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Agriculture is constantly evolving, which is why AgDirect® works to help you make the right decision for your operation when it comes to financing your next tractor, combine or ag equipment.
Managing Volatile Times: Stay Prepared for Financing Approval and Timeframes
In some cases, getting the most out of your farm machinery lineup depends on timing: Getting the right financing deal at the right time can sometimes make a major difference in overall costs and return on investment (ROI).
That makes it important to be prepared for any potential purchase that can maximize your machinery's ROI by preparing all documentation and paperwork necessary to procure financing, according to AgDirect Territory Manager Jill Beck. That's especially true for big-ticket purchases, and in other specific circumstances.
"If you have good credit, a purchase under $300,000 should be quick and easy. If your credit is less than perfect, or if making a large purchase, be prepared to have your financials all in order," Beck says. "The biggest thing I see happening is when producers have multiple business entities, they have to be prepared to provide the financials for all their business entities."
Planning for your operation
While some producers do so because of the federal farm program and others do so for tax purposes, Beck says it's important to understand the financing implications of operating under multiple business units. Doing so can have a direct impact on financing approval.
"Sometimes, it may seem like a great idea for tax purposes and not just for government programs. But, when you're showing no income or a loss on all entities, and your balance sheet is showing it's really tight, how can I say I want to loan you half a million dollars? Do you want to give somebody half a million dollars and on paper they don't own anything?" Beck says. "At some point, you have to be viable on paper to go through the financing process."
The amount of financing you're seeking often dictates how long the approval process takes, as well as how much documentation is required. Preparing for that process should take into account both the total amount and the complexity of business organization.
"Once you get to around $1 million, most financial institutions will look at three years of taxes and balance sheets. Depending on the complexity of your operation, it shouldn't take much more than a couple of days," Beck says. "If you have multiple business entities, be patient and prepared to answer a lot of questions about how money flows from one entity to another."
Navigating today's financing environment
Questions preceding a secured financing agreement may be more common today than before the downturn in grain market prices a few years ago. Though it's not necessarily a commentary on the financial health of a farm business, how producers have managed equity during the downturn may be the cause of more questions from a lending institution.
"As commodity prices have gone down the last few years, a lot of farmers have used up equity in different ways," Beck says. "That can sometimes lead to more questions and make some financing decisions more difficult."
Ultimately, it's important when financing a machinery purchase to understand any financial institution has regulations to follow, and every decision is made to follow those rules.
"Trust is a big thing with farmers, and they feel like everyone can trust them. And, oftentimes, they're right. It's not that a lender doesn't trust you, but they always have to satisfy some kind of regulation. All financial institutions do," Beck says. "They want to say yes, but they need to have the right documentation and records to be able to do so."
Your machinery financing partner
At AgDirect, we have financing options for purchases at the dealership, whether lease or outright sale. We're dedicated to agriculture and offer many financing options to fit any operation, whether buying used or new machinery. We offer financing for buying, leasing or refinancing, with fixed- and variable-rate terms from two to seven years. We also offer delayed payment plans with no prepayment penalties.
Want to learn more? Contact your nearest AgDirect representative!
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Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2, Inquiry into Child Protection (20216).
Committee Chair
The Hon Greg Donnelly MLC
Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2
Parliament House
Macquarie St
Sydney NSW 2000
30 June 2016
Dear Mr Donnelly,
ALRC Submission: Inquiry into child protection
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Committee regarding its Inquiry into the role of the Department of Family and Community Services in relation to child protection in New South Wales.
The ALRC's submission draws on the experience of the ALRC in its 2009–2010 Family Violence inquiry. This inquiry, conducted with the New South Wales Law Reform Commission (NSWLRC), culminated in the final report Family Violence—A National Legal Response (ALRC Report 114), released in November 2010. The Inquiry's Terms of Reference required the Commissions to consider, among other things, 'the interaction in practice of State and Territory family/domestic violence and child protection laws with the Family Law Act and relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory criminal laws'.
In the context of child protection, the ALRC/NSWLRC made a number of recommendations that may be relevant to the issues considered in this Inquiry. These are identified below for your reference.
Relationship between federal family courts and child protection agencies
The Family Violence Report considered the intersection of child protection and family laws. The Commissions noted that two 'gaps' exist between the family courts and the child protection system. The first is an 'investigatory gap'—caused by the fact that the family courts have no investigatory arm to provide them with independent investigations in cases where child abuse is raised as an issue. The second is a 'jurisdictional gap', where a case involving allegations of child abuse is in the family courts and the court wishes to make an order giving parental responsibility to the child protection agency because the judge considers that there is no other viable option for that child.[1]
To assist in closing the investigatory gap, the Commissions recommended that federal, state and territory governments should, as a matter of priority, make arrangements for child protection agencies to provide investigatory and reporting services to family courts in cases involving children's safety. Where such services are not already provided by agreement, the Commissions recommended that urgent consideration should be given to establishing specialist sections within child protection agencies to provide those services.[2]
In relation to the jurisdictional gap, the Commissions recommended that there should be a limited reference from the states to the Commonwealth of powers to enable the courts to make orders giving parental rights and duties to a child protection agency where there is no other viable and protective carer for a child is supported. A power to join a state child protection agency in this very limited class of cases was also recommended.[3]
Information sharing between the federal family courts and child protection agencies
Federal family court proceedings may concern children who have had contact with state child protection agencies. In consultations, the Commissions heard that there were significant problems associated with information flow from state and territory child protection agencies to family courts in some jurisdictions.[4] It appeared that there existed a number of legislative and administrative barriers preventing the federal family courts from accessing important information held by child protection agencies in some jurisdictions.[5]
The Commissions recommended that state and territory child protection legislation should not prevent child protection agencies from disclosing to federal family courts relevant information about children involved in federal family court proceedings in appropriate circumstances.[6]
The Commissions also recommended that protocols be developed between federal family courts and state and territory child protection agencies for dealing with requests for documents and information by the courts.[7] The Commissions further recommended that parties to the information sharing protocols receive ongoing training to ensure that the arrangements are well known and understood and that the protocol arrangements are effectively implemented.[8] The Report emphasised that protocols cannot stand alone and are dependent on the knowledge and involvement of officers and staff. Simply putting protocols in place is not sufficient. These arrangements must be given an ongoing profile among court and agency officers; they must form the basis of an ongoing and responsive relationship between the parties and must be supported and implemented in practice. Ongoing training and liaison arrangements are also essential to ensure that the protocols are actively and effectively implemented.[9]
Family violence, child protection and the criminal law
With regard to information sharing between child protection agencies and the police, the Commissions noted that the investigation, and prosecution, by law enforcement agencies of serious offences alleged to have been committed against a child or young person may be hampered by laws that do not clearly permit relevant information to be shared with the police. Consequently, the ability of the criminal justice system to protect the safety not only of the alleged victim but also of other children and young people may be compromised.[10]
The Commissions recommended that state and territory law enforcement, child protection and other relevant agencies should, where necessary, develop protocols that provide for consultation about law enforcement responses when allegations of abuse or neglect of a child for whom the police have care and protection concerns are being investigated by the police.[11]
The Commissions also considered how to respond to safety concerns about young people who present in the justice system. They noted that mandatory reporting provisions in state and territory child protection laws apply generally to people who work in organisations that provide health, welfare, education, law enforcement, child care or residential services to children, thus leading to some ambiguity about whether judicial officers and court staff are mandatory reporters.
To resolve any doubt, the Commissions recommended that child protection legislation be amended to provide expressly that judicial officers and court personnel are mandatory reporters and therefore have a duty to report concerns for the safety and welfare of a child or young person to the relevant child protection authority. They further recommended that the legislation should require child protection agencies to provide timely feedback to mandatory reporters, including an acknowledgement that the report was received and information as to the outcome of the child protection agency's initial investigation.[12] The ALRC notes that it is the Department of Family and Community Services' practice to provide information to mandatory reporters about the type of action that will be taken based on a report.[13] However, this does not appear to be a legislative requirement, as recommended by the Commissions.
Alternative dispute resolution in child protection
The Report examined the potential use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes in family violence, family law and child protection matters. The use of ADR in child protection matters involving family violence raises a number of concerns, including the risk of compromising the safety of children, as well as parents who are victims of family violence where risks of family violence are unidentified, inadequately assessed or inappropriately managed, are significant concerns. Nevertheless, the Commissions considered that there were significant potential benefits of using ADR in child protection matters involving family violence. ADR processes may be faster and more cost-effective than court processes. ADR may also offer more flexible and culturally responsive procedures, meaning that outcomes may be more effective and sustainable.
The Commissions considered that there was a need for some reforms to ensure that ADR mechanisms in child protection matters address family violence appropriately. The Commissions considered that there would be value in exploring ADR models that can overcome jurisdictional divides to offer seamless and effective responses to family violence.[14] The Report made a number of recommendations regarding ADR:
Recommendation 23–8 State and territory legislation and policies for alternative dispute resolution in child protection matters should provide that violence cannot be negotiated or mediated within alternative dispute resolution processes.
Recommendation 23–9 State and territory legislation and policies for alternative dispute resolution in child protection matters should provide for comprehensive screening and risk assessment mechanisms.
Recommendation 23–10 State and territory child protection agencies and alternative dispute resolution service providers should ensure that child protection staff and alternative dispute resolution practitioners undertake training on:
- the nature and dynamics of family violence; and
- the need for parents, as well as children, who are victims of family violence to have access to appropriate support.
Recommendation 23–11 State and territory governments should take a comprehensive and strategic approach to support culturally responsive alternative dispute resolution—including screening and risk assessment processes—in child protection matters.
Recommendation 23–12 Alternative dispute resolution service providers should ensure that, in intake procedures for child protection matters, parties are asked about relevant:
- orders, injunctions and applications under state and territory family violence legislation and the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth);
- family dispute resolution agreements and processes; and
- alternative dispute resolution agreements and processes in family violence matters.
Recommendation 23–13 The Australian Government Attorney-General's Department and state and territory governments should collaborate with Family Relationship Services Australia, legal aid commissions and other alternative dispute resolution service providers, to explore the potential of resolving family law parenting and child protection issues relating to the same family in one integrated process.
Information sharing between agencies
The Commissions made a number of recommendations related to information sharing between agencies. These recommendations were intended to ensure that legislative provisions do not prevent the sharing of information in circumstances where there is a risk to an individual's life, health or safety. In addition, the Commissions recommended that family violence and child protection legislation should clearly set out which agencies and organisations may use and disclose information and in what circumstances. The following recommendations are particularly relevant to the current Inquiry into child protection:
Recommendation 30–12 State and territory child protection legislation should expressly authorise agencies to use or disclose personal information for the purpose of ensuring the safety of a child or young person.
Recommendation 30–13 State and territory family violence legislation and child protection legislation should expressly provide for information sharing among specified agencies in specified circumstances, and should include provision to allow information to be shared with specified private sector organisations.
Recommendation 30–14 The Australian, state and territory governments should develop guidelines to assist agencies and organisations working in the family violence and child protection systems to better understand the rules relating to the sharing of information.
Recommendation 30–15 The Australian, state and territory governments should ensure that, in developing any database to allow the sharing of information between agencies and organisations in the family violence or child protection systems, appropriate privacy safeguards are put in place.
The ALRC notes that the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council (LCCSC) is developing a model law framework for domestic violence orders, supported by cross-border information sharing mechanisms.[15] In the Family Violence Report, the ALRC and NSWLRC supported the development of such a national scheme. However, it considered that a central register including information about family violence orders, child protection orders and related federal family court orders would be a more efficient and effective mechanism to ensure that the various systems are aware of orders and proceedings relating to the same family. It would be a significant step towards closing the information gaps between the systems and improving the protection provided for victims of family violence.[16] To that end, the Commissions made the following recommendations:
Recommendation 30–18 A national register should be established. At a minimum, information on the register should:
- include interim, final and police-issued protection orders made under state and territory family violence legislation; child protection orders made under state and territory child protection legislation; and related orders and injunctions made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth); and
- be available to federal, state and territory police, federal family courts, state and territory courts that hear matters related to family violence and child protection, and child protection agencies.
Recommendation 30–19 The national register recommended in Rec 30–18 should be underpinned by a comprehensive privacy framework and a privacy impact assessment should be prepared as part of developing the register.
Finally, the Commissions recommended that there be regular and consistent education and training for participants in the family law, family violence and child protection systems, in relation to the nature and dynamics of family violence. They recommended that the education and training include material relating to its impact on victims, in particular those from high risk and vulnerable groups.[17]
We trust this submission is of assistance. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the ALRC.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Rosalind Croucher AM
[1] Australian Law Reform Commission and NSW Law Reform Commission, Family Violence—A National Legal Response, ALRC Report No 114, NSWLRC Report No 128 (2010) [19.77]–[19.79].
[2] Ibid rec 19-1; [19.96]–[19.97].
[3] Ibid rec 19-2.
[4] Ibid [30.69].
[5] Ibid [30.79].
[6] Ibid rec 30-4.
[7] Ibid rec 30-5.
[8] Ibid rec 30-17.
[9] Ibid [30.205].
[10] Ibid [20.42].
[11] Ibid rec 20-2.
[12] Ibid rec 20-7.
[13] Department of Family and Community Services (NSW), What Happens When I Make a Report? <www.community.nsw.gov.au/preventing-child-abuse-and-neglect/resources-for-mandatory-reporters>.
[14] Australian Law Reform Commission and NSW Law Reform Commission, Family Violence—A National Legal Response, ALRC Report No 114, NSWLRC Report No 128 (2010) [23.1]–[23.5].
[15] Michael Keenan MP, 'National Model Law for Domestic and Family Violence Orders' (Media Release, 5 November 2015).
[16] Australian Law Reform Commission and NSW Law Reform Commission, Family Violence—A National Legal Response, ALRC Report No 114, NSWLRC Report No 128 (2010) [30.229]–[30.234].
[17] Ibid rec 31-1.


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The temperatures have been perfect the past few days, but cooler temperatures are a sure sign of one thing: winter is on its way! As more and more furnaces and heating systems fire up across the Maryland and DC area, we want to make everyone aware of one of the biggest hazards of winter: carbon monoxide. While not exclusive to the colder months, carbon monoxide leaks are more common this time of year. Fortunately, with the right know-how and preparation, you can avoid any problems and stay comfortable all season long!
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is highly toxic. It is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as coal, wood, charcoal, oil, propane, natural gas, etc. What this means is if your furnace or water heater's burner elements are dirty or malfunctioning in some way, you could be at risk!
Since carbon monoxide can't be picked up by any of your senses, you won't necessarily know it's there until you start feeling the symptoms (unless you install a carbon monoxide detector!). Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide causes flu-like symptoms, including:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Continued exposure, or exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide, produces symptoms such as:
- Mental confusion
- Vomiting
- Loss of muscular coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Ultimately death
The CPSC advises that while everyone has different tolerance levels, most people will not experience any symptoms from exposure to CO levels of one to 70 ppm (parts per million). Sustained levels of CO beyond 70 ppm will cause those low-level symptoms we mentioned. Once the levels get to above 150-200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness and death are all possible.
How can I prevent CO poisoning?
- Make sure all gas burning appliances, including furnaces, stoves, water heaters and dryers are professionally installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and building codes. You should also have these systems, especially your furnace, inspected on a regular basis to make sure everything is working properly.
- Never use a portable generator or any other tools with a gasoline engine in or near an enclosed space, such as a garage, house or other building. Even with all the windows open, these structures can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to dangerous levels. By the same token…
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
- Don't use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens or clothes dryers to heat your home.
- Don't cover the bottom of your gas or oil furnace or stove with aluminum foil – this blocks the combustion airflow through the appliance and can produce CO.
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
Should I install a carbon monoxide detector?
Absolutely – we can't stress enough how important carbon monoxide detectors are for your home! Many carbon monoxide detectors will sound before CO in your home reaches dangerous levels, allowing you ample time to get into fresh air and call the authorities – 911, the gas company and us, Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning –before the bad symptoms start to kick in.
If you live in Maryland or Washington, DC and want to keep your family safe this winter and all year long, call Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home today!


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Visit Paris with our exclusive 20% discount!
- Offer
It's summer and Paris transforms for our greatest pleasures: walks, relaxing under the sun, music… it's time to indulge in it!
From 17 to 20 July, there will be concerts of the Fnac Live Festival: 32 free concerts will be performed on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris.
For those who prefer the sun: Paris invites you to its own beach on the banks of the Seine. Prepare your sunglasses and sun cream! Thin sand, deck chairs and enjoyment… this trip is indispensable!
Leave your vehicle in one of our parking lots in Paris and fully enjoy it: Champs-Elysées, Louvre, Bastille, Gare de Lyon ... We offer you an instant 20% discount in our parking facilities in Paris. In order to benefit from it, enter the promo code ETE-20% (offer valid until August 31, 2014).


text:
Individually manufactured to your specifications
Company Update - 28/04/2020
During this period our factory is still manufacturing but remains closed to the public.
If you wish to contact a member of our team regarding current or future projects please email [email protected]
Bench Hand Joiner
We are looking for an experienced bench hand joiner to work full time in our joinery workshop. Candidates must be able to manufacture made to measure timber products suitable for our client base of residential, trade and large commercial projects.
All potential applicants are required to be able to manufacture the majority of following products from breaking out to completion stages;
• sash and case windows
• casement windows
• fully reversibly windows
• various styles of internal and external doors and door sets
• AGB lift 'n' slide doors
• bi-folding doors
• cupolas / roof lanterns
Apprentices & Labourers
We are not currently looking for any apprentices or Labourers.
Office and Sales Team
We currently have no employment opportunities in these departments.
Time Served Trades People
Both our workload and products change on a monthly bases, so we are always keen to hear from
Wood Machinist
Fitting Joiners
Depending on staff availability and our current order program, we are very happy to give high school pupils the opportunity to carry out their work experience with our team at Jaymax Joinery.


text:
Strasburg In Harrisburg: Altoona, April 11, 2010
April 18, 2010 by Gerry Von Hendy · Leave a Comment
Who is he?
He's a right-handed pitcher, picked first in the nation by the Washington Nationals in the 2009 draft. We know as much. He grew up in Santee, California, under his parents Jim and Kathleen Swett, and went to West Hills High School there. He then attended San Diego State University as a public administration major, where in his freshman year he was considered the overweight weakling of the team. In his senior year he finished 13-1 in 15 starts, striking out 195 batters,walking only nineteen and posting a 1.32 ERA. No doubt you've read the stats before. He pitched for the 2008 bronze-medal Olympic team, then gave his handlers a heart attack by twisting a knee after only 19 innings pitched in the Arizona Fall League. Thankfully no permanent damage came of it. He credits his early weight to eating burritos that come with fries stuffed inside of them. He likes golf and emulates Jake Peavy. Does this answer the question?
Who is he? All that has come before has lead to this moment in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on April 11, 2010 where he strides to the mound for his first start in organized baseball as a member of the Harrisburg Senators, the AA level franchise of the Nationals. Today he is facing the Curve, a franchise of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team is named after Horseshoe Bend, a famous railroad engineering feat of the nineteenth century which sits a few miles from the town.
When he emerges from the dugout, everyone has the same thought as I do: Tiger Woods. Down in Augusta, Georgia, Woods is playing in the final round of the Masters golf tournament today, and buzz in the stands will send the word around that the master of his game has issued three bogies and is fading from the lead. Struggling after a tumultuous and overexposed private life, Woods is probably learning that the answer to the question, "When will I allow myself to win again?†is probably, "Not quite yet.â€
But the thought of Woods must strike everybody who sees the physique of Stephen Strasbourg, for he is the second soul I have ever seen who has stumbled into the perfect body for his sport. (No: perhaps third, after Michael Jordan, in days and in a venue when I wouldn't have thought of such things.) Strasburg is 'Neo-lanky,' two-hundred and twenty pounds of flesh spread over a six-foot four frame in a way that only the modern science of nutrition and weight machines could possibly produce, his torso stemming from legs long enough to slingshot his pitches without getting his knees in the way. In a sense his body overshadows the mound—it becomes hard to remember that he is standing on a hill.
I live about sixty miles west of Factoryville, Pa, a quiet dying ember of a few houses in the hills outside of Scranton whose largest claim to fame is the birth, one-hundred and forty years ago, of Christy Mathewson, 'Big Six,' the man who, alongside Iron Joe McGinnity became John McGraw's win machine for the New York Giants in the early years of the last century. On the long drive to Altoona I had already considered comparisons to Mathewson as a compass for my thoughts, and I am surprised on seeing Strasburg how well the comparison holds up. Strasburg has three inches on Matty, but put him in baggy flannels with a few light stripes and we are looking at the same lithe and looming profile.
His career starts murkily. With two out in the bottom of the first, Curves left fielder Alex Presley slams a 2-0 pitch into left field for a double. Right fielder Miles Durham follows with a run-scoring single. Through the inning, Strasburg is struggling with the plate umpire's strike zone and making this slightly too obvious for comfort. Stooping for the catcher's signals, he gives off the impression of struggling with his own height. Although Strasburg is more compact, Randy Johnson leaps to mind. Strasburg walks catcher Kris Watts, and Altoona third baseman Josh Harrison works the count to 2-2, then fouls off two more pitches before biting and missing on high heat that any thinking pitcher might have thrown. The Senators can respond only with a weak two-out Texas Leaguer before going down in the top of the second.
Blair County Ballpark is one of the most beautiful concrete monstrosities I ever have seen, beautiful because it is hidden behind an enormous dark brick façade with soaring, arched plate-glass windows. Four of these windows at the main entry are peeled over with larger than life photo profiles of pitchers and batters. Wedged in a ravine between the city itself and a hill of suburbs to the east, the park is part of a larger amusement complex. Its main claim to character is the Skyliner, a wooden roller-coaster that sits over the right field wall. It's too early in the year for the amusement park to be operating yet: earlier, when I arrived and parked on the third, top tier of a concrete garage, I walked to the edge and had my share of seeing. Nearest to me as I looked down, a kid's Indy course traced a careful oval. Nestled against the bends of the coaster, and lined with the same tires as the kids' course, the adults' 'Monster Motor Way' composed only enough curves to ensure that no driver builds up any speed. A blue lined water slide curled in the distance.
To the right, over another barrier, the ball park spread out below me, the grass mowed in standard checkerboard, a teen rolling the warning track on a riding tractor. Among ads for Yuengling beer, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Altoona Mirror, and St. Francis University of Lorreto, where my father attended his freshman year of college before moving north to be nearer my mother, another young employee raised up the Stars and Stripes towards where I stood above. Painted black, the back of the hefty scoreboard featured four tiers of walkway with a ladder up the center which I'm glad it wasn't my job to climb.
In the intermission of the second inning, prophecy occurs, the kind of sloppy and inappropriate prophecy that lets you know it's real. The crew lugs out a cardboard piano. Sitting down to play is a mascot called 'Steamer.' Steamer is a plush green, overweight Martian with a head resembling a cork pulled from a wine bottle. Only later will I notice the resemblance to the smokestack of a locomotive. I'm not at all sure that Steamer has fingers, but he pounds the keys as the P.A. system transitions from Chopsticks to Dave Brubeck's theme for Peanuts. Finally smoke issues from a corner of the piano as Steamer concludes with Jerry Lewis' 'Great Balls of Fire.' The staff of the Curve have no idea how ironic the Balls of Fire theme is about to become.
In the second and third innings Strasburg settles in and shows his stuff. At the bottom of the line-up, shortstop Jose De Los Santos and opposing pitcher Rudy Owens both watch strike three having seen nothing called a ball. In the third, center fielder Gorkys Hernandez and then Presley again wave as two-count curveballs fall out from beneath their swings.
Rudy Owens is a making a good show of it. He's a story in himself. Drafted in the twenty-sixth round in 2006, it's almost impossible that he's made it to Double-A ball. A lefty who must rely on sleight of hand and changing speeds, he holds the Senators in the fourth again, whiffing their center fielder Leonard Davis after Davis has fouled off four consecutive 0-2 counts. Owens gets an assist from shortstop De Los Santos, who hits the dirt to smother a hard grounder in his laces, then stands and pegs a throw that easily beats Sens' first baseman Chris Marrero down the line.
We're seeing something special, but something has to happen. One of the great appeals of baseball is that change is coming, but, unlike life, it is assured to be contained. This is the mood now in the park. 'It's been great, but we'd like some action also.' The action does not come from the Curve. Instead, Strasburg's defense implodes behind him. With one out, Strasburg again walks catcher Watts. Josh Harrison taps a routine ground out to short, but Pedro Lopez stops inches from the base and tries to hand the ball off to his teammate Michael Martinez. As if it was Galileo's proof thrown from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the ball plops lazily to the ground.
Of the seven times a runner reaches first against Strasburg, the next batter will reach base on four of them. This is not a great average, but not a surprise for a first effort. This time Strasburg bucks it up, freezing first baseman Shelby Ford at the plate with a dropping changeup. The next man up, De Los Santos, does not let a count develop. He slaps the first pitch he sees into center where Leonard Davis, overeager for a chance after striking out at the plate, fields the ball and throws it to the backstop on the fly. Two runs cross the plate. De Los Santos stands on third. Senators' manager Randy Knorr holds a conference, but shaken up and out of rhythm, Strasburg goes 2-2 on pitcher Owens and then allows him a single.
They are down 4-0. This isn't a surprise. Altoona has taken the first three games of this four game series, and my game program tells me an incredible story. Since the franchise in Altoona has been re-established as 'the Curve,' five years ago, the Harrisburg Senators have played one hundred games here and won only thirty-three of them. With three more wins to kick off the new season, Altoona now has the edge in this particular home series, 69-33. It's a .676 winning percentage, the equivalent of a major league team winning 109 games in a regular season. It is dominance, a statistic which almost certainly reveals a psychology.
But tonight the Senators are having none of it. Right fielder Valdez stings a 1-2 offering off of Owens into right. After a foul-out behind the plate and a ground ball which advances Valdez, catcher Jhonatan Solano plunks the ball into left. An accurate throw home eludes Kris Watts and gives Valdez the plate and Solano an extra base. Owens is visibly tiring, the sliders and change-ups fooling no one now if only the Senators could connect. Stalling for time while right-hander Dustin Molleken warms in the pen, Curves manager Matt Walbeck strides to the mound. The next batter is Stephen Strasburg.
During Strasburg's days at San Diego State, coach Tony Gwynn wouldn't allow Strasburg to hit. To compensate, Strasburg admits that when playing baseball on the Wii computer system, he prefers the mode which allows him to hit for each batter, for both sides. Embarrassed with his weak ground-out to first in his initial at-bat, and frustrated by the last inning on the mound, he jumps on a high and outside set-up pitch and bangs it to the right field fence on one hop. Michael Martinez then plates Strasburg and scuttles back to first on a probe from right. He has finished off Rudy Owens. Now facing Molleken, shortstop Pedro Lopez sends a ball far as he can—probably three hundred and seventy feet or so, backing up Gorkys Hernandez to the warning track.
I keep such an intent scorecard and so many notes that the man sitting to my right finally gives in and asks me if I'm a scout. His name is Joel, he's a local; he has a sister up north near to my own town. He's here today with his son and his daughter-in-law. Although Blair County Stadium is as full as he's ever seen it, he would not drive as far as I have for the event; he's seen ballgames in his life and probably stops in here five or six times in a season. His graying hair, and a beard settling in beyond grizzle tell me he's retired, or is looking forward to it. Strasburg pitches one more inning and garners one more strikeout, but the bullpens here are simply mounds and plates in foul territory down the lines, and we can see the relief warming up. Past the left-field fence, on the far slope of the ravine where the park sits, two or three younger women bask sleepily in the sunlight, and couples have spread picnics on oversized beach towels.
We have suffered the inevitable letdown of watching just about what we expected. The man many have come to see has managed to strike out eight and walk only two and look flustered and nervous and young in the process. He has obviously been ordered to ignore the baserunners. From my vantage point behind first base I see only his broad back and gray uniform with the number, 37. The one throw to first, when it comes, surprises me, obviously ordered by the catcher or the bench. Except perhaps for his resolute double, it has all been scripted well enough for the circus, but not necessarily for the stage or the opera. There remains the question of game, Harrisburg still trailing four to three.
With two retired in the top of the sixth, De Los Santos again makes a flat-out and sparkling stop, but this time his desperate throw sails wide of the bag. With Valdez on base, Senators' third baseman Andy Fox grounds a seeing-eye ball through the double play combo. Left fielder Bill Rhinehart works a count on Molleken, then guesses correctly on 2-2 and sends Gorkys Herandez chasing over the grass. The ball is far behind him, and Fox, off and running on the two-out, two-strike count, easily scores the go-ahead run behind Valdez. Catcher Solano then beats out his own ground ball hit to the hot corner, but Rhinehart, pumped up from his hit, rounds third and finds catcher and ball waiting for him nonchalantly at the plate.
From here on out the air seems to leave the stadium. The sun is much more than we expected. I will be sunburned for a week. The Curve have already won three times in the series, and perhaps the fans simply can't believe in a four-game sweep. The tension of watching Strasburg has left no energy for the rest of the game, and then again, the day is too beautiful for people to be intense. A woman chosen from the crowd must guess the attendance from three choices posted on the scoreboard. The catch is that if she guesses right, the MC gets a pie in the face, but if she is wrong, she does. Or maybe she will just get the pie. The crowd, a paid attendance of 7,887, is thinning out now but is still too large not to distract itself. Next to me, a teen from the high school, or perhaps the local branch of Penn State University, arrives at universal anxiety: "I think I have a quiz tomorrow.â€
Senators' reliever Erik Arnesen, like many another player here, twenty-six years old and running out of time to reach the majors, bears down and allows only one hit in two-and-a-third, striking out three. Drew Storen, Strasburg's closer for his tenure in Pennsylvania, finishes neatly. No ball leaves the infield and two men watch it nick the zone before they must sit down. Abe Lincoln flashes on the scoreboard, jawing "Go Curve!,†but Honest Abe is of no help today. The Senators tack on a run in the ninth with a textbook first-to third hit-and-run and a hard, deflected ground ball towards first base. The ball arcs exactly to Michael Martinez running over to help out his teammate, and the out is recorded at first base, but the run has scored.
As I drive home the long mountains freshen with their spring blooms. In the valley below discarded school buses slant on crests of hills. Who is he then, the man everyone came to see? Outside of the statistics he is likely to accumulate for the next fifteen years, we know as much now as we ever might. He is Stephen Strasburg, behind Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods the third contemporary athlete with the perfect body for his sport. He is a goofy kid from Southern California who had to punish himself to get in shape. He happens to be 'the one,' any 'one,' a flashpoint, a potential un-dammer of dreams. In my rear view mirror I catch a car approaching fast. I think it has mud all over the front fender, but when it catches up to me I see the paint is simply scraped away. Three guys of college age ride past, the one in the back seat slumped down with his feet perched on a front headrest. The white Chevy is receiving hard punishment from youth. Stephen Strasburg is behind me giving seventy members of the media a long press conference, but he is still like one of the kids in that car. The rickety Impala will beat me to State College.


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REVIEW: Angel Has Fallen is an edge of your seat ultra-violent action blockbuster with a deeper message about unnecessary war at its heart
PUBLISHED: 15:58 23 August 2019
Angel Has Fallen is an edge of your seat ultra-violent action blockbuster that also manages to raise questions about the pointless bloodshed of war and the damaging effects of PTSD.
Clocking in at just over two hours, it's a rollercoaster ride of high-octane chases and shoot outs with a deeper message at its heart.
Gerard Butler returns as the invincible special agent Mike Banning, doing whatever it takes to protect President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman, brilliant as ever) - but it doesn't take long until the turmoil begins as an unknown threat starts to take hold.
If you're a fan of losing yourself in the escapism of gunfights and explosions on the silver screen, then you're in for a great. For those who are a little more squeamish when it comes to blood, though, a warning that it's not for the faint of heart.
You may also want to watch:
What makes the film more realistic is the weapons that are used - at first drones are deployed to disastrous effect, putting an end to a fishing trip.
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, the cinematography continues to impress as explosion after explosion flash before the audience's eyes in quick succession.
As well as the bloodthirsty kills there's a deeper message at the heart of this third instalment: about the effect of war on those on the frontline; it's a poignant way of raising awareness of the post traumatic stress disorder that many soldiers suffer from after serving.
Overall, the balance between violent action and narrative development helps make it a memorable movie - not just for the Call of Duty-like stealth-y shoot outs.
Angel Has Fallen, rated 15, is now showing at The Light Cinema in Wisbech.
For screening dates, times and tickets visit www.wisbech.lightcinemas.co.uk/angel-has-fallen
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Wisbech Standard. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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PHARMACY 111G Drugs and Society
PHARMACY 111G | Open Schedule | Semester Two 2020 | City Campus
This course is designed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted and diverse roles that drugs play in human societies, particularly in contemporary New Zealand.
Several topics will be covered over five themes, including:
- The basics of how drugs work in the body
- Infections and treatments
- Cancers and treatments
- Cardiovascular disorders and treatments
- Mental health disorders and treatments
Who should take this course?
This course is for students who are interested in the variety of drugs in our society, and for those who want more insight into how these drugs work and the different available therapies.
Learning outcomes
- To understand the basic principles behind drugs and medicines
- To understand the basic concepts of drug safety and optimal use of medicines
- To be able to discuss common alternative and complementary medicines such as herbal and homeopathic remedies
- To understand drug treatment options for common diseases in New Zealand, such as infections, cancer, cadiovascular and mental health disorders
- To develop an awareness of the future for drugs and societies, particularly the issues and developments arising in western societies
- To develop an understanding of how research evidence is used as the basis for the use of drugs in society
Topics covered
- An introduction to drugs
- Infections
- Cancer treatment
- Cardiovascular diseases, prevention and treatment
- Mental health
Delivery format
Lectures: 30 one-hour lectures
Tutorials: Five one-hour tutorials (after each module block to cover the topic)
Assessment 1: Five multi-choice question tests (20%)
There will be test one at the end of each block of lectures
Asssessment 2: 1,500 word essay (30%)
Assessment 3: Final examination (50%)
The exam is two hours long and will be comprised of short answer qustions covering all aspects of the course.
No required text.
Additional course readings will be supplied.
For More Information
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Kebede Beyene
Email: email@example.com Phone: +64 9 373 7599 Ext. 88531
Course Director: Dr Jeff Harrison
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Phone +64 9 373 2144


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It's the end of the day and the beginning of September and the spiders have grown large and they are searching out places to hide.
Almost nightly now there are voices, tight with panic, that call out to their daddy asking for his bravery that stands larger than their fear.
There are nights that he's tired and a slight sigh escapes, but he is moved by the voices of his daughters – he understands that they are scared and he lends his strength to calm their fear.
But truly God has listened;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Psalm 66:19
This past summer has done a number on my heart – or maybe it's been me that's done the number. I didn't realize it until a drive home last evening when he opened the door to my feelings and what poured out was pain-filled and broken.
There comes a point when either you have messed up or someone else has and in order to distance yourself from pain like that again, you begin to close down small parts of your heart. It seems harmless, really. Protects you and them, right?
But closing off your heart to those around you has the grave potential of shutting down your heart towards Jesus and that, that is when those closed off places begin to atrophy and harden.
With no blood flow – extremities die and without His love flow, my soul began to curl inward and I didn't even realize it.
Death can happen so slowly.
And all it takes to breathe again is to open your mouth and say that one, small word.
Just say, Help.
And He hears. He hears, and He responds. A Father moved by the voice of his daughter and He comes near and He breathes life into broken dust and there is hope.
The smallest prayer can actually become the largest one because when a heart lays bare, His strength becomes all and Hope shines brightest in that moment.
He hears it all – the small and the large and the stone is made soft once again.
And I am so very thankful…
A gift cut, sewn, buttoned
2499. Lyla's crafts
2500. You-tube video helping me fix that tear
2501. That tent for our 4
3 gifts new
2502. New curriculum
2503. New Bible study
2504. New dinner ideas
3 gifts long awaited
2505. That new curriculum
2506. Coffee with friends
2507. His key in the lock
A gift one, two, three
2508. My 1 son
2509. The 2 of us
2510. My 3 daughters
3 gifts very small
2511. Zeruiah's 10 tiny toes
2512. Fast rain storms
2513. All those newborn clothes I'm putting away
3 miracles
2514. Our life here
2515. Each of my children
2516. Our marriage
3 gifts summer
2517. It's almost over 🙂
2518. Low 80F days
2519. All those peaches


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Hey dude, i've spent some time playing this demo and i want to ask why Ryu's crouch HP/HK doesn't combo into specials?
I was watching your stream replay and I have some suggestions/critiques for the game.I can see what your trying to do with the basic grab but I quite feel it's quite awkward with it just sending the opponent the other direction without any follow up. I feel that it would be better if it were more like the basic grabs in the Samurai Showdown series and/or Iori Yagami's command grab where the grab itself doesn't do any damage and you have to provide the hit. You'd might need to have some frames made for it for the character turning the opponent unless you want it to look like how the animation is currently.Are the stages in the game final or are your going to get custom stages done for it?I think the bars for the A,B,V bars don't fit with the bars on the top and just looking off putting in general. (unless it's temporary) I'd think they'd look better if they were similar to the life bar.I feel that jill's flare super could be OTG and/or have a bigger hit box.I'm assuming this full game is suppose to be mainly MvC with CvS2 and derivative sprites with other gameplay aspects.
That title design kinda reminds me of Castle Crashers btw


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Fandoms are sorted in alphabetical order. Characters & pairings under those fandom categories are also listed in alphabetical order. However, the fics under each character/pairing category are listed in chronological order, with oldest fics at the top and the newest at the bottom.
All fics listed are one-shots - unfortunately I don't have as much time and energy as I used to for multi-parters :(
Note: I've fulfilled a lot of fic requests for other people, especially friends. Depending on what the requester likes/wants, it means that I don't necessarily ship all the pairings I've written (although some of them I do). In these instances, I'm unlikely to write that pairing again unless I have friends asking for more. Sorry!
Animanga & Vocaloid: Ace of Diamond | Bakuman | BLEACH | D.Gray-Man | Eyeshield 21 | Gintama | Gundam 00 | Katekyo Hitman Reborn! | One Piece | Prince of Tennis | Trinity Blood | Vocaloid
Other: Harry Potter | Torchwood | True Blood
FICS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT: Our FF.Net | My Ao3
Miyuki & Sawamura
A Chronicle Of The Sun
This is it, Kazuya thinks; this is the very reason why Sawamura always appears to be so full of sunlight.
Spyglass In Reverse
Enlightenment is a strange thing, the way it tips worlds on its sides and casts rays of light on shadowed cracks and corners.
Pas De Deux In Print
It's an exquisitely tasteful picture on a disquietingly cold canvas.
Stages Of Trompe-l'oeil
He always passes by that unusual deep red bird and finds himself vaguely wondering, in a distant thought, if he's giving only an illusion of himself.
Like Hawks Over Eden
Those two wouldn't know the meaning of subtlety even if their lives depended on it.
Silk Spun In Variations
Miyuki looks at him and grins, looks at him keenly like he sees a pitcher, and Eijun dips his body into the gaze as if it's sunlight.
Takagi & Miyoshi
Companionable Mischief
Before he knew it, everything he'd learned, his writing, Ashirogi Muto, and this companionship of four had become irreplaceable to him. And Kaya, silly, loud, obnoxious Kaya, had most unquestionably become completely irreplaceable to him.
Aizen & Hinamori
His Breath Warm Against Her Hair
Captain Aizen was always calm, always mild, always compassionate – it was what she knew made him strong.
For A Glimpse
It still felt like she was seeing him each morning.
Byakuya & Renji
Inks and Stains, Unintentionally Claimed
Having everyone stare at him as if he'd grown another head wasn't Renji's ideal way to spend the morning of his birthday.
Ichigo & Hitsugaya
The First: A One-Shot In Ten Parts
A collection of firsts, as known by Hitsugaya Toshiro.
Upper Hand
Ichigo should never think that he would always have the upper hand – especially not when dealing with Hitsugaya Toshiro.
Simple Exchanges
Ichigo makes the mistake of crossing Seireitei's youngest captain and lands himself in an inevitably sticky situation.
Spend The Day
He wondered if this was something Matsumoto had planned all along; it was something he definitely would not ever thank her for.
Sense of Normalcy (with Shuuhei/Kira, one-sided Gin/Kira)
Kira can't stop himself from surrendering to the too-perfect illusion, even though he wishes so desperately that he could.
Sliver of Light (with hints of Shuuhei/Kira)
'Don't falter,' he whispered to himself uncertainly, sometimes.
Shuuhei & Kira
In the aftermath of his captain's betrayal and departure, Kira tries to go on.
Breathing With Him, In Time
Waking up from a hazy afternoon drinking session leads to some astoundingly problematic consequences.
Shuuhei wasn't, in theory, bothered by those scars, and he was used to them. He wasn't even really sure how this had come to be an exception.
Utterly Spoiled
Kira has too much money. :P
All Along
There was something about his unshielded expression, something that made Izuru ache.
Feverish Burning
An enthusiasm for drink gone wrong.
Duty divided all of them.
Twelve Drabbles
A collection of 12 ShuuKira ficlets.
He knows Abarai doesn't believe him; Rangiku and Captain Komamura didn't either, when they'd asked him many days ago.
Stepping Stone
Everything that required the presence of two ...
Café Seireitei
Shuuhei should also have expected the worst to happen when Rangiku had so strongly insisted that he and Kira must come pay a visit that afternoon.
Even though the sky was grey there was no sense of heaviness, of the crippling weight of the blade at his waist during the war – only the light stirring of their reiatsu mingling together, the soft beads of rain dripping onto their skin, and this silent solace of unquestioned companionship.
Yachiru & Hitsugaya
Fluffy Like A Pork Bun
'I don't know why you're giving me all these pork buns, day in, day out. But I can't eat them anymore, Kusajishi-Fukutaicho.'
Yoruichi & Soi Fon
Just As She Remembered
Things weren't fully mended just yet.
Lavi & Allen
He felt a pull out of a strange dream; a vision of dust and rubble and sadness, of red smeared across ashen walls of stone and the distant echo of a lost piano melody.
Hiruma & Sena
Pasta And Sentimentality
Hiruma was always like that, Sena knew – painstakingly observant, piercingly insightful, frighteningly right about everything; it was an instinctive reaction to follow whatever he saw and whatever he did.
Shin & Sakuraba
Haruto begrudged him nothing for it; after all, in that endlessly wide white spotlight, Shin deserved his place, untainted by false triumphs or by superficial attention.
Shin & Sena
Excess Energy
'He's always damn stoic. D'you think he beats off to porn?'
Yamato & Shin
Silence; Strength
Yamato knew what it was: a mutual respect that didn't really need to be said in words – the fact that he didn't really need to be out here, talking to Shin about any of this. But somehow, even amidst the frosty air, it gave him some kind of warmth, a strange comfort.
Gintoki & Shinpachi
In Denial
Shinpachi was still aware of something nudging his leg, something like a foot kicking at him, and a familiar excruciating drawl reverberating someplace he wished he could ignore.
Setsuna & Nena
There, Inside Your Thoughts
This was human, this was compassion, the blood and soul of those that waited on the dead or near-dead of their own kind.
Harry & Blaise
His Game (with implied Harry/Draco)
You still don't know what is going on. But you do know that something is terribly, terribly wrong.
Within These Walls
He returned, even though he'd sworn he wouldn't, and everything seemed to be the same.
A Heated Terror
In a moment of urgency, Harry had neither the time nor the patience for Blaise Zabini.
Shifted (with Draco).
Everything, in appearance, remained unchanged.
Gokudera & Tsuna
He often wondered if the skin of those hands had turned rough, work-worn after all these years.
Mirage (with Chrome and hints of Mukuro/Tsuna)
In this kind of summer heat, he was sure it was just a mirage, an illusion.
The Only Thing
It was the only thing he'd look forward to, a sliver of light amongst all the rubble and dust and emptiness.
Yamamoto & Gokudera
Just A Mafia Game
It wasn't really a surprise to him; he'd been used to this for the last ten years. It was going to take a little bit of a fight, as always, trying to break in.
The Way He Always Smiled (with hints of Luffy/Nami and Sanji/Nami)
Luffy always watches the crew – and he watches her – and he'll always smile.
Tezuka & Ryoma
His furrowed eyebrows, the creases in his face, the fire in his eyes … Kunimitsu had only on very rare occasions seen that passionate determination from that boy before. But then again, Echizen was playing impromptu badminton with a kid and sucking miserably at it.
Toshiko & Owen
Second Glance
It feels strange there, delicately lovely amongst the mess of dusty machines and crisp piles of paper, but it leaves her with an unsaid comfort.
Ion & Radu
A Reminiscence Of Heat
The days had blurred faintly with recollections of bodily warmth and contented companionship, the imagined rhythmic pulse of blood pumping, the scent of sweat and moist heat and life.
Godric & Eric
In Understanding
It is such a faint memory, so sadly distant, but enough for him to feel familiarity with the soft grains of sand beneath his shoes, the subtle pale mist close to the horizon, the sound of wind and water and nothing else.
'Would you go back to that life if you could?'
What You Love Most
Eric is vaguely aware of something akin to an invisible thrumming in the air all around them, an imaginary enchantment exuding from the slender limbs and beastly grace before him, something that indeed feels like a shadow of God.
Beyond All Telling
Even when all their time together is too short, he had already been stifled with the exhaustion and gravity of the neverending days.
Generations Of Brilliance
It's comforting to not have Eric kneeling in veneration before him at this moment, to not have the differences between maker and progeny laid out so clearly between them. Right now, they're equals to each other more than anything.
Kaito & Len
In Which Kaito Is Disgustingly Sexy
The blond sat there speechlessly, not knowing whether to laugh or vomit.
Kiyoteru & Meiko
His Sweet Melody
He was the type, Meiko mused, to be firm and strict with studies and obligations and procedures, to be organized and punctual in every matter, to be methodical and practical – a rotating wheel of process and execution and getting things done.


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I was solving the puzzle for the Company interview exam. I found this puzzle, I cannot come up with the solution. How to solve it and what is the correct answer?
Determine the number of $4\times 4$ matrices having all entries 0 or 1 that have an odd number of $1$s in each row and each column.


text: News & Events / News print News View All Faculty Alumni Students General RSS Feeds YEAR 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 « Back 02.13.13 Professor David Reiss Discusses Florida Robosigning Crisis Professor David Reiss spoke to Law 360 about the robosigning crisis that was recently overlooked by the Florida Supreme Court. The high court's ruling on Pino v. Bank of New York failed to address sanctions against banks for potentially fraudulent foreclosure proceedings, surprising many legal experts. Professor Reiss said that the court's decision should have been clearer: "If you are aware of behavior that is taking advantage of the judicial system, I think I can imagine another set of judges saying, 'We have the inherent authority to handle that.'" Read the full article. Email this article Share Read the latest issue of Brooklyn Law Notes


text: Renaissance is a well-established curtain pole brand; it is also heavily influenced by mainstream interior fashion. For example a popular Renaissance curtain pole design is the Spectrum Polished Clear Crystal Beads Curtain Pole. This piece is a statement piece and the kaleidoscopic shine of the crystal beads finial adds another dimension onto the intrinsic value of the curtain pole, which are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.


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And we shouldn't ignore digital giant AKQA either, which shares Nike creative duties with Wieden+Kennedy.
A few weeks ago we suggested that Adidas, a tier one World Cup sponsor, was looking for an agency "to kill Nike," which regularly disrupts Adidas's expensive relationship with both the World Cup and the Olympics through its artful deployment of ambush marketing.
It's not that Nike smuggles ringers wearing Nike T-shirts into the venues, but it does saturate the airwaves (and the internet) with its own sport-related ads as well as insisting that its contracted athletes and footballers wear its kit. The latter is likely to reach farcical levels at this summer's London Olympics.
At the last World Cup in 2010 Adidas seemed seriously underpowered with Toronto's Sid Lee, who produced a reasonable Star Wars-themed ad and not much else of note, up against W+K Amsterdam's blockbuster 'Write The Future' and yards of other stuff besides. WTF may be one of the most over-awarded commercials in history but its star line-up of footballers, powerful filming and massive media budget made it look like the World Cup was Nike's not Adidas's.
Adidas has now chosen TBWA Worldwide, one of its roster agencies, to handle its World Cup campaign. Sid Lee dropped out of the contest early on along with Bartle Bogle Hegarty, leaving TBWA to win the shootout (as we say in the game) against DDB and Mother.
Sid was always on a hiding to nothing, BBH would have been an interesting choice. If you're going to go against W+K and AKQA then BBH (which is highly competent at digital too) might seem the obvious choice. BBH doesn't really do WTF-type blockbusters though (arguably neither do DDB or Mother although Mother's become rather noisier recently).
So can TBWA? The jewel in the crown at TBWA is Lee Clow's Media Arts Lab, which handles Apple. Apple moved into TBWA when it bought Chiat Day, the late Jay Chiat's agency that made its name with a real blockbuster, Apple's '1984' ad that launched the Mac on an unsuspecting world. TBWA itself was bought by Omnicom in 1993 and many other agencies came into the fold, including the UK's GGT and Simons Palmer. All of which helped to create a very large global agency but, arguably again, not one with quite the sure-footedness of Omnicom's star performer BBDO.
So the next World Cup, which will be bigger than ever as it's being held in football crazy Brazil, will be big test for both Adidas and TBWA. Adidas needs to provide the financial firepower to compete with Nike's humungous budget and TBWA needs to assemble a team who can match the current masters of the sporting universe.
If turf wars can be pushed aside, TBWA London's Brazilian-born creative director Andre Laurentino might get a look-in. TBWA London hasn't lit many fires of the right variety recently but Laurentino's only been there a year. In Brazil he was a noted writer as well as adman so he knows the culture, which any convincing World Cup campaign will have to exemplify.


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2016 – Tennis and I
December 22, 2016
The 2016 WTA season has been eventful to say the least! It's been a year of scandal, inspirational stories, shock, change, uncertainty, highs and most definitely lows. Plenty of great things have happened this season on and off court including; Marriages Pregnancies & Children Kerber's breakthrough from top 10 journeywoman to 2 times grandslam champion … More 2016 – Tennis and I


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Ben Devore
Most of the time I really dread going home. It isn't some fanciful love affair with Harvard (that disappeared after my first year) or a terrible family situation that makes me feel this way. It's the whispers of people in my hometown, the unnerving bombardment of rumors and insensitivity about who I am.
After I came out to my entire family, I knew that word would spread quickly. When you live in a town of 15,000, news tends to travel like wildfire. But what I wasn't expecting—somewhat naively, in retrospect—was the subtle yet psychologically piercing interactions that I would have with the folks back home. To fully understand what I'm talking about, you should probably know about a stereotype of the South that I have unfortunately found to be quite true: while Southerners are known for their warm hospitality, they also have the tendency to be ruthless behind your back. So when the role model who got into Harvard decided to come out as a gay man, I immediately began to feel the muted ostracization.
It would happen like this: one of my parents' friends or even someone from high school would approach my family and me at a restaurant. Immediately when they began to talk with my family, doing so perhaps out of a sense of obligation, I would feel the tension behind their words.
"Poor things. I can't believe that Ben would make them go through this."
"I just hope he comes back to the Lord and out of his sinful desires."
They didn't say that to my face, but I could hear it. I always hear it when I'm back home. It's almost as if the necessity of "being polite" simply illuminates what they truly feel. And I know that as soon as they say goodbye and leave our table, they will spill out all of those hurtful things without much understanding or compassion.
Thinking about all of this lately, I feel like I've been going through some sort of identity crisis. Over winter break, I spent a couple weeks traveling by myself, so I got the question a lot: "Where do you come from?"
It usually stopped me for a second or two. "Oh, I go to school in Boston," I would finally say.
Of course, that's clearly outlandish. I have lived over 18 years of my life in Vidalia, Georgia and only a year and a half at Harvard. As I began to ponder this compulsive reaction, my thoughts kept coming back to those suffocating elephant-in-the-room interactions that had largely characterized my post-coming-out life back home. The uneasiness that I had talking to people back home, people that I knew disapproved of my sexual orientation, made me feel completely repressed. It brought me back to my days in high school, when I would have to pretend to like girls and keep everything compartmentalized in my mind so that I wouldn't "unintentionally" reveal who I really was.
For me, returning home feels like surreptitiously re-entering my closet.
I think that I have every reason to be bitter. When I live my life here at Harvard, it is surreal, something that I still cherish as if it might vanish tomorrow. Here we can talk about heteronormativity and gender roles and intersectionality. But in a way, our intellectual privilege also infuriates me. Why have some people been able to live in an open environment like this their entire lives, while I'm confined to the reality of a family and community that don't even acknowledge a central part of who I am, much less appreciate it?
This winter break, I was seeking some form of clarity, a tangible reason for me to not give up hope, to realize that things would improve back home. I was there for a little over a week, and during that time two chance encounters served as a sincere turning point, a catalyst for reevaluating my relationship with the South.
Late one night, I decided with two close friends to join a motley group for a bonfire out on a farm (yep, I am from the South). I didn't know some of the people there, and only vaguely recognized others. Among those in attendance was a gay couple in their 30's, one of whom I knew because he used to date one of my older sisters in high school. Before he left, we struck up a conversation about my sexuality, how my family had struggled with it, and how reconciling sexuality and childhood religion can be a difficult thing. Perhaps out of my astonishment that we were having this conversation in the first place, I let my thoughts spill: "I think you guys are so brave to do what you're doing. You know, living here every day as a normal couple. I know there's no way that I'd be able to handle it."
He thought for a second. "Yeah," he said, pondering my exclamation. "It is hard. You know, I still haven't told my kids yet. They're seven and eleven."
"How is that possible?"
"We sleep in separate rooms when they come over to stay from their moms' houses. And I know that I will have to tell them soon, especially my older daughter. She's getting to the age where kids start to find things out, and they'll ask her why her dad's a faggot."
When he told me that, my heart broke. Why, for the sake of everyone else's bigotry, did innocent children have to be shielded from the mere fact that two people loved each other and could sustain a lasting relationship?
As I left this conversation filled with anger, sadness, and amazement, my two friends, who had driven me there, told me that it was time to go. I went around the bonfire saying goodbye. One of the guys I talked to, a friend one year older than me, pulled me aside. "Hey Ben, could I have a word over here?" he asked.
What happened then was incredible. He unleashed a ten-minute account of an event that had occurred some weeks before. Evidently, his family had been in a restaurant, where they overheard a few people —one of them my best friend from childhood—talking about me. And they were referring to me as a faggot. Immediately, this man and his brother approached the people having the conversation, grabbed them by their shirts, and said, "What did you say about our friend?"
He continued to me, "You know, Ben, we went to Spain together. We hung out in high school. Yeah, maybe we weren't great friends or anything, but I knew that you were a good guy. I want you to know that for me and my family, we don't think it matters who you love. Hell, I don't even think it's wrong. And if you ever need a place to stay or someone to talk to when you're here, you know that you have a place with us."
For the next few days after having these conversations, I could feel that something had changed. I reflected on the relationships that I had forged back home, the people that meant so much to me, and a culture that, despite its peculiarities and histories of bigotry, I inevitably call home. It was a tension I had written about in my admissions essay to Harvard two years before, as a young man first fully recognizing my sexuality. As I think about it now, my options remain the same: I can wholly reject the society that I come from, regarding my time living there as a difficult, repressed period of my life that I'd rather laugh at or forget about. Or I can resolve that, despite the backward and seemingly unchangeable stance people in my community often take on some issues, the South will forever remain a solace of kindness and warm nights, a place of slower talking and satisfying food, quirky sayings and reverence for tradition, and, more than anything, a bastion of love.
For me, really, in the face of all the reasons I can count to hate my place of origin, I choose not to. We still have so much progress to witness: adults, much less children, should never have to live in a world of fear and uncertainty, where social conventions force people to obscure whom they love or what they are. I hope to see a Georgia where that's possible, and I am certain that it is. Productive and meaningful conversations with former classmates and adults back home continue to give me hope.
For the time being, I'm reminded to stay true to the words that I wrote nearly two years ago as a fledgling senior trying to grasp a new identity. Instead of ignoring my past, I resolve to embrace it, and to work to improve the conditions that made my experience so hard.
And now when someone asks me where I'm from, I won't hesitate.