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TorchBook - 2005
The award-winning writer Cheryl Strayed creates from this shattering experience a novel that reviewers have called "an unforgettable read" and "a hauntingly beautiful story" that "shimmers with a humane grace." *
Infused with compassion and surprising humor, Torch takes a refreshingly unsentimental view of a family reeling from crisis. Claire drops out of college to devote herself to keeping her mother's memory alive back home. Joshua drifts out of high school and into trouble, keeping his grief silently private. Suddenly thrown into adulthood, they struggle to figure out how to connect in this new, unthinkable situation. Their one remaining ballast is Teresa's gentle common-law husband, Bruce. When Bruce announces news of his own plans, it comes as a shock not only to Claire and Joshua but also to the townspeople who have watched this unusual family grow and have come to love them.
Cheryl Strayed has a deep appreciation for the shifting rhythms between siblings and parents and for the beautiful terrors of learning how to keep living. The wonderful characters in Torch come alive and stay with you long after the novel ends.
*Library Journal; Kirkus Reviews; Publishers Weekly
Cheryl Strayed's award-winning stories and essays have appeared in more than a dozen magazines, including the New York Times Magazine, Allure, Self, The Sun, and Nerve. Widely anthologized, her work is featured in The Best New American Voices 2003 and has been selected twice for The Best American Essays. Raised in Minnesota, Strayed has worked as a political organizer for women's advocacy groups and was an outreach worker at a sexual violence center in Minneapolis. She holds an M.F.A. from the Syracuse University Graduate Creative Writing Program. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children.
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I found this book to be quite captivating. I enjoyed the character studies of all of the people in the book. It was at times disturbing and sad, at other times joyful and satisfying. I found it to be quite thought-provoking and I wished the characters well as I read. Once I got to the middle I ended up spending a rainy day reading it to the end.
In Cheryl Strayed's debut novel, cancer rocks the foundation of a Minnesota family. As a teenaged mother, Teresa Rae Wood fled her abusive husband and started a new life outside Duluth. Townspeople know her for her decency, her keen mind and her quirky radio program, "Modern Pioneers."
Teresa's family includes her daughter, Claire, a book-smart and emotive college senior; her son, Joshua, a sensitive and taciturn adolescent about to graduate from high school; and Bruce, her common-law husband and adoring soulmate. The tragic news of Teresa's diagnosis followed by her ultimate death shatters the family as each member takes a unique approach toward self-destruction. Bruce alienates himself from the community and latches on to the first single woman he can find. Joshua develops a drug habit, drops out of school and becomes a father. Claire has a sexual dalliance with a much older man and lets her studies slide.
If you've read Strayed's excellent new memoir, "Wild," "Torch" may seem repetitive because of its autobiographical nature. Nevertheless, Strayed has a gift of getting to the core of the human condition without artifice. She effectively taps into the psyche of midwestern America, and her evocative prose leaves an indelible mark. She has composed a hauntingly beautiful story written with tenderness and endowed with true insights into the frailty of relationships.
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Nigel Gacey is a man in a hurry. A successful armed robber and conman, he's given himself a year to create a brand new boy band from scratch. Boyz Unlimited tells the story of that year, the story of Nigel's dream. Forget girl power - the Boyz are back in town.
Having found his dream boys - Gareth (the fat one who writes the songs), Nicky (the cute one), Glaswegian Jason and middle-class Scott - manager Nigel sets about launching his new creation. But the world of teen stardom is rarely without its problems.
Add this show to your queue to receive more information about
Boyz Unlimited and we will let you know when it becomes available.

subset: commoncrawl


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book series by author Diana Gabaldon.)
Richard's co-star, Graham McTotallyAwesome,
Tobias Menzies, who plays both Frank and Black Jack Randall.
Outlander obsessed here too! LOVE the audiobooks - I had just re-acquainted myself with Tobias this summer in The Honourable Woman on BBC or Sundance Channel in the US (he played a charming bodyguard) It was a happy surprise to see him again in Outlander. I hadn't seen all the promos and trailers but have seen caught up and then some :) He's fantastic as Black Jack Randall but many fans aren't too pleased with all the Frankwank by Starz ;)
I'm new to the books only started reading after the 3rd episode aired, not counting two false starts before the show aired, I didn't take to Diana's writing style naturally. I'm hooked now though
Oh as for Graham pkaying Dougal - one word : CORN :)
Okay, what is the corn thing? :) Great post, Nat!
Hey Jazz you must have seen some reference on Graham's Twitter? Check his photos it's a whole meme thing and remember me mentioning that Ewan MacColl song The Maed Gaes to the Mill anyway Grinding Corn has a double meaning *cough* Dougal wants to have Claire - you gotta see Outlander if only for all the memes that have come out of it ;)
Fanny! We are now besties like Richard & Graham. ;) But yes... CORN. "I'd like nothing more than to grind yer corn." Say whaaaa? The memes! Twitter is the happenin' place right after an Outlander episode has aired. April can't come soon enough!!!
Amazing blog and very interesting stuff you got here! I definitely learned a lot from reading through some of your earlier posts as well and decided to drop a comment on this one!


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Ambrose Bierce and the Queen of Spades
It's the 1880s in San Francisco. Railroads have been built, fortunes have been made, names have been changed to protect the guilty. The political machine runs with nary a snag and the Chinese have been let loose to make the city across the sea their business. Nob Hill already has an "S"on the front of it and the area around Union Square is red-light. Young Tom Redmond joins us from the offices of The Hornet, a weekly magazine edited by the "best—dressed journalist in San Francisco."—Ambrose Bierce.
The novel opens with the gruesome slashing of a prostitute, an ace of spades found stuffed in her mouth. Redmond is sent to the morgue, and so begins his investigation of crime and politics, crime and history, crime and family. A second slashing follows closely on the first, and the playing-card tokens cause hysteria in the female hearts of that oldest profession. The tonier feminine hearts are also set aflutter when the suspect's name is published, for he is one of their own.
Hall is an old pro with the pen, having published 15 novels and six mysteries. He was director of the Graduate Programs in Writing at University of California, Irvine, for 20 years and this year he was presented with the PEN Center West Award of Honor. His novel, Warlock, an historical western, has been in print since it was published in 1958.
This latest work is also historical in nature. Journalist Ambrose Bierce, most famous for his wicked, witty book, The Devil's Dictionary, was actually living in San Francisco during the described time. Hall twists his story through historical fact and face: Ina Coolbrith, Leland Standford, Lillie Coit, Charles Crocker and Mammy Pleasant all play a part in the reality of this fiction. The political and industrial past of the area also cleverly becomes important to the story. Hall's writing is clean and no-frills, like that of young Redmond's mentor, Ambrose Bierce, who often delivers ultimatums on sense and syntax to the fledgling reporter. For those who enjoy the blockbuster East Coast historical thrillers, this is its western sister. Romance, history, atmosphere and sleuthing—it's all here.
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the author for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.


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Once again, have you ever started a recipe and then realize you actually have double the ingredients? This happened to me yesterday, too. I had bought a bag of frozen veggies, but then I realized I have fresh carrots, snap peas, corn, and celery. Why cook up some 'ol frozen veggies if I have some fresh ones on hand? It only took around 7 minutes to steam them up, and they tasted just wonderful. Maybe I'll save the frozen veggies for the man child's finger food.
These Mini Chicken Pot Pie Cups were so comforting, and absolutely flavorful. As you may know, I'm a huge fan of "cup" dinners: Petite Lasagna, Cowboy Cups, and Pizza Muffins. These are an excellent edition to the list.
Originally, I thought this recipe would be a simple, quick meal for a Sunday afternoon. However, I ended up taking a few back roads. I'm sure this is a quick fix if you use frozen veggies, canned Cream of Chicken, use pre-cooked packaged chicken and have Herbs De Provence. Whatever works for you, man. I think it worked out well the long way, and the little extra time in the kitchen was more than worth it.
1 (14.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (my homemade recipe here)
1 cup fresh mixed veggies (or you could use frozen. Fresh is best)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbs Herbs De Provence (here's Emerl's version, if you need a recipe)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic salt
2 (10 oz) cans Pillsbury biscuits (we used the jumbo biscuits - they made about 16 cups)
Preheat your oven to 400.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, frozen veggies, cheese, herbs and spices.
Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place the Pillsbury biscuits into each cup, pressing into the bottom and up the sides.
Evenly spoon the pot pie mixture into each biscuit cup. Slide into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Check at the 12 minute mark.
Let rest for about 3 minutes, then enjoy!


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The Best of Delaware 2009
From crab cakes and cheesesteaks to prime rib and clam bakes, little Delaware is packed with great places to eat and terrific places to shop. Here's the cream of the crop.
by Matt Amis, Maria Hess, Drew Ostroski, a host of guest critics (click on page 52 to meet them) and, of course, you
(page 133 of 164)
Best Afternoon Drive Deejay
Readers, upstate: Catey Hill of WJBR 99.5 FM, Wilmington
Readers, downstate: (tie) Joe Allen of WAFL 97.7 FM, Milford; Bill Baker of WOCQ 103.9 FM, Georgetown


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Police to Conduct Motorcycle Safety Operations This Weekend
2014-08-15 · By Editor
The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on August 16 and August 17, 2014, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will look for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will crack down on those who are operating regular vehicles or motorcycles who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns or any other dangerous violation.
Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37% from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 23% by 2012. Operations like this are aimed at curbing increases in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers downward.
In Long Beach, there were 295 motorcyclists injured and 19 motorcycle fatalities during a three-year period from January 2011 to December 2013.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Long Beach Police Department reminds all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes. Drivers should be aware that motorcycle lane splitting is not illegal if done in a safe and prudent manner.
Riders may obtain training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely "sharing the road."


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Once they decide where they want to go, travelers want to know what they can do when they get there, relying on the Internet and a sense of exploration to serve their needs.
However, new and emerging websites and smartphone applications are popping up all the time, many of them delivering information that's local, socially curated and—in some cases—highly personalized. And they require little if any extra work from you!
Pointing your guest towards resources like these can help make their travel research much easier.
On the MyVR blog, we've talked a lot about the value of local guides for vacation rentals and the fact that, even in our increasingly digital world, providing a printed version is a good idea. Jauntful is a new service—currently in preview mode—that pulls these two ideas together.
Through the Jauntful website, you create a list of your favorite attractions and restaurants. These are added to an interactive map of your community, which is not only easy to share online but also to print in a very clean and foldable format.
Jetpac City Guide
You can learn a lot from an image—including, apparently, what the local hot spots might be. Jetpac scans and filters images and locations on photo-sharing service Instagram to assess factors like which spots have the best views, where business travelers like to go, or the perfect haunts for foodies and wine lovers.
How does it curate this information without asking people to answer a single question? Jetpac analysis photos for visual clues like shades of lipstick, the white of smiling teeth, or blue sky; they recently used their filters to reveal Belfast as the happiest city in the UK. Accuracy, presumably, depends on the type of people posting photos to Instagram in a particular area. You can judge for yourself by checking out their top travel collections on Pinterest.
Billing itself as "one travel guide for the whole world", Triposo is a smartphone app that provide ideas on the go. It uses a wide variety of data points, from photos to Wikipedia to scanning for keyword frequency in travel articles, to deliver recommendations that are tailored to a person's current location, time and weather in addition to their personal preferences.
Will it work in your area? It's not available everywhere, but they do have fairly broad coverage—at least by state if not specific location. The application is free for iOS or android phones, so the easiest way to test it is to install it yourself and take a tour.
If the curated guides and personalized information from the above sources isn't enough, Vayable offers another option: it connects travelers with locals who are willing to offer themselves up as tour guides.
As you might expect, Vayable tours are largely focused in cities at the moment, but it's an interesting concept that's spreading
Other sites, like Couchsurfing, have played a similar matchmaking role in the past, but Vayable has a slight twist. Local tour guides are vetted, with interviews, background checks and references reviews before their suggested tours are made available.
Tours also come with a fee of $20-70 per tour; Vayable "charges the traveler a 3% fee and charges the tour guide a 15% fee."
Travelers are looking for a local experience; that's one of the factors that draws them to vacation rentals in the first place. Emerging complementary services like Jauntful, Jetpac, Triposo and Vayable make it easier for you to help your guests shape a vacation that's truly "living like the locals."
Do you point your guests toward any particular travel applications to use during their stay? Share your favorites in the comments below.


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The Qmadix Xpression Cover is available for just $17.00, 51% off today only. Backed by our 60-day return policy and fast shipping.


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Yet another band reforms for Coachella
...Crowded House.
A lot of people found this band a bit AOR. They were wrong. I have a MASSIVE soft spot for them.
Well, who's replacing
Paul Hester? R.I.P.
Good question...
...but the one time I saw them live, he had left the band anyway, so it's not like there isn't a precedent for playing without him.
I gather they'll be auditioning.
oh my god
this is ace news, no?


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GENEVA (Reuters) - Syrian government and opposition delegations met briefly in the presence of international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi at the United Nations on Saturday, their first session of talks aimed at launching political negotiations to end Syria's civil war.
"The first session has ended - Brahimi spoke for 30 minutes and none of the delegates said anything," opposition delegate Anas al-Abdah told reporters after the meeting.
The two sides entered and left the room through separate doors, Abdah added, and were due to meet again at 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) for talks on humanitarian issues.
He said Brahimi told them the first two days of the talks will focus on negotiations to lift sieges of civilians including in the central city of Homs, local ceasefires and humanitarian access, but the core of the negotiations should be about resolving the three-year conflict.
"He (Brahimi) told us this is a political conference ... based on Geneva 1," Abdah said, referring to a June 2012 communiqué which called for the establishment of a transitional governing body in Syria.
Reporting by Mariam Karouny; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Janet Lawrence


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Last 2005, I bought my Myrtillocactus geometrizans from Rose, a dealer of cacti and succulents. Initially, the plant had lots of erect stems with hazy blue patches. Hence, its common name Blue Candle, Blue Myrtle Cactus,or Whortleberry Cactus. When I repotted it in a sandy-loam soil, the cactus later on grew into a shrub about 3 feet tall. Its columnar stems have reddish-radial spines and a black central spine along its 5 ribs (some stems have six ribs). Also, some stems mutated into a cristate form.
In the photo above, I planted several erect side shoots of the Blue Candle in a small pot. One of the blue stems had an abnormal growth which added an interesting touch to this plant piece. I intended to put this potted cactus on a table so I added some small stones and a red coral for finishing touches.
Another variety of my Myrtillocactus geometrizans came from my plant buddy Baby Yu of Baroy, Lanao del Norte. The mother plant of this specimen has stems with four ribs; I don't know what environmental factors in my garden affected it to produce stems with five ribs. Anyway, the single stem in the photo above is about 20 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. White markings are present on each side of this variety.


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The sexual health clinic at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital tried out a text messaging service for the test results of sexual health screens, including Chlamydia, for six months.
This was done on the grounds that many of its patients owned a mobile phone and that text messaging was a familiar activity. Around 500 billion text messages are sent in the UK every year.
In the final month of the study, over a third of all test results were provided by text, but no personal identifying information or diagnoses were sent in these messages.
In all, 932 text messages were sent to patients who had taken a test for Chlamydia. Most of the texts read: "All your results are negative."
But in 122 texts, the recipient was asked to ring the clinic, and in 49, s/he was asked to return to the clinic. Of these, 28 had untreated Chlamydia infection.
The average number of days before the patient received the diagnosis was just under 8 for the text messaging service compared with more than 11 for standard practicereceiving the results in person or over the phone.
Time to treatment was also significantly shorter, with the text group averaging 8.5 days compared with 15 days for the standard practice group.
The clinic had previously found that providing the results of sexual health screens to patients took up 120 hours a month. The text messaging service saved 46 hours of staff time and 609 in costs.
The authors conclude that a text messaging service minimises the risks of "missed results," and is often a more acceptable option for patients, not all of whom have access to a landline.
Contact: Emma Dickinson
BMJ Specialty Journals


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Football: Race for final 17-5A berths wide open
With three week remaining in the regular season, it's getting to be "must win" time for a number of football teams, and Cy Woods put a big one in the books last week.
The Wildcats, under the direction of new coach Trent Faith, pulled out a 40-37 overtime victory over Cy Ranch on Oct. 20 at Pridgeon Stadium, and for now, it keeps Cy Woods' postseason hopes going.
"It was huge," Faith said. "If we have any chance to advance, we really need to win out, and that was what the players were facing against a very good Cy Ranch team, and they held it together and really came through."
Cy Woods (3-4, 3-3 District 17-5A) is among the eight district teams with a legitimate shot at the playoffs, and all eight are within three games of each other with Langham Creek (5-2, 5-1) and Cy Falls (6-1, 5-1) in the lead.
The loss dropped Cy Ranch (4-3, 4-2) into a third-place deadlock with Cy-Fair (5-2, 4-2), and three teams – Cy Woods, Cy Ridge (3-4, 3-3) and Cy Creek (4-3, 3-3) – are a game away from the top four.
And even Jersey Village (3-4, 2-4) is within two of fourth place, so the race is far from over.
"It's really wild and anything can still happen" Faith said, "and we have three opponents left who are all fighting to advance."
Cy Woods meets Cy Falls at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Pridgeon, and then has Cy Creek (Nov. 2 at Pridgeon) and Jersey Village (Nov. 10 at Pridgeon).
"Those are three big challenges, but then again, it's always a challenge when it comes to 17-5A week in and week out," Faith said. "We had a lot of players come through and it was a true team win against Cy Ranch and that's the kind of effort we'll have to have the rest of the way."
Junior kicker-punter Chase McLaughlin sent the game to overtime with a 42-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation, and after Cy Ranch missed a field goal in overtime, McLaughlin nailed a 27-yarder for the game-winner.
Junior starting quarterback Mason Roberts had an 88-yard touchdown run in the first half, and sophomore signal caller Nick Hooper took over after halftime and threw for 140 yards and a score.
Senior running back Trent Holmes finished with 148 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts, and also had four receptions for 96 yards and another score for the Wildcats.
"It was a total team effort with running backs Samuel Stewart (a junior), Egbezien Obiomon (senior) and Trent Holmes all contributing behind a line that's anchored by (senior center) Jordan Woodard," Faith said, "and on the other side of the ball, our senior defensive line trio of Marquise White, Stephen Thompson and Jordan Jones are mainstays and a big strength for us."
This week's other key matchups have Cy-Fair against Cy Ranch at 7 p.m. Friday at the Berry Center, and Cy Ridge battling Jersey Village at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Pridgeon, but Faith and Cy Woods are not scoreboard watching or point counting.
"The bottom line is winning and let everything else and everybody else take care of themselves," Faith said. "Of course, if there is a points situation coming down to the last game that comes into play, you have to address it, but right now, it's just win-win-win and see where we stand."
L. Scott Hainline is a freelance writer and can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
More Information
District 17-5A
Season Dist.
Cy Falls 6 1 5 1
Langham Creek 5 2 5 1
Cy-Fair 5 2 4 2
Cy Ranch 4 3 4 2
Cy Creek 4 3 3 3
Cy Ridge 3 4 3 3
Cy Woods 3 4 3 3
Jersey Village 3 4 2 4
Cy Springs 1 6 1 5
Cy Lakes 0 7 0 6
Thursday's games
Langham Creek vs. Cy Springs, Berry, 7 p.m.
Friday's games
Cy-Fair vs. Cy Ranch, Berry, 7 p.m.
Cy Woods vs. Cy Falls, Pridgeon, 7 p.m.
Saturday's games
Cy Ridge vs. Jersey Village, Pridgeon, 1 p.m.
Cy Lakes vs. Cy Creek, Pridgeon, 7 p.m.


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Train Trouville → Paris
Duration 2h57 - From NT$1,360
Trouville - ParisThe average travel time between Trouville and Paris is 2h57 minutes. The quickest route is 2h57 minutes. The first train leaving Trouville is at 07:00, the last at . There is an average of 0 trains a day between Trouville and Paris, leaving approximately every -1J 12h minutes.
- Arrival station : Paris st lazare (13, Rue d'Amsterdam 75008 Paris)
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European experts
Trouville, the charming neighbour of Deauville. Trouville-sur-mer is a French city located in the department Calvados in Basse-Normandie. Facing the world-known city of Deauville, it is filled with about 4800 inhabitants. Little fishing port in the Middle-Ages, Trouville has become a touristic destination of Normandy. Learn more about Trouville
Paris, the iconic capital of France
Paris, the capital of France. One of the world's greatest cities, Paris! The capital of France is also known as the City of Light. This enchanting city, at the crossroads of cultures, is the capital of fashion and home to world highlights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Avenue des Champs Elysées, to name but a few. In terms of architectural beauty, art history, events, gastronomy and sheer extravagance, Paris is a milestone ahead of any other city on earth. Paris has one of the world's most extensive public transport systems. You can take a taxi if you are not much of an adventurer, but that would be a pity! Metro (subway or underground), buses and city bicycles are much more fun and are very easy to use, even for beginners. Learn more about Paris
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Every marketing channel matters, but they serve different purposes. Some are ideal for customer retention, while others excel at amplifying your signal for lead awareness. Your most valuable marketing real estate might be on those channels that are proven lead generation engines. Lead gen is a critical part of your sales and marketing program, so gaining a better understanding of which channels produce the greatest return on your marketing investments is vital.
In Ascend2's 2016 report on the state of lead generation, researchers asked marketing professionals about their most effective digital lead generation channels. These were the channels that produced not only the largest number of leads, but also the highest quality leads. It's important to note, though, that every marketplace is different; what works for other B2B organizations is likely to work for you, but working with a lead gen team that can help you understand your specific needs is the best way to discover your best lead generation strategy.
Email Marketing
It shouldn't come as a surprise that email marketing consistently earned high marks from marketers as a lead gen channel. Its reach, cost-effectiveness, and utility as a data-gathering tool as well as an information outlet make it the top lead generation choice for the majority of B2B businesses. Respondents also ranked it as the most accessible lead gen channel, scoring it as simpler to implement than SEO, SEM, and social media, among others. That ease of entry makes email a must for start-ups and smaller businesses, while its success rate keeps it a priority for larger corporations.
Chances are, you're already using email as a key component of your lead gen strategy, but it's worth looking at whether you're optimized for it. Does your email marketing address:
- Customization and personalization?
- Demographic, firmographic, and behavioral data?
- All phases of the lead lifecycle?
- Differentiating influencers from initial contacts?
Content Marketing
Content creation drives lead generation, respondents said, ranking their content marketing efforts as second only to email for its effectiveness as a lead gen tool. A sound content strategy allows leads to self-sort, showing marketers at a glance where their leads are most sales-ready and where they need more nurturing to develop. Content includes everything from your top-of-funnel blog posts to the white papers and case studies that influence knowledgeable leads who have already completed most of their buying journey. Here's what to aim for when prioritizing lead generation in your content marketing activities:
- Differentiate your content streams so leads at every phase find relevant knowledge
- Repurpose your content for different phases of the buying journey, allowing leads to dig deeper with each new level of interest
- Use gated content to collect information from leads
- Turn gathered data into insights not only about the leads you have now, but also the leads you hope to generate later
Social Media Marketing
Five years ago, social media might not have made the list for B2B organizations as a lead gen channel. Its applications for consumer-oriented retail sales are obvious, while its power for B2B lead gen has taken longer to develop – but develop it has, according to respondents. The strength of social media lies in its speed; through it, you can instantly impart new information to leads, learn more about what they want, and see how referrals propagate.
- Peer-to-peer influence is increasingly important and marks a shift from top-down marketing strategies
- Social sharing amplifies the effectiveness of other lead gen channels, making it an important force multiplier for everything else you do
© Reach Marketing LLC 2016 All Rights Reserved.


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Digital Self-Promotion: an example of doing it right
by Jess Albertine
We've been talking a lot lately about how to promote your music online. Here is an example of someone who, in my opinion, is doing it right. Jaime Ibarra is a flamenco guitarist and photographer. He's a member of the online art community deviantArt, and has quite a following as a photographer with almost 1.5 million pageviews over 5 years. Recently he posted a journal entry discussing his work on an upcoming album. Here is what he had to say:
I have always (even today) considered myself to be a better musician, than a photographer. Many people do not know...for the past 7 years, I've been working on my newest CD, tentatively titled, "The Virru Project".
By "trade", I am a Flamenco guitarist...but for this project, I really wanted to collaborate with some of my musical heroes from around the planet. The biggest challenge was actually getting in contact with those I wanted to invite into the project. Not an easy task, as most of them have attained (what I call) "untouchable" fame status. I spent over a year, just lining up the talent I wanted to bring in. Once that happened, things began to gain momentum, but it did not truly reach full-speed until about 3 years into it.
As-of-now, the project has 13 musicians (not counting myself), each of whom I consider to be ambassadors of their respective musical genres, spread-out amongst 9 countries. Among them, 7 of my favourite female voices on this earth. To work directly with musicians who have been absolute idols of mine for years is ineffable...there are literally no words to describe what a thrill this has been.
And while the production of this project has been wonderful experience, it has also been a logistical nightmare to coordinate. Lots of waiting for windows of opportunity to open up, and the constant hope that I have the money needed to take advantage of that window.
[Photo: Stefan Brisland-Ferner (Sweden), Jaime Ibarra (USA), and Zach Page (USA)]
Most of the money spent on this project went to buying airline tickets...either to fly the musicians to the US, or fly myself to wherever I need to go record.
It has been a labour of love & perseverance, and some incredible sacrifices have been made (by myself and the other musicians) in the interest of completing this project...but it finally looks like the end of the tunnel is in sight. The CD will be released in the first quarter of 2012. I will announce more, as it gets closer to the release date.
If you would like to listen to a demo, featuring clips from 5 songs from the project, you may do so here: [link]
As always, my thanks to all of you
Here's what I think is so good about this post.
Congratulations on your album, Jaime! I look forward to hearing it.


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For Immediate Release
Nathan Fuller, 516-578-2628
Icelandic Leader Supporting Bradley Manning in the U.S.
WASHINGTON - Hundreds gathered in Judson Memorial Church in New York City to hear Icelandic parliamentarian Birgitta Jonsdottir, who worked with WikiLeaks to produce the 'Collateral Murder' video in 2010, discuss the trial and persecution of Army private Bradley Manning. Manning passed the video, which shows U.S. Apache gunners shooting unarmed journalists and civilians in Iraq, to WikiLeaks in 2010 hoping to expose criminal activity and to make Americans more aware of their government's abuses abroad.
Jonsdottir joined a panel, along with FireDogLake's Kevin Gosztola, independent journalist Alexa O'Brien, and media critic Peter Hart, for a discussion moderated by Sam Seder. They recounted Manning's legal proceedings and his detention exceeding 1,000 days without trial, including nearly a year of solitary confinement and several mornings of forced nudity -- conditions the U.N. torture chief called "cruel, degrading, and inhuman."
In attendance were musicians Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground and Laurie Anderson, documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney, investigative journalist Greg Palast, and about 300 others.
Before the panel discussion, attendees viewed the Collateral Murder video, Laura Poitras's short documentary about the video and Manning's description of it, and they viewed and purchased photo stills from the video. They also bid on artist Molly Crabapple's portraits of Bradley Manning. Proceeds went to the Bradley Manning Defense Fund, which covers 100% of Manning's legal costs and is funded by grassroots donations around the world.
Bradley Manning recently took responsibility for releasing hundreds of thousands of documents to WikiLeaks as an act of conscience, in a guilty plea of 10 lesser offenses which would amount to up to 20 years in prison. However, the government is pursuing all 22 of its original counts against Manning, including "aiding the enemy," which would carry a life sentence without parole. Manning's trial is scheduled to start June 3, 2013, at Fort Meade, Maryland. He returns to court this week for a pretrial hearing, from April 10-12.
View the recorded panel discussion here, along with more information about the event and the Collateral Murder video itself: http://www.bradleymanning.org/news/pentagon-papers-whistleblower-daniel-ellsberg-invites-you-to-a-bradley-manning-event
This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.
Because of people like you, another world is possible. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't want advertising dollars. We want the world to be a better place. But we can't do it alone. It doesn't work that way. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do.


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So, it's that time of year again. In what has strangely become a yearly tradition (for the last two anyway) Dude is going to be gone for a month with his mother in Kansas City. In what has also become a yearly tradition, everyone here has to put up with me moping around for days before he even leaves.
David, on the other hand, was incredibly excited... to fly in an airplane, if nothing else. He's been babbling for the last week all about it to anyone who'll listen. It's sometimes difficult that Dave doesn't understand emotional things. He was babbling the other day on the way home from school about his trip 'tomorrow' all the time I'm trying to get a word in edgewise about how he wasn't leaving until Tuesday and then I did something that was doomed to turn out bad. I asked him if he would like it when I picked him up and brought him home. 'Noooo!,' he said. I'm pretty sure he just didn't understand the question, but it still hurt my feelings a bit. After I explained about how he'd be at his mom's for 4 weeks and then I'd come get him he seemed to come around to the plan, but I still moped about it a bit. (OK, more than a bit, but unobtrusively I'm sure) Dave, like most autistic children doesn't understand emotions. His or anyone elses. I don't mean to sound maudlin, but even a veteran (like me) can get caught feeling bad about something that Dave never intended, or even understood.
A couple of days later I was out walking the trail when Raine texted me that Dude had told her that he wanted me to pick him up at his moms in a couple of weeks and bring him home. Even knowing what I know about Dude not understanding the situation and also knowing that it was almost certainly prompted by Raine, that simple statement made me feel a lot better about the situation (and also raised warm and fuzzy thoughts about Raine)
I don't think I give Raine enough props (here or anywhere else) she's managed for most of the last ten years to adapt to Dude's world view and support me in ways that I'm not even sure I understand. What I do understand is this: When Dave leaves I .... well, I get kind of off center. She's been very indulgent of my semi-psychotic restless episodes, and even more than usually sensitive to my emotions. She's even voluntarilly left the Cave of Safety to be with me out in the Sun Scarred Waste Spaces... you know, outdoors. She didn't even get out the straightjacket once while I was trying to book David and my return tickets in adjoining seats online. Something that seemingly requires much yelling and a certain amount of cursing in at least 4 different languages. I'm sure what finally turned the trick was when I reached for my hockey stick and threatened to climb into the internet and take care of things personally.
He plays his games
to play his games
not for heroes
fortune or fame
He never loses,
He's not trying to win
Just sets them up, to play again.
Saving damsels is not his style
He's just content, to play a while
No good or evil, not friend or foe.
The last high score? He'll never know
Win or lose, it's all the same.
'Cause after all, it's just a game.


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Welcome to the world of oval shaped faces. Today we would like to share with you this season hairstyles which perfectly suit oval shaped face women and girls. First of all you may congratulate yourself, as you have the most versatile face shape which can wear almost any haircut, starting from long, medium to short, as well as any styling, starting from wavy, curly, straight and messy. Next step is to try on different experiments that will make changes to your overall appearance: be a hippie, boho chic, urban, punk rock, vintage or It-girl. Start from the look which will highlight your cheekbones, chin or lips. How about wearing long layers that will hit chin or cheekbones? Anyway, keep your nose up and choose the best look from the showcased samples.
Modern preppy look
funky look is perfect shape.
Pixie looks amazing. Don't be afraid to go short.
Go for a shoulder-length or chin-length style.
Wavy style is meant for you.


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Homo Mysterious
Evolutionary Puzzles of Human Nature by David P. Barash
Through an evolutionary lens, this book explores proposals — probable and improbable — that seek to explain the mysteries of human biology and behavior. Looking at questions such as what adaptive advantages, if any, human ancestors might have gotten out of developing the mental capacities for art, Barash provides no pat answers. Instead, he delights in all that remains unknown and unexplained.
Among the most interesting questions is why women's ovulation is concealed not only to potential partners but also to women themselves. Barash describes one theory that posits hidden ovulation could give women more control over choosing a partner and when to mate. Other biological "puzzles" explored include breasts, female orgasm and homosexuality.
Barash, an evolutionary psychologist and biologist, then delves into how the human urges to


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Writer | Author Page
Recently By Adam Lowry, Sean Moran, Mike Herrick, Lisa Orr, Todd Johnson, Christine Ciandrini, Ashish Warty, Nick Adlard, Mele Sax-Barnett, Niall Kelly, Graham Forest, and Gavin McQuillan
How Urban Airship Scaled To 2.5 Billion Notifications During The U.S. Election
See how we scaled to 2.5 billion mobile notifications during the U.S. election. (Yes, that's billion. With a b.)


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Discussion (7) ¬
[ Comments RSS ]
When I was a kid my mother made a sauerkraut chocolate cake. You'd never know there was sauerkraut in it; it was good.
(The recipe came from a sauerkraut recipe flyer or similar.)
I WISH I had never heard of a sauerkraut chocolate cake.
But then I came here and read the comments…
In color he's kind of got a Shatner thing going on in this comic.
Hey Mr. Joel, I'm a bit new to the series and I don't want to sound like a pain or anything but in the 4th panel, the first speech ballon of Charlie has "wierd" rather than "weird"… I thought you might want to check it out…
Other than that I must congratulate you for a wonderful comic you have created!
If you're wondering about the name I'm Portuguese… Yup. That's right, you have portuguese fans now!


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The online Global MBA programme is a fully flexible postgraduate degree that allows you to build a study schedule around your commitments. Offered in partnership with the London School of Business and Finance and awarded by Concordia University St. Paul, this MBA offers a globally recognised degree. InterActive's innovative online learning platform lets you benefit from a first-class educational experience, wherever you are in the world.
To be considered for the following Online Global MBA programme you must meet the following requirements:
• Undergraduate degree (2:2 minimum) or equivalent
• Where English is not a first language, and the Student has not completed their undergraduate degree in English, the following proof of English language proficiency is required: a. TOEFL-IBT score of 78 or
b. TOEFL PBT score of 547; or
c. IELTS overall band score of 6 or higher; or
d. Michigan Test equated score of 80 or better.
List of documents required on registration:
1. Completed application form
2. Statement of Goals
3. Authentic copies of your qualifications, certificates and complete transcripts for all years of studies
4. A copy of your passport
5. An English copy of your CV/résumé
6. Proof of English proficiency
7. A typed personal statement that answers the questions listed below. Completed statements should be labelled with the Student's name, academic program, and their contact information, and be submitted via mail, email or fax.
Each question should be answered in a minimum of 300 words (1 page):
a. Why are you choosing to pursue a graduate program at this time in your career, and what are you hoping to accomplish by doing so?
b. What strengths do you feel make you a strong candidate for the graduate program?
c. Describe a past or present personal/professional experience that you believe positively influenced your potential to succeed in a graduate program.


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New customer? Start here.
Finding the right luxury accessory can help any individual of elevated taste raise their style game to new heights. When looking for the best in value and incomparable elegance from the top designers in the world of luxury, Gray & Sons Jewelers is the top destination for pre-owned jewelry and watches of the highest standards.
We are honored to be your source for a diverse selection of only the finest used jewelry and watches to add to your carefully cultivated personal collection of accessories. Since our team consists of Swiss-trained watch professionals with decades of experience, rest assured every selection has been carefully certified and cared for to create a beautiful accessory as close as possible to the condition it was in the day it was first created. We offer some of the most distinguished names on the market, such as Rolex, Cartier, Harry Winston, BVLGARI, and more, to ensure every option meets the most exacting of standards in terms of both physical appeal and functional elements. With our selection of used watches for sale, finding the right option for your needs has never been easier. Choose with confidence knowing every option has been expertly verified and certified and is covered by our exclusive in-house warranty. If you have any issues or concerns with one of the luxury timepieces we offer, our skilled watch experts stand behind each and every watch we sell. In addition to our luxury watches, you will also find an array of beautiful jewelry from the most esteemed designers on the scene. Whether looking for a stunning pair of classic earrings or a cutting-edge necklace perfect as a statement piece for your next black-tie event, our selection of fine jewelry has something sure to excite your tastes and meet your every need.
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I've been playing with yet another Google invention, unveiled only last week, called Google Base. Still in beta and under pretty heavy development, Google Base has the opportunity to become a bigger deal than Google Maps, Google Mail, Google News, Froogle, or any of the other Google tools that I continously (and largely unconsciously) use.
What is Google Base? Well, at its essence, it is only a list of things, each with their own sets of attributes, that I control. For the geeks in the house, it is a simple web-based database, configurable and managed via your Google account, using only a web browser. That, in and of itself, is not very exciting; lots of products allow individuals to keep collections of data objects in a manner that is useful to them. What Google Base does beyond this is what makes it so special and gives it the potential to have a huge impact on the way we find information on the Internet.
For one, it is incredibly easy to use. Historically, databases have required some technical skills to design and implement, not to mention resources to put into place so that they are useful to the people that need to store data in them and then use that data in a number of different ways. Google Base allows anyone, anywhere, to create relatively-complex and useful data structures, all without even knowing what they are doing. Are you looking to store recipes? Any grandmother than can get her own email can create a recipe list on Google Base with about as much effort to replying to an email. She gets the benefit of having her recipe anywhere, accessable with a web browser, and the world gets the benefit of knowing her recipe and having it come up as relevant search results in Google.
Most databases are comprised of tables, each comprised of columns and rows, and the tables are linked together in relational schemas that provide for complex queries to retrieve exact sub-sets of the data, useful in a variety of different ways. Amazingly, Google Base offers much the same thing. However, you won't find instructions in Google Base for setting up tables or providing column datatype or how to create your SQL statements to get the data out of the database. Rather, while you are entering information about the thing, you also enter the attributes about the thing, all done on-the-fly, while you are creating the record. On its face, this violates some of the core concepts of traditional databasing, which requires that you plan ahead of time for how you will store everything, so that you don't add attributes that are not relevant to the majority of the objects you wish to describe. Google Base turns this idea on its head, pushing you to just get the data in there, under the idea that we can make sense of it later, but it has to be in there to be useful to anyone. I expect Google to release an API (application program interface) soon to help application makers make it even easier to help people store their data in Google Base.
In a way, they already have. Google Base accepts flat-file, RSS (1 and 2), and Atom data feeds. This allows anyone that already has a database, as well as some basic skills about how to get data in and out of it, the ability to easily send their data for inclusion to Google Base, complete with links to the content where it actually lives on the web. This is a big deal, because it underscores exactly while Google has been so successful: they are interested in building value for everyone in what they do, and they understand that money is not the only currency.
For example, I run a little website called Terrascend, where anyone can list farms, land, hunting property, or just about any rural property for sale, anywhere in the world. I allows people to easily submit basic facts about their property, as well as photos and maps, in the hope that they will be able to reach a potential buyer. I sell some basic services to folks that want to allow their Terrascend listings to appear together on their own website, but Terrascend is basically a good free service, something I enjoy doing and can learn from. Since I started Terrascend in late-2001, I haven't had any trouble getting people that know about the site to use it. The problem has been in letting people know what it is and that it is available for free, no strings attached. For a while, I played around with Google Ad Words and got Terrascend to show up in search results for keywords like "hunting land" and "farm for sale." However, this quickly became too expensive to do, particularly for a site that isn't designed to generate a lot of revenue. I've been wishing for years that there was a way to let people know about Terrascend and what it can do without paying for placement with search engines. And, now, thanks to Google Base, it is now becoming possible.
From Google's perspective, they just want to get something out of the arrangement. That something might be money, as they get if you use Ad Words or their other sponsored link programs. But there is something else that is almost as valuable to them (and will help them make even more money): relevancy. Google realizes that people use its various services because the information provided is truly relevant to them and what they want. Next to having someone pay actual money to put a link to their site via keywords, Google wants actual useful data (not just links to useful data) to be returned to people using their search and other services. The more relevant the data returned, the more these people will be inclined to use Google again the next time they need to find something.
In other words, Google has allowed me the option of giving it not just money but relevant data in order to get the word out about the service I offer. As long as I offer more relevant data about what people want to find, Google will show my data in its search results and people can click through to the actual information that I want them to see. If I don't offer relevant data, then I don't get any benefit out of it because people don't find it (and it doesn't cost Google anything, since they don't generate the data – I do).
There has been a lot of talk about alternate value systems on the Internet over the past decade. I think that we are on the cusp of a real one, and the conduit through which it flows is Google Base. I would be surprised if Yahoo and Microsoft aren't hard at work copying this right now.


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We have reservations at Tra Vigne for dinner on Valentine's Day. I've never been but have read all the past posts on it. This place seems to be loved or hated by people on this board. Not many in betweens.
Any recommendations on what to order? I know the short ribs have been praised at least twice and they sound delicious. What are the hits and misses?
Also, a question about the dress. Since it's Valentine's, I'd like for us to dress up - me in a dress and him in a jacket and tie. Will we be overdressed? I've noticed that nice restaurants are getting more and more casual and there are very few places to get all dolled up these days.
I'd appreciate hearing any advice that people have out there. Except maybe the ones that tell me I'm wasting my time or money by going to Tra Vigne. :) The reservations are set and we're going!


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The nucleus of an atom is the region found in the center of the atom. It consists of the protons and neutrons. The nucleus makes up the majority of an atom's mass; the other part making up the atom's mass is the outer electron clouds surrounding the nucleus.
The nucleus was discovered in 1911 by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden, under the guidance of Ernest Rutherford. The study of the atomic nucleus is called nuclear physics. This branch of physics covers the composition and forces that bind the atom together. The word nucleus is derived from the Latin word "nucleus," which refers to the kernel found inside a fruit.


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Rugby PTTC has had a string of excellent results in the Leamington, Daventry and Coventry Leagues this year.
Following a 'development' year for the 2014/5 season, the first team was back to its winning ways in Division 1 of the Leamington League, finishing 17 points clear of their nearest rivals, making it a fourth top spot out of the past five years. Regular first team players Ryan Lines, Ryan Stockham, Matt Outhwaite and Adrian Pilgrim are all county players, and their league averages (around 90%) show why they are selected. Ryan Stockham was the overall Division 1 averages winner this year.
In Division 2 Rugby B team finish in second spot, with top player Danny Orr winning the Division 2 averages. Rugby C finished mid-table (6th) in the same division, while Rugby D and E were 10th and 4th respectively in Division 3.
The Leamington League 2-a-side divisions also saw success for Rugby teams. In the Autumn matches, Rugby H (Dan Burgess, Brad Smith and Jack Davidson) topped Division C and Rugby I (Angel Chen, William Chen and Tie Chen) won Division E. Following promotion, Dan Burgess had an impressive 100% record in Spring Division B, and the Chen family team continued their winning ways finishing top of Division D. This meant that Angel won the averages for the first half of the season and William was the averages winner for the Spring league.
In the newly formed Coventry 2-a-side league, Rugby B (Alex Bowe, George Marshall and Tyler Humphries) finished ahead of Rugby A (Josh Tyagi, Connor Invernizzi and Leo Carroll) in Division 1 in both the Autumn and Spring Leagues. Alex had an impressive 100% average across the entire season, being the only player to beat Josh Tyagi, who also had an excellent set of results.
Rugby A found the going tough in the Daventry league Division 1, but managed to avoid relegation. In contrast, Rugby B (Ian Evans, Jack Evans, Bradley Matthews and Raf Jaruszewski) were clear winners in Division 2, with Bradley Matthews winning all his matches and Jack Evans achieving an impressive 93.1%. Ian, Jack and Bradley were all invited to participate in the end of season 'Top 8' Division 2 tournament and Bradley finished his excellent season as the Division 2 winner.


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Licensees give thumbs up to Vegas
A wide range of licensees have praised last week's Licensing International in Las Vegas, with the majority's overall impression being that it was well organised, well attended by the relevant people and a great venue.
In fact, the only negatives mentioned were the extended flight time from the UK and the jetlag, plus some confusing signage on the show floor.
The reaction from licensees bodes well for Advanstar's hopes of establishing Las Vegas as the new home for the expo, with all those Licensing.biz spoke to saying they would be returning in 2010.
"We thought the show was excellent – well organised and well attended with a lot more new properties than we normally see," commented Tim Dawson, chief executive of TDP Textiles.
Sarah-Jane Porter, licensing manager for the Tigerprint division of Hallmark Cards, was in agreement about the amount of properties. "On the whole, I thought the trip was very positive and the licence company attendance was great," she said. "The property coverage and news that the licensors were promoting seemed to me to be more exciting than the last two years and most really had something to shout about it. I felt that it was a very worthwhile trip based on content."
"Despite the initial reservations about the change from NY, we felt it was actually a good move," added Max Arguile, licensing manager at GB Eye. "It was definitely smaller than last year, but we had some great meetings with people who don't always attend the show and we hope next year is as good."
While it was agreed that everything being within the one venue was a major plus point, a number of licensees mentioned the confusing signing and seemingly random booth arrangement – including Blueprint Collections, Wesco and Kinnerton – however, the extra seating provided around the showfloor, and the free wi-fi access, was widely praised.
"Overall the running of the show oozed efficiency, though attendance did seem down on previous years, but that could be attributed to losing people in the extra space," offered Martin Lowe, boss of Roy Lowe & Sons.
Wesco MD, Rob Hughes, said his overall impression was of a "top class event", while Kinnerton's director of marketing Rachel Wyatt summed it up by saying "I will be going back; it's a once a year trip that is as much about networking as it is about seeing new licences – to our business it's very important".
A full report on what licensors, licensees and retailers thought of Licensing International 2009 will appear on Licensing.biz next week.


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156 First St NE
Mail: Box 550
Blackduck, Minnesota
United States
County: Beltrami
Phone: 218-835-5200
Connect to: Online Catalog
Library details: Blackduck Public School District is a School library.
This library is affiliated with Blackduck Public School District (view map) .
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Record History: This listing was created on Jan 16, 2013 and was last modified on Jul 9, 2014.
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The Email Marketing Affiliate Network
With the banking industry poised to pay out up to 9 billion pounds in compensation Write Off PPI aim to help customers get the compensation they deserve if they have been mis-sold payment protection insurance.
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The Write Off PPI affiliate program is open to web, email and contextual affiliates and a generous commission is paid on a per pack out basis. Therefore if the customer has a genuine claim, the affiliate has the potential to make some very healthy returns.
This program has a wealth of creative to support the offer and as such we have seen some great conversion rates.
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There is no charge to join our network


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"Fly like a bird in this explorative action-adventure game."
I've watched the video and to be honest, I'm still not really sure what type of game this is supposed to be (other than based on flying and exploration) - it looks cool though. It's in open Alpha at the moment - check out their IndieGoGo page for more information.
Keep up to date by adding the Indie Game News Google+ page to your circles or following us on Twitter.


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Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
August 21, 2003
Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (president: Toichi Takenaka; hereafter referred to as Yamanouchi) and Medtronic Sofamor Danek Co., Ltd. (president: Takaaki Tanaka; hereafter referred to as MSD), a Japanese subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc. of the United States (hereafter referred to as MDT), announced that the two companies agreed on granting the exclusive license to commercialize Yamanouchi's implantable recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein preparation (rhBMP-2; Yamanouchi's clinical trial code No.: YM484) in the field of orthopedic surgery in Japan and Asia to MSD. From now on, MSD will undertake the development, regulatory application, sales and sales promotion of rhBMP-2 in Japan. Yamanouchi will supply the raw material of rhBMP-2 to MSD and retain the right to co-promote rhBMP-2 together with MSD.
[Company Profile]
Medtronic Sofamor Danek Co., Ltd. (www.sofamordanek.co.jp)
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com)


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I have an obsession – its pinning. Not in the pinterest way but in the legitimate pins in wall/corkboard way.
They give my room a bit of a more artsy feel – in my opinion.
They hold up my pens (with the help of wire)!!
The Papermate Inkjoy pens are amazzzzing! Also the gel ink pens by the same brand, not the clicky ones but the lid ones.
Don't use Blu-Tack! Use a pin and a clip! It looks cool, ok?
I drew all of Zukos hair throughout the series.
Pin to hold up my $2 headphones!
Pin to hold up my chalkboard!
School mag with the pope!
This is the coolest way to hang up your notepads.
My favourite art thing at the moment.
My face is gross (and will be forever more!) Goodbye!


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The goal of the encyclical "Fides et ratio" is to recall the nature and the conditions of a true Christian wisdom, which depends on reason, as well as it depends on faith : "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth." (F&R, preamble)
The question of the specific kind of wisdom the new age we come in is requiring, is obviously one of those "Fides et ratio" asks us. In such an issue, we can hear in this document an explicit echo from "Redemptor hominis", the first encyclical letter of John-Paul II, which was itself in continuity with "Gaudium et Spes" [1]
Developing some consequences of "the drama of the separation of faith and reason", John-Paul II writes :
"It should also be borne in mind that the role of philosophy itself has changed in modern culture. From universal wisdom and learning, it has been gradually reduced to one of the many fields of human knowing; indeed in some ways it has been consigned to a wholly marginal role. Other forms of rationality have acquired an ever higher profile, making philosophical learning appear all the more peripheral. These forms of rationality are directed not towards the contemplation of truth and the search for the ultimate goal and meaning of life; but instead, as "instrumental reason", they are directed -- actually or potentially -- towards the promotion of utilitarian ends, towards enjoyment or power." (No 47)
I would like to confront this statement to some metaphysical implications of the powerful development of communication and information technologies, as constituting the basis for the prospect of Information Society.
More specifically, I would like to examine how far, and in which way, this so-called information society entails an "other form of rationality" which deserves the qualification of "instrumental reason", and then the need for info- ethics.
I.1 "The man of today seems ever to be under threat from what he produces, that is to say from the result of the work of his hands and, even more so, of the work of his intellect and the tendencies of his will." (No 47) (Quotation from R.H.)
I.2 "To be consonant with the word of God, philosophy needs first of all to recover its sapiential dimension as a search for the ultimate and overarching meaning of life. ( . . . ) This sapiential dimension is all the more necessary today, because the immense expansion of humanity's technical capability demands a renewed and sense of ultimate values. If this technology is not ordered to something greater than a merely utilitarian end, then it could soon prove inhuman and even become potential destroyer of the human race." (No 81) (Reference to R.H. through a footnote)
I.3 "The two requirements already stipulated [i.e. 'sapiential dimension' and 'capacity to know the truth'] imply a third: the need for a philosophy of genuinely metaphysical range, capable, that is, of transcending empirical data in order to attain something absolute, ultimate and foundational in its search for truth." (No 83)
I.4 "Science would thus be poised to dominate all aspects of human life through technological progress. The undeniable triumphs of scientific research and contemporary technology have helped to propagate a scientistic outlook, which now seems boundless, given its inroads into different cultures and the radical changes it has brought." (No 88)
I.5 " This leads to the impoverishment of human thought, which no longer addresses the ultimate problems which the human being, as the animal rationale, has pondered constantly from the beginning of time. And since it leaves no space for the critique offered by ethical judgement, the scientistic mentality has succeeded in leading many to think that if something is technically possible it is therefore morally admissible." (No 88)
I.6 " The consequences of this are clear: in practice, the great moral decisions of humanity are subordinated to decisions taken one after another by institutional agencies. Moreover, anthropology itself is severely compromised by a one-dimensional vision of the human being, a vision which excludes the great ethical dilemmas and the existential analyses of the meaning of suffering and sacrifice, of life and death." (No 88)
I.7 " it remains true that a certain positivist cast of mind continues to nurture the illusion that, thanks to scientific and technical progress, man and woman may live as a demiurge, single- handedly and completely taking charge of their destiny." (No 91)
I.8 " Philosophy moreover is the mirror which reflects the culture of a people. A philosophy which responds to the challenge of theology's demands and evolves in harmony with faith is part of that "evangelization of culture" which Paul VI proposed as one of the fundamental goals of evangelization. I have unstintingly recalled the pressing need for a new evangelization; and I appeal now to philosophers to explore more comprehensively the dimensions of the true, the good and the beautiful to which the word of God gives access. This task becomes all the more urgent if we consider the challenges which the new millennium seems to entail, and which affect in a particular way regions and cultures which have a long-standing Christian tradition. This attention to philosophy too should be seen as a fundamental and original contribution in service of the new evangelization." (No 103)
I.9 " Philosophical thought is often the only ground for understanding and dialogue with those who do not share our faith. The current ferment in philosophy demands of believing philosophers an attentive and competent commitment, able to discern the expectations, the points of openness and the key issues of this historical moment." (No 104)
I.10 " A philosophy in which there shines even a glimmer of the truth of Christ, the one definitive answer to humanity's problems, will provide a potent underpinning for the true and planetary ethics which the world now needs." (No 104)
" We are living through one of the most fundamental technological and social changes in history. The revolution in information technologies that took shape in the early 1970s, and diffused throughout the economy, society, and culture in the last quarter of the twentieth century, has profoundly transformed the way we live, work, produce, consume, communicate, travel, think, enjoy, make war and peace, give birth, and die. It has also transformed, as have all major technological revolutions, the material foundations of human life, time, and space;" (Manuel Castells [2]).
II.1 What is information society ?
"Information society" means the latest stage of an economically developed society, the main activities and institutions of which are based upon use and development of information and communication technologies : "By informational city, I understand an urban system with sociospatial structure and dynamics determined by a reliance of wealth, power, and culture, on knowledge and information processing in global networks, managed and organized through intensive use of information/communication technologies." (Manuel Castells, ibid.)
Since communication as well as information is involved in the definition of information society, there are two main dimensions to be considered in it : a social one, related to the communicational aspect, and an intellectual one, related to the informational aspect.
II.2 What is communication ?
SHANNON's Model Diagram
Transmission is not communication itself, but only its material supportMan needs society not only for his material wants, but furthermore for his spiritual existence and development. People need communication to exchanging the soul goods. Communication, as expressing the spiritual nature of person, is oriented to its development. In any philosophy of communication, there is an anthropology of person.
Rational animal
= social animal
= communicating animal
Language is the archetype and the basis of social communication means.
Now sign (or symbol) is the central concept for linguistics, hence sign (symbol) is a central concept for communication study.
"Spoken words are the symbols of mental experience and written words are the symbols of spoken words" (Aristotle, On Interpretation, 1).
Signs and symbols can be material, but the sense or meaning of "mental experience" is definitely immaterial.
Definition of "communication" :
- exchange of mental experience
through articulated signs or symbols.
- communication is exchange of
II.3 What is information ?
Information analogically means both :
Information in sense 2 is sign (or symbol) of information in sense 1.
Computers and networks are materially dealing with something immaterial. Here is the reason of their power.
Definition of "information" :
To "in-form" means to give form. As a matter of fact, information is related to Aristotelian form. But we must keep in consideration the two modalities of existence of the form :
1/ "entitative" form, as the immaterial part of the existing thing ;
2/ "intentional" form, or, say, "cognitive" form, as constituting the content of the concept abstracted from the thing through the knowing process.
Definition :
- as the immaterial content of communication, or as knowledge (sense 1), information is intentional or cognitive form.
- as the material object of computing (sense 2), information is the sign (or symbol) of cognitive form.
III.1 The deepening gap between "info-rich" and "info-poor"
"Prevailing trends, however, cloud what could be an exhilarating moment for humankind, opening up extraordinary possibilities for material prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, with the inducement of social exclusion in parallel to social development, deepening existing patterns of sociospatial segregation. These trends are rooted in powerful processes of economic globalization and capitalist restructuring that use to their advantage the potential of new information technologies, conditioning the social trajectory of technological change." ( . . . )
"Thus, the emerging, informational city is by and large a dual city. ( . . . ) By dual city, I understand an urban system socially and spatially polarized between high value-making groups and functions on the one hand and devalued social groups and downgraded spaces on the other hand. This polarization induces increasing integration of the social and spatial core of the urban system, at the same time that it fragments devalued spaces and groups, and threatens them with social irrelevance." (Manuel Castells [3])
III.2 Dematerialization or Desubstantialization ?
John Perry Barlow :
"Governments of the Industrial World, you weary giants of flesh and steel, I come from Cyberspace, the new home of Mind. On behalf of the future, I ask you of the past to leave us alone. You are not welcome among us. You have no sovereignty where we gather. ( . . . )Howard P. Kainz, Jr. :
Cyberspace consists of transactions, relationships, and thought itself, arrayed like a standing wave in the web of our communications. Ours is a world that is both everywhere and nowhere, but it is not where bodies live. ( . . . )
Your legal concepts of property, expression, identity, movement, and context do not apply to us. They are based on matter. There is no matter here." (John Perry Barlow, A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace, Davos, 1996 [4] )
" In this paper, I would like to take a look in particular at Aquinas' theory of separate substances. With this theory, we bypass the old question of the reducibility or irreducibility of consciousness to its material conditions, and we also find, in my opinion, some interesting analogies to contemporary computer technology. It would be too much to hope that these analogies, even if substantial, would instigate a revival of interest in Angelology among technophiles. But those interested in the metaphysics of the mind-body problem may find them suggestive :Pierre Lévy :
Microprocessors and Angelic Self-possession
ROM and Innate Ideas
RAM and the Negative Active Potency of Separate Substances
Hard Drives and Intellectual Memory
The Operating System and the Reception of Information
Software and Habitually Acquired Species
"Downward Compatibility" and Proportional Universality
Modems and the Ability to Transfer Information
Networks and the Transmission of Ideas, via Hierarchies
Speed-caches and the Effect of Immateriality
It should be mentioned, however, that there was considerable disagreement among medieval and patristic authors concerning the "immateriality" of angels. Augustine and Origen had speculated about the possibility of angelic bodies being composed of matter, albeit a more "subtle" matter. Duns Scotus gave lip- service to the received doctrine of angelic incorporeality, but challenged his readers' imagination by theorizing that angels must have some kind of "incorporeal" matter; and, consistently with this theory, Duns Scotus thought that angels must reason discursively in some fashion. If there were any kind of matter in angels -- subtle or "incorporeal" -- the leap from completely immaterial beings to partly material beings would be less formidable, and the analogy between angelic spontaneous instananeity and the linear, sequential operations of computers would be even closer." (Artificial Intelligence and Angelology,Howard P. Kainz, Jr., Marquette University [5])
" La Communication tous-tous ( . . . )III.3 Depersonalization :
Le point capital est ici l'objectivation partielle du monde virtuel de significations livré au partage et à la réinterprétation des participants dans les dispositifs de communication tous-tous. Cette objectivation dynamique d'un contexte collectif est un opérateur d'intelligence collective, une sorte de lien vivant tenant lieu de mémoire, ou de conscience commune. Une subjectivation vivante renvoie à une objectivation dynamique. L'objet commun suscite dialectiquement un sujet collectif. ( . . . )
" L'hypercortex
Un des caractères les plus saillants de la nouvelle intelligence collective est l'acuité de sa réflexion dans les intelligences individuelles. Les actes du psychisme de l'humanité deviennent presque directement sensibles aux personnes. Certaines formes de mondes virtuels permettent quasiment d'exprimer, de visualiser en temps réel les diverses composantes de psychismes collectifs.
Tout autant que la recherche utilitaire d'information, c'est la sensation vertigineuse de plonger dans le cerveau commun et d'y participer qui explique l'engouement pour Internet. Naviguer dans le cyberespace revient à promener un regard conscient sur l'intériorité chaotique, le ronronnement inlassable, les banales futilités et
les fulgurations planétaires de l'intelligence collective. L'accès au processus intellectuel du tout informe celui de chaque partie, individu ou groupe, et alimente en retour celui de l'ensemble." (Pierre Lévy, L'intelligence collective et ses objets [6])
The virtualization of cyberspace, i.e. the delocalization and dematerialization of the social space of communication, leads to some disincarnation in social relationships.
Return to the ancient Greek Theater, where "persona" meant a mask : person can be reduced to a part played by clones or avatars.
III.4 Modern Idolatry : Overvaluation of Images substituting for Things
By means of information and communication technologies, information society materially manage the specific immaterial objects of human soul. This fact is not bad in itself, but it is both powerful and dangerous. In any case, it creates by itself an urgent call for the contemporary man to reach a true wisdom including a much higher sense of reality metaphysically grounded in "intuition of being" . . .
[1] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution "On the Church in the Modern World".
[2] Manuel Castells : "The Informational City is a Dual City: Can It Be Reversed?", on the Web : http://web.mit.edu/sap/www/high-low/1castells.html
[3] Ibidem
[6] http://www.t0.or.at/levy/plevy.htm ; cf. : Pierre Lévy, l'intelligence collective, La Découverte, 1994


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While sifting through pictures from her vacation on the Norwegian Spirit cruise vessel, this photograph taken by Ms. Julie Briggs immediately caught my eye. My initial reaction was, "wow...this looks like something from one of the cruise line's brochures!"
The shadows from the strong sun adds emphasis to the basic shapes found in the shot. For example, the shadows highlight the cylindrical shape of the lemon drink, the roundness of the plate, and the rectangular nature of the purse.
"The photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts." ~ Walker Evans
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Featured Photograph - Relaxing on Water
Posted by James-Nguyen.com at 6:24 PM
1 comment:
- The Historian said...
This picture is really great, I can get a good sense of being on the deck of the cruise ship. You are right in the way the shadows work together to create a really dynamic environment.
Overall, great website and some great photographs by some really talented people. I plan to visit often.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Hand pies made with ground meat—one of my favorite kinds of food. So many variations created by different cultures throughout the world, including two recipes I've already shared: Jamie Oliver's Sher Ping Pancakes and empanadas. I love these recipes because you can make them in advance (i.e., during naptime). Plus, when we're traveling, they're a good alternative to a cold (but, equally delicious) Bündnerfleisch sandwich. It's easy to throw a few meat pies in a small cooler bag that I can reheat later in a hotel microwave.
Today's meat pie version—dairy, egg and nut-free—comes from Bangladesh. Years ago, I attended a dinner party in Western Massachusetts that featured a huge feast of home-cooked Bangladeshi foods. Afterwards, the generous hostess shared her recipe with me for meat patties, a very popular Bangladeshi snack eaten throughout the year. Typically served with hot sauce or ketchup, she told me you can use any kind of meat, including shrimp or vegetables, as filling.
I've been making these since before my boys were born, and now that I've found allergy-friendly puff pastry in Switzerland, they're back in regular rotation.
At Coop, along with the pre-made pastry crust, I've also been using its ultra-convenient and allergy-friendly puff pastry—"Blätterteig" (in German) or "Pâte feuilletée" (in French). It contains gluten, but the allergy label doesn't list milk, eggs or nuts, so it's safe for my son.
Last week on the Great British Bake-Off—my latest TV obsession from the UK—the contestants made their own puff pastry. I didn't even realize people actually made this stuff themselves? I love homemade baked goods, but after watching them roll out sheets and sheets of paper-thin dough, I just don't think I'll ever have the patience for making puff pastry.
Thankfully, Coop's version works perfectly well for Bangladeshi meat patties, which we had yesterday at lunchtime with salad, roasted chickpeas and red grapes.
Meat Patties
Special thanks to our friend for sharing this recipe, which I've adapted slightly. Makes about 10-12 patties.
Sautéed onions:
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
Beef mixture, Part 1:
1 lb. or 1/2 kilogram ground beef
1 cup of water
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon of vegetable or canola oil
2 teaspoons cardamom
1 tsp. ginger, freshly grated
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
A pinch of red chili powder
Beef mixture, Part 2:
1 handful of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1-2 tablespoons of flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
Puff pastry:
640 grams puff pastry
1. In a large pan, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and sauté the onion until soft and transparent.
2. Mix together the ingredients for Part 1 of the beef mixture in a large bowl, and then add to the large pan with the onions. Cook over medium-high heat until all the liquid has evaporated, about 5-10 minutes.
3. Add fresh cilantro, flour and salt and pepper to the beef mixture and stir until well-blended. Cool the mixture slightly.
4 .Unroll the puff pastry and cut into squares. Place the square onto an oiled baking sheet. Fill the center of the square with about 1-2 tablespoons of the slightly cooled beef mixture. Fold a corner to the opposite side, to create a triangle. Seal the edges by pressing on the dough with oiled fingers. Coat the tops of the patties with a little oil (or egg white, if you can).
5. Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes at 190°C/375°F until golden brown. Serve with hot sauce.
I'm working on a British baked good, hopefully for Friday's post… Have a great week, and thanks for visiting my blog!


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RICE IS NICE are thrilled to be hosting a Live Music Safari at The Curtin this year!
Our Melbourne artists will be performing with some new material under their belts and new records set for 2018! Bonus - it's FREE!
New signing Lowtide debuted spellbinding single 'Alibi' earlier year, have only just returned from their European tour and are gearing up for their 2nd album release!
SPODs new record 'Adult Fantasy' will be coming in 2018 including classic hits 'Boys Night' and 'Couple Of Drinks' plus many more. Stay tuned for coffee reports.
DARTS hit us with a double punch / double single this year, showcasing what they have brewing for 2018.
Sarah Mary Chadwick is a prolific artist, creating new bodies of work year after year. Her captivating live show has seen her win hearts across the globe and we are excited to deliver more of her music with some great partners in 2018.
Summer Flake stole our hearts in 2016 with Hello Friends and we are very happy to have the band back playing shows and writing new material. All hail Stephanie Crase, one of Australia's greatest guitarist / shred dogs.
Facebook event HERE - http://bit.ly/2xPJRa1
More info via Melbourne Music Week here - http://bit.ly/2x7eOSE


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Grace & Peace…Welcome to REBIRTH!
I'm glad you stopped by our site today. REBIRTH is a nondenominational ministry in Columbus, Ohio. It's the perfect place to engage your entire family. You belong here because "You Matter @ REBIRTH!"
When you arrive at REBIRTH, you will be greeted with loving arms and harmonious enthusiasm that will provide a wellspring of hope that a reawakening is on the horizon. Our approach to God is simple—freedom in worship and powerful word!
You are welcome at REBIRTH! As you travel across life's winding roads we are here to aid as one of your pit stops. Join us Sunday Mornings 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or Wednesday Evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and "ReFUEL at REBIRTH!"
Say Good Morning to the rest of your LIFE!
-Pastor Darren


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The secret to cheaper, more efficient solar power may lie in the unassuming wings of butterflies. The Cabbage White butterfly folds its wings in a v-shape in order to heat up their flight muscles before launching into the air. Scientists at the University of Exeter found that by replicating this posture with solar panels, they could increase solar output by nearly 50 percent.
Butterflies' ability to fly on cloudy days is limited by the energy the insects can get from the sun. But the Cabbage White butterfly is able to take off sooner than other types of butterflies even on cloudy days. Researchers discovered this is because the Cabbage White positions its wings in order to concentrate sunlight onto its thorax and speed up the "charging" process.
Taking a cue from this information, the researchers were able to create a new, lightweight material that can be positioned in a v-shape to concentrate sunlight on solar panels. And in so doing, they increased solar output by nearly 50 percent.
Related: 8 Ways that you can help save monarch butterflies
Of course, this isn't the first time researchers have turned to nature for inspiration. But this discovery is particularly exciting because of its implications for solar power everywhere. "Biomimicry in engineering is not new. However, this truly multidisciplinary research shows pathways to develop low cost solar power that have not been done before," said Professor Tapas Mallick, lead author of the research.
Via phys.org
Lead image via Shutterstock, image via Mountain/\Ash


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If Jim Gordon is good at his job, Arkham Asylum could be heaving by this time next year. Gotham executive producer and lead director Danny Cannon has revealed that a whole host of new (to the series) classic Batman villains will make their debut in season two.
Part of the fun of Gotham is watching the show reinvent the origins of iconic characters, with season one giving us exciting new versions of Penguin, The Riddler, Poison Ivy, the Scarecrow and (possibly) the Joker (its take on Catwoman wasn't quite so convincing). This trend will continue in season two Cannon tells Blastr.
"We find the Mr Freeze story very emotional," he says. "So that's one we are going to look at. Hugo Strange is a very interesting character who has never had an origin story, as is the Calendar Man. Azrael is a character we are starting very, very, very way back. And Tigress also."
No wonder they're subtitling the season "Rise Of The Villains".
As for the existing rogues' gallery, Cannon says the Jerome Valeska – the probable Joker –starts the season in Arkham alongside Barbara Kean, Gordon's ex who went psycho at the end of season one (about the only interesting thing the character did all season). It seems there's a big arc for the character in store, but challenged on whether she'll turn out to be the show's Harley Quinn (a fan favourite theory) he teases, "I have read that. I thought that would be really fun. She could be anything right now. She has so many options available to her. She could be her own villain."
So now we await the casting announcements for all those new villains. Have you got any ideas for possible actors?