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Expensive custom tailoring underway.
The titled eminences at Louis XIV's court at Versailles loved to run off and play at being shepherds and shepherdesses. Today's fashionistas similarly deny wealth and status by adopting workingman's denim, and the more beat up and distressed the better (and the more expensive).
Judith Thurman tells us all about it in the New Yorker.
[A]ccording to an article on the British Web site the Conversation, that jeans savaged by wild animals are a trend in designer sportswear. A Japanese denim brand had the bright idea, at least for raising its profile, of sewing indigo-dyed cotton fabric around rimless tires, sausage-shaped bolsters, and fat rubber balls, and throwing the objects to the inmates of the Kamine Zoo, in Hitachi City. In an accompanying video, the beasts bound from their cages and fall upon their novel chew toys with such relish that you have to wonder if there isn't a little catnip involved. The scene reminded me of toddlers on Christmas morning, tumbling down the stairs, unable to contain their excitement, and tearing into the neatly wrapped parcels under the tree.
When the fabric has been properly "distressed"—i.e., mauled—it is retrieved from the enclosures and made into trousers that are sold under the label Zoo Jeans. (The Japanese are avid consumers of premium denim, the funkier the better. The national obsession with jeans started during the postwar occupation, when teen-agers became smitten with the dungarees worn by their conquerors.) But, "rather than simply being a marketing gimmick, there is actually value in this from an animal welfare perspective," the article explains. "Involving lions and the zoo's other large carnivores"—tigers and bears—"in the activity is part of what's called environmental enrichment. This is the provision of stimuli to help improve well-being. It's a win-win activity for many zoos, who can make alternative profits from their animals, which tend to be used to provide extra facilities for them."
Notice the caveat: "tend to be." Three pairs of the jeans were auctioned, on July 7th, at a benefit for the zoo. The bidding on "T-1," a model "designed" by the tigers, reached twelve hundred dollars. There were, inexplicably, no takers for "L-1," pawed and gnawed at by the lions, or for "B-1," a tag-team effort by two chubby bears (which, I thought, had the most artful lacerations). The destination of the other jeans seems to be upscale department stores, although a buyer at Selfridges, in London, complained that the rips were "too sporadic."
Read the whole thing.
Poor Kim Kardashian has to wear jeans full of holes.


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In Mid-November, the North Springs Model United Nations team went to Georgia State University for their fall conference. At this conference, North Springs represented three different countries; China as the main country for veteran members, and Canada and Latvia for newer members. This year North Springs Model UN was represented by 17 students with Mrs. Olson as the sponsor and chaperone.
The North Springs team was started three years ago by Michael Hochman. He started the club because of he and his friends interest in history and politics. After Hochman graduated, it was taken over by his brother, current junior Seth Hochman. The team competes at two conferences each year with one conference in the fall and one conference in the spring. The first conference as mentioned above takes place at Georgia State University while the second conference of the year occurs at Kennesaw State University.
At these conferences, the team strives to pass resolutions that fix international issues. An example of the issues these model delegates are expected to resolve is democracy and human rights in post conflict regions. The students must create a resolution paper and submit it for voting and the process takes hours.
The conference lasts for about 6 hours for two days and they typically are only able to discuss one issue. Most of the time is spent debating, giving speeches and writing resolution papers.
"We would submit one paper and it would need editing and another and it would need more editing. It's a long process but it's fun for all of us because we really enjoy talking about foreign policy," said Junior Javia Wilson.

subset: commoncrawl


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Kashmir: 2 militants killed as Arwani encounter endsKashmir, Kashmir -IOK 2016-12-11, Comments Off 70
SRINAGAR: The 42-hour long fierce gunfight between militants and security forces at Arwani in South Kashmir's Anantnag district ended on Friday with the killing of two militants. The bodies were charred beyond recognition and, even as their DNA samples were collected, conflicting reports came in about their identity.
"We went for a final assault today morning by storming into the house and neutralized the militants who had been firing intermittently," a police official said.
He said that in the combing operation that was subsequently launched two unidentified bodies were retrieved. "We also retrieved three AK 47 rifles and some incriminating material from the encounter spot," said a police official adding the operation was called off in the afternoon.
However Army's Northern Command in a tweet claimed to have eliminated three holed up militants while at the same time maintained that only two bodies have been retrieved. The tweet also said that three weapons have been recovered.
"An army trooper was also injured in the gunfight," police sources said.
The gun-fight between holed up militants and forces started Wednesday evening at around 5 pm after army, Special Operations Group (SOG) men and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area after inputs about presence of militants. Later, as the operation prolonged, para-troopers were also called in.
Top police and army officials including GOC chinar corps also visited the encounter site.
Reports of Lashkar chief Abu Dujana holed up in the area also poured in. However, according to locals he may have escaped along with a few others.
There was a lull in the firing from both sides till dawn. However, later the firing intensified, locals said.
They said that a lone holed up militant who was firing from the debris kept on engaging the forces throughout the night.
Reports said that heavy weaponry was used to neutralize the holed up militants who kept engaging them in fierce firefight.
"The forces used heavy mortars against the militants," locals said adding plenty of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were planted razing the house where the militants were hiding.
"Five other houses in the vicinity were also damaged due to the usage of heavy explosive material," they said.
The loud bangs could be heard since Wednesday evening in Bijbehara town and as far as Anantnag and Mattan towns until Friday morning.
"The bodies were charred beyond recognition as police were seen collecting a few body parts," they said.
Later, reports started making rounds that charred bodies are of 20 year old Majid Zargar alias Abu Talha of Qaimoh and 27 year old Rahil Amin Dar alias Asif resident of Vesu-Qazigund. Police later handed over the bodies to respective families even as they remained non-committal over their identity.
Thousands participated in the funeral prayers at Qaimoh and Vesu amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans after which they were laid to rest.
The locals and family said that they were handed over a few body pieces for burial.
However, in Vesu locals said suspense grew over the identity of the militant as a masked man suddenly made appearance and announced that the deceased was not RahilAmin . "He (Rahil) is alive," he announced as the locals and family buried the body.
Rumors were rife that he has escaped from the gun-battle site and is alive.
However, Majid Zargar's father confirmed to Greater Kashmir that the charred body parts were that of his son. "We only buried his few body parts," said GhulamMohudinZargar.
Majid – a secondary school pass out from St Luke's Convent Anantnag was active for last four years where Rahil was a recycled militant active for last 2 years.
South Kashmir on boil:
The death of two militants triggered massive protests and clashes in South Kashmir areas resulting in injuries to dozens.
Clashes erupted between youth and forces in Khudwani village of Qaimoh and Vesu in Qazigund area of Anantnag. "Dozens sustained injuries in the forces' action in Khudwani as they lobbed shells and fired pellets."
Some of the injured were shifted to SDH Qaimoh while a few others were treated locally.
Protests were also witnessed near the encounter site during and after the gunfight.
"The protests were going on in the area throughout the night even as people from different villages again tried to march towards the encounter site clashing with forces to help holed up militant escape," reports said.
They said forces resorted to aerial firing, lobbed shells, fired pellets and few rounds to disperse the protesters who refused to relent. "Several people sustained injuries in the clashes and were shifted to SDH Qaimoh, SDH Bijbehara and PHC Zainapora."
"The forces had a tough time dealing with the protesters who had been breaking the cordon since the start of the gunfight and clashing with them amid raging gunfight to help the militants flee. At least 40 people sustained pellet and bullet injuries during the gunfight," locals said.
People from Kulgam, Bijbehara, Qaimoh and Sangam villages had reached the encounter site to help militants escape.
A civilian, Arif Ahmad Shah, was killed in alleged forces' firing yesterday while the guns were blazing near the encounter site. Police said he was killed by a stray bullet.
Earlier, anticipating trouble during the operation, the government forces blocked major road links so as to prevent more and more people from visiting the besieged village. "Razor wire was placed and barricades erected along Bijbehara-Arwani – Shopian- road, Arwani- Qaimoh road, Arwani- Yaripora road and Khudwani-Arwani- Sangam road.
As the word about the killing of two militants spread people again started protesting and clashed with forces. "Men, women and children all came out and raised pro-freedom slogans."
Reports of protests and clashes also came from Bijbehara town and Sangam areas of Anantnag.
Police in the evening issued a statement saying that the house where militants were hiding belonged to an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of LeT, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai. Mushtaq's son Jehangir was killed in the ongoing uprising in July during protests that erupted following the killing of Hizb commander BurhanWani.
Police Version:
"On 07-12-2016 police received a specific information about the presence of terrorists in the house of one Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie son of GhulamQadirGanie at Hassanpora, TavilaArwani. As per the information Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie works as an over ground worker (OGW) of terrorists of LeT outfit and not only harbored terrorists in his house, but also provides all sort of logistical support to them. Based on this input, an operation was launched by joint team of Anantnag, Awantipora police along with Army and CRPF. The said house was cordoned off and when the security forces party entered into the house for searching, terrorist fired on them. The fire was retaliated and the ensuing gun battle lasted for almost two days. The operation concluded today when a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF's quick action team (QAT) stormed the house and cleared it. The cover fire to the storming team was given by army troops. In the search operation, two bodies of the terrorists and 3 AK-Rifles along with other incriminating material has been recovered so far. DNA samples from the killed terrorist bodies has been collected for their identification," police said.
The phone and internet services continued to remain affected for the second consecutive day in twin districts of Anantnag and Kulgam in South Kashmir__GK News


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Tagged: Florida Marlins
9-17-11 Nationals Park
I wanted to attend a game this weekend, and I had to choose between Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington. My #1 choice was Baltimore, but I wasn't able to secure a season ticket to get in early, so it wasn't worth going. Cincinnati was having a Johnny Bench ceremony and statue unveiling, and I was worried that batting practice may not occur because of it. So, in consultation with Nick Pelescak, we headed to Washington DC.
Bad idea.
Gloomy skies and chilly air greeted Amy, Olivia, Nick and I when we arrived in Washington DC.
To make matters worse, the Washington Nationals didn't take batting practice, despite having a picnic in the park for season ticket holders. Basically, they opened up the park for season ticket holders early and let them go wherever they wanted, except for the field. You'd think that the season ticket holders would want to enjoy some batting practice. But no. The Nationals suck. I hate Nationals Park, this was my fourth trip there this year, and its going to be the last one for awhile.
Luckily, I found a ball above the bullpens as I made my way over to foul territory.
In foul territory, I picked a spot about 20 rows back in the middle of a sea of empty sections and called out to Henry Rodriguez who threw me a ball.
It was my second of the day, but more importantly, it was my 400th of the season. In 2009, I snagged 412 baseballs. Last year, it was 544. It marks the first time that any ballhawk had snagged at least 400+ baseballs three consecutive years, so it was a special ball.
Anyhow, the Marlins finally began to hit after I had walked around the park looking for Easter Eggs.
I didn't find any more.
Anyhow, I spent most of batting practice in the center field seats in Center Field. There's only two small sections out there, but left field was annoyingly crowded.
Every row was pretty much blocked up, leaving no routes to home run balls.
Oh, I forgot to mention Stephen Strasburg was starting for the Nationals, bringing out 33,000+.
In the center field seats, I was decked out in my Gawd-awful Marlins teal, hoping to get a toss up ball.
After getting ignored by Burke Badenhop several times, I snagged a ground rule double for ball #3. The ball was hit by a lefty, perhaps Logan Morrison, and it was juggled by two other fans, before falling into an empty row behind me, where I grabbed it. This was the view of the field from the spot of the snag:
And here's where I snagged it:
A bit later in batting practice, Sandy Rosario threw me ball #4 over the plexiglass separating the center field seats from the bullpen:
And, that was it for batting practice.
What a bust. Nick and I, who have snagged over 2,600 between the two of us managed only six combined today. Should've gone to Baltimore… or Cincinnati.
Goodbye Washington, I hope I don't see you next year.
Today's baseballs:
Game: 4 balls (1 hit, 2 thrown, 1 found)
Season: 402 balls (173 hit, 86 thrown, 87 device, 56 found)
Games: 74 games
Average: 5.43 per game
Career: 1,524 balls
Attendance: 33,247
9-11-11 PNC Park #1,500
Sundays usually are rather uneventful. Typically, there isn't batting practice since its a day game that follows a night game. However, today was another lucky Sunday at PNC Park – both teams would take a full batting practice.
For the first half hour, fans aren't allowed to enter the seats. For whatever stupid reasoning, season ticket holders are allowed in from Monday-Saturday, but not Sundays. As a result, I stood behind section 141.
And got Ross Ohlendorf to toss me my first ball of the day.
Ohlendorf, a right handed pitcher, was wearing a glove on his right hand and throwing balls into the ball boy left handed. His toss to me was left handed and it just barely cleared the gate. Ross is the friendliest Pirates pitcher when it comes to toss-ups. I really hope he gets his season turned around so he can get some positive momentum going into next year.
Ross tossed up another ball that was right to me, but it hit the gate. An usher walked over and picked up the ball and pocketed it, right in front of six fans who were five feet from the ball.
At 11:30 when the stadium opened, rather than set up shop in left field, I went searching for easter eggs.
I found ball #2 in left field under a bleacher:
Ball #3 along the first base line in the handicapped seats:
And ball #4 a few feet away from my third ball.
I then realized that I was now on 1,499 career baseballs, so I made my way over to the Pirates dugout to try and get a player to toss me #1500. If you read this blog regularly, you may recall my 1,000th ball came last year in Cleveland via the glove trick.
The last Pirates group contained Matt Hague, Gorkys Hernandez, Jason Jaramillo, and Pedro Ciriaco. Once they finished their round, it marked the end of batting practice. On his way into the dugout, I called out to Pedro Ciriaco and asked if he minded tossing me a ball that was directly in his path as he approached. He obliged and flipped me a well worn filthy ball for #1,500.
Here it is:
After batting practice, Amy took this cheesy picture of me and the ball:
Anyhow, moments after I snagged that ball, the Marlins pitchers were finishing up their tosses down the right field line. I threw on my Marlins gear and headed over. It helped that I was *the* only fan there. Not even were any Pirates fans asking for balls. As a result, Clay Hensley threw me ball #6:
and Jose Ceda tossed me ball #7, even though he had seen me get one from Hensley. "You already got one," he said. "Yes," I replied, "it's up to you if you want to give me another one." Ceda stared at me awkwardly for a moment then threw me the ball.
At 12:00 I headed back to left field and caught a ground rule double off the bat of Jose Lopez here for ball #8.
By the way, there was a special 9-11 logo painted onto the field. Unless you're under 10 years old, I'm sure we all remember where we were on September 11th 2001. I was a junior in college at Washington & Jefferson and woke up hearing some bewilderment next door. "Those are people jumping from that building!" Someone was yelling. I turned on the TV and watched it all unfold.
Game: 8 balls (1 hit, 4 thrown, 3 found)
Season: 381 balls (159 hit, 83 thrown, 87 device, 52 found)
Games: 71 games
Career: 1,503 balls
Attendance: 19,071
Remaining games to reach goal of 413: 5 (maybe 6 if I do an away game next weekend)
Needed to reach goal: 32 (6.4 per game)
9-10-11 PNC Park
It was a Saturday, so the gates open an extra half hour early. However, I wasn't able to take advantage of it, as I didn't get to snag a ball until 4:50. That was thrown by Alex Presley, pictured at right here:
My second ball of the day was a ground rule double that I snagged here:
A fan in the front row tried to knock it down, but they just slowed it down and it came right to me.
Ball #3 was a glove trick ball that I gave away to another ballhawk who hadn't gotten one yet.
My fourth ball of the day was a clean catch of an Andrew McCutchen home run ball in section 136. I had to get up on the bleacher to make the catch.
When the Marlins came out, I changed into my Marlins gear and caught a John Buck home run on the fly.
My sixth ball of the day was retrieved using the Cleveland Stick. A ball had landed in the ivy on the 'S' in Pirates during the early portion of batting practice. As soon as the rest of the stadium opened, I ran over and knocked it out with the Cleveland stick, and reached in with my hand to pick it up. Pretty simple.
In the mean time, Burke Badenhop spotted me about eight rows back after I had snagged this ball and attempted to toss me a ball, but it ended up short. I could've still gotten it, but a younger ballhawk ran by and caught it two rows in front of me. Luckily, Badenhop had another ball in his back pocket that he tossed me for ball #7. This time his throw was right on the money.
My final ball of the day was a towering home run hit by Mike Cameron. I ran to my right, up some steps, and picked the only open row that was available to me and made the clean catch. I had to manuever amongst these stationary fans:
I ended up catching it in the eighth row behind the guy in the gray shirt.
After BP I left, as Amy and Olivia were at home waiting for me.
Game: 8 balls (4 hit, 2 thrown, 2 device)
Season: 373 balls (158 hit, 79 thrown, 87 device, 49 found)
Games: 70 games
Career: 1,495 balls
Attendance: 34,063
Remaining games to reach goal of 413: 6
Needed to reach goal: 40 (6.7 per game)
9-9-11 PNC Park
Today was a pretty mediocre day for me snagging wise.
First off, I forgot my sunglasses, making it almost impossible to track home run balls.
Here I am trying to use my glove to block the sun.
I managed to snag a Brandon Wood home run on the fly before the Pirates left the field. I had to make the catch on the run and caught it backhanded and below my waist. I lost track of it for a second, but it was more of a line drive, so it didn't completely vanish in the glaring sun. Here I am numbering ball #1485:
I changed into my ridiculous eye-catching teal Marlins gear once the Pirates wrapped things up. Look how bad I stand out.
It paid off as I got Alex Sanabia to toss me ball #2. Here I am showing it to Amy:
My third and final ball was an awkward scrum ball. It was a home run that landed and settled on an empty bleacher. Three people grabbed the ball at the same time. I had the ball wedged between my glove and my bare hand, another guy let go of the ball after a second. However, the guy in the row behind me held onto the ball for dear life with one hand. I had a better grip, so after an awkward twenty seconds, he finally let go.
Anyhow, after batting practice, Amy, Olivia and I went up to the upper deck to pick a new season ticket seat for next year. Since the Pirates are raising prices, the only seats available for $499 for a full season plan are in rows S-Y. I wanted to make sure the seats I get have no obstructions.
Here's Olivia and I in the upper deck.
Game: 3 balls (2 hit, 1 thrown)
Season: 365 balls (154 hit, 77 thrown, 85 device, 49 found)
Games: 69 games
Career: 1,487 balls
Attendance: 24,527
Remaining games to reach goal of 413: 7
Needed to reach goal: 48 (6.9 per game)
8-19-10 PNC Park
Before heading to PNC Park, I stopped off at a baseball field near my house to take some swings.
Panoramic of the field:
Game: 4 balls ( 3 hit, 1 thrown )
Season: 458 balls (231 hit, 99 thrown, 61 device, 61 found)
Balls in the month of August: 107
Games: 70 games
Average: 6.54 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 5
Career: 1,036 balls
Streak: 166 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 15,783
8-18-10 PNC Park
I got on the board before the gates opened today.
I was standing on the Riverwalk waiting for a home run to land on the concourse, but left around 4:50 to head back up to the gate. Just as I left, a passerby informed me that I had just missed one. I turned and saw fellow ballhawk Nick Pelescak knee deep in the weeds, frantically searching for a ball.
I turned around and jogged back and joined in the search. After a minute, I found the ball in the weeds, for my first ball of the day.
Upon entrance to the left field bleachers, I noticed a ball land near the foul pole, so I ran over and scooped that one up for ball #2.
Game: 7 balls ( 4 hit, 2 thrown, 1 found )
Season: 454 balls (228 hit, 98 thrown, 61 device, 61 found)
Balls in the month of August: 103
Games: 69 games
Average: 6.58 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 5
Career: 1,032 balls
Streak: 165 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 12,242
8-17-10 PNC Park
Luck wasn't on my side today. There were at least 8-10 balls that I came up two feet short or less of snagging. Either balls that were just out of my reach, or snatched up at the last second by random fans.
That said, I did find ball #1 laying near the bullpen when I ran in to get on the board early.
I managed to get Sean Gallagher to toss me a ball, but the ball sailed high, and despite my best effort to catch it by hopping up on a bleacher, it tipped off of my glove and landed several rows behind me.
I tried to grab the ball, but this ballhawk raced over and grabbed it a split second before I could, despite the ball clearly being tossed to me.
He also cut my arm with his long fingernails.
Game: 6 balls ( 2 hit, 2 thrown, 1 device, 1 found )
Season: 447 balls (224 hit, 96 thrown, 61 device, 60 found)
Balls in the month of August: 96
Games: 68 games
Average: 6.57 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 5
Career: 1,025 balls
Streak: 164 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 14,156
8-16-10 PNC Park
Today kicked off a 10 game homestand at PNC Park.
When Nick Pelescak and I ran in at 5 PM, some ushers were coming out of the bleachers and said "There's a bunch of balls in there."
I found balls #1 and 2 in the left field bleachers. The first one was in the front row of Section 136 and the other one was about four rows back closer towards the foul pole.
Ball # was hit by Neil Walker. It was a home run that landed in the crosswalk area, bounced off the white facade of the upper bleachers,
and right into my glove in the third row in the lower bleachers. I heard Jeff Karstens murmur, "Got the rebound."
Ball #4 and 5 were caught in this area, both off the bat of Lastings Milledge.
Game: 10 balls ( 3 hit, 1 thrown, 2 device, 4 found )
Season: 441 balls (224 hit, 96 thrown, 61 device, 60 found)
Balls in the month of August: 90
Games: 67 games
Average: 6.58 balls per game
2010 Game Balls: 5
Career: 1,019 balls
Streak: 163 consecutive games attended with at least 1 ball snagged.
Attendance: 13,396
4-21-09 PNC Park
I had several things working in my favor today.
1) The Penguins had a playoff game at the same time the Pirates had their game today. This would lead to drastically reduced attendance figures.
2) The weather forecast was menacing. With dark clouds and some rain showers moving through around 4 PM. Rain tends to keep folks at home also.
3) It was a weekday game. The Pirates do not draw on well on weekday night games.
4) There was only one other decent ballhawk in attendance.
5) I had plenty of space in my backpack.
I got to the stadium around 4:15PM and was second in line. When the gates opened, I was the second into the bleachers. I went over to my spot in left center field and hoped for a home run to come. A Pirates batter drove a ball to left center field. There were maybe four people there for the first ten minutes, so I ranged far to my left towards the bullpen. The ball skipped off the bullpen wall. Oh well. I walked back and looked down. I saw a speck of white under a bleacher. A ball was lying tucked up against the concrete step and a bleacher support. It was well hidden, but not anymore. I reached down and picked up ball #1.
Craig Monroe was the next batter. He hit a drive to deep left center. The ball hit off a bleacher and bounced back onto the field. Matt Capps walked over and picked it up. I called out for the ball and Capps flipped it to me. I had ball #2, and #199 of my career.
The Pirates ended their BP at 5:10. I had two balls after 10 minutes. Not bad. The Marlins came out to take Batting Practice. I changed into the Marlins gear that I wore yesterday. Coach Bo Porter came out with a bat and started hitting line drives off the wall so Brett Carroll could get a read on how to play the richochets. Bo's second hit was a hard line drive that cleared the wall. It literally almost took out two ushers who were standing in the aisle cleaning the water off the seats. I didn't get that ball, but moved over to the spot that Bo was hitting the ball so I could snag one if he hit it over the wall again. Porter started hitting hard grounders at the wall, wary of what he had just done minutes early. After Porter and Carroll were done playing balls off the wall, I asked Brett Carroll for the ball. He briefly glanced at me and saw my Marlins gear and tossed me ball #3, and #200 of my ballhawking career.
The first group of Marlins weren't hitting many home runs, so I tried to get some more baseballs from the pitchers. I received ball #4 from an unidentified Marlin.
Can anyone help me out? I got his attention and asked for the ball. He looked at me and waved. I asked him one more time for the ball in case he didn't hear the first time. He then flipped the ball up to me.
Another ball rolled to the wall and Renyel Pinto walked over to pick it up.
I made my way over to the bullpen area. There was a ball laying in the Pirates bullpen. It was directly below me, about 5 feet out from the wall. The ball was laying in a groove of dirt between the grass and a green carpet walkway. It was in an indention of about maybe an inch or less. I wanted to try the glove trick but I didn't want to struggle with it. It would've been hard to bat the ball closer to the wall with the glov
e to begin with because of the groove it was in. Also, the main security office is directly behind the bullpen with large windows. I felt I was being watched. I didn't want to risk it so I waited for someone to come out to the bullpen. I waited for about 20 minutes until finally Jason Jaramillo and Joe Kerrigan came out to remove the bullpen tarp and get ready for Jeff Karsten's warm up. I asked Jaramillo first for the ball, but was ignored. I then asked Joe Kerrigan and he picked the ball up, looked up to see who asked, and flipped me the ball. It was ball #8 on the day, and a new personal one day record for me.
I decided to try for double digits, and stadium domination. I asked John Baker for his warm up ball in center field before the game, but I don't think he heard me.
The game then began. I stood in center field for most of the game. My plan was to try and get the outfielders' warm up balls.
This was my view. (picture was taken in about the 4th inning – notice the empty seats!)
Before the first inning began, I found a fairly empty section in center field and stood with my glove ready, awaiting Nate McLouth's warm up ball.
When he was done tossing with Brandon Moss, Nate turned and threw me his warm up ball. It was ball #9.
I continued to roam the outfield in hopes of catching a home run ball or another warm up ball. I snapped a few more pictures of random things, like Pittsburgh at night.
In the 4th inning, I decided to try for a Marlins warm up ball.
I walked over to this unknown pitcher
and asked for a warm up ball when he was done throwing. He looked at me, saw my Marlins T-shirt and threw me ball #10. Reynel Pinto whistled at me and called me over to the bullpen. I thought he was going to scold me because I heard him telling someone earlier in batting practice, "You already got one!" I walked over and talked to him through the chain link fence.
"Aren't you cold man?" He said. I told him I was, but I'd be alright. I wanted to show my Marlins shirt off. "You're crazy man, this weather is terrible." I thought about asking him for a Marlins bullpen jacket, but that would've been a ridiculous request.
I was now 1 ball away from the PNC Park record for most balls in one game (as known to me). A ballhawk with initials MG got 11 balls on 9/20/08 last year, the last batting practice of the regular season. I would've liked to tie or beat him, as I was getting dissed earlier in the day by the same ballhawk.
I went over to the right field wall in the 6th inning.
It was Brandon Moss' turn to throw. He threw the ball to the cluster of fans seated to the left of the foul pole, near the top of the section. None of them had a glove. I was standing half way up in the second section to the left of the foul ball. The ball hit off someone's hands, and bounced two rows down and rolled right to my feet. I picked it up for ball #11.
I didn't get any more warm up balls, so come the 9th inning, I was forced to decide to go to the Marlins dugout, or the Pirates dugout. I decided to try my luck at the Marlins dugout, since I had been shutout every single game this homestand at the Pirates' one. No luck. The Marlins weren't in the mood to toss anything up after losing their second consecutive game to the Pirates.
No matter. I had set a new personal record for balls in one day, and bounced back from my 2 ball performance yesterday in a big way.
Some pictures of the balls:
Game: 11 balls (2 hit, 9 thrown)
Season: 42 balls (15 hit, 21 thrown, 6 device)
Games: 9 games (7 with BP, 2 without)
Average: 4.67 balls per game
Career: 208 balls
Attendance: 9,917
4-20-09 PNC Park
Today wasn't looking good. It had rained continuously throughout the day. When my wife and I left for the ballpark at 4:25 PM, it was still pouring. We went anyway.
For the first half hour, nothing was going on in the stadium. The tarp was on the field, and there were no players to be seen. There was a random ball sitting in the middle of center field, but it would've been impossible to reach with the glove trick.
At 5:30, the Pirates pitchers came out to stretch and toss. The rain had relented a bit. I went down and lined up behind Jeff Karstens, hoping for an overthrown. It didn't happen. I did manage to get Craig Hansen's warm up ball. It was ball #1.
The Pirates left the field, and once again, nothing was happening. We went over to right field to await the Marlins to come out and catch.
The weather still wasn't looking good. Water was starting to pond on the warning track.
Not too bad, I guess.
Game: 2 balls (2 thrown)
Season : 31 balls (13 hit, 12 thrown, 6 device)
Games: 8 games (6 with BP, 2 without)
Average: 3.88 balls per game
Career: 197 balls
Attendance: 8,790


text:
What is your name?
My name is Isaac Quarshie and I am founder and CEO of INQ Styles. This stands for Interest and Quality Styles.
Tell us a bit about yourself/background
I am Nigerian currently residing in Queens, NY (QGTM), and I am also a senior at Baruch College pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Communications.
When did you start doing this (art/music/production/design etc.)?
I started on this journey of styling a while back but I recently started doing it seriously in February of this year.
How was the reaction/feedback from those around you (family/friends)?
The reaction from my friends and family was very warm and they supported me all the way. They used to call me "Fashionista" or they would say "Here comes Mr. INQ" so when I started taking it more serious they would send me things to feature on my page or send me a picture of their outfits before stepping out of the house or while shopping for critique.
What inspires your art?
There are a lot of different things that inspire my art and why I do what I do. Going to a business school I see guys dressed in suits every single day and everyone has that one thing that adds flavor to their outfit or whether I'm on the train and I see a guy dressed in the linen blazer or in the shoes that I've been longing for, seeing how they put it together gives me inspiration to come up with new and creative ways to wear it or dress someone in it to stand out. But the thing that inspires me the most is when someone comes to me, having never worn a suit in their life, and you put them in a finely tailored suit or give them ideas that would look great on them, and they come back to you after whatever event they were going to and tell you how they got so many compliments and how good they felt. That what inspires me to do what I do.
What is your favorite piece and why?
There are so many different styles and pieces that I hold dear, and each one has its own story and inspiration behind it but my favorite would be my Hickey Freeman charcoal gray suit, it is one of the first pieces I ever bought and it was tailored to perfection.
Who would you like to work with /who inspires you/ which artist do you admire?
In the future I would like to work with @iamcharisteas from Instagram he is also a stylist and I like his vision and style. I would also like to work with @drdrummerd who is a great photographer and would help bring my vision to life.
Future Plans?
In the future I would like to be featured in some fashion shows to do a scene or two for the culture. I would also like to get my following up on social media so that I can spread a little inspiration to a bigger crowd. Down the line I would like to style a celebrity or public figure.
What advice do you have for anybody out there who wants to be an artist just like you?
The advice I have to anyone that wants to be an artist like me is that everyone starts somewhere so why not start today. Also don't let anyone downplay your ability because everyone has his or her own vision on how something should be worn.
Instagram: @bigboiisaac
INQ Styles
Instagram: @inqstyles


text:
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text:
Texts tabled :
Debates :
Votes :
Texts adopted :
on the Single Market governance within the European Semester 2016
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Rapporteur: Catherine Stihler
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its resolution of 11 March 2015 on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2015(1),
– having regard to its resolution of 11 March 2015 on Single Market governance within the European Semester 2015(2),
– having regard to its resolution of 25 February 2014 on Single Market governance within the European Semester 2014(3), and to the Commission's follow-up thereon adopted on 28 May 2014,
– having regard to its resolution of 22 October 2014 on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2014 priorities(4),
– having regard to its resolution of 7 February 2013 with recommendations to the Commission on the governance of the Single Market(5), and to the Commission's follow-up thereon adopted on 8 May 2013,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 26 November 2014 on an Investment Plan for Europe (COM(2014)0903),
– having regard to the report of the Five Presidents of 22 June 2015 on Completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 21 October 2015 on steps towards Completing Economic and Monetary Union (COM(2015)0600),
– having regard to the Commission recommendation of 21 October 2015 for a Council recommendation on the establishment of National Competitiveness Boards within the Euro Area (COM(2015)0601),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 26 November 2015 on the Annual Growth Survey 2016 – Strengthening the recovery and fostering convergence (COM(2015)0690),
– having regard to the Commission staff working document on Member States Investment Challenges (SWD(2015)0400),
– having regard to the Bruegel policy paper on the Limitations of Policy Coordination in the Euro Area under the European Semester, November 2015,
– having regard to the Quarterly Report on the Euro Area (QREA), Vol. 14, No 2,
– having regard to the EPRS study on the Cost of non-Europe in the Single Market, September 2014,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 28 October 2015 on Upgrading the Single Market: more opportunities for people and business (COM(2015)0550) and the report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States (SWD(2015)0203),
– having regard to the Commission communication of 6 May 2015 on A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe (COM(2015)0192),
– having regard to the 2015 edition of the online Internal Market Scoreboard,
– having regard to the Commission communication of 8 June 2012 on the implementation of the Services Directive (COM(2012)0261), as updated in October 2015,
– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 27-28 June 2013,
– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24-25 October 2013,
– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 19-20 December 2013,
– having regard to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (A8-0017/2016),
A. whereas the EU faces diverse challenges at both global and domestic level, such as sluggish growth, high levels of unemployment and, in particular, intense international competition;
B. whereas the European Semester aims to increase coordination of economic and fiscal policies across the EU 28 in order to enhance stability, promote growth and employment and strengthen competitiveness;
C. whereas it is imperative to mobilise all potential avenues to boost the EU economy and competitiveness;
D. whereas the Single Market is one of the cornerstones of the EU and one of its major achievements; whereas for the European Semester to successfully foster economic growth and stabilise economies it must equally encompass the Single Market and policies aimed at its completion;
E. whereas an inclusive Single Market, with enhanced governance which favours better regulation and competition, is a crucial instrument to improve growth, employment and competitiveness and to preserve the confidence of the business sector and consumers;
F. whereas ongoing technological, societal and behavioural changes significantly impact business and consumer behaviour, creating many economic opportunities and challenges which the Single Market framework must address;
G. whereas, above all, it is compliance with existing rules within the European Semester and the Single Market that will provide real insight into the suitability or shortcomings of current rules;
The Single Market as an important tool in boosting EU competitiveness and delivering jobs and growth
1. Reiterates that the Single Market is one of the foundations of the EU; stresses that for the European Semester to successfully foster economic growth and stabilise Member States' economies it must equally encompass the Single Market and policies aimed at its completion;
2. Underlines that the Single Market (SM) is the backbone of Member States' economies and the European integration project as a whole; highlights the economic benefits of the SM, such as product standardisation and market integration, economies of scale and stronger competition, and a level playing field for 500 million consumers across the 28 Member States, providing, in particular, a greater choice of high-quality products and services and lower prices for consumers;
3. Emphasises the importance of advancing the SM to achieve structural and sustainable economic growth in order to attract and foster investment, in the context of transparency and efficiency rules, which will help to create jobs and promote well-being among the citizens of the Member States; urges the Commission to carry out systematic monitoring of implementation and enforcement of the Single Market rules through the country-specific recommendations (CSRs), in particular where those rules make a significant contribution to structural reforms;
4. Believes that it is necessary to facilitate an adequate environment for economic initiative and business development, encouraging competitiveness and cooperation among SMEs, thus tapping into the industrial potential of innovation, research and technology;
5. Notes the recent work of Commission services on identifying and mapping challenges to investment and elaborating country-specific investment profiles;
6. Is concerned that the level of implementation of European Semester recommendations for 2011-2014 was lower than expected; calls, therefore, on the Commission to propose a mechanism to encourage countries to implement CSRs;
7. Welcomes the fact that the new European Semester process was streamlined by the Commission and understands that the number of CSRs declined in order to propose recommendations more focused on countries' priorities; notes that the Annual Growth Survey pays more attention to the Single Market issues than the CSRs;
8. Reiterates a call for inclusion of the Single Market pillar in the European Semester, with a system for regular monitoring, identification of the country-specific barriers to the Single Market and evaluation of SM integration and competitiveness, focused on a set of priorities where action would generate the most impact in growth and jobs, including sustainable development of businesses – which would encompass also SMEs; considers that the system should comprise a robust information database, a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators aimed at measuring, inter alia, the economic effects of application of the Single Market rules, benchmarking, peer review and exchange of best practices;
9. Welcomes the 2015 Report on Single Market Integration and Competitiveness in the EU and its Member States; notes that this report, which replaces both the Single Market Integration Report previously annexed to the Annual Growth Survey and the Report on European Industrial Performance, has been published as a document accompanying the Single Market Strategy communication instead of being annexed to the Annual Growth Survey as was previously the case; requests that the report be further developed and that it become part of the SM Governance pillar and the basis for annual assessment of progress of the Single Market; considers that the report should feed into the specific SM section in the Annual Growth Survey, in CSRs and in regular structured Single Market compliance dialogue with the Member States;
10. Welcomes the Commission's intention to further analyse the identified country-specific challenges to investment in the framework of the European Semester, particularly in Country Reports and through thematic discussions in the Council;
11. Draws attention to the fact that many of the identified challenges to investment relate to the functioning of the Single Market and transposition and implementation of Single Market law; asks the Commission to rigorously monitor Member States' follow-up on the identified challenges and barriers to investment, engage in regular structured compliance dialogue with Member States and use its powers and take action where appropriate in order to remove unjustified and disproportionate barriers to the Single Market;
12. Stresses that any review process of the European Semester must allow for proper involvement of the European Parliament, national and regional parliaments and all relevant stakeholders, including employer organisations and trade unions, not only to increase the ownership of the European Semester but also to increase the level of implementation of the CSRs;
13. Underlines the importance of an all inclusive, transparent process leading to relevant and necessary reforms through the European Semester;
Untapped potential of the Single Market
14. Recalls the need to carry out appropriate and fair economic and social reforms and to tackle red tape and protectionism, in order to improve productivity and the competitiveness of the European economy;
15. Stresses that despite the lack of straightforward tariff barriers in the Single Market, a vast number of various non-tariff barriers do exist; encourages the EU institutions, the Member States and all relevant stakeholders to launch a constructive debate on this issue in order to overcome the non-tariff obstacles within the EU;
16. Regrets that in several Member States there are significant deficiencies as regards the implementation of the Services Directive, covering activities representing more than 45 % of the EU's GDP and employment, inter alia because of a substantial number of national rules and regulations, which are not always in the public interest; regrets also that the notification procedure is not always complied with;
17. Welcomes the modernisation of the Professional Qualifications Directive, proposing a smoother system of recognition of qualifications supporting labour mobility; notes that the regulation of regulated professions varies between Member States, as do reserves of activities;
18. Welcomes the Commission's intention to consider an initiative for a services passport and a harmonised notification form, with the proviso that this initiative leads to greater transparency as regards the extent of the powers of cross-border service providers and a reduction in red tape and administrative burden; emphasises that any such initiative should not lead to the introduction of the country of origin principle; however, it would be appropriate to provide more detail on the outlines of this proposal; considers the services passport as a temporary solution intended for use during the transition to a fully integrated Single Market;
19. Stresses that the public procurement market accounts for a substantial portion of the Single Market as a whole and contributes significantly to Member States' and business growth, job creation and competitiveness; asks the Commission to support transparency of public procurement in the public sector, cross-border competition and better use of public resources, including social and environmental standards;
20. Recalls that in 2014, the EU adopted a major overhaul of the EU procurement framework, simplifying procedures, making the rules more flexible and adapting them to better serve other public sector policies;
21. Points out that there are still significant inefficiencies in public procurement across Member States that limit cross-border expansion and growth in domestic markets; stresses the need for proper and timely transposition and implementation of public procurement and concessions legislation by Member States; believes correct implementation of the 2007 remedies procedure would ensure that public procurement is more efficient, effective and transparent;
22. Welcomes the second Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations programme (ISA²), which started on 1 January 2016 and will support the development of interoperable digital solutions, available free of charge to all interested public administrations, businesses and citizens in Europe;
23. Emphasises that the development and widespread use of e-administration in the Member States will serve as a vital tool making it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in the Single Market and for consumers to exercise their rights; in connection with the above, calls on the Commission to commit to the development of e-administration as a key and urgent priority;
24. Highlights that the private sector is a crucial driver for sustainable growth and job creation; points out that individual national regulations and practices, coupled with an inadequate implementation of the mutual recognition principle, can result in unnecessary and harmful barriers and burdens for entrepreneurs and consumers; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure proper application and better enforcement of the mutual recognition principle and for cost-efficient instruments for dispute settlement;
25 Invites the Commission to consult stakeholders in order to identify sectors and markets where the application of the mutual recognition principle is insufficient or problematic;
26. Advises that a strengthened role for the existing Product Contact Points as single access points for SM issues for economic operators will help raise awareness and understanding of the applicable legislation;
27. Highlights that better conditions for the emergence of start-ups and SMEs can result in more active innovation and job creation and generate sustainable growth; recalls that many barriers, some of which are bureaucratic, hinder the development of SMEs domestically and internationally; calls for the identification and elimination of the barriers that prevent domestic and international growth;
28. Highlights that the intensity of tangible and intangible capital accumulation in the EU has been lower post-financial crisis when compared to competitors, which is detrimental to economic and social development; stresses that investment, including in the area of ICT, is of the utmost importance in order to restore productivity and long-term growth in the EU; is of the view that in order to reverse this negative trend, the Single Market must be enhanced and barriers to investment reduced; demands that investment be focused on financing the real economy and that sustained measures continue to be taken to achieve that goal;
29. Calls for an immediate abolition of unjustified territorial restrictions known as geo-blocking, in particular by means of fully implementing Article 20 of the Services Directive, thus ending unjustified discrimination in access to goods and services as well as price discrimination based on geographical location or nationality;
30. Calls for upgrading of the European Standardisation System to commence as soon as possible in order to support EU policies in digital innovation, increased cyber security and improved interoperability;
31. Urges Member States to implement properly and in a timely fashion, and to enforce, the rules of the Single Market; highlights the importance of implementation of CSRs – including reforms of national products and services markets – in unlocking Member States' growth potential;
32. Believes that Member States must step up their efforts to modernise their public administrations by providing more, and better accessible, digital services for citizens and businesses, and to facilitate cross-border cooperation and interoperability of public administrations;
The Single Market in the 21st century
33. Emphasises that the notion of the modern economy is rapidly changing owing to digital and technological advances, more intense international competition and changes in the behavioural patterns of economic agents and consumers;
34. Points to the blurring of lines between products and services; highlights the growing importance of business-related services and systems with integrated products and services; believes that SM regulatory frameworks need to embrace these transformative developments;
35. Welcomes new sharing economy business models and recognises their enormous potential for innovation, which should be realised in compliance with existing legal and consumer protection standards and with equal conditions for competition; highlights the importance of ensuring the best possible conditions for the collaborative economy to develop and thrive; calls on the Commission to take a strategic approach to enable sharing economy businesses to compete with traditional businesses in a fair environment;
36. Points out that investment patterns by businesses have seen a remarkable change, with expenditure in intangible assets growing in size and importance in comparison to investment in tangibles; stresses that in relation to intangible assets, only 17 % of firm investment goes towards scientific R&D; calls on policymakers to work on removing regulatory barriers that impede the realisation of the full potential of this new innovation lever;
37. Welcomes the Single Market Strategy, outlining how various Commission actions (Capital Markets Union, Digital Single Market, Energy Union, etc.) are focused on a main goal – tapping the potential of the EU's Single Market; underlines that the Single Market Strategy communication finds that the Single Market should be addressed more in the European Semester process;
38. Welcomes the Digital Single Market Strategy as the right approach to make the EU fit for the digital age; calls for a speedy delivery and implementation of this strategy to ensure the EU regains lost ground in relation to the previously slow adoption and use of digital technologies; considers that this requires an allocation of national and EU funds in order to provide the required infrastructure, in particular for rural areas; notes that it is also important to support digital innovation and improved interoperability, and that particularly close attention should be paid to cyber security issues;
39. Stresses that accessible, affordable, efficient and high-quality parcel delivery is an essential prerequisite for a thriving cross-border e-commerce for the benefit of SMEs and consumers in particular;
40. Recalls that the integration of the Single Market in goods and services is almost always powered by data, with interoperability being the 'glue' improving connection along the supply chain and ensuring effective communication between digital components; calls on the Commission to commence the updating of the European Interoperability Framework as soon as possible, coupled with an integrated standardisation plan identifying and defining key priorities;
41. Emphasises that private and public investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks are a requirement for any digital progress, and must be incentivised by a stable EU regulatory framework enabling all players to make investments, including in rural and remote areas;
42. Highlights the importance of successful implementation of the European Fund for Strategic Investments in order to maximise investments and support innovative companies at different funding stages of their development; stresses, where there is market failure, the importance of fully exploiting the public funds already available for digital investments, and of enabling synergies between EU programmes such as Horizon 2020, the Connecting Europe Facility, other relevant structural funds and other instruments;
43. Calls on the Commission to evaluate whether the current broadband strategy for mobile and fixed networks, including targets, is future-proofed and meets the conditions for high connectivity for all, in order to avoid the digital divide and for the needs of the data-driven economy and the rapid deployment of 5G;
44. Highlights that the EU should build its competitive advantage by creating the perfect breeding ground for innovative companies – this would require a modern industrial policy and better-integrated infrastructure which puts technology adoption and an innovation- and entrepreneur-friendly regulatory environment at the forefront; calls for any future digital framework proposed to be inclusive and accessible, guaranteeing consumers a high level of protection;
Governance of the Single Market
45. Underlines that, in order to achieve stronger SM governance and ownership at all levels, a clarification of division of tasks between those levels and frameworks providing better incentives and clear accountability for the implementation and enforcement of SM laws are needed to give new impetus to the SM;
46. Notes that the multilevel ownership of effective SM governance could be successfully achieved by means of deregulation on the one hand and a broader culture of regulatory enforcement on the other; calls for the development of human capital, inter alia on the basis of more accessible information and appropriate training to raise levels of knowledge and awareness;
47. Calls on the Commission to ensure that Single Market rules are consistently enforced by the Member States by using all available information, data and instruments at its disposal and imposing the consequences provided for by the Treaties in cases where Member States fail to comply with EU policies and laws;
48. Points to the importance of monitoring and data collection and the need for a robust and integrated system; is concerned that information on public consultations is only available in one language in most cases, which does not allow all interested parties to comment on the important issues and proposals; considers that data and evidence should be taken into account when making strategic decisions vital for achieving the Single Market, reducing gaps between Member States and enhancing SM governance, such as when setting priorities for action and enforcement, when evaluating SM integration and competitiveness, and also within structured Single Market compliance dialogue with Member States;
49. Calls on the Commission to issue an annual report on the Single Market barriers in various Member States and the EU as a whole and to issue recommendations focused on removing these barriers in the CSRs; stresses that the Single Market should play a more important role in the CSRs;
50. Calls on the Commission to use all available measures, including infringement procedures, when necessary, to ensure full implementation of SM legislation; is concerned that the infringement procedure redress takes a long time when a violation of SM rules is being addressed and remedied, and is concerned about the high number of outstanding cases;
51. Notes the benefits of SOLVIT; requests that SOLVIT be strengthened and better connected to Commission services, and well integrated with existing projects and databases such as CHAP and EU Pilot in order to create information synergies and share best practices; requests that the Commission follow up consistently on unresolved cases; urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the necessary support and expertise are provided for SOLVIT so that the cases received can be efficiently dealt with;
52. Is of the view that market surveillance authorities within the Single Market need to be strengthened, better connected and appropriately staffed in order to meet today's challenges, in particular those regarding global competition; urges national market surveillance authorities to cooperate more closely and to exchange information and best practices to effectively tackle various forms of unfair competition in the Single Market, inter alia the high number of illegal and non-compliant products incurring high costs for complying businesses and posing a high risk for consumers, particularly the most vulnerable; is concerned by the length of time being taken by the Council of the European Union to adopt the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package, which is jeopardising the safety of products in the EU; calls on the Council to adopt it immediately;
53. Welcomes the Commission initiative to create a Single Digital Gateway as an accessible umbrella portal that will streamline and simplify access to information and promote existing dedicated users' platforms; stresses the role of national and regional governments in promoting such platforms, making them accessible and educating their users; calls on the Commission to further strengthen and streamline online Single Market tools;
54. Recognises the importance of better regulation principles and the REFIT initiative, and the need for regulatory security and predictability, when designing new legislative initiatives; underlines that the better lawmaking principle should not prejudice the right of the EU and the Member States to legislate in areas crucial to the public interest, such as health and the environment;
55. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
'The European model is, first, a social and economic system founded on the role of the market, for no computer in the world can process information better than the market'
Jacques Delors
The Single Market is a precious resource which the European Union's current and future economic prosperity depends upon. The untapped potential of the Single Market estimated to be €1trillion in value is both an opportunity and a wake-up call to ensuring the SM works to benefit of us all. Currently there are too many barriers to trade across the EU, many member states fail to implement decisions which they sign up to. The EU is only as strong as its constituent parts of the 28 Member States.
Your Rapporteur is of the opinion that a coordination of both macro and micro economic policies coupled with the coordination of fiscal policies is needed to bring about the desired structural economic growth in EU Member States.
The potential of single market measures to boost jobs and growth has been widely recognised at an EU level(6). However, despite repeated calls to strengthen the single market in the European Council Conclusions(7), Annual Growth Surveys and Country Specific Recommendations(8) little progress has been achieved so far(9).
In order to effectively deliver on jobs, growth and competitiveness, the progress on integration of the Single Market in Member States must be accompanied with better governance and greater transparency of the process. Your Rapporteur believes that this can be achieved by including the Single Market under the European Semester.
Therefore, building on previous reports from the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Schwab, Cofferatti and Gall-Pelzc) and EP resolutions, your rapporteur strongly supports including a Single Market pillar in the European Semester.
In Part 1 of this report your Rapporteur proposes that the Single Market pillar comprises the following elements:
(i) a system for regular monitoring and evaluation of SM integration and competitiveness, such a system, to be credible, needs to be focused on a set of priorities where action would generate most growth and jobs and must comprise a robust information database of quantitative and qualitative information to assess progress in MS. Benchmarking, peer review process and exchange of best practices should be part of monitoring and evaluation.
(ii) The progress on SM integration and competitiveness should be assessed every year in form of a report; the Report on Integration of the Single Market and Competitiveness could serve as basis for annual evaluation of microeconomic policies.
(iii) In order to strengthen governance, transparency and ownership of the process, your Rapporteur is of the view that such annual reports should be systematically taken into account in Member States' economic and fiscal evaluation and feed into specific sections in the Annual Growth Survey covering Single Market, in Country Specific Recommendations and
(iv) in regular structured compliance dialogue with Member States.
(v) Moreover, your Rapporteur stresses that involvement of the EP, inclusive and non-discriminatory approach to all EU MSs – euro and non-Eurozone, MS national parliaments and all stakeholders is crucial for transparency, governance and ownership, and ultimately for the success of the process.
Despite some progress made in varying fields by Member States to simplify national legislation to make it more consumer and business friendly, a number of key outstanding issues remain which serve as barriers to further deepening and integration of the Single Market. Your Rapporteur identifies these key obstacles in Part 2 and urges the Commission and Member States to act upon them as swiftly as possible.
The Cost of Non-Europe in the Single Market report published last year explores in great detail the economic cost of Single Market fragmentation. The report estimates that completing the Single Market in these fields would entail economic gains ranging from 651 billion to 1.1 trillion euro per year, equivalent to a range of 5% to 8.63% of EU GDP(10). Your Rapporteur considers it a great pity that we continue to miss out on these advances for over the past 20 years, especially in light of the ever-growing international competition.
This report welcomes the Commission's Internal Market Strategy for goods and services published in October 2015 alongside the Single Market Integration and Competitiveness Report(11) , believes the Commission is taking the right approach but highlights that first and foremost it is the enforcement and implementation of already existing EU legislation (outlined in Part 2) by all 28 Member States that is the key to unlocking the full potential of the SM. This goes without prejudice to the introduction of new elements and instruments that would further enhance and are complementary to thus said legislation.
Your Rapporteur believes that the lack of and slow pace of investment in the EU, especially in the field of ICT, and the difficulties SMEs face accessing venture capital to be a critical barrier to growth and job creation across the EU. She therefore welcomes the Commission's Investment Plan for Europe and the European Fund for Strategic Investments which aim to support investment in the real economy and ease access to funding for SMEs but believes further steps and financial support could be given to SMEs and companies in order to support their transition to digital(12).
The report goes on to further address the transformative effects of digitalisation on businesses and consumers in Part 3. The SM of the 21st century is radically different from that of the 20th. These changes can be largely be attributed to the digital revolution; blurring of lines between products and services and the birth of the 'prosumer' – who combines elements of consumption and production, as well as changing models of our economy i.e. the emergence of the sharing economy. Recalls that the collaborative economies value today is estimated at 10 billion euros globally but by 2025 this is expected to increase to more than 250 billion euros.
Your Rapporteur highlights a new paradigm in investment patterns, with business investment and expenditure in intangible assets being on the rise compared to tangible assets. She firmly believes that the creation of a single Digital Market has the potential to transform our lives beyond recognition.
However, she would like to point out that a number of obstacles still remain in place, such as geo-blocking, different rules on parcel delivery, lack of harmonised EU rules on contracts and consumer protection when it comes to cross-border e-commerce rules and lack of necessary digital infrastructure, to name but a few, that hinder the completion of the DSM. The Rapporteur welcomes the Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy but calls for more attention to be paid to changing behavioural and societal trends in relation to digital technology.
The report emphasises that Europe now faces a different kind of competition – a digital one. Instead of developing powerful industrial sectors locally, emerging economies can now leapfrog more advanced economies by adopting the latest technologies and sourcing products and services globally. This is why the Rapporteur would like to point out again that investment in ICT, digital technologies and R&D are essential if the EU want to have a competitive advantage. Infrastructure, interoperability and EU wide standards are essential to make it possible for the digital transformation to take place equally across Europe.
Your Rapporteur also believes the lack of necessary digital skills and training to be a crucial missing piece of the puzzle without which the DSM will never be truly complete. As unemployment continues to be significantly higher across Europe than before the recession it is imperative we provide the EU citizens with the relevant skills and knowledge to adapt to the ever growing digitalisation of businesses and industries, thus preventing the otherwise inevitable growth of unemployment.
This report is of the view that governance in the Single Market remains weak (Part 4). In order to tap the potential of the Single Market, implementation and enforcement need to be considerably strengthened and remaining obstacles and unjustified or disproportionate restrictions eliminated.
Your Rapporteur recognises that change cannot only come from the top, but that all players need to embrace a Single Market compliance culture and work in a cooperative partnership. Such multilevel ownership needs to be supported by adequate training, assistance and dedicated resources and accessible information at all levels.
Your Rapporteur believes that the Commission should take a strategic approach to enforcement and choose among all available instruments, from soft measures, such as ex-ante and ex-post notifications of national legislation, proportionality, benchmarking, structured dialogue with Member States, peer pressure, to infringements.
Monitoring progress in Single Market integration, collecting data about complaints, national legislation, and evaluating is of paramount importance for effective enforcement. Moreover, division of tasks between European, national and regional levels needs to be clarified. The framework should provide better incentives and clear accountability for implementation and enforcement of Single Market laws, which are needed to rebuild ownership and trust and compliance culture.
The report suggests that the Commission should prioritise when using infringement procedure and focus on cases that would have a large dissuasive effect and build a robust body of evidence. Your Rapporteur is of the view that an 'easier' and faster instrument of more general application is needed as an alternative to infringements - a fast extra-judicial arbitration mechanism which could built on SOLVIT.
The existing system of national market surveillance authorities and the capacity of the network to effectively enforce EU standards are also reflected upon in this report. It calls for a stronger system of closer cooperation among national surveillance authorities, better exchange of information and best practices and more coordinated actions to effectively and quickly respond to a high number of illegal and non-compliant products within the EU.
Your Rapporteur firmly believes that easy access to information for businesses and consumers is a prerequisite for good governance of Single Market. She recognises the work of the Commission and of Member States on a number of information portals dedicated to various users: businesses, citizens and consumers. She is of the view that a simple, user-friendly, accessible umbrella gateway such as the Single Digital Gateway is needed to streamline and simplify access to information and to promote existing platforms dedicated to users, provided that national and regional governments make the gateway accessible and publically inform citizens about its use.
Date adopted
Result of final vote
Members present for the final vote
Dita Charanzová, Carlos Coelho, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Nicola Danti, Pascal Durand, Vicky Ford, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Evelyne Gebhardt, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Marlene Mizzi, Robert Rochefort, Andreas Schwab, Olga Sehnalová, Catherine Stihler, Richard Sulík, Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein, Mylène Troszczynski, Anneleen Van Bossuyt
Substitutes present for the final vote
Pascal Arimont, Biljana Borzan, Edward Czesak, Roberta Metsola, Jens Nilsson, Julia Reda, Adam Szejnfeld, Marc Tarabella
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote
Isabella De Monte, Andrejs Mamikins, Ivan Štefanec
Dita Charanzová, Robert Rochefort, Edward Czesak, Vicky Ford, Richard Sulík, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Pascal Arimont, Carlos Coelho, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Roberta Metsola, Andreas Schwab, Ivan Štefanec, Adam Szejnfeld, Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein, Biljana Borzan, Nicola Danti, Isabella De Monte, Evelyne Gebhardt, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Andrejs Mamikins, Marlene Mizzi, Jens Nilsson, Olga Sehnalová, Catherine Stihler, Marc Tarabella
Mylène Troszczynski
Pascal Durand, Julia Reda
Key to symbols:
+ : in favour
- : against
0 : abstention
Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0067.
Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0069.
Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0130.
Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0038.
Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0054.
Council Conclusions from 2013 December, (para 25) state that "The Annual Growth Survey to identifies areas where important challenges prevail and where further progress is needed. Specific attention should be given to enhancing the functioning and flexibility of the single market for products and services, improving the business environment, and … Priority should be given to enhancing competitiveness, supporting job creation and fighting unemployment, particularly youth unemployment…"
Council Conclusions of 27-28 June 2013, Council Conclusions of 24-25 October (paragraphs 7, 9, 19, 20 and 21), Council Conclusions of 19-20 December 2013.
Quarterly Report on the Euro Area (QREA), Vol.14, No.2.
For 2012-2013 only around 10% of all CSR have been fully or largely implemented; Source: Deroose and Griesse, 2014, Are EU Member States Responding to European Semester recommendations?
EPRS Study 'Cost of non-Europe in the Single Market' September 2014 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2014/510981/EPRS_STU%282014%29510981_REV1_EN.pdf
Both documents can be found via the following link http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/internal-market/index_en.htm
Currently 41% of enterprises are still classifiable as non-digital – meaning they do not use digital technologies and have no digital strategy – while only 2% take full advantage of digital opportunities (p.3) http://ec.europa.eu/epsc/pdf/publications/strategic_note_issue_7.pdf


text:
Salena Godden has been described as 'The doyenne of the spoken word scene' (Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3's The Verb); &l squo;The Mae West madam of the salon' (The Sunday Times) and as 'everything the Daily Mail is terrified of' (Kerrang! M agazine). She performs and writes poetry, fiction, lyrics and memoir. Her most recent book of poems, Under the Pier, was published by Nasty Little Press in 2011. She's also known as The General of The Book Club Boutique, London's louchest literary salon, and as lead singer and lyricist of SaltPeter, alongside composer Peter Coyte. She's appeared as a guest on Woman's Hour, Click Radio, From Fact To Fiction, The Verb and as a guest poet on R4's Saturday Live. She writes and presents radio programmes with award-winning producer Rebecca Maxted, they are currently making a new documentary to be aired later this year. Their first programme Stir it Up! - 50 Years of Writing Jamaica was aired on BBC Radio 4, it included excerpts from Salena's literary memoir Springfield Road which is being published by Unbound (unbound.co.uk).
"I came here to begin a new story, but maybe all my stories begin with this one story – this love story, this ghost story…"
Springfield Road is a journey into childhood. My childhood, maybe your childhood too. This is the memoir of our family home on Springfield Road in Hastings, but it is also very much a memoir of the journey I took as a writer writing this book. These are my memories of my attempts to understand the beauty and the contradictions of the adult world; why my jazz musician father mysteriously disappeared from our lives; how my mother transitions from her Jamaican girlhood to her life as a go-go dancer and then single-parenthood. It's about discovering that life is unfair and sometimes brutal—my father committed suicide—but also learning to seek out the good in the world, the humour and the tenderness.
What was my intention writing this book? I wanted to write a book for every curly-top, scabby knee'd, mixed-up, half-crazy kid out there. We had afros, we had free school dinners and we wore hand-me-downs. They haven't told our story like this before, and I believe it's about time. I went to libraries and bookshops looking for my story and it just wasn't there. Was it Toni Morrison who once said "This is the book I wanted to read, and so I wrote it."
When you read this book I hope you'll say—I remember being closer to the ground; I remember riding my bike with my feet off the pedals; I remember summers were longer and how oranges were bigger; I remember struggling to comprehend sex and death, heaven and hell, war and God, and perhaps you'll say, I remember I missed my dad too. This is my story as best as I can remember my life before the age of twelve, but I think maybe it's your story too.
I met the Unbounders at Voewood and fell in love with their passion and commitment to authors and great writing. The Unbound template is fantastic, working as the best of both worlds, as an author you get a sense of independence and of being nurtured too. You have to roll your sleeves up and hustle, but you also have the support of a fabulous editor, a great publishing and marketing team, and the wonderful Unbound family too.
How long did it take? How did social media help? Well, the first drafts of this book were written around 2006, so for me it's been about seven years to get this far. The crowdfunding part took roughly nine months to reach target. Social media was vital. I made a tumblr to record the crowdfunding adventure and there you can see how it blossomed. Facebook and Twitter are amazing, of course, but I have so much gratitude for the support of my family and friends, writer and poetry comrades who were so generous helping us to spread the word. Social media is powerful but when you are asking for help I think it's all about human contact, doing readings and gigs and radio, talking to people, it's the power of word of mouth that raises interest and awareness.
Springfield Road is a memoir, but this book is also about the magic of writing, the more I delved and wrote about the past, the more I discovered and learned on the journey. As I write that I recall a line from the introduction, "My present is illuminated by a light from the past, just like a lighthouse." It's this light that we all look for in our stories.
What happens next? Personally for me, I am happily working on my other books, fiction and poetry. When can you read it? I'm not sure but I do believe that people that pledge for the book on the unbound website get to read it six months before anyone else and before it's in the shops.
Read more about Springfield Road on the Unbound website.
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Ayurvedic Yoga Retreat- Isabela, Puerto Rico
- Maha Vidya Yoga and Ayurveda
- Jobos Beach, Isabela PR
- Ongoing
Event Highlights
- Experience this unique program seeped in deep physical, emotional and energetic healing, detoxification, or rejuvenation therapies all formulated just for you. Along the beautiful oceanside accommodations on the island of Puerto Rico we create a special program to support health, peace and gentle healing on all levels of existence.
- Daily consultations, therapies and individual workshops are shared to support not only transformation during your time here with us, but sustainable healing to take with you as you venture home. Our program includes daily meals, comfortable private accomodations, and a staff ready to support your needs during this journey. We require a 7 night minimum for Pancha Karma or Healing Programs. For 3-5 day programs inquire or visit our location in Southern Maine.
ScheduleProgram includes daily ayurvedic consultation, movement therapy, pranayama, ayurvedic spa therapies, cleansing techniques and time in nature.
About This Event
Experience this unique program seeped in deep physical, emotional and energetic healing with detoxification or rejuvenation therapies all formulated just for you. Located on the northern seaside along the beautiful island of Puerto Rico in the quaint surf town of Isabela, we create a special program to support health, peace and gentle healing on all levels of existence.
Through daily consultations, therapies and individual workshops we share and support your inner development and transformation during your time here with us, offering you sustainable healing practices to carry with you as you venture home. Our program includes daily meals, comfortable private accomodations and a staff ready to support your needs during this journey. We require a 7 night minimum for Yoga and Ayurveda Retreats, Pancha Karma or Healing Programs at our Puerto Rico location though 3-5 day offerings may be available upon request.
Program Includes:
Daily Ayurvedic Body Therapies
Gentle Movement Therapy
Daily Yoga Nidra
Ayurvedic Consultation Daily
Color Therapy
Room Services
Pool On-sight
3 Meals a Day
Why Pancha Karma?
Pancha Karma is the purification therapy used in Ayurveda as a means of prevention as well as working with a wide variety of health concerns, offering the most effective treatment for cleansing the body while seeking to eliminate the root cause of disease. Pancha Karma translates to the five actions, referring to the five primary procedures intended to cleanse, balance and restore the body, emotions and mind.
Ayurvedic medicine is the oldest healing system in the world, originating in India some 3,000–5000 years ago. Defined as the science of life, Ayurveda teaches us about the world we live in by understanding the elements of existence from a gross to subtle level, explaining the energetics of nature and how these fundamental forces interact and influence our body, energy, mind and spirit. Pancha Karma is founded upon these central concepts of Ayurveda, which state that disease is caused by not living in harmony with these forces of Nature, generating mental misunderstandings or imbalances and physical accumulation of toxic substances. When the body is the liberated from toxic build-up and the mind cleared of unwholesome mental habits, the innate intelligence of our physical system is free to exercise its inherent rejuvenating capabilities. The main tools of this practice support digestive health, the cleansing of toxins, and balancing of emotions of the mind to create a sustainable life of harmony between our spirit, mind, senses and body.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Pancha Karma is used to treat a wide array of imbalances, including ones that are chronic, metabolic or stress-related in origin.
Pancha Karma has been used to support treatment of:
allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, fertility complications, heart disease, hormone imbalances, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, immune disorders, infections, inflammation, insomnia, life changes, lyme disease, nervous disorders, obesity, skin problems, stress, trauma, ulcers, weight loss. Pancha Karma can also be used as general preventative health care to support cleansing, immunity and energy, as well as clarity of thought and movement.
What to Expect
To begin your Pancha Karma program there is a thorough examination and diagnosis by your Ayurvedic practitioner, who determines the details of your personalized Pancha Karma program. Pancha Karma is designed to calibrate your unique constitution as we work with a specific and deeply individualized plan of approach. Herbs, dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended before, during and after your stay. Upon registration you will receive your consultation packet that can be sent to us prior to your arrival.
Treatments can vary in length from a couple days to a few weeks. At the center patients are treated around the clock with supervision, dietary therapy, prepared meals, gentle yoga asana, meditation and/or breath therapies, yoga nidra, ayurvedic massage, and other therapies such as shirodhara, svedana and basti.
Venue HighlightsPrivate accommodations are offered a short walk to Jobos beach in Isabela with a kitchenette on-sight for your convenience. Breakfast grains and fruit will be stocked in your room to support an easeful morning of rest or rejuvenation along the long beaches nearby for personal time of reflection and time in nature. Our staff with share time with you in the afternoon with individualized meal plans, movement classes and workshops, meditation programs and ayurvedic therapies.
Bike and surf board rentals are available within walking distance for you to maximize enjoyment of the beautiful town of Isabela and the many beaches around the Jobos area.
AccommodationsWe offer private accommodations to support personal goals during your program as we specialize in personalized care, cleansing and rejuvenation programs. Personal space will be observed in the mornings for rest or exploration with supported suggestions along the way with ayurvedic practices.
Afternoons will be spent with our teachers or practitioners either individually or in a small group depending on the nature of the program and goals of the guest.
Couples programs are offered at a discounted rate.
- A/C in Rooms
- Free Wifi
- Towels
- Free Parking
- Kitchen
- Tour Assistance
- Coffee/Tea
- Bicycles
Menu Types
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Ayurvedic
- Organic
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
Menu/CuisineDuring Pancha Karma we use khichari as our main meal for a cleansing mono-diet. All spice blends, teas, and herbs will be included.
All other retreats will be vegan with lots of fresh local fruits from the island.
DirectionsLocated in South Berwick, Maine we recommend flights to Boston Logan International Airport or Manchester NH Airport. Shuttle buses to Dover NH are available upon arrival.
Our staff will schedule pickup from Dover, NH for $25 per shuttle.
For programs outside of Maine flight information will be provided at registration time or inquire.
Reviews To review this event, visit the page for the venue or retreat leaders (above).
Jules Burrill August 07, 2019Yoga Teacher Training
Carlie and Zaplin are incredible teachers. They have helped me heal in body and mind through yoga and ayurveda. I came into a teacher training wanting to get better at yoga, and left a completely different person. Through all the teaching and training, I gained a way to care and treat myself. Their program truly changed my life and I can't recommend them enough. The teacher training was more than I could have expected and was so special to be taught by Carlie and Zaplin specifically. They compliment each other so well and are truly there to support you. Their philosophy and way of teaching is so tender and has allowed me to progress physically in my yoga practice by bounds, mentally in my life, and emotionally to be a more whole, happy, complete person.
Shera Elvins April 23, 2019Panche Karma Bliss
Carlisle and Zaplin are passionate about everything they touch. I have worked with/been a student of Carlisle and have enjoyed watching her growth and empowerment over the years. Zaplin seems a perfect compliment to her. This is The Team that greets you on the mat, wherever you are, without judgement, with compassion and enduring love. I completed the 200hr & taken part in several successive Yoga Trainings, each time deepening my awareness, knowledge and ability to share. This past Spring I was blessed to have a guided panche karma with them. Through their vast wisdom, insightful and attentive care I was guided through a complete purge of old samscaras and emotions that were continuing to hold me back. I have experienced a surge of creativity, boost in my yoga business and a drive to help others, all whilst feeling balanced, keeping my heart and mind free, open to possibilities. They individualize your experience and inspire you to be sensitive to your own daily changes/needs. I look forward to each time our paths cross and the continued knowledge and love they impart.
Ashley Domers April 19, 2019Personal, real teachers that guide you to your path
I've worked with Carlisle and Zaplin across various retreats for Yoga/Ayurveda as well as for Panchakarma. The style in which they share their cumulative knowledge has been inspiring and transformative for me on so many levels. I have always had an interest in Yoga (asana) and Meditation but it took studying with them for me to truly understand the purpose of practicing. Something was missing for me when it came to Yoga, until I met them. Because of their teachings, I understand Yoga as a way of life, and in my experience, there are no two better guides in the process. They have studied for years and years and continue to. They live and breathe their practice. Their extensive knowledge and understanding allows them to help students find balance and health through Ayurveda, which is much needed in truly practicing Yoga. They are able to meet each student where they're at to help them prepare to practice Yoga from the ground up. They help students find their own practice and work with them so that it's sustainable, personal and safe. Carlisle and Zaplin deeply honor the traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda and it comes through in everything they do. Their teachings are authentic, traditional and effective. Whether studying Yoga and Ayurveda or undergoing Panchakarma, working with them requires discipline, dedication and hard work. And for me, it's been life changing.
Emily King April 17, 2019Incredible 200hr Yoga Teacher Training
I received my 200 hour yoga teacher training with Maha Vidya two years ago and my experience was 100% positive. The course material was presented clearly and the training gave me the confidence and experience needed to deepen my personal practice and lead asana classes. Carlisle and Zaplin are passionate and devoted teachers of Yoga and Ayurveda and are highly attuned to individual and group needs. They effectively create a safe and nurturing container for deep self study. I greatly look forward to the opportunity to study with Maha Vidya again.
Vicky Sparks April 17, 2019Pancha Karma
Just went for a long weekend to complete Pancha Karma. It was amazing. Both of my hosts were very attentive and catered the program to my unique needs. It was a wholesome and incredible experience. They were knowledgeable and took the time to discuss any concerns and questions!
Michael Fensom April 11, 2019Pancha Karma with Maha Vidya Yoga and Ayurveda
I've done three Pancha Karma processes with Carlie and Zaplin over the past year and have found each to be uniquely transformative. Collectively, the experience of each Pancha Karma has helped to dramatically shape me as a person. I have cultivated deepened awareness, positivity and a new sense of being through the Pancha Karma processes that has illuminated my life. And have let go of elements in my life that were no longer serving me. Personal growth has accelerated as a result. While each Pancha Karma experience is different, a consistent is the careful guidance of Carlie and Zaplin. They are attentive, deeply knowledgable and insightful throughout the process, and care about my experience and wellbeing conscientiously. They strike the ideal balance of making sure I am secure in the details of the process while also allowing my experience to unfold individually. I can say confidently that my personal experiences during these Pancha Karma processes are enhanced significantly by Carlie and Zaplin's devotion throughout. My appreciation for Pancha Karma — and my yoga practice as a whole — is tied to my appreciation of Carlie and Zaplin's mindful instruction.
Fran Weinstein April 11, 2019An Absolute Jewel of a Find!
I have been a student/client of Carlisle and Zaplin for more than 5 years. With expert guidance, gentle nurturing and highly skilled treatments, they have steered me toward a practical and individualized path to health and wellness. I have been inspired by them to rekindle a long-lost light of daily meditation. It's been a major game-changer for me. One of their most powerful strengths is an uncanny ability to accurately pinpoint areas of my mind and body that might require attention. I can honestly say I've experienced deep transformational healing every single time! Nutritious meals, nature-bathing, daily meditation and movement practices are among the many experiences served up with so much warmth, love and authenticity on their glorious farm in Maine!
Kimberly Towsley November 19, 2018Absolutely amazing.
I couldn't have asked for more thoughtful, kind, and respectful teachers who were willing to share all their information with me. All I had to do was pay attention and ask. I absolutely love these two, and will be back to train with them many times over. Thank you both for all your kind words and your thoughtful lessons. I can't wait to see what the future holds in my practice.
Elisa Camille Santana Rios November 16, 2018Review Maha Vidya Yoga and Ayurveda
My Experience on this retreat was life changing. Every resource, knowledgeable information, assessments in practices and more provided by the Teachers was profound, beautiful and most importantly precious to apply in my life. I am very grateful to have invested time of my life in this retreat, I now feel that my life has multiplied and my interest in Yoga and well being is pure. Thanks So Much!
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