you just follow the steps in the Assistant software, you should be able to download and install these drivers, which Apple calls Windows Support Software. It's a good idea to print the Boot Camp installation guide before you start, an option that appears on the first screen of the Assistant program.
Email Walt at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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A vast network of artificial reefs is rapidly expanding around WA's coastline creating additional places to fish and more fish to catch. It has now been two years since the deployment of the Rottnest Island fish towers.
Two monster-sized fish towers south of Rottnest are the tallest steel purpose-built artificial reefs in Australia, with a different layout and construction method to the other reefs around the state. Having a much larger vertical scale and exhibiting complex habitat, the fish towers were specially designed and deployed to become a home to pelagic species.
Over these two years, the fish towers have evolved into a fishing paradise with a range of species for fishers at all different levels including those looking for sport and for a feed.
Since the deployment of the towers, we have seen a development of growth and a change in fish. Two years on, and over 30 species now call the fish towers home!
Fish species
"These great fishing spots have seen species such as Baldies, Dhufish, Yellowtail Kings, Flathead, Whiting, Pink Snapper and Skippy being caught on the towers, however the most common attraction on the reefs are the schools of large pelagic species such as Samson Fish, Bluefin Tuna and occasionally Spanish Mackerel" – James Florisson, Recfishwest Research Officer.
Other species that could be caught in the area around the reef include, King George Whiting, Flathead, and Breaksea Cod. While all the mentioned species are expected on the reefs, other fish may also turn up in the deployment area include Yellowfin Tuna, Amberjack and Bonito.
"While we may get excited by 30kg plus Samson Fish peeling line off a reel, or the greenish-brown shape of a Baldchin coming to the surface, there are a whole range of other fish and organisms that assist in creating suitable home (and productive ecosystem) for the fish we love to catch."
The artificial reefs work by turning underwater deserts into flourishing productive ecosystems.
These habitats not only create unique, accessible and fun fishing locations, but also have a range of other benefits. They give other natural fishing spots a break, provide an area for macroalgae, sponges and coral to colonise (creating shelter and food for organisms), create a place for juvenile fish to grow, and provide a specific fishing site for a range of different fishers.
Both towers are located in 'the paddock' between Rottnest Island, and Garden Island, and the two structures are 150 meters apart.
How to fish the Towers
Similar to the South West artificial reefs, some of the best fish are caught around the structure, rather than right on top of it.
Fish can be targeted by trolling around the area and over the top of the reef using diving and/or skirted lures. Fishers may also choose to drift over and around the reef location either jigging, or drifting weighted baits in a burley trail. Jigging smaller jigs (particularly lumo patterns) between 25-35m depth directly above and around the towers will reduce snagging and is an effective method for Samson fish and Skippy. Another effective method for fishers with a little more patience is fishing the sandy area between the towers with bait (and burley if anchoring) this is a great method for Pink Snapper, Baldchin Groper, Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
Anchoring right on top of reefs should be avoided as it will limit the benefit they can have to all fishers and the chances of your anchor returning.
Next time you feel like a great, challenging fishing trip, make sure to head out to the Rottnest fish towers!


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Fiyat koşullarını öğrenmek istediğiniz konumu seçin:
BELGRADEBORDEAUXLilleLONDONLOS ANGELES
LYONMARSEILLEPARIS EASTParis WestPRAGUERIO
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Our booking options:
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1 These rates are changeable once, up to 48 hours prior (6pm Paris local time) to your arrival, for a €39 (VAT included) flat fee plus any rate increase. If the new rate is lower than the pre-paid rate, you will be charged the flat fee of €39 (VAT included) for the change, but the rate difference wil not be refunded.
2 If you need to cancel this reservation, please notify us by 12pm Paris local time (GMT+1) 48 hours prior to the scheduled day of arrival. If cancelled after this time, one night's stay will be charged for each 24 hour period until notice of cancellation is received (not to exceed the total length of scheduled stay). If you wish to cancel your booking, kindly visit our website at www.mamashelter.com.
Conditions and Rate Difference are subject to change without notice.
The bank card used to guarantee the booking or make the prepayment will be requested at the check in.


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Message from Linda Campbell at Write Camera Action in Glasgow . There has been such a lot of interest in the winning scripts from WCA's first short script competition that I thought some clarity would help. The scripts will only be issued to the Directors selected for each project, however for those still appplying to direct and general interest please find the synopsis of joint winning scripts below. 1) Your Number's Up written by Andrew Niven, 10 min black comedy. Synopsis: Small time gangster Michael McGarrett finds himself alone in a hotel room with a bag of cash, just about to conduct his first drug deal, when his apparent contact, sexy Kat, turns up early. Before he knows it Michael is plunged into a life and death struggle with a whirling dervish in PVC, a riding crop and a role of gaffer tape. Only the loose screw on the door and a change of heart from a good woman can save the cash and spare his life. But will it… 2) It's an OK life written by Mark Loftus, 10 min comedy drama: Synopsis: In a parody of 'It's a Wonderful Life', a hapless guardian angel tries to find ways to help an ordinary guy change only to end up driving him to despair. The guardian angel initially starts appearing in the dreams of a man to give him mundane help on trivial issues. Eventually he approaches the man directly and tries to enlist his help before his next appraisal. Unfortunately he lets slip how life would be better for some if he had not existed. He then has to work hard to stop his 'client' wanting to end his life. As before, interested Directors send your c.v. to firstname.lastname@example.com and send showreels to Moniton Pictures, 1st floor, George House, 36 North Hanover St. Glasgow G1 2AD. You may also hand in showreel & c.v. to the WCA pigeonhole at CCA Reception up to the deadline of the next workshop Monday 21st Feb. Director(s) selected will be announced 4th March!
For more info on Write Camera Action http://tinyurl.com/6g4cgrn


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Premieres \
FREE ALBUM: SPIN's Dance Mix for Electric Zoo!
Snag seven tracks by acts playing the NYC Labor Day weekend blowout, including Skrillex, Rusko & Daedelus
For the September 2-4 Labor Day weekend, New York City's Randall's Island plays host to Electric Zoo, a dance music extravaganza that will close out summertime in fine fashion. And whether you're heading to the party or not, our FREE digital download of top Electric Zoo performers, hand-picked by SPIN editors, will get your weekend bumpin'.
It's got dubstep attitude from Skrillex and Rusko, smooth house by Gui Boratto, and a hip-hop cameo by Bilal on a Daedelus cut, among others.
Get the mixtape using the widget below — just submit your email to receive a download link!
Sorry, this offer is no longer available.
To stay on top of everything festival-related, and for festivals throughout the year, be sure to like SPIN on Facebook, and follow @SPINfestivals on Twitter, as well as our mothership Twitter, @SPINMagazine.
SPIN Presents Dance Island: An Electric Zoo 2011 Mixtape Tracklisting
1. Skrillex, "Fucking Die 1″
2. Rusko, "Everyday (Original)"
3. Porter Robinson, "Say My Name"
4. Mango, "Here We Go (Jaytech Remix)"
5. Daedelus feat. Bilal, " Overwhelmed (Star Slinger Remix)"
6. The Martinez Brothers, "The Causeway"
7. Gui Boratto, "Flying Practice"


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Crime News
Photos: 3 Fulani Herdsmen, Kidnappers Arrested For Killing Dangote's Kidnap Victims Negotiator
December 7, 2016 – 3 Fulani Herdsmen Who Kidnapped Dangote's Employees, Murdered Hostage Negotiator Arrested
The 3 Fulani herdsmen, suspected killers of Dangote's Chief strategist have been arrested.
The suspects who reportedly kidnapped 5 other expatriates of the company were picked up at three different locations on Monday.
24-year-old Gide Abubakar was arrested inside a forest in Ijebu Igbo Ogun state; 22-year-old Salihi Abdullahi was arrested inside Epe Forest in Lagos while the third suspect 25-year-old Adamu Babuga was picked up at Ajase Ipo Forest in Kwara state.
The suspects confessed to the murder of Istifanus Gurama after collecting N5.6million ransom from him.
The deceased
The reportedly killed him for refusing to call his employer to bring N4.4million to balance the demanded N10million ransom.
Items recovered from the suspects include six AK47 magazines and 160 rounds of live ammunition, 3 AK47 rifles.
They led police to Apoje River where the body of Gurama was recovered.
Efforts are ongoing to catch the other members of the kidnap gang currently at large in other states.
3 Comments
they are Buhari's brothers.
They must not escaped unpunished so other like them will learn and decide whether to continue or turn a new leave
Real animals, they live in the forest !


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Customer Relationship Manager
Customer Relationship Manager
Why join our team?
AMCS is the leading global technology company providing innovative solutions to the environmental services industry through the AMCS Platform. Established in Limerick, Ireland in 2003, the company continues to grow operations globally and today employs 550+ people across 13 countries. AMCS delivers enterprise cloud-based software solutions for the waste and recycling industry worldwide supporting 2,650+ customers in 22 countries.
AMCS is seeking an experienced Customer Relationship Manager to join our global customer success team at our offices in Amsterdam. The successful candidate will act as a Relationship Manager focusing on conversions with named accounts and ensure conversion projects are set-up for success with a strong focus on time to value and ROI
•Own key business relationships and develop deep understanding of strategy and business objectives.
•Work with customers to identify and mitigate risks of transition to Platform.
•Align with key stakeholders in the business on a regular basis and ensure AMCS value propositions are clearly understood.
•Identify opportunities to deliver additional value to the customer via AMCS solution portfolio.
•Cultivate advocacy with key customer stakeholders to drive transition to AMCS Platform
Success Criteria
· Proactive, positive, self-starter with a passion for continually improving the processes around you
· Strong commitment to ensuring customers' business objectives are achieved
· Ability to manage ambiguity and operate effectively, even when things are not defined or the way forward is not certain –makes sound decisions, even in the absence of complete information
· Ensures accountability – holding self (and others) accountable to meet commitments
· Ability to successfully plan and prioritize work to meet objectives aligned with organizational goals
· Ability to analyse customer usage data and develop recommendations based upon data insights
· Ability to prioritize customer needs and elevate the issues that will have the most impact on customer satisfaction, retention and growth
· Adapts approach and demeanour to match the shifting demands of different situations
· Possesses a strategic mind-set –able to focus on the bigger picture and not get mired in the day-to-day details
· Ability to develop and deliver communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of the different audiences
· Ability to work in a team-based, collaborative environment
· Excellent presentation and meeting facilitation skills
· Degree in business or IT related discipline or minimum of seven years equivalent experience of advanced IT applications
· Enterprise software or SaaS account management/customer success management experience with a demonstrated track record of success (preferably in ERP systems)
· Outstanding communication skills with everyone from end users to C-level executives
· Passionate about customer success and making life simpler with technology
· Ability to demonstrate the business benefits of a technical solution
· Understanding of how complex software solutions deliver a high return on investment is a distinct advantage
· Enabled sales cycles in competitive markets


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Two 12-year-old Sydney boys have been charged after allegedly raping a young girl at a primary school in northern Sydney.
The schoolboys were charged at police station on Tuesday after allegedly raping a younger female student last month, police said.
The girl is reportedly six years old.
One of the boys was charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10. He was granted bail and is due to appear before the children's court on September 22.
The other boy was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 and is due to appear at a children's court in October.
Parents and carers of students at the school are being notified of the incident and NSW police are working closely with the Department of Education and Family and Community Services to ensure support is available at the school.


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No1 Currency is one of the UK's leading Foreign Exchange retailers, with a network of stores covering the length and breadth of the country.
No1 Currency has built its reputation on competitive travel money rates, high-quality service and convenient locations, making it even easier for customers to get their travel money.
No1 Currency prides itself on the local service it offers, and its commitment to meeting the needs of customers. As well as offering a range of Foreign Exchange services, our stores offer a choice of more than 50 different Currencies to buy and sell over the counter, commission free and with no minimum spend.
Key Services
- Click & Collect - Order online, collect across the UK with payment on collection!
- Home Delivery - Order online and we'll deliver it to your door.
- Travel Money Card - Euro, US Dollar and Sterling cards available.
- Click & Sell - Sell unused currency notes online.
- Western Union International Money Transfer.
- International money transfer (personal and commercial)


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It was a dark and moonless night. Kelvin L Wilson
It was a dark and moonless night
As oft the story goes,
When on these dark and ill lit nights
When men discover woes:
The story I will now relate, let it a warning be;
To all intrepid cyclists, who ride but cannot see.
It was a dark and moonless night,
The road was inky black;
I'd been down to the local
And now was heading back.
I lived not to far out of town
And for economy's sake,
I'd ride to town on me pushbike,
The one with a dodgy brake.
The evening had been pleasant,
Enjoyed my favourite band,
With music coursing through my heart,
My homeward way I planned.
The road that led to my place
Was black tar, black as pitch;
Of course I had no headlight
It had a broken switch.
I thought I'd have to walk home
For I couldn't see to ride,
My eyes unused to the evening's gloom
As dark as a cow's inside
I started walking carefully I didn't dare to ride,
But as my eyes accustomed grew
The centre line I spied.
The faint outline of the centre white line,
Showed in the starlight dim.
First one showed then another,
My face began to grin.
It was a quiet country road
With few turns as it went.
I could hear a car that's coming
And get off before I'm bent
So on the bike I mounted and slowly pedalled on,
Watching for each white line,
Leading me to home.
The farther that I traveled, in confidence I grew,
I started going faster in fact I fairly flew
Speeding through the darkness
Wind whistling in my ears
I thought not of the danger that suddenly appears
I'll soon be home I'm thinking
Wind streaming through my hair,
Not thinking of the pain to come or bicycle repair.
With self congratulations I rode without a fear.
How could I think that someone else
Would have the same Idea.
Two silent men on bicycles,
Speeding through the gloom,
Unheeding of the danger or our impending doom,
We met there on that country road,
Both pedalling hell bent,
The silent stars gave witness
To the horrible event.
The tangled heap of arms and legs,
Assorted cycle parts,
Our bruised and battered bodies,
Our palpitating hearts;
Were strewn across the roadside,
I lay with pain intense.
Until the other rider,
Showed a shred of common-sense
He dragged me to the roadside;
I lay beside the fence,
My mind was wandering feverishly,
I was not making sense.
I lay there bruised and battered,
My face a grisly mess,
With broken nose and cheekbones
And what else you can guess.
I'm lying in intensive care
To tubes and wires I'm tied,
Wondering in my fog bound mind.
Is this life or have I died?
It was a dark and moonless night
As oft the story goes,
When on these dark and ill lit nights
When men discover woes:
The story I have told you let it a warning be;
To all intrepid pedallers, who ride but cannot see.
Kelvin and his wife were staying with Diane and Martin Young and had come over from Australia to visit UK. They met us at the coffee stop in Ennerdale Bridge where Kelvin recited this poem!