text:
Most companies see customer service as a cost center. As a customer, I see customer service as a core part of the brand I'm doing business with.
Good customer service means I'm a happy customer, will buy more and recommend the company to others. Poor customer service means the opposite.
But customer service is part of the overall customer experience that makes us love or hate, ignore or embrace, trust or distrust a brand.
20+ years' of research on public companies that provide a great customer experience has proven that they outperform their peers consistently while the laggards truly underperform.
It's pretty telling that the highest scoring brand in customer service in the UK (and consistently in the top everywhere) is also the fastest growing retailer. That's Amazon.
Their commitment to service goes all the way up to the CEO, Jeff Bezos, who said this:
"We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better."
Apple, who also scores in the top on most lists, co-founder Steve Jobs who always had a great view of customer service and customer experience once said:
"You've got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology — not the other way around."
One of my favorite brands of all time in terms of customer experience however is Southwest Airlines that has the following to say about themselves on the website:
"We like to think of ourselves as a Customer Service company that happens to fly airplanes (on schedule, with personality and perks along the way)."
Customer experience and service is a long-term investment and not something that necessarily always gives a short-term return.
"Challenger brands, often unencumbered by legacy systems and processes, are gaining on their larger competitors by offering straightforward, personal, seamless and quick service experience," said Jo Causon, chief executive of the Institute of Customer Service.
This makes it difficult for companies focused on quarterly or annual targets to make the investment because it may take as long as 3-5 years before you truly see the results in brand loyalty and premium price.
So, it may be more challenging for incumbents to deliver a great customer experience but it's not an excuse. 7 out of the top 10 companies in the US and 7 in the UK are more than 30 years old.
It's astounding that the carriers/mobile operators generally perform so poorly in Europe. The only telco to make the top 100 list was Tesco Mobile which is just MVNO tied to top retailer Tesco. Maybe this is because most of them are focused on cost cutting and IT programs to retain profit margins instead of offering better services.
Most customers interact with brands through their mobile phone today whether it's browsing, apps or calling. The first step is to map out the customer journey to ensure that it's really understood. Identify what's positive, negative, neutral, different areas for improvement and so on. Develop a long-term vision based on this input and the roadmap to get there including measurable metrics along the way. Be realistic about the time it will take.
Ensure that all employees play a part in the journey, because the most successful companies above have customer service in their DNA.
The second step is data. Use data to track progress towards the vision. Measure improvements in ability to help customers, response time, resolution time or whatever else is relevant. Collect data that is useful in the short and longer term (see next point).
AI is unlikely to make customer service better in the short term for most companies. Chatbots, voice interfaces, IVRs and personalization based on data has a tendency to either not satisfy user expectations or turn creepy.
We believe that companies should instead start experimenting by using AI to:
A great example of using AI/Machine Learning to learn is TechSee that gives customer care agents 'eyes' to see and understand problems. All visuals, voice and data is recorded and using machine learning the expectation is to be able to automate the service within a couple of years.
Every organization needs to constantly strive towards improving customer service and the overall customer experience whether it's Ryanair or Louis Vuitton. Improving customer service is foremost a human-centric challenge with technology being second on the list. Start with the human and work backwards towards finding the best technical solution.
DMI has 10 years' experience of helping organizations improve customer service taking a human-centric approach supported by mobile solutions, data and AI. Contact us if you have questions.
Magnus Jern
Chief Innovation Officer
Want to be part of our growing team?
Learn how DMI can help you grow, or launch your business.
See all of our locations around the world


text: US / FEMA FEMA Asks Disaster Victims to Return Aid Money Agency says it mistakenly sent out $22M years ago By John Johnson, Newser Staff Posted May 10, 2011 7:50 PM CDT Updated May 14, 2011 6:00 PM CDT Copied The legendary FEMA trailers, lined up in a 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) (Newser) – Oh, FEMA. It's hard to top those formaldehyde Katrina trailers, but this comes close. The agency has begun sending letters to thousands of people who received disaster aid asking for its money back, reports AP. Specifically, FEMA says it mistakenly doled out $22 million to victims of tornadoes, floods, etc., since 2005, and it's obligated by law to get the money back. The agency is still reviewing old cases, including Katrina cases, meaning the total could rise. story continues below One example: An Arkansas couple whose home was ruined in a 2008 flood received $27,000 that year to make repairs. In March of this year, FEMA informed them they had 30 days to pay it all back. "That money really helped," says the homeowner. "And now they want the check back like we've been sitting on it for all this time. It makes no sense." Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas agrees, and he's pushing a bill to give FEMA the legal leeway to waive debts that arose from its own mistakes. "This is not the victim's fault," Pryor says. "They did nothing wrong. They just followed FEMA's directions." (Read more FEMA stories.)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BBC Russia On Four Wheels Ep.1 (1)
Episode 1 of 2DURATION: 1 HOURJustin Rowlatt and Anita Rani set off across Russia on two massive road-trips across the world's biggest, and one of its most enigmatic, countries. A former superpower and more recently a struggling giant, Russia is looking to assert itself once again on the world stage. With millions of square miles of land, a wealth of natural resources, the largest automobile market in Europe, diverse borders and trading partners aplenty, Russia has the potential to become one of the richest and most dynamic nations on earth. But 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, how far has Russia left its Cold War past behind? And what direction will the country take? Driving thousands of miles in three weeks, and in two very different cars, Justin and Anita find out.Anita and Justin begin their journeys in Sochi, the Black Sea resort home to the 2014 Winter Olympics, the most expensive games ever. Full of futuristic architecture, this is new Russia's glittering showcase to the world, but just round the corner from the glitzy stadiums is Joseph Stalin's old dacha, a reminder that in Russia the old and the new are often very close.Anita is out to discover 'new' Russia. She travels north and west from Sochi in a Kombat, a Russian built luxury armoured plated bling machine — her oligarch tank. She enters a thriving world of westernised entrepreneurs, the mega-rich and rebellious youth, people who are at the forefront of shaping a new and vibrant Russia.On her first leg she drives to the western port of Taganrog, enters a vast iron ore mine near Kursk, and makes her way up to Kaluga, a city once at the heart of one of Russia's poorest regions, and now a centre of industry with western factories including Volkswagen transforming its fortunes.Meanwhile Justin heads east into 'old' Russia where he encounters a very different world in his chosen vehicle: a slightly battered Soviet-built UAZ 'jeep' first designed in the 1940s for the Red Army. He meets traditional Russians and encounters a land that seems hardly to have changed since before the Cold War years.On the first half of his journey, Justin drives to a vast farm, once a Soviet Collective, before making his way alongside the Volga, Russia's 'Mother River', and to Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) where he meets WWII veterans of the Battle of Stalingrad, before heading to the vast Lada car factory
expand minimize


text:
Fresh Herb Khoresh
Nooshin was up this past weekend so we decided to cook Persian food again for her. For one, cause we liked it last time but weren't 100% satisfied with the outcome, and two, because Mandi never ended up cooking it when she went out to visit Noosh in LA. This meal was awesome despite the fact that we did not have 2 major Persian ingredients; dried limes, and fenugreek. If you have access to these things, you should use them to make this dish even more authentic! Another great thing about this meal is that it is easy. It does take a bit of time, but it isn't hard and you are greatly rewarded for your time.
The beans in their initial soak.
Chives from the garden.
2 peppers also from the garden. Most Persian food isn't spicy, but I wanted to spice it up a bit.
A quick call to Nooshins mother revealed that dried mint is a decent replacement for the fenugreek in this stew, something the internet couldn't tell me.
The rice cooks like pasta in a large amount of water, then it is drained before it is finished cooking and set up in the pan to form the golden crust.
Rince the rice after it's first cooking portion.
The recipe called for salt, but I was unsure of how much to put in. this is because usually when you cook dried beans, you are not supposed to put salt in until the last 5 minutes of cooking. Here I salted the beef and onions, but didn't add anymore salt when I added the beans.
mix half the rice in melted butter. Here we added some chives.
The beans and water go in after browning the beef.
The buttered rice goes at the bottom of the pan, and unbuttered in a layer on top.
This step was interesting cause we don't normally sauté herbs like this. The smell was amazing.
Nooshin is a workhorse in the kitchen.
We added some lime juice and dried kaffir lime leaves to the pot since we didn't have dried limes.
This mix goes in after 20 minutes of cooking.
half way through the forming of the rice crust, a towel goes in the pan to absorb moisture..
Awesome! Next time I make this I am hoping to have a better pan so I can just turn it over and have the crust still fully intact.
This is the recipe we followed. We have it in a book, but it is on this website word for word.


text:
More About STORMIE62
Visit My SparkPage Send Me SparkMail
Recipes I've Shared:
Has a golden brown crust, tender texture and mild cornmeal flavor
Hearty breakfast is most important part of this diet...
Modified from my hypothyroid diet ...
Gives your metabolism a boost.
I have taken and modified this recipe from my hypothyroidism diet resource. My husband liked it a lot so I wanted to keep using it for meal planning.
An easy dish for those night you are pressed for time.
Make this soup for a cold day. Serve as the main dish and add 2 oz. serving of grilled Mex-Tex chicken on the side or toss it in if you choose. Add a warm 2x2 square of corn bread you can't go wrong.
This is what I do when " the Guys " had sloppy joes after the dirt track races and bring home left over sloppy joe meat mixture.
This is a little Sumer taste of a favorite West Texas dish, now to save the waist line skip on the tortillas.
Recipes I've Rated:
- Jaeger Schnitzel (with Brown Mushroom Gravy)
- The BEST Tuna Salad
- BEST EVER LOW FAT/FAT FREE Mexican Taco Layer Dip
- Angel Food Cookies
- Heart Healthy Pasta Bake
- Ultra Crisp Sweet Potato Fries
- German Pancakes
- Tropical Grilled Chicken
- Bread Pudding
- Slimmer Beef Stroganoff
- Curried Mango Pork Chops
- Greek Peppers Sandwich (Vegitarian)
- Chicken & Asparagus Pasta
- Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Huevos Rancheros
- Creamed Veggies & Rice
- Cranberry Edamame Wild Rice Salad
- Skinny Sour Cream & Chicken Enchiladas
- Veggie Pizza on Whole-Wheat Crust with Feta and Mozzarella Cheeses
- Stir-Fry Vegetable with Shirataki Tofu Noodles
- Vegetarian Taco Salad
- Chipotle Cashew Chicken
- Flaxseed, Wheat, and Bran Muffins
- Garden Vegetable Frittata
- Jicama Salad
- Italian Roasted Chicken
- Honey Garlic Grilled Eggplant
Recipe Collections I've Shared:
|Stormie's Favorites from SparkPeople.com
These are my quick and easy recipes for my family. Cooked, tested and approved by the family.
|Stormie's Vegetarian Recipes
These recipes are a collection for non meat meals. I occassionally will go months without eating meat.
|Stormie's Dessert Favorites from SparkPeople.com
It's dessert time, it happens and I am not going to fight those cravings, just make a better healthier choice.
|Stormie's Hypothyroid Diet Recipes
These are recipes I am using in the holistic diet method of treating my hypothyroidism. I am reading "The Super Charged Hormone Diet" by Dr. Natasha Turner. Great resource and information on a 30 day accelerated plan to lose weight, restore metabolism and feeling younger longer.
|Stormie's Summer Time Smoothies


text: TheTruthHurts 0 Posted September 20, 2012 This wouldn't really be great for acne prone people. The only realistic method in my opinion that I have found online to get rid of light acne scars is to really do mild to rough massages with olive oil on the scars. By really rubbing the olive oil, which contains vitamin K and E, you are really exfoliating and really forcing new skin out. I'm not sure if just simply putting on topical skin care products like vitamin serums or creams would really help. I think you really have to do deep Massages for an actual effective outcome. I myself have not tried this but really think it would work and this method seems to make the most sense. Thoughts? Comment or Suggestions? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Goodness in a bowl.
That's poon choy or "big bowl feast", traditionally eaten at Chinese New Year.
But why should such a delicious (and healthy) dish be enjoyed only once a year?
I decided to review the dish to see if it could be cooked every day.
It is not only possible but also beneficial as it is an easy one-dish meal, and full of nutritional goodness, thanks to the dried delicacies that are found in the recipe.
Traditionally, there would be abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, scallops, mushrooms, dried oysters and more.
And not for nothing do the Chinese treasure them.
Sea cucumber, for example, is believed to lower cholesterol, nourish the skin, boost cellular growth and also prevent joint pain.
When fish was plentiful, the Chinese would dry fish to preserve it. With no refrigerators, drying was the only way to preserve seafood, including expensive abalone, scallops and oysters.
I added fresh fish, but at the last minute, to prevent overcooking it.
To make it more suitable as daily fare, I also used more fresh ingredients, such as Chinese cabbage, broccoli and bean curd products, and less of the dried delicacies.
I omitted abalone altogether, as the cost is prohibitive.
What is important in the cooking is timing. You have to layer the ingredients by putting the ones that can withstand a longer cooking time at the bottom of the pot, and the rest on top.
Most of the ingredients can be bought ready-prepared, such as sea cucumber, which is sold ready for the pot, saving you the trouble of soaking it first.
The other dried ingredients can be soaked on the day itself, and the water can be saved to make the stock for the pot.
This is a dish that cooks itself, with the help of the well-loved seasonings of oyster and soya sauces, and rice wine.
It is easy to enjoy poon choy every day. Ms Lock Poh Leng, chief dietitian at Parkway Pantai hospitals in Singapore, said, generally, poon choy is a healthy dish.
The main ingredients, such as dried oysters, scallops, fish maws, sea cucumbers and batang fish (tenggiri) are low in fat, including saturated fat, and moderately low in cholesterol.
Overall, it is a good source of protein. The portion of animal protein for each serving is not excessive, and is balanced with plant-based protein, such as dried soya-bean stick (tau kee), she said.
In addition, batang fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, a heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat.
But the dish lacks antioxidants due to its limited variety of vegetables. So, Ms Lock suggests serving it with a vegetable dish, brown rice and fresh fruit.
Dietary antioxidants are associated with reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.
And if you like, the oyster sauce can be reduced by at least a third or half to cut down on the salt content, as the dried scallops, oysters, sea cucumber and batang fish already contain sodium, said Ms Lock.
•Sylvia Tan is a freelance writer and cookbook author. Her previous recipes for Eat To Live can be found in two cookbooks, Eat To Live and Taste
Everyday 'Poon choy'
• 2 tbs vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbs premium oyster sauce
• 3 tbs rice wine
• 4 sticks of dried soya-bean sticks (tau kee), soaked to soften
• ½ cup dried small black fungus, soaked in water to re-hydrate
• 4-6 medium-sized dried black mushrooms, soaked in half cup of water to soften; retain soaking water
• 2 medium-sized frozen sea cucumbers
• ½ head medium-sized Chinese cabbage
• 5 dried oysters
• 5 dried medium-sized scallops
• 4-6 pieces of dried fried fish maw, scalded in water to remove surface oil
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2-3 slices batang fish, central bone removed, cut into four pieces
• Sea salt and pepper to taste • Fresh coriander, broccoli or spring onions, for garnish
Rinse and soak the dried foodstuff, excluding the scallops, separately in small basins of water.
Prepare the other ingredients: Cut the sea cucumber and cabbage into small pieces. Cut the softened tau kee and black fungus into similar-sized pieces.
Heat the oil in a claypot or shallow Corningware that is large enough to accommodate the ingredients.
Brown the chopped garlic in the pot. Add the oyster sauce and a splash of rice wine.
Arrange the first layer of ingredients neatly: tau kee, dried mushrooms, black fungus and sea cucumber.
Add a layer of cabbage.
Top with dried scallops and fish maw, leaving space for the fish, which is added later.
Add water that was used to soak the mushrooms, together with the chicken stock, and simmer on low heat till the ingredients soften. Season to taste.
Add the fish at the last minute and a few broccoli florets, if you are using them. Cover the pot and leave to steam.
When ready, serve in the same pot and garnish with fresh coriander and spring onions.
This article was first published on Aug 04, 2015. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.


text:
Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
On November 19, 2019, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners adopted new landfill rates to go into effect January 1, 2020.
The Solid Waste Landfill fund has been using its fund balance (reserves) to cover expenses for the past few years, meaning that revenue collected has not offset the operating and capital expenditures of the fund. A completely depleted fund balance would mean a much higher rate for users, so in order to slow the use of the remaining fund balance (reserves) the Commissioners decided to implement a slightly higher rate in 2020. It is estimated that the increase will give a 14% boost to the overall revenue while decreasing landfill fees for those who self-haul.
Also, up until this year, the County had a variety of rates for different types of waste. The new rate, $40.00 per ton, will now be the same for any bulk waste. The Commissioners note the new rate is still less than area counties.
Residents may also see an increase in their household trash carts of an estimated $7.00 per month.
If you have any questions regarding the new rates, please call 970-878-9590


text:
You can use mySouthEastWater to manage your account online. Find out what I can do.
Log in or register
Pay now
Get more time to pay
Receive up to $320.90 off your bill per year by logging into mySouthEastWater to add your eligible concession.
Add concession
Moving house? Find out what you need to do, whether you're a tenant, owner or a solicitor.
Move house
Explain my bill
Looking to change to eBilling? Maybe, like us, you'd rather see that paper stay as trees.
Switch to eBilling
Are you looking for help and support?
Ask a question
© 2020 South East Water Corporation ABN 89 066 902 547


text:
Crispy Crunchy Buffalo Wings
Posted on March 18, 2016 by nerinatimm in Chicken
Crispy Crunchy Buffalo wings………. phew, I threw caution to the wind after the 6th one! No wonder the Colonel limits their orders to 6 or 12 chicken wings.
These crispy crunchy chicken wings are so addictive and crispy and crunchy is definitely not the only two descriptions I could think of. Think spicy, zingy, hot, flavorsome, wholesome and let's not forget downright delicious! My advise to you is to make a bucket full of these. They literally fly off the plate and dipped into some sour cream or hot and spicy guacamole, they are just the perfect balance between hot, cold, crunchy, cream and sour.
I know many of you are intimidated by crumbing food. It really is not hard work, it is messy for sure, but I always make it worth the effort and crumb a lot of whatever I am making and keep my freezer stocked.
A few key points to successful crumbing:
- for extra crunch, I use Panko Crumbs ( available at all Asian food stores. Woolworths breadcrumbs is also very good)
- for my flour mix, I add some cornflour, it adds another crunch element
- season the meat, season the flour, season the egg and season the crumbs
- Use enough oil so that meat does not stick to the bottom of the pot or pan
- I prefer using my wok for frying the crispy crunchy buffalo wings
Crispy Crunchy Buffalo Wings
makes 36
3 packets chicken wings ( 8 wings each
500 ml buttermilk
10 ml smoked paprika
5 ml cayenne pepper
5 ml salt
zest of 1 lime
For the crumbing
500 ml flour
250 ml cornflour
15 ml Woolworths Chipotle seasoning (or BBQ spice)
6 eggs – lightly beaten
450 g Woolworths Breadcrumbs ( about 4 cups)
10 ml salt
oil for frying
Use a sharp knife and cut the wings into portions (wingettes and c drumettes). Here is how! Place the chicken pieces in a glass bowl and cover with butter milk,smoked paprika, cayenne paper and salt. Marinade for a few hour or overnight.
When you are ready to start crumbing, take time to set up a crumbing station. Use 3 bowls.
Bowl #1
Mix flour, cornflour and chipotle season.
Bowl #2
Lightly beat the eggs and add a little salt.
Bowl #3
Mix breadcrumbs with the salt
Dip each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, then the egg wash and lastly in the breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with all the other pieces. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour.
Heat the oil in the pan or wok and fry the chicken pieces until golden brown. If the chicken browns to quickly, but the inside is still raw, lower the temperature of the oil.
Serve these crispy crunchy buffalo wings with sour cream and guacamole with extra chili.


text:
Rolls Royce Motor Cars is a manufacturer of luxury vehicles and automobile parts, headquartered in England, United Kingdom. The brand is a subsidiary of BMW AG. The company's history dates back to 1906, when the firm was established as Rolls Royce Limited, a car and aero-engine manufacturer. 1922 saw the release of the Twenty, a vehicle equipped with a l6 engine. Models such as the Silver Cloud and Phantom V were rolled out in the 1950s. In 1973, Rolls Royce Motors was established as a result of the de-merger of the brand's car business from Rolls Royce Limited. The brand started manufacturing the Silver Spirit, a full-size luxury car, in 1980. The company was acquired by Vickers and Volkswagen in the years 1980 and 1998, respectively. Since 2002, the firm is fully owned by BMW AG.
The Phantom Coupe, a luxury car, was unveiled at the Geneva International Auto Show in 2008. The Phantom and Phantom Drophead Coupe are other vehicles of the 2000s. Some of the well-known automobiles of Rolls Royce include the 30hp and Silver Wraith.
Buy Auto Parts stocks a large selection of high-quality catalytic converters and power steering gear boxes for all models of Rolls Royce. If any of your Rolls Royce parts are not functioning properly, you must replace them as soon as possible. At Buy Auto Parts you will find a wide variety of auto parts for every car make and model. All our car parts are tested thoroughly and come with an industry leading warranty and free shipping! Take a look at the list below for All Models parts we carry. If you do not see the part you are searching for, just give us a call and we will find it for you.
Ordering auto parts online has never been easier. To find the car parts that you need, just select the right year, make and model of your car on our online catalog. As we have warehouses all across the US, Buy Auto Parts will make sure your orders are delivered on time.
Taking care of our customers is our top priority, and our great online customer reviews prove this. To know more about our services and car parts, you can call our toll-free support line at 1-888-907-7225 or email us at [email protected]. Our US-based auto specialists are here to answer all your questions regarding our car parts.


text:
Pontiac Grand Prix Transmission Problems
2007 GXP== Well car is still at the dealer , and I have been put into a rental for the repair time. spoke to the deal this week and he stated that the transmission needed so many parts that it was just 600.00 less then a new one. so they are ordering a new one from MI lansing sp? but it will take a while Did find out that GM has issued a service bulletin for the transmission on my year . The service bulletin is TSB , the service department person told me that GM now welds some of the parts together in the trans to make it stronger ??? When I get the final repair done I will be glad to list all work done . And will seek more info on the service bulletin TSB Any GM people on here got any info on that????? Please share ..... Think I will still car shop in the next year , sad cause I really like this car .0
should I put my vin on here or whats your email?0
I found a tranny online for $3100 and that includes them coming and getting my car with a lifetime waranty. All the others ive found localy only come with a 2 or 3 year wananty...I have a 2006 GXP0
My email is available in my profile. Just click on my name. I look forward to your response.
GM Customer Service0
the service repair bulletin # is 707030012 I believe need to do some searching0
rtaylor123 Posts: 1I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix with 162k Miles. I've recently experienced an issue where while driving I push on the gas and the RPM gauge will push to 3k RPMs, however the vehicle will not increase to speeds higher than 35 miles per hour. The car had been stalling at low speed (around 15-20mph) occasionally over the past two weeks but today it would not increase speed over 35 mph. Since I bought the car I have had issues with loss of lighting on the radio, I don't assume that this is related but I figured that I'd mention it just in case. I suspect that it may be a problem with the catalytic converter. If anyone has any feedback on this issue I would appreciate your help.0
n2everything Posts: 1I have a 2006 and mine is doing the same exact thing. i have taken it to the dealership and now I'm told that my 2nd and 3rd gear is gone which costs me $95.00 for them just to tell me that. I think it's a shame that when you get the warning signs in the beginning noone can give you an answer and then in the end you have to pay just to get an answer not including the work to be done. hopefully someone can help.0
Hey everyone, I have an interesting situation with my Grand Prix. Yesterday, I jumped in and went to leave for the store, put the car in reverse, backed out the driveway, and when I put it into drive the problems started.
In drive, it acted like it wasn't shifting at all, like trying to start out in third gear on a manual, even though this has an automatic transmission. RPM's went up, and it gradually picked up speed, then seemed to drive fine, until I had to stop. As well, the engine is running a bit rough.
Next, I noticed that I had lost power to my windows, I checked the fuse box next to the glove compartment, the fuse was fine, and it had power. On top of this, my heater is also affected. I had it switched to defrost when whatever went wrong happened, and that is where it is stuck. I cannot switch it to any other setting, and I cannot turn the AC on at all, just heat. The rear defogger does not work anymore as well.
Lights, blinkers, etc seem to be working well though. I have read through some of the posts on here, but haven't seen anything of this scope. I did notice a hot wiring smell the day before this happened, when I got home I tried to locate the problem, to no avail. Anyone have an idea of what could control all of this? Any help would be appreciated.0
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing. Were you planning on having the vehicle diagnosed? P Lease keep me posted.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service0
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing. I am checking in to see if the issue been taken care of.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service0
torttone Posts: 1Hello I am in a real pickle here..lol I bought a 00 Pontiac Sunfire a couple months back for a real great price only to find out the clutch was bad and it went up very fast. When I bought it I would go to get into 1st and second gears and it would hesitate, stummble, sometimes stall.
I would be stepping hard on the gas but the rpms would remain low until I actually got it into third gear then it would cost just fine no problems. I thought it was the clutch that was causing all the problems because a little over a month and the car would not move anymore.
I just had a new clutch installed from a friend of mine who does great work and is a mechanic and I went to drive off and what do you know the car is moving again but the same thing. Lack of power it seems, stalls sometimes if I don't get the sync just right and you step on the gas hard you would think you would take off but low rpm's. The clutch also smells like it is burning.I am not sure what could be going on he said I may need to replace the flywheel. I do not want to go out and buy one if it is something else. I have been trying to find out more info on it but come up short. Any ideas?0
Hi, I have a 2005 GXP that I took to the Dealer last year for the trans slipping. They could not repeat the condition at the time and told me to bring it back when it "got worse". Well it's a lot worse now to the point of the car not being driveble, which all happened in the matter of two days. My extended warranty expired a week ago. I have contacted GM regarding this and hopefully they will repair it, and I believe there is someone that saw a service bulletin for this very problem.
Make / Models: Model/Build Years:
Service Bulletin Number: 070730012
NHTSA Item Number: 10021844
This is only ONE of the service bulletins regarding the transmission on these vehicles, there are others.
GM is aware of this issue but isn't taking responsibility for it. I am personally not okay with that.0
Make / Models: Model/Build Years:
Service Bulletin Number: 070730012
NHTSA Item Number: 10021844
Knock on wood, HARD! I have had to have my starter, alternator, water pump, Oil pressure sensor, 3 batteries, and replaced the tie rods 3 times and now my trans is gone! Oops almost forgot the oxygen sensors 6 months after I bought it! It is not normal for a transmission to have enough metal shavings in it to fill a measuring cup especially when it has been babied. You are very lucky indeed my friend.0
shiandra Posts: 1Hi, my car's drive (D) and 3 shift not working but the rest is. transmition problem? how to fix?0
mbgp97 Posts: 1Last night when i got off work i filled up with gas and mine did the same thing i work at advance auto parts im going to try the filter and new fluid i will keep this post in mind and let you know what i find out or you can reply if you have a fix0
Unfortunately if you are speaking to a 2005 to 2007 Grand Prix GXP, changing the filter and fluid are not going to do you any good. If your car is doing this your transmission is already gone. Sorry to be the barer of bad news.0
I am looking into filing suit against GM for the transmission failures in 2005 - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, Chevy Monte Carlo SS & Chevy Impala SS. Anyone interested in re-cooping the cost of having to either rebuild or replace the transmission in one of these vehicles, please contact me. would much rather make this a class action suit than a individual suit.0
Check the tcc (transmission control circuit) it's a fuse box under hood.0
grandprix24 Posts: 1hi Malone we have the same problem with my grand prix too. did you fix the problem? please let me know thankz man0
I apologize for your frustrations. Have you spoke with your dealer of choice? If not, I would recommend starting there. Please keep me updated.
GM Customer Service0
lkcollins Posts: 1I have a 05 Grand Prix Basic model and I've experienced many problem i.e. engine harness, water pump, throttle body, tie rod, hub bearing etc.. On top of that I've had to maintain regular maintenance. Last winter I started noticing the trans slipping. Also, when the temp is below 50 degrees the car will not go in (D)rive; I have to put it in reverse first or wait until the car heats up. I would definitely be interested in re-cooping the cost of having the trans re-built, being that I will have to invest in that very soon.0
I also have a 05 Grand Prix Basic model, and I am having transmission problems I was told that I have to have mine re-built pretty soon! It is going to cost me about 2,800 I am interested in what you are saying!0
I apologize for your frustrations. Have you spoke with GM Customer Assistance? Do you have this work done at a GM dealer? Please feel free to email me.
GM Customer Service0
tiretroll Posts: 1I have noticed at times it does not go into drive if I am moving backwards at all. I am talking less than 1 mph. I use tap shift for braking and it hesitates dropping in to first, from 25 mph. I have had the car for 14 months and it has about 97,000 miles. Has anyone notice this before a big problem?0
70gto455 Posts: 1I have a 2001 GP GT. I had the same problem.
CHECK THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. Mine was clogged and caused the engine and transmission to run rough, not shift well, not accelarate, all of the issues you are experiencing. Alot cheaper to replace a CAT than a tranny.0
If you think you are experiencing concerns I would recommend speaking with the dealer and having the car checked out. Please keep me updated on your situation.
GM Customer Service0
My 2005 grand prix when changes from second two third it feels like is going over a bump. The dealer told me to wait until the whole thing goes bad and get a new transmission, and another mechanic told me I have a problem with one of my valves and maybe the cluctch, and the pump need replacing. I wish I would really know what is really the problem!0
I had all the same problems that you are experiencing. The more I used the tap shift the worse the trans got.0
macomb34400 Posts: 1I have a 2004 Pontatic Grand Prix and once in a while the REDUCE ENGINE light comes on, I lose power and can't accelerate pass 30 MPH. Everyone tells me its the catalytic converter - Please help or how can i check the problem.0
I have spoke with GM Customer Service and they didn't offer any help. My car is a 2005 Grand Prix with 97000 miles and they told my the I would have to pay for a new transmission out of my packet. I think that there are so many people with grand prix having the same problem the gm should help us. Maybe that other person has the right idea about a class law suit!!!
This is not right!0
My nephew bought a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix which now has 82,000 miles on it. The car ran fine until recently the transmission started slipping. We brought it to a shop and they said it needed to be replaced or rebuilt for around $2,800.00. He is an 18 year old college kid left with no parents...is Pontiac doing anything about this or is he going to be left with no car now too?0
I am trying to help my 18 year old nephew out, he is trying to put himself through college and has neither of his parents to help him. He came to see me over the weekend and the transmission in his 2007 Grand Prix is slipping so bad he can't drive it. We brought it to 2 places and both told us it was blown and needed to be replaced. It just started acting up a week ago and now we are being told it needs to be replaced?!?! There are several service bulletins as you pointed out. If Pontiac isnt addressing this I will join the suit. This kid has enough against him he doesn't need to be screwed by Pontiac now too. Please contact me.0
I have contacted Pontiac several times and they don't care about this problem that is happenning to many grand prix owners. I am so sorry that this is happeing to you. I wish they would take care of this. I have to take my car in to get the transmission replace too,. and they told me is going to cost me 2,800. I hope we can all get together and do something about this...is just not right!0
Thank you for your post. We can look into the situation further (see if any recalls are associated to your nephew's vehicle specifically/help you work with a dealership towards resolving this concern). Please email us with your name/user name, contact information, the last 8 of your VIN, and your involved dealership.
GM Customer Service0
tomhahn2 Posts: 1Hi! I have a 2005 Grand Prix with the same transmission problem: slipping, long shift, the computer codes are a dictionary of transmission problems. Sarah, I will send you my information. Needless to say, I need a new transmission. I'm shopping for another car now. I'm 48 and since I was 16 I've owned GM vehicles. Unfortunately, it's become too much for me to continue to deal with these kinds of reliability problems.
The other day a guy in a 2005 Grand Prix pulled up next to me at a red light and asked how I liked my Grand Prix. I said it has a transmission problem and needs to be replaced. He replied "me too!".0
anrgygxpdriver Posts: 3I had the same issue. I ended up having the electrical hub replaced. Its the fuse box located under the hood to the left. Mine would get moisture in it from heat or humidity and the contacts were rusty and made my cars electrical systems respond with varying DBs. Had it replaced (GM part) for about $400....no problems since.
Good Luck :shades:0
tom_n Posts: 2I'm on my third Grand Prix. For others with hard downshifting problems on OLDER 2000-2002 models, I found a bottle of Lucas Transmission Treatment worked pretty well.
I own a 2008 GP GXP, and when I come to a stop sign and stop, then restart, the transmission is slow to go back into first gear. It hangs momentarily in neutral before slamming into low upon accelleration. Not real good for the transmission, and clearly leads to bigger problems. I would like to knnow specifically what controls these downshifts, and how to go about fixing it?
Also, I wish I had a dollar for all of you complaining about GM transmissions.
Safety organizations forcing recalls obviously think there is no danger in having your transmission malfunction in the middle of an intersection! Come on, GM! Where is your recall???!!!
jziemer Posts: 1Surprise Surprise Another Grand Prix 2005 transmission problem ! I had mine in within 2 years and now with 79000 it's doing it every time the engine shifts as you go faster. GM should look into this problem !! Maybe this is why there are more foreign cars in America --- I have called dealership and will advise what is said..0
Looking forward to the update, jzeimer. If we can be of any assistance in the meantime, please email us more information.
GM Customer Service1
copper354 Posts: 105 Grand Prix here, 106k miles. Trans started shifting hard into 2nd and 3rd gears yesterday, had it looked at this morning. Trans needs to be replaced. Who can I contact about this? Thanks.0
Just for my own information, was this diagnosis done at your dealership?
If you're planning on working with a dealership towards replacing the transmission (I understand this may not be for everybody) and would like to have Customer Assistance help in the process, please email us more information (including your name, contact information, mileage, the last 8 digits of your VIN, and the name of your involved dealership).
GM Customer Service0
I would get a 2nd opinion because it sound like your trans. Need a
(trans. Control module)0
ed44087 Posts: 1Did you get any answers on what this is or any solutions? I have a 2007 and it does the same thing. It isn't everytime and some days more than others. Of course when I took it in they could find no codes and it wouldn't do it on the 10 minute test run. I'm at a loss.0
hurtsmywallet Posts: 1I have a 2001 Grand Prix GTP Special Edition- I bought it new. The dealership supposedly put a new transmission in when the car had about 35,000 miles on it (still under warranty). September of this year the transmission went out, had it rebuilt at a transmission shop approx $2700. After, it still shifts hard and they think its the computer. Great!
I did not go to the GM dealer because of all of the previous times I did they usually made things worse. Once I took it in and got it back-the cruise control didn't work after that. Then the window had problems and they replaced the rubber around the bottom, had issues forever, took it back in and was told I needed a new window motor and it would cost over $500. I went home and ripped the rubber out, thing worked fine (till the button shorted out-replaced that and the window motor still works, hmmmm) Another time I took it in 3 times for an oil leak-paid every time and it still leaks today. Had the power steering pump replaced and now it is going bad again. -Those were all at the dealer. Now for some reason, I get to fill it up every few weeks with a FULL bottle of coolant. Fun stuff. I loved this car when I bought it. Guess I know why they stopped making Pontiac.0
Ed - no, I got an email from GM asking for more information; which I provided about 2 weeks ago. I have not heard anything back since then. I have to figure out my next step because my nephews car is just sitting in my driveway since he can't afford a new tranny.0
I'm sorry for the delay on our end. There may have been some confusion on our end as two of us are responding to the emails we receive from Edmunds. Have you heard from Christina at all? Again, I apologize for the confusion and want to make sure that you are assisted.
GM Customer Service0
Hi Sarah. As of today I have not been contacted by Christina regarding this matter.0
I am so very sorry about this. If you're willing, please re-send the email to either the address on my profile or to [email protected]
Thank you for your patience,
GM Customer Service0
motorcity6 Posts: 427Now why would GM replace your transmission???? They are in the business of selling new cars mandated by smarter folks with the insight of knowing how to design and produce cars which you should have had in the first place..Otherwords, the old GM was a loser and now under the guise of Govt Motors, tough luck..$2800 is probably 1/2 of the Grand Prixs value..Let the car have a new owner by hook or crook..
Yes, I have a 2006 GPGT showing 64k, no tranny problems, but it has had its share of ilks..5 batteries, 3 steering shafts, 3 sets of tires, and new engine mounts..Picked this car up in 2007 with 4k miles at 1/2 price. I really don't have any complaints, but the first sign of a tranny glitch it will have a new owner..
The 260 hp S/C V-6 is fun, and the sunroof is a Fla must have, runs on a diet of "Royal Purple oil", changed every 6k miles, tire rotation at same interval, rebalance if necessary.. The car is vibration-free at flat out top end..Brake are original, never touched..
Having owned 54 cars to date, this GPGT is okay, not great, and will remain in my garage for awhile longer..Having owned 74, 76, and 77 GPs with big block V-8, those were fun cars, and took the abuse well..
If GM replaces any trannies on the cars owned by posters on this forum, I would certainly like to know.. Best of Luck..Happy Motoring.. next car is a 5.0 GT Stang..0


text:
You can create a new route collection in order to organize your routes.
To create a new collection, log in to bikemap.net and tap on your username in the upper right corner. Choose "Route Collections" and click on "Add new". You can now enter a title, choose if it should be public or private, and hit "create". To add a route to your collection, choose a route and add it via the "add to" button.
There you go, your own route collection! Make it even nicer by adding a cover photo, description and tags and share it with friends & family via the sharing buttons to Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.


text:
I must first thank the many people who commented about the plight of Jerome – and they were all such positive cat comments. (The heartache of pet ownership Dec 5, 2012). I was wary initially that I would get people saying that Jerome got what any cat deserved i.e. cruelty, because of the attitude that some in our community have towards cats. But the genuine gardening public didn't let me down; I feel that all true gardeners have a respect for all animals which I feel was apparent in the many comments shared.
I have had quite a few people tell me about their cat enclosures attached to their homes. I think that the idea is excellent for many, but not for me – I will explain why. Every home that I have ever owned has had a lot of trees in it – the bigger the better. Here in SW Victoria we have a vast number of very large Eucalypts and deciduous trees. We also have a massive bird population with so many different varieties of birds at different times of the year, depending on the food source in our garden.
Jerome always loved to climb trees when he was a 4 legged animal. But he used to climb to show off. His offerings to us i.e. his 'kill', consisted of very dead, skeletal birds and mice that had been poisoned. His skill was never very profound in the hunting area.
I am also, dare I say, a rather vain person about my home, and as we will be having this current garden open to the public next spring, have nowhere to erect this enclosure so that it can be attached attractively to the house.
Jerome when outside now stays close by as we work in the garden. He has certain spots in the garden where he sleeps during the day and then is always present when we rattle the dog's bowl at feeding time. He has a massive appetite, but then he is a very large cat.
We have been led to believe that Jerome is a Maine Coon cat, or at least part thereof which is a very large breed of cat. He appears to fit the Tabby and White colouring of the breed, with superb markings. He has a white belly, all paws are white and he has white under his chin. But it is his tail that is his pride and joy. It is very thick with the most beautiful markings, like black rings that girdle the tail down the length. And he has this wonderful expression in his eyes which says 'Who, me?' He is now 3 legged, but he is still my beautiful big boy!
Because of Jerome's strength of personality, it has taken the household quite a while to adapt to Jerome's problem. This is in part due to his stoic nature – he has never looked back from his experience – I think that I have suffered more than him! I keep reliving his horrific experience while Jerome just gets on with his life – as you can see in this video.
A further saga to the original story posted was that the person who found Jerome in their rabbit trap, not wanting to be punished for the illegal use of their trap, dumped Jerome a long way away from our town in an industrial zone. This remarkable cat managed, with only 3 good legs, one suppurating crushed mess for the fourth and suffering extreme emaciation after 4 weeks absence, to find a home some distance away, where the property owner found him in their side yard and took him to the RSPCA who then took him to the local Veterinary surgery. Fortunately Jerome was microchipped.
The RSPCA, the local vet and the kind person who found Jerome in their garden have my absolute thanks for their kindness to a suffering animal. I have enormous respect for any person who stands up for cruelty to animals in any form and the local vet surgery in particular have been a tower of support.
Jerome is still a kitten, albeit a large one, so he is still growing. He is managing so well with his limitations and seems to be quite content with his lot in life. His attitude remains as the family larrikin and we adore him for it!
Of course with Jerome getting all the attention, our 7 year old black Labrador, Archibald has missed out. He has a 'Canine Hot Spot' on his rump which I feel certain is due to a level of neuroses other than heat that has contributed to this. For this reason, Archie has had to wear an Elizabethan collar or bucket over his head to stop him making it worse.
Pet ownership is definitely one of responsibility. But I for one would not be without them.


text:
What a day it was yesterday - such a big day for us!
In case you still feel a bit puzzled about all of our yesterday's announcements, here is a little summary for you.
We have decided to change the name because"OpenERP" didn't reflect the offering of the company anymore. With our newest apps, such as Website Builder, PoS or eCommerce, we have moved beyond the ERP territory.
Butdon't worry,Odoo is and always will be fully open source. You can read more about the new name here. We have also prepared a short FAQ to explain all these changes to all of you.
Discover more about Odoo
With Odoo's fully integrated software, you can easily manage your meetings, schedule business calls, create recurring meetings, synchronize your agenda and easily keep in touch with your colleagues, partners and other people involved in projects or business discussions.
Check now and discover more today!


text:
Hummer H3T Key Fobs
Discount Keyless Entry Remotes
We list replacement Hummer H3T key fobs and new and used Hummer H3T keyless remotes. Keep your automobile locked and safe. Buy your key fob today!
We will add your remote information if it is not listed above. Just contact us or comment below to send us a message. Having the most up to date and accurate remote information is important to us and we strive to provide our customers with the most information possible. Let us know.
Dealership Website [Visit Site]
Need help or directions to program your key fob? Below are some instructions on how to program your stock remote. Many times, reprogramming will only take a few minutes to complete and is a fairly easy process.
Leave us a comment if you're not finding what you need or would like to share some information about your vehicle's remote. We'd like to keep our site updated with all the latest information so if you see an error, let us know.
|© Copyright Keyless Remote Fobs, 2020


text:
What are you looking for?
Our one of best feature is Facebook, linkedIn Instant Messaging
About Us
World wide best Room, Apartment, Roommate, House, Flat, Flatmate, Studio, Tenant as you want. It provides you to search in specific area nearby you or in the whole world. What you gonna need to do is just to select your budget and area by selecting your area then it will show your desired ones. For your better experience you just need to sign in with your Facebook account to continue. Now in maximum mind the question will arise that why I need to Sign in with Facebook, linkedIn? The answer is the site needs to know your location to find out your desired demand in your area. It uses the Google Map to show you Street View, Walk Score, and photos without leaving the site. You will be glad to know that Our one of best feature is Facebook, linkedIn (IM- Instant Messaging) method. That's helps our users to get their basic Query Without Calling and E-mailing. Don't worry its not a spam, scam and it wont post into your Facebook ID. The site is totally secured and its a renowned website.
We have 192+ Country Coverage Search It's Free (Worldwide)
We have 10,000+ Volunteers Doing Marketing for Our Website
Average Online Per Hour
Anywhere In the World Find Out Your Dream Housing option


text:
Results 1 to 1 of 1
#1 New Video About USS Arizona Survivor/ Pacific Bomber Pilot
- Join Date
- Jan 2018
- Posts
- 1
Hi all: I want to invite everyone to take a look at my sons Eagle Scout Project, a Documentary About USS Arizona Survior and Pacific war bomber pilot Lou Conter. Its about as professional a production as amateurs can make and besides the interview with and Conter has historic photos and footage, music, contextual commentary and comments by other Pearl Harbor survivors and general officers when we attended the 75th anniversary observances. Let us know how you like it! View ad-free on You Tube
|« Previous Thread | Next Thread »


text:
Phone Maintenance Tips To Consider
Taking care of your smartphone is important, regardless of whether you own an expensive flagship device or even a low budget phone. This way you can preserve the lifespan of the phone and don't have to go through any inconveniences of losing important data that is stored in the phone. Here are some tips that could be helpful to you.
Protect the screen
Since the phone display is a crucial part about the phone itself, you will need to ensure that it is well protected. Since most modern phones use a touch system, there is a much bigger priority in taking care of the screen. If you own one of the more expensive phones such as an Apple phone, then you should consider getting a good iphone screen protector, preferably one that uses tempered glass. These aren't too expensive to purchase, but will go a long way in adding extra protection to your phone display. Some phones have tough materials that are scratch resistant, so you may not need to get a screen protector if you own a phone with a durable display.
Get the correct accessories
When purchasing accessories for your phone, you will need to make sure that you only get the accessories which are compatible with your phone model. Getting phone accessories that aren't compatible with your phone model, could slowly damage the phone or create problems in the future. Some of the most important accessories you will need to pay attention to when purchasing is the phone charger. Getting a phone charger that is not compatible with your phone could end up damaging the hardware in your phone with continual usage. Other accessories would include the handsfree set that you are using as well as it may not function correctly if you purchase a model that is not compatible with your phone model.
Check the hardware
There are several apps that you can use to find out if the phone hardware is operating as well as it should. You should consider downloading such an app and find out if there's any part of the phone that needs repairing or replacement. Apart from this, you will need to check the other hardware accessories such as the buy power bank in Hong Kong if you own an iPhone. These could cause problems such as damaging the output port of the phone if you used a faulty USB cable, or even could affect how fast the phone charges.
These maintenance tips should help you prolong the lifespan of your phone. This can in turn have your phone working in good condition even several years later, after which you can sell the phone if you wish to upgrade.


text:
Plastic Dispensing Closures to Account for Most Growth within Home and Personal Care Closures According to Euromonitor International
23 Feb 2012 • by Natalie Aster
Plastic screw and dispensing closures dominate home and personal care closures, but pumps and triggers are the most dynamic formats. With consumers influenced by product delivery and performance, closures are increasingly a point of difference. Adding such value is especially important in mature developed economies, where growth is increasingly hard to come by. Nevertheless, plastic dispensing closures will still account for most growth, with emerging regions and BRIC countries to lead the way.
According to the report "Dosing and Dispensing Drives Home and Personal Care Closures" by Euromonitor International, home and personal care closures have maintained their importance in the overall closure market. The economic downturn had an impact, but 2010 showed a stronger 3% annual growth with the forecast outlook showing continued rises.
Report Details:
Dosing and Dispensing Drives Home and Personal Care Closures
Published: January, 2012
Pages: 50
Price: US$ 2.000,00
The plastic screw closure is the most popular format in home care. In personal care it comes second to plastic dispensing closures, which are rising faster. Screw closures remain one of the most versatile and cost effective options for brand owners.
Demand for the plastic dispensing closure continues to grow, having not only convenience benefits but also being less messy, reducing wastage. Already leading in personal care, it is forecast faster growth than the plastic screw in home care too.
Asia Pacific, and in particular China and India, offer the best growth prospects in home and personal care. This region will deliver over half of global growth over 2010-2015.
More information can be found in the report "Dosing and Dispensing Drives Home and Personal Care Closures" by Euromonitor International.
To order the report or ask for sample pages contact [email protected]
MarketPublishers, Ltd.
Tanya Rezler
Tel: +44 208 144 6009
Fax: +44 207 900 3970
[email protected]


text:
Saturday, November 22, 2014
A Good Friend Shot Dead By I Don't Know What
Lately it seems as though everybody's remembering that a person named Monte Hellman directed some movies that it would be in our best interest to actually watch. Outside of Criterion's release of his classic Two-Lane Blacktop in 2007 and the strongly positive reception of his intriguingly enigmatic 2010 thriller Road to Nowhere -- Hellman's first feature since his for-hire job on 1989's Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! -- the small but vital collection of films Hellman directed from 1959 (Beast from Haunted Cave, if you're wondering; I haven't seen it, maybe it's not "vital," but I'm not going to assume anything) through 1988 have not, until recently, been paid much attention. Or anyway, not enough attention. Then, earlier this year, Raro Video released on Blu-ray Hellman's "lost" film, the uncut version of his strange and wonderful 1988 island adventure Iguana (which I wrote about here). And now, just a few months later, Criterion is back in the Monte Hellman business with a two-film set of Ride in the Whirlwind and The Shooting. Hellman directed these two Westerns in 1966, aided by producer, actor, and, in the case of Ride in the Whirlwind, writer Jack Nicholson. This was not the first time Hellman and Nicholson would work together -- in fact these Westerns would be the fourth and fifth films that Hellman and Nicholson collaborated on -- but apart from Hellman doing some producing work on Head, which Nicholson co-wrote, The Shooting and Ride in the Whirlwind would mark the end, which, whatever the cause of the split, if that's even the word for it, is a damn shame. Nicholson's big breakout role in Easy Rider was still three years away, and compared to the Hellman Westerns that film is a piece of shit. Or compared to most other films, or just sitting there on its own.
Ride in the Whirlwind is one of a handful of films Nicholson wrote in the beginning of his career, and one of the interesting things about it is that while he's certainly one of the film's two leads, Nicholson's plan was clearly not to give himself a big show-boating star-making role. This is interesting, of course, when you consider how outsized his career and persona would eventually become (I'm a fan, for the record). But if Ride in the Whirlwind belongs to any one person, it belongs to Cameron Mitchell, who plays Vern, friend and fellow cowhand of Wes (Nicholson) and Otis (Tom Filer). The three of them are, essentially, going from one place to another, looking, or hoping, for work, when they stop for the night at a cabin filled with men we know, and the three cowboys deduce, to be violent outlaws. Led by Blind Dick (Harry Dean Stanton), the outlaws wonder if the cowboys are in fact part of a posse -- in any event, Wes, Vern, and Otis make plans to get out of there first thing in the morning. However, before they can the actual posse -- vigilantes, which I think is crucial -- turns up, a gunfight erupts, Otis is killed, and soon Wes and Vern are on the run, the posse assuming that they're in with the outlaws.
If all of this went down not precisely in the middle of nowhere, it's near enough; Vern and Wes have to abandon their horses to scramble up rocks, trying to evade this posse who they know will hang them. Soon they've walked about as far as they can. Wes can barely carry on. It's Wes who begins to crack first -- not grandly, but wearily. It's always a surprise and a pleasure to see Nicholson in the early stages of his career, before a single persona was stapled to him by unimaginative studios. He was subtle and quiet once, or had those as part of a full arsenal, yet his presence was always enormous. But as the film moves forward, this presence steps aside -- not completely, and not with a flourish, but room is made for Cameron Mitchell, and actor known now as something of a joke because he did a lot of not-very-good TV work, and ended up in a clutch of films that were later fodder for Mystery Science Theater 3000. And it's not as though that shouldn't have been the fate of Space Mutiny, but it shouldn't have been the fate of Cameron Mitchell, who did plenty of terrific work in movies both good and bad. In Ride the Whirlwind, when Wes and Vern end up taking shelter at the house of a farmer (George Mitchell), his wife (Catherine Squire), and their daughter Abigail (Millie Perkins who is one of the few actors in both this film and The Shooting), Nicholson's Wes begins to gain some...not confidence, but maybe energy, while Vern starts to lose his. Perhaps this is because in his attempt to evade being hanged for crimes he didn't commit, in this farmhouse he finds himself driven to actual criminal acts -- he threatens women with a gun, takes their food, plans to steal their horses. He would never hurt them, and his threats don't go beyond brandishing his weapon, but it's not something he would have ever done before this. Mitchell plays Vern's breakdown as a kind of fog, a confusion. Indeed, if there's one question that could be used as a logline for both of these films, it's "Why Is This Happening?" It's not hard to see the mistakes that led Vern and Wes to this state, but it's nevertheless absurd. Vern can't quite take that absurdity. He can't shake it off and just keep plugging along. Rather than plug along, he will go through the motions. That's all his brain can manage.
Ride in the Whirlwind is a pretty terrific movie, introducing psychic desolation into a classic Western situation and expanding that desolation by degrees. However of this pair, the masterpiece is The Shooting, a Western that plonks the desolation down early and just lets it spread out. This film wasn't written by Nicholson, who will turn up about halfway through as a gunslinger named Billy Spear, but by Carole Eastman, using one of her pseudonyms, Adrien Joyce. Eastman would later write one of Nicholson's most famous early films, Five Easy Pieces, which has never been a favorite of mine, but which the greatness of The Shooting has made me eager to revisit. If the plot of Ride in the Whirlwind was stripped down, the plot of The Shooting is barren. Warren Oates, here beginning a relationship with Hellman that would prove exceedingly fruitful for both of them, plays Willet Gashade who, upon returning to his mining camp to find catastrophe. Of the three men he'd worked the mining camp with only one, the guileless Coley (Will Hutchins), remains. One, Leland Drum, is dead, shot by Coley knows not who (or what?), though the motive is possibly connected to what drove the third man away. That third man is Coigne, Gashade's brother, who in a trip to town evidently "rode down a man and a little person," possibly killing one or the other or both. Was this little person a child? Certain subsequent events can lead the viewer to make reasonable assumptions about this, but the fact is we don't know, and the decision to leave this unclear is a slightly bizarre one. As it happens, though, it's a decision that is entirely in keeping with what The Shooting actually is. In any case, Coigne has fled, sure that he will be hunted down. This leaves just a frightened Coley and a baffled Gashade. Soon they meet a woman (Millie Perkins), never named, who wants to hire them to escort her to a town called Kingsley. The fee offered is too much to turn down, and while Gashade takes the job, Coley in tow, he distrusts the woman. For one thing, he and Coley were alerted to her presence when they heard her shoot her horse. Upon later examination, Gashade realizes the horse was perfectly healthy. Again, as with the "little person" phrasing, it's possible to eventually make sense of this, but will the explanation satisfy? The Shooting will ultimately reveal itself to be a classical Western by way of Franz Kafka, so even if the answers you apply to the film are correct, what good will they finally do anyone?
It's at times like this that I wish I'd had the foresight to have already read every book I'd ever planned to read, because in 1997 Loren D. Estleman, a crime and Western writer whose books I've read and enjoyed, though not enough of them, published a novel called Billy Gashade. Now I'll grant you that 1997 is some years beyond 1966 and so neither Eastman nor Hellman could have been influenced by it, but in the author's note with which he precedes his novel, Estleman talks about the classic folk song "Jesse James," the one with the line "He laid poor Jesse in his grave." That song was written by Billy Gashade, but despite the seemingly deathless fame of it, Estleman writes, "Ironically, almost nothing is known of the man who wrote it." Anyway, so then you have Warren Oates in The Shooting playing a man named Willet Gashade, "Willet" being a name that could quite reasonably be diminutized to "Billy." Which means what, precisely, when you consider the fact that Willet Gashade is not portrayed as remotely musical, and that even if you wanted to draw parallels between Jesse James and Nicholson's Billy Spear, which you could only do in the most general sense, the story of The Shooting plays out in a way that kind of cuts in two what few threads you were still trying to connect between the two Gashades. But I'm unable to shake the idea that somehow Estleman's novel could provide some insight into something or other because The Shooting is so unusual and so artfully inexplicable that anything seems possible. This is not to say that the film is nonsensical or incoherent or even illogical -- its last big reveal seems just as strange but is in fact just as solvable as "little person" or the shooting of the healthy horse. But none of it feels solvable, perhaps because no amount of murder or violence is ever solvable, at least not all the way to its roots. But The Shooting is weirder than that. It's obviously nothing more than coincidental that the final, eerie stretch of the film now partly evokes, for me anyway, certain episodes of the original Star Trek television show, which began production in 1966, the year The Shooting was released. The similarities are in the environment; the white rocks and dust that might represent an alien planet on TV appear in The Shooting as what they are, a landscape on Earth, but one you will only ever find yourself traveling through if your life is about to end, or has ended, or if psychologically there's nothing left. In both cases, the alien planet and the end of everything on Earth that you know, things are about to become very unfamiliar.
Labels: Cameron Mitchell, Carole Eastman, Criterion, Jack Nicholson, Monte Hellman, Ride in the Whirlwind, The Shooting
1 comment:
- John said...
Eastman would later write one of Nicholson's most famous early films, Five Easy Pieces, which has never been a favorite of mine...
It is one of mine now, but admittedly it took a while to get there. It's one that only continues to grow on me with the passage of time, to the point that I now doubt he's ever been better.
- November 24, 2014 at 1:36 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Four Points Hotel By Sheraton Lagos, Nigeria
The Annual Banking & Finance Conference 2018
THEME : "Making Financial Inclusion a Reality in Africa: Connecting people to Banking & Financial Service" couldn't be timelier. The 2016 edition was held in Ghana and the 2018 edition will be a continuation of the discussions and a preview of the implementation strides made thus far, as we continue to push the Financial Inclusion agenda in the continent.
Banking and financial services must seek ways to increase their mass and tap into the financially excluded population (which is more than 60 %). The agenda to deliver financial services to those that banks have traditionally not reached should now more than ever be at the top of corporate growth strategy.
Download Event Brochure Attend The Conference
Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel, Nairobi
The Africa Insurance & Reinsurance Conference, a regionally focused event now in its 8th edition has steadily become a gateway for the global and regional investors to engage local leaders as they seek ways to increase insurance penetration in the continent.
THEME : "Innovate to Capture the Growth Potential" .
Africa continues to offer significant potential for future investment. Sustainable economic expansion and demographic transformation are making the insurance market more attractive, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. As the industry rides the wave of growth in this second fastest growing region in the World, the scale of opportunity is compelling. Low market penetration is giving way to rising consumer demand and new technologies. In this shifting landscape, organic growth is a greater priority than mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or new products.
Download Event Brochure Attend The Conference
Venue to be confirmed
THEME : Adopting Best for Inclusive Lending For the Agricultural Value Chain
According to expert reports, agriculture sector in Africa is the least productive in the world. Small-scale and subsistence farmers, pastoralists, and fishermen produce most of the food consumed in this region, yet they continue to face a number of challenges. Lack of capital for investment contributes significantly to the lowering of small scale farmers' productivity levels.
How can formal financial institutions provide agricultural credit that meets the unique demands of the entire agricultural?
1. Financial inclusion and innovation in Agriculture·
Inclusive investment
2. Value chain financing·
Building competitive commercial Value Chains
3.Doing Successful Agribusiness in Africa·
Enabling farmers to think like business people·
Important Business initiatives and skills
4.Public-private partnerships·
Source of lending-public finance vs private sector funding
Unlocking private funding- Partnership for effective financing
5.The role of digital finance technologies
Reduce operating costs
6.Policies: Infrastructure & legal/regulatory intervention
Duties, Interest rate caps
Lenders expansion regulations
Prudential regulations
Dispute resolutions mechanisms for contract farming.
Land rights-as security to financiers-women grow 70% of Africa's food but few have rights over the land they tend
7.Risk mitigation
Risks perceived by formal financiers (fear to lend)
Risks perceived by farmers (fear to borrow)
"Agriculture in African countries is massively under-funded".
Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi, Kenya
THEME : Demystifying Alternative Investment to Capture the Growth Potential
The East Africa Alternative Investment Conference aims to create a forum for rich dialogue and debate between leading investors, managers, the youth and other persons interested in this exciting industry. This forum comes at a time when investors are increasingly dependent on alternative investments to generate returns in an era of low returns, propelling alternative strategies to center stage as a lucrative vein of investment.
Capturing the growth potential in the alternative investment field
This edition will, among others, address the appetite for different asset class, roles in the portfolio and how to ensure you make the most of your returns as well as how to spot the best opportunities


text:
Elements of Tantra: Living Consciously
Event Category: Classes
Listed by Natalie Ford
Live a life with honesty, openness and integrity! Join us for this deep and transformational day to embody Living Consciously.
Tickets: https://buytickets.at/empoweredhealing/241198/r/foyht
Call in…
* More ease, less drama
* Honest communication and heart-felt connections
* Openness, trust and intimacy
* Greater integrity and empowerment
* Increased self awareness
* Discover more about yourself
* See your growth areas to become more conscious
* Feel more empowered, centred and calm
* Take ownership for your life
☆ discussion groups and awareness exercises
☆ learning about codependency and emotional entanglement
☆ noticing how we affect others
☆ considering our higher self / higher perspective
☆ feeling emotion in our bodies
☆ learning tools for difficult situations
☆ expressing emotion in a healthy way
☆ reflecting and anchoring new awareness
We will explore Living Consciously from a tantric and self-aware perspective. How can you live fully from a place of awareness, love and compassion in all aspects of life? Examine how you impact others – positively and negatively, the types of communication you deliver and ways to connect with others that empower everyone ♥
☆ Testimonials ☆
""Do it! A truly beautiful space to open safely and with love""
""Great workshop, great facilitators, lovely group of people and lots of great connections""
""I enjoyed meeting and connecting with lovely people""
""My partner and I haven't been so close [as that before] and that felt amazing""
""I appreciate how safe the workshop felt. I felt well led and in good hands""
""You have to experience this! A completely new world has opened up for me""
""This was the beginning of a journey towards a more connected self"".
So often one of the feedbacks we receive at our workshops is ""I learned I am not alone"". It explodes our hearts WIDE OPEN every time we hear this ♥
☆ Attendees of our workshops consistently rate us 9/10 to 10/10 feedback score ☆
Tickets: https://buytickets.at/empoweredhealing/241198/r/foyht
Sounds good, I'd like more…!
This workshop is the second in a series of 6 tantric workshops facilitated by Sanjay Joshi & Natalie Ford (as featured in Time Out) that will run through 2019. You can attend just one or book the whole series.
Each workshop will focus on different Elements of Tantra, covering subjects such as:
★ What is Tantra
★ Connection
★ Energy
★ Conscious Relating
★ Movement
★ Emotional Responsibility
★ Where Tantra Meets Kink
★ Tantric Sexuality
★ Expansion Of Your Senses
★ Feeling Your Emotions
★ Boundaries and Consent
★ Fears and Desires and how they are linked
Join us on Sunday 30th June for Living Consciously, to:
↠ Take back and own your power
↠ Avoid be programming by the media and blaming others for our lives
↠ Connect to others in a way that leads to a deeper connection and trust
↠ Become aware of your impact on others and the planet
And learn tools to…
* Gain clarity in situations where the other person isn't available
* Capture the essence of lessons and move on
* Use language which helps you take ownership of your experience and not blame others
* Improve your relationships, gain insights from your past and create a brighter future for yourself and those you love ♥
What will the workshop contain?
All exercises will be fully clothed, your boundaries will be honoured at all times and intimacy will be emotional rather than particularly physical. We will use solo, partnered and group exercises; some verbal discussions, meditations, breath exercises, movement, . There will be two tea breaks and an hour's break for lunch (not provided).
Who is this workshop for?
All ages, genders, identities and orientations are welcome and encouraged. This is great workshop for both beginner and more experienced tantric explorers – there are always deeper levels we can go to. All you need is a curious nature, desire to discover beyond your current limitations and willingness to expand and grow.
Timings: Doors open at 10:30am for a prompt 10:50am start. Please ensure you arrive 15-30 minutes before to allow yourself time to remove outer layers, get a drink, use the bathroom and settle fully before we start. Please do not arrive late as it disrupts the group. We will finish by 6pm.
Bring: a notepad and pen, water bottle, lunch & warm socks
Wear: layered, comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. You will need to take your shoes off.
Lunch: There are several cafes near the venue to buy lunch or you are welcome to bring your own.
Tickets: https://buytickets.at/empoweredhealing/241198/r/foyht
Leave a Review


text:
We are not accepting applications for the Critical Home Repair program at this time. Please check back in the future.
The Critical Home Repair program helps low-income homeowners who are affected by age, disability or family circumstances and struggle to maintain the integrity of their homes. Through Critical Home Repair they are able to reclaim their homes with pride and dignity.
Habitat's work through the Critical Home Repair Program will include handicap accessibility modifications (wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and handrails), roof repair, minor floor repair, and other health and safety home repairs.
Critical Home Repair is NOT an emergency repair program. Habitat is not able to do major repairs such as foundation repair through the Critical Home Repair program.
Weatherization assists homeowners with repairs and renovations designed to improve their house's energy efficiency. Eligible repairs include, caulking windows and doors, installing door sweeps, window repair, etc.
We accept families/individuals for our Critical Home Repair Program based on the following criteria:
- Applicant must own the home and have been living there for at least 5 years.
- Applicant must have current full coverage homeowners insurance.
- Applicant must be current on all payments or have the home paid off.
- Household income must fall below 60% of the Average Median Family Income.
- Work requested must meet our repair guidelines.
- Applicant must be present during the duration of the repair work.
- Applicant must have a willingness to complete Sweat Equity.
Note: Some projects may have income based repayment.


text: Camera Card File Undeleter - Version 22.214.171.124 Have you lost your photos clicked in special moments? Here is the solution for your search. Best Camera Card File Undeleter to undelete deleted / lost photos, videos and movie files from camera cards. Using Camera Card File Undeleter software you can also easily restore RAW photo files from DSLR camera card. Camera Card File Undeleter software restores files even if the card is corrupted or formatted. This software supports both Windows powered PC and Mac OS. Bunch of reasons are there for losing your pictures from camera memory card. They are delete all, capturing pictures get corrupted when camera is running on low battery, accidentally formatting, while syncing memory card with computer, abrupt pulling of memory card from digital camera and continuous clicking of images when card memory is almost full etc. You can run this photo recovery tool to restore files from various types of digital camera memory card like SD card, xD card, memory stick, and CF card etc. Photo recovery professionals and industry experts recommended this tool as one of the best and dependable utility to restore lost photos from camera cards. Camera Card File Undeleter application is specialized recovery software natively designed to undelete lost image files from digital camera memory card. It pullout deleted or lost photos and videos from the memory card. As we provide demo version of this software, users can go through our recovery process before restoration, and then satisfied users can buy the full version. If you have any other query while using the product, you can contact our 24 * 7 free customer support team.