text:
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
--- Bishop Desmond Tutu
The United National Antiwar Coalition [UNAC] is a coalition of well known US anti-war groups. On 24 December 2012 they issued a new position statement about the conflict in Syria, titled:
Hands off Syria and Iran! End the Drone Wars!
We Need Jobs, Education and Healthcare, Not Endless War!
Six months before the Arab Spring even began, UNAC had an action program to oppose a US war against Syria. From their point of view, not much has changed since July 2010. They still see the threat of imminent US invasion as the main problem facing the Syrian people. That's their story and they're sticking to it. As we shall see, they don't need to consult concrete conditions in Syria to inform their position so it can remain the same throughout time.
I am including their entire statement in my appreciation of it so that the reader may see what I mean when I say that this statement says more by what it is silent on than it does by what it says. I am breaking it up, as I see appropriate, so I can interject comments, but other than that, it is complete and in the order in which they published it. The copyright police can know that there is no violation as UNAC has asked that it be distributed widely.
And so the body begins:
The ominous signs of impending war with Syria escalate.
There is already a war going on in Syria which this "Statement on Syria" leaves unmentioned. That is the war to overthrow the Assad regime and it has cost more than 40,000 Syrian lives so far, but what is really telling in this first sentence is their identification of the Assad regime with Syria.
There have been calls for NATO intervention in support of those forces attempting to overthrow the Assad regime, and there have even been signs that NATO may be preparing to go to war against the Assad regime, but to equate that with a war against Syria is to equate the Assad regime with Syria and to discount the Syrian armed opposition as a legitimate Syrian force. 130 countries no longer recognize the Assad regime as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, but UNAC still does.
The day after UNAC issued its "Statement on Syria," the head of Assad's military police defected to the Free Syrian Army. Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Jassem al-Shallal, then became the highest raking officer to defect from Assad. He said he had done so because of the military's deviation from "its fundamental mission to protect the nation and transformation into gangs of killing and destruction." He also confirmed the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Homs last week. That's what finally sparked his defection. This is the reality of Syria that the UNAC "Statement on Syria" doesn't admit to. They are in an alternate universe.
NATO is massing troops and military equipment on Syria's borders, and preparing to install missiles aimed at Syria. U.S. warships are stationed off Syria's coast. 'Special operation' units are readied.
I wish the most pressing problems the Syrian people faced right now were worries about future possible NATO attacks.
The U.S. government has been supplying arms and logistical support to a few selected Syrian paramilitary groups favored by the U.S. as "replacements" for Assad.
This is about as close as this UNAC "Statement on Syria" gets to recognizing the massive Syrian opposition to the Assad regime. Is it possible that they think the main struggle playing out in Syria in the last 23 months has been between Syria, as represented by the Assad regime and US imperialism?
The media bombards us with arguments that support foreign intervention, supposedly for "humanitarian reasons".
That is about as close as this UNAC "Statement on Syria" comes to acknowledging the humanitarian crisis that without question really is going on in Syria. Is it possible that they believe the incredible human suffering and devastation we see every day on YouTube in hundreds of videos is all a fabrication or distraction to be ignored?
Like WMD's in Iraq, alarms are sounded, with no credible evidence, that Assad may unleash chemical weapons, thus establishing a pretext for invasion.
Acknowledging more than 40,000 murdered Syrians or that Assad's war planes are dropping explosive barrels and clusters bombs on civilians might get in the way of the "no credible evidence" line of reasoning. Those acknowledgements would also show that there already exists many a "pretext for invasion" so those corpses are conveniently swept under the carpet. No one will ever get a clue how many thousands of children have been slaughtered by this regime from the UNAC "Statement on Syria."
These are the facts that impel us to oppose any military, economic, diplomatic, or covert intervention aimed at controlling the internal affairs of Syria or any other country:
It would appear that the "facts that impel" the UNAC are very bias and very selective indeed and don't admit to the real suffering of the Syrian people let alone its chief cause.
· The Syrian people in their majority, regardless of their political positions re: the current government, have rejected calling for foreign intervention, such as occurred in Libya.
But there have been mass protests in Syria calling for intervention ala Libya. How did "Friday of International Protection", "Friday of No-Fly Zone", "Friday of the Syrian Buffer Zone" and "Friday for international military intervention" slip past the UNAC fact checkers? The names of these nationwide Friday protests is even more telling because they are chosen through a fierce on-line competition among activists and then endorsed by Syrians who come out in their hundreds of thousands to demonstrate under those banners.
Also when they say this, whether they know it or not, they are just reinforcing the imperialist line for doing nothing:
|MS. NULAND: I think our position on this hasn't changed. As we have said, the vast majority of the Syrian opposition continues to speak in favor of peaceful, nonviolent protest and against foreign intervention of any kind, and particularly foreign military intervention into the situation in Syria, and we respect that.
· Sanctions harm the people of Syria by causing food shortages, power outages, and blocking the distribution of goods.
This is true, but right now the Syrian people are suffering a lot more from artillery bombardments and air attacks than they are from sanctions but those attacks aren't mentioned in the UNAC "Statement on Syria." Probably the UNAC is also opposed to any arms embargo against the Syrian government.
The next four paragraphs in their "Statement on Syria" are about the US, not Syria. All their "facts" are disputable, but I don't want to be distracted by that minutia and instead direct the reader to my other writings about the Syria revolution.
· The U.S. is directly involved in arming and training a few selected Syrian militias favorable to the U.S., contributing to the escalation of violence, direct foreign military intervention, and total destabilization.
The people who always suffer the most are the people not engaged in the armed struggle.
Which is why it is better to fight back and why every day more and more Syrians are fighting the Assad regime.
· We see the results of 'humanitarian' U.S. wars and occupations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya today, where the people, especially women and children, are worse off than before, with millions dead, injured, and/or displaced, an infrastructure and economy in shambles, and where there is no peace. A country that has a river of Iraqi, Afghan, and Libyan blood on its hands has no right to tell other countries what to do.
In other words, since Obama kills kids with drones, he has no right to demand, along with the majority of countries in the world and the majority of people in Syria, that the mass murderer Assad step down.
What does US moral authority, or the lack of it, have to do with anything?
Of course this "Statement on Syria" is not about Syria, but even if it were about countries in the region and not the US, they shouldn't try to get away with lumping Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya all together.
· The U.S. government's goals in Syria are to gain dominance in a part of the world that holds the vast majority of the known oil reserves and to gain strategic advantage as it seeks to isolate and contain competitors like Russia and China.
And exactly why are the US government's goals the main focus of the UNAC "Statement on Syria?" Because the goal of the majority of Syrians to see an end to the Assad regime is not spoken of. They have demonstrated their determination with "rivers of blood" and a two year struggle that is on the verge of succeeding without international intervention on their side but the UNAC says nothing of this.
There has been international military intervention on the side of the Syria government by Iran, Hezbullah and Russia but the UNAC doesn't object to that. Governments like the Assad regime have a "right" to ask for international assistance; the Syrians, upon which the Russian cluster bombs rain, do not. That's their story and they're sticking to it.
The U.S. has no interest in democracy or the humanitarian well-being of a country's peoples anywhere in the world, especially in areas where the U.S. has economic or strategic interests.
Their emotional dislike of the US, which is really the focus of the UNAC "Statement on Syria" causes them to make such categorical statements and not see that the US does have an interest in establishing bourgeois democracy as a more stable method of bourgeois rule in many cases and that they are actually interested in "humanitarian well-being," as they are interested in the health of their workers, if only to the extent they need to be to protect profits.
· The U.S. has a long history of thwarting the emerging economies and progressive initiatives of the third world while supporting repressive regimes.
One could only wish that insight would help the UNAC understand why US imperialism really is in no particular hurry to see the Assad regime go, and has actually been throttling, rather than helping, Assad's opposition.
While activists may hold different views of Syria's internal political system,
This is code for the fact that some members of the UNAC actually support the fascist Assad regime but in the interest of "Left" unity, they have decided to be neutral as to the Syrian people's struggle to overthrow that regime, as noted above.
You will notice that while there are many "facts" and assertions in this "Statement on Syria" that the SNC and FSA would object to; there is nothing in it that would trouble the Assad regime much; nothing that is in conflict with their narrative on the situation.
we must all agree that the U.S. government has no right to impose its will on other countries, especially those formerly colonized and exploited by the West.
This is like an axiom that is easy to agree with except its placement in this "Statement on Syria" together with the four paragraphs above makes it sound like the main thing troubling Syria now is the U.S. government trying to impose its will. This may well be the ego-centric view of the U.S. Left, but I'm here to tell you that is not main thing going on in Syria.
Here again, the UNAC has rendered the courageous two year revolutionary mass struggle of the Syrian people invisible.
In all cases, we must support the right of nations to self-determination – that is to be able to decide on and resolve internal conflicts free from any foreign intervention.
By which they mean foreign intervention on the side of the people, because while there is a mountain of proof of foreign intervention in support of the Syrian government, they raise no objection to that. We know this because in an earlier statement they complained "State Department spokespeople are targeting Iran and Hezbollah for alleged military support to the Assad government." They even put this on their list of "alarming new threats" back in October 2012 and in June 2012, when Amnesty International called upon Russia to "end its shameful silence," UNAC called it "a campaign to support military intervention at the very time that the U.S. is openly feeding the violence in Syria by providing weapons, foot soldiers and logistical support."
The principal they wish to create is that when a people attempt the overthrow their government, which is already in possession of massive military hardware and advanced weapons, or when a people are being slaughtered by their government for any reason, there should be no international assistance given to those people. The "principal" of self determination is here perversely interpreted as the duty to allow an unarmed minority to be slaughtered by their government unless they can stop it themselves. In accordance with this "principal" the UNAC would have objected to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade that fought in the Spanish Civil War and many other examples of militant internationalist support.
And that's it. That's how they end the "Statement on Syria."
The worst thing that can be said about this "Statement on Syria" is that it is ignorant of the realities facing the Syrian people now, the hardships they have endured or their striving for freedom from the fascist Assad dictatorship, The "Statement on Syria" was drafted with the requirements of the drafters in mind, not those of the Syrian people.


text:
How can we help?
Ray White - Flinders Park RLA204445235 Grange Road, FINDON, SA 5023
When you select Ray White Flinders Park, headed up by our hands-on Principal Attilio Cavuoto, who has built a very strong database of contacts since 1997, you will benefit enormously from the fact that you are immediately supported by a very unique group and a household name. Ray White is Australasias real estate super group with over 100 years experience in the marketplace.
Ray White Flinders Park is located 15 minutes from the heart of the city and is situated in the Western precinct and within reach of some of Adelaides finest beaches. Our committed team can offer you detailed local knowledge, with up to date advice on property values and current market trends.
Ray White - Flinders Park RLA204445
235 Grange Road, FINDON, SA 5023
How can we help?Get in contact
The Ray White - Flinders Park RLA204445 Team
Our Properties
The property lists contain all properties Ray White - Flinders Park RLA204445 have sold and listed on realestate.com.au.
It may not contain off-market and private listings, properties with unknown sold dates and listings that may be exclusively listed on other websites.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ruadhán Mac Cormaic attends the official launch
|Beckett during a signing at an opening night in 1970. Photographs: WA Dudley/Getty
The official launch of The Letters of Samuel Beckett 1941-1956, the second volume in a colossal scholarly project set in train two decades ago, was a multinational occasion. It was a celebration of Beckett's own gift for moving between cultures and of the cross-border collaboration – French, Irish, American, British – behind the new book.Also at A Piece of Monologue:
For George Craig, a co-editor and translator on the project, it was the culmination of a long effort that brought him "passion, excitement and joy". It began in 1985, when Samuel Beckett authorised Martha Dow Fehsenfeld and Lois More Overbeck to edit his letters. They gathered and consulted more than 15,000 pieces of correspondence in public and private hands, and the new collection is the second of four planned volumes.
"This vast body of words could have two effects on you: one is to crush you absolutely, the other is to make you feel more and more attached to the business of dealing with it," Craig reflected.
So which was it? "I liked him more at the end. I found that all those qualities that I thought I'd seen in him actually are his qualities, and he retained them until the end. A moral generosity. An enormous depth of loyalty. And a total refusal to see fame as adding anything of value." [Read More]
Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, 'The search for fewest possible words: Beckett letters shed light on artist who shunned fame'


text:
I adore people with red hair and freckles and when it comes to red haired models, I'm simply speechless! They always look so unique,fresh and create a special playful mood in high fashio shoots. Red haired people can be mysterious and so expressive... So, look at this handsome guy from Hungary!
Bence Farkas is a new face of Bananas Paris, Why Not Model Management Milan, Select Model Management London, Sight Management Studio Barcelona and IZAIO Management Berlin. He was discovered on the street of Budapest and signed by Icon Model management.
He's already been working in Paris for some time and I'm sure he's going to have a great career! I love his "architectural" bone structure and athletic body. I'm sure he will look great both on the runway and in various commercial shoots. So, let's wait for more photos of Ben and wish him good luck on upcoming shows!
Full Name: Bence Farkas
Height: 185 cm / 6'1″
Nationality: Hungarian
Date of Birth: June 25
Mother Agency: Icon Model Management
Model Agencies:
Paris: Bananas
Milan: Why Not Model Management
London: Select Model Management
Barcelona: Sight Management Studio
Berlin: IZAIO Management
Photos: Models.com, The Fashion Spot
среда, 29 мая 2013 г.
Bence Farkas. Model. New Face. Inspiration.
Автор: Tatiana Kurnosova на 17:48
Ярлыки: article, Bence Farkas, fashion, fashion model, fashion models, freckles, hed hair, infromation, male model, man, men fashion, model, modeling, new face, photography, red haired model
2 комментария:
Ah amazing photography and inspiration, I'm starting to become more and more interested in fashion photography and you can see one of my latest posts on my blog.ОтветитьУдалить
Followed you via Bloglovin too, excited for whats to come!
Thank you so much Sam!Удалить
Of course, I'll check out your blog too.
Have a nice day!
Подписаться на: Комментарии к сообщению (Atom)


text:
A Party Fit for a Princess
Jo Jo turned five last Wednesday. We actually celebrated a couple weeks ago, during February break, with a Mommy and Daughter trip to the American Girl store in Manhattan. Which is something I'd been planning for, well, ever since the 18 week ultrasound when I learned I was pregnant with a little girl.
We started off with a birthday lunch in the American Girl café. She sat wide-eyed next to her mini Jo Jo doll (notice the matching pigtails!) and just took the room in. We were surrounded by other little girls and their moms, feasting on miniature hamburgers and mini hot dogs. (There was one dad next to us who sat frozen at the table with his wife and daughters, eying the dolls as if they were all Brides of Chucky. He was only way too happy to leap up and take our pictures.)
I think Jo Jo was a little overwhelmed and excited—she didn't really touch her food—but every time the staff came out with a birthday cake to serenade someone she clapped her hands and sang along as well. The moms at the tables near us kept looking over at us smiling, murmuring "she's adorable" and I sat there in my mommy stretch pants kvelling over the compliments.
After lunch we picked out the dolls together, the Bitty Twins. I showed her the box I wanted—a little blonde girl and her brunette brother—and she pointed and said simply, "Jo Jo and Teddy."
So there you have it. Big Jo Jo and Big Teddy now have their own little mini mes. Along with all the assorted paraphernalia—a trundle bed, various sporty outfits (including a biking set and PJs) and, best of all, their own dolly potty.
You try schlepping 20 zillion pounds of doll crap across Manhattan—it's not easy. But we did it. And when we got home, Teddy was thrilled with his doppelganger.
Then, this past Sunday, she had her 5th birthday party at Stepping Stones museum. Where a great time was had by all, especially Geoffrey.
We tried to get a group photo of all three of our small progeny, but Jo Jo and Teddy took off, leaving behind a perplexed Geoffrey, who smiled gamely at the camera for his photo op.
I'm always a bit apprehensive when it comes to Jo Jo and her birthday. The day she was born was both the best day of my life and the worst. I'm still a little bitter that we had to deal with the shock of her diagnosis on that day, and all the accompanying stress that went with it (including her having to ride in a baby ambulance the next day for surgery). I felt cheated that my first birth experience—which is supposed to be some sort of hormonal Nirvana—was actually such a traumatic mess.
But at the same time I can look back at that day and laugh about how scared we were, and how misguided and uninformed we really were.
I can say with all honesty that I love Johanna more and more each day, and oftentimes when I look at her—her silky, flaxen blonde hair, her delicate, cat shaped hazel eyes, her little button of a nose, her rosebud lips—I am blown away by how gorgeous she is.
She's my fairy princess daughter, my Johanna.


text:
The Administrative Policies
The following policy regarding potential "conflict of interest" situations is adopted by Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit (the "University") for the purpose of assuring a high level of organizational integrity and avoidance of conflicts of interest on the part of any administrator or employee.
This policy is intended to assure that the University will be fully informed with respect to any financial or other interests which any employee may have in any person, firm or entity which does business with the University. The primary principle underlying this Conflict of Interest Policy is that those persons employed by or who have a fiduciary duty to the University must never permit their personal interests to conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interests of the University.
- Any employee having an existing or potential interest in a contract or other transaction with a person, firm or entity which does business with the University, shall make immediate and complete disclosure of the interest to the appropriate Vice President, the Secretary of the University or the President. The interested party is required to disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest and any relevant and material facts, known to him or her, about the contract or transaction which might reasonably be construed to be adverse to or in conflict with the University's interest.
- An employee shall be deemed to have an "interest" in a contract or other transaction if the employee or any member of his or her immediate family is (i) the party or one of the parties contracting or dealing with the University; (ii) an owner, director, officer or key employee or has a significant financial or influential interest in the entity contracting or dealing with the University; or (iii) reasonably likely to gain a financial or other substantial personal benefit if the contract or transaction is approved.
- Absent full disclosure and prior written approval of the President, no employee may serve as a director, officer, employee or consultant of any business entity which does business with or is competitive with the University.
- No employee or any member of his or her immediate family may accept a gift, directly or indirectly, in any form, from any business entity which does business with or desires to do business with the University, a supplier or prospective supplier of the University. For the purpose of this policy, the term "gift" means anything with a value in excess of $150.00, including entertainment, which does not facilitate the discussion of the University's business or otherwise serve a demonstrable business purpose. In addition, an employee may not utilize the services of any person employed by the University nor any account, sales tax exemption, material, equipment, machinery or property of the University for personal use without written consent of the President.
- In the event that an employee has any doubt concerning the propriety of accepting any gift or services or the applicability of the reporting, and prior approval procedures, the University General Counsel should be consulted for guidance.
On or about December 1st of each year, and such other times as the President or the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall request, each designated employee shall deliver to the Secretary of the University, a written statement in the form attached hereto, in which each such employee shall disclose potential conflicts of interest as set for in this Policy.
All employees are expected to act fairly and honestly in all transactions with the University and with others to maintain the high ethical standards of the University. If a situation arises where an employee is unsure whether there may be a violation of this Policy, he or she should contact the General Counsel for guidance.
Discovery of events of a questionable, fraudulent or illegal nature, or which appear to be in violation of this Policy must be reported promptly to the President. Violations of this Conflict of Interest Policy may constitute grounds for disciplinary action.


text:
R Street Institute's Steven Greenhut writes about recently proposed California legislation that would raise alcohol taxes:
It's getting increasingly difficult to mock the California Legislature given the fusillade of nearly unbelievable legislation that makes its way through the Capitol's hallowed halls. In the old days, when California had enough legislative Republicans and moderate Democrats to temper things, zany bills would be introduced only to die in committee. These days, the crazy stuff almost always makes it to the governor's desk.
"With the introduction of a new tax bill last week, the Legislature has officially gone beyond parody. Seriously, I had to double check the quotations in the official press release to make sure someone wasn't pulling my leg. The bill, A.B. 479, promotes gender equality by reducing taxes on tampons and diapers and then significantly raising them on one of the few escape mechanisms left for Californians — alcoholic beverages....
Read more at: http://www.rstreet.org/op-ed/the-new-gender-battle-tampons-versus-whiskey/


text:
The SB Palmetto exits DC's urban core and heads for the Long Bridge to Virginia and points south. The building in the background is new, modestly altering this scene.
A Copenhagen area commuter DMU train approaches Osterport station, seen through the underpass below Dag Hammarskjolds Alle; the station is at and below the street and platforms stick out in both d... (more)
A Copenhagen area commuter train arrives at Osterport, from which the Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue, based on the fairy tale of that name by Hans Christian Andersen), at the harbor pondering l... (more)
At Wolsztyn they water down the ashes as they are dropped! Here dyspozytor (scheduler) Ireneusz "Irek" Tomiak does the honors.
Capitol Limited passing WB through downtown Gaithersburg with the Veterans unit, AMTK 42, trailing. The new construction on the right fills the space of the long-ago wye at Gaithersburg, also bui... (more)
Pushing northbound through the pretty Maryland countryside with Vardo Yard soon to come.
The Capitol Limited passes the Metro Twinbrook station. Hopefully all of the complicated hardware seen on the Metro tracks (lower 2) are being looked at as part of the SafeTrack effort, a series ... (more)
A manifest heads east towards Benning Yard, about to leave ex-PRR rails in favor of ex-B&O rails, having recently left ex-B&O rails. A beautiful day at this location!
An Acela slows down as it eases into its final stop at Washington Union Station. K Tower has been passed by Acelas and their predecessors many, many times, and still witnesses hundreds of movemen... (more)
The wig-wag in Oakdale, CA still stands, apparently still in use (no trains passed while I was there) protecting the E Street crossing on what appears to be the Sierra Northern (but I have since b... (more)
611 passing through horse country in Virginia. Image taken from private property with permission of the owner.
Note: minor plastic piece removed from field digitally.
The 611 eastbound crossing over the bridge in Applewood still labelled for the Southern. While we waited for the train, the property owner came by and placed a flag on his mailbox; reason unknown ... (more)
Behind the Scenes II In preparation for a photo charter, the WMSR crew prepares the train on the yard lead at Ridgeley. This is the first of many switches that turns a yard lead into a mul... (more)
Behind the Scenes In preparation for a photo charter, the WMSR crew starts the day preparing the passenger train (to follow the steam photo freight) on the yard lead at Ridgeley.
The Capitol Limited heads west under the Talbot Road bridge, an upside down turntable.
For other views at Georgetown Junction, go Railroad: AmtrakLocomotive: GE P42DCLocation: Silver Spring, Maryland, USALocomotive #: AMTK 176Train ID: CSX P029Photo Date: April 24, 2016


text:
The site-specific play was first performed at Brodie Park on July 28, 2000.
Original Cast:
Decky (9-year-old boy) David Ireland
David (Adult) Keith Macpherson
Young Chrissy Andy Clark
Adult Chrissy Craig Smith
Young Barry Ross Sutherland
Adult Barry Paul Cunningham
Young O'Neil Jimmy Harrison
Adult O'Neil Muz Murray
Note: All parts are played by adult males.
Director: Ben Harrison
Sculptor/Set Designer: Allan Ross
Costume Design: Alice Bee
Lighting Design: George Tarbuck
Composer: Philip Pinsky
Stunt Coordinator: Jonothan Campbell
Stage Manager: Amy Shapcott
Publication: Maxwell, Douglas. Decky Does a Bronco. Oberon Books, 2001. Drama Library PR6113. A85 D43 2001.
Setting: A playground in the small town of Girvan, on the west coast of Scotland.
Language: Contemporary with lots of Scottish lingo
And we'd still be taking the mickey out of him. Just 'cause he's—just 'cause he's no here people are going to be all 'Aw wee Decky was ace, man I was best pals with him' but they werenae. I'm no even going to the funeral.
Genre/Style: Serio-Comedic
Plot: Adult David remembers the events of a summer when he was nine and he and his friends hung out at the playground broncoing swings and teasing Decky, the smallest of them who was never able to bronco. David recounts the tragic event that shattered their innocent childhoods and haunts them even as adults. The play was originally produced on a playground and toured to playgrounds around Scotland.
Representative Monologues: Monologues contain the first few lines and the last few lines; please consult the published text for the monologue in its entirety. Since David is the narrator in the play, he has a lot of monologues.
p.36-37: David elucidates the dangers of satire, sarcasm, and irony.
Ah, happy, peaceful days. I'm a pathological reminiscer. I was reminiscing about lost days of youth when I was still a child, really. We'd sometimes come up here and sit at the swings late at night after a community center teenage disco. [Lines cut] I admit it, I enjoyed it. It was exciting. Things turned nasty when I needed to be sarcastic first thing in the morning. Then came irony. Before I knew it, I was lying alone in an empty warehouse on a stained mattress, mainlining satire. Just say no.
p.53-54: David tells what happens when he and Chrissy went to Decky's house the day Decky disappeared. Long monologue
I remember what happened next very clearly. We walked along with Barry till we got to my bit. Barry padlocked his bike to the inside of our fence and went in. Me and Chrissy walked on to Decky's house, very, very slowly. [Lines cut] There was total silence in the living room, apart from Decky's dad. He was sitting forward in his chair with his head in his hands. His hands were huge and battered from years of working outside. The tears were streaming between his fingers as if his entire face was made from water.
p.62-63: David explains what he does when he now sees a story on television about a child having been abducted. Very long monologue.
You know when you watch the news and you see the daily child abduction story; the smiling school photo in the corner of the screen and the stern-faced newsreader, unable to believe that they are saying yet again the phrase 'was last seen alive'; do you know when you see that, you always say 'I can't imagine what the parents are going through', do you feel that you're telling a lie? [Lines cut] You see when the news comes on and I close my eyes, when everyone else is trying their hardest not to see the truth, I have a picture in my mind. It's the most beautiful, free, child-like, fun, important thing in the world. Because it's then, in that blink, in that instant… Decky does a bronco.
Representative Scenes: This play has a lot of characters and there are very few sections that involve just two people.
p. 55-57: Barry and David talk about Decky's death. Starts with
What did my mum want?
and ends with
I'm waiting till I get back to Gran's, till I cry. I wonder if she knows? She never even met Decky though. Think about it. Think about all the people who never met him, who he would have met, the things he would have done. He never even Broncoed a swing.
Select Bibliography of Reviews and Criticism: (Note: article title links are to the online versions, mostly UW-only restricted unless designated as open access.)
Clapp, S. (2000, Aug 13). Arts: EDINBURGH FESTIVAL:THEATRE: Child's play for adults: When the emotions of a gang of boys are portrayed by adults, the results are disturbing. The Observer, pp. 8.
Halliburton, R. (2001, Jun 22). More than child's play. Evening Standard, pp. 50.
Hickling, A. (2001, Jun 09). Reviews: Theatre: Swings and roundabouts in manchester: Decky does a bronco: Whitworth park, manchester (3/5 stars). The Guardian, pp. 1.25.
Kingston, J. (2001, Jun 25). Decky does a bronco. The Times, pp. 2, 24.
McMillan, J. (2010, Jul 08). Theatre reviews: Life's swings and roundabouts. The Scotsman, pp. 36.
Spencer, C. (2001, Jun 25). A haunting look at the leap from innocence. The Daily Telegraph, pp. 15.


text:
I've been reading an old book in French by a writer called Henri Chevalier and writing about snail farming to update my booklet for would be snail farmers. It's fascinating to look back at what was written a few decades ago and compare it with the situation now. Chevalier hardly mentions Helx aspersa maxima which seems to be the main variety that people want in the UK.
He refers to it in passing as a giant race from North Africa and then moves on to talking about 'l'escargot petit gris' which is his main topic. He waxes lyrical about Burgundy snails (our Roman snails: Helix pomatia) and has some very rude things to say about the small snails eaten in Spain in what he described as a vague tomato sauce!
I would say that the snail farming market now is in a state of dynamic change. When I first started it seemed fairly fixed - maybe that was an illusion but it felt as though there were a few farmers in the UK, a few in Eastern Europe and lots in France. I was aware of the markets in Spain and Italy and gradually became aware of snail farmers in Greece. Now I get enquiries every week from snail farms in Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and all sorts of other countries. They nearly all tell me they are about to start producing tons of snails and have only just started looking for who is going to buy them. That does seem like the wrong way round to me! The first rule of starting a business surely is to establish if there is a market for your product otherwise you could be in for an expensive disappointment.


text:
- Postdoctoral Fellow, The Department of Biomedical Informatics - Current
- PhD, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology - 2015
Arjun (Raj) Manrai received a degree in Physics from Harvard College and completed his PhD under the supervision of Professor Isaac Kohane at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, where he received a degree in Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics. Manrai is interested in the opportunities and challenges of using genomic data in the clinic. His research draws on statistical genetics, decision theory, and mathematical models for scientific reproducibility. His current focus is on quantifying disease risk in individuals who receive positive genetic testing results for the inherited heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), as well as women undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer. Manrai is especially interested in developing quantitative methods and computational resources that translate findings in genomic medicine to benefit underserved communities.


text:
Carpentry tricks and tips that is second to none. If you are a carpenter that does not have a lot of experience in the carpentry trade you are in luck with these tricks they will put you perhaps on top of the game that we call carpentry.Reading the tape measure. When I first started out I did not know how to read the tape measure. I would get a 1/4 mixed up with 5/8 and mixed up with 3/8 of an inch and so on. You may find yourself giving people the wrong measurements because you're trying to figure it out. That's how it is when you are a rookie in carpentry. Here is an awesome tip for you that will change your life as you know it. Going by yourself an easy to read tape measure. On an easy to read tape measure it has all of the measurements printed out fifth for people that are not familiar with reading the tape measure. If you want you can go to my section carpentry tips on this website and you'll find even more information about the state measure. But that is the first trick and tip that I have for my audience.
Another trick when you're swinging your hammer swing it with the end of the handle in your hand. You will have more of a powerful strike when you use the end of the handle on the hammer. Also swing what your wrist when you swing with your wrist you'll have more control of your hammer and a lot more power is used when you swing with the rest.
More Carpentry tricks and tips; to the trade when you want to cut a rip of plywood you wanna cut it straight. If you want to cut the plywood street one of the best ways on how to cut it is by using the straight edge. A straight edge will guide the saw along the cut so that the plywood is cut precisely. I have learned through experience that it is hard to keep a circular saw straight sometimes and the straight edge is definitely necessary when the cut has to be precise.
One trick or some advice is that if you are remodeling a room and you need to frame something out. You can use metal studs instead of wood. The metal stud framing moves very fast the project comes along very smoothly and its less dusty. When framing rooms metal studs is the way to go. It makes things a lot more easier.
Buy quality tools they help produce quality work. I love working with tools that are made in America. Or manufactured in America they have great quality in my opinion. I work with craftsmen and Stanley and they always help me get the carpentry jobs done.
So there you have it five carpentry tricks and tips to help get the job done I hope you enjoyed this and I hope that it has truly helped someone that needs to be helped. Because that is what we have to do as human beings help one another. And make this world a better place.
Carpentry Tricks And Tips
Basic Carpentry


text:
This is an amazing soup that my mom has mad for years. It was our Christmas Eve dinner. It's incredibly yummy, and very easy to make. We've been having issues with the beans lately, but I think that's because we're the only ones who buy the dried white beans. It'd be very easy to use canned beans instead of dried, though you might have to use more than the required 2 cups....
To give credit where credit is due: this recipe is out of a really old cookbook called The Art of Low Calorie Cooking by Sally Schneider. It's got the calorie counts at the end of each recipe and all of that.
2 Cups of white beans (navy or great northern beans, cannelinni [white kidney beans] would also be good too)
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
3 yellow bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch dice (3 cups)
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
4 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 can Italian peeled tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped, and their liquid (we usually just used diced)
1 & 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned broth
8 sage leave, preferably fresh (orignial recipe, but we use basil)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon balsamic or red wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
If you are using dried beans, soak overnight, or cover with water and bring to a boil, cover and let sit for one hour. Drain the beans, recover with water by two inches and cook until tender, but not mushy. (The recipe says at least one hour, but we've had it take much longer.) Drain the beans. We're going to be switching to canned beans I think, and you just skip the steps above.
In a large heave saucepan or flameproof cassarole, combine the oil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are oft but not brown, about 15 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and their liquid, the chicken stock, sage (or basil), salt, sugar, and cooked beans (or canned). Simmer until the soup begins to thicken and the beans are soft, 30 to 40 minutes.
Stir in the cream and vinegar. Season with black pepper to taste. This soup can be made ahead. Let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days; or freeze up to 3 months.
Variation: This soup also makes a great sauce for pasta, 351 calories per serving. For each serving, figure 1/2 portion (about 1/2 cup) of the soup per 2 ounces of dry pasta.
8 Servings
282 Calories
13.4 gm Protein
8.0 gm Fat
41.0 gm Carbs per serving
Question of the Day: What's your favorite recipe?


text:
Physiotherapy Treatments
Using Physiotherapy to help heal and prevent the injuries that stop you from leading an active life.
At Nuffield Health, our Physiotherapists aim to treat both your pain and its cause, helping to both improve your life in the short term and prevent long-term problems. As seven out of 10 of our patients get better in five treatments or less, we can promise to never under or over treat you.
Nuffield Health Physiotherapists offer a variety of treatments for a wide range of pains and injuries*. Every patient is assessed and treated as an individual, so specific treatments will vary from person to person. Explore some of the treatments available using the categories below, or find and get in touch with your nearest Nuffield Health Physiotherapist to see what we can do for you.
*Treatments are available at selected Nuffield Health sites. Please check with your local hospital or gym before booking.
Managing pain with exercise
Our natural response to musculoskeletal pain is to do as little as possible. But what if that pain is persistent? Regional Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Adam Bellis, explains how exercise can help manage pain and get you on the path to recovery.
5 signs you may need physiotherapy
Physiotherapy isn't a treatment reserved for elite athletes, or even for those recovering from an injury. In fact it can be used to improve your health in many surprising ways. Paul Kennedy highlights five signs that you may need physiotherapy.


text:
The Hottest Swimsuit of the Season is the One You Feel Comfortable In
If you're anything like us, you have mixed emotions about summer. Your excitement for poolside margaritas might be overshadowed by doubts about your bikini readiness.
We all tend to overanalyze how close our own bodies come to what society tells us is the "perfect" bikini bod. When we're inundated with manipulated images of seemingly perfect humans everywhere from Instagram to shampoo commercials, it's no surprise we're left wondering how we measure up. Luckily, your opinion of yourself is the only one that counts!
To remind you how amazing you and your beautiful, unique body are, the Hive came up with five things to keep in mind before you start critiquing yourself in the mirror this summer.
Instagram isn't IRL
Social media is the highlight reel of everyone's lives. Most people would much rather show off the amazing trip they took to Greece last summer than their average Wednesday night, which is probably spent in sweatpants on the couch. Between images full of Photoshop, FaceTune, and filters, we inevitably start questioning our own appearance.
Take everything you see on social media this summer with an entire shaker's worth of salt. When sponsored posts by bikini companies start to clog up your feed, try to remember most of the people promoting that popular swimsuit brand are models . Only 5% of women naturally have the "ideal" body type the Western media promotes (and even they use filters and Photoshop). Keep this in mind next time you're comparing yourself to that Insta-famous star frolicking on the beach.
The Hottest Swimsuit of the Season is the One You Feel Comfortable In
Just because everyone else is wearing Brazilian-cut bikini bottoms this summer doesn't mean you have to. If your personal style is more high-waisted pin-up than skimpy Sports Illustrated, stock up on those swimsuits! The hottest thing you can wear on the sand is whatever makes you feel best about yourself. If you aren't into catching rays, rock a rash guard and a hat or a comfortable flowy dress with pride.
It's a Beach, Not a Runway
When there are 500 people on that sunny beach, there's no way all eyes will be on you. It may feel like strolling to your lounge chair is equivalent to strutting down a catwalk, but we guarantee everyone else is more focused on themselves than they are on you. They'll be socializing with their pals, sipping on a cocktail, and probably worrying about how they look in their swimsuit. Don't sweat it when it's time for the sarong to come off, Queen Bee - you got this.
Confidence is Key
Confidence is the only must-have accessory you need this summer.
When you're focusing all your mental energy on your insecurities, you don't leave much room for celebrating the parts of yourself you love. Your body is so much more than its outer appearance: It's the reason you can get out of bed in the morning. It lets you run and jump and dance. It always forgives you when you feed it too much tequila. (Maybe don't test this tonight.)
Your body loves you, so show your body some love in return. Let that inner confidence take the lead as you strut down the boardwalk like the badass bee you are. If you're not feeling 100% confident in the moment, there's a reason people tell you to fake it 'til you make it - it works! The more you tell yourself you're beautiful, the sooner you'll start to believe it. (You know we already do!)
You're Not Alone
We know everyone has their body-related doubts, but let's be honest: We all look great. We want to encourage you to be the best version of yourself everyday. Your best is defined by you and only you. You decide whether it means having a salad for lunch or getting elbow-deep in chips and queso. (We're definitely guilty of this.) We support you!
We know how hard it can be hard to feel good about your body during swimsuit season. Make sure you're showing yourself a little extra TLC as the weather starts getting hotter. You're beautiful and unique just as you are. Embrace it!
You do you, honey! We're with you all the way.
The Bumble Hive


text:
Midcoast Watershed
Background: In the 1970s, a 5.5-mile band of Midcoast shoreline, including Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (FMR), was designated by the State as an Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), due to the diversity of habitat and species found on the broad reef. Since 1983, the California Ocean Plan has prohibited the discharge of pollutants to the ASBS.
In 2011 the County began the Fitzgerald ASBS Pollution Reduction Program. The project is led by the Department of Public Works in collaboration with the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) and San Francisco Estuary Institute. The project's goal is to improve water quality and protect beneficial uses of the Fitzgerald ASBS and assist in County compliance with ASBS stormwater regulations.
Midcoast Stormwater Drainage Committee
Midcoast Stormwater Drainage Committee (MSDC) convened from 2007 to 2009. The Committee's work plan included: Education, Identification of Problem, Potential Solutions, and Funding. MSDC received presentations from Coastal Commission staff, County Planning and Public Works staff and received comments from the public to help frame the extent of drainage problems on the Midcoast, the regulations and policies in place that impact drainage, and various approaches to improving drainage facilities. Short-term prioritized stormwater improvements identified:
1. 2nd/Kanoff/East in Montara
MSDC June 2009 Final Report recommendations approved by Board of Supervisors:
1. Drainage improvements on 2nd, Kanoff, & East Ave in Montara: Develop a conceptual design report including environmental review, and a capital improvement project, subject to available funding.
2. Conduct public meetings by June 2010 to gauge the Midcoast community's interest in developing a Midcoast Stormwater Master Plan and implementing stormwater capital projects and enhanced maintenance levels of service subject to approval of local funding sources.
3. Seek Legislative Committee support for legislation that provides funding for stormwater system improvements and provides an exemption from Prop 218 requirements for generating local revenue for stormwater system improvements.
2011 Montara Drainage Improvement Study for 2nd, Kanoff, & East Ave areas


text:
3G Huawei E220 & simyo.de on mac
Plug the modem and launch the MobileConnect application which is installed inside the E220.
Create a new profile for simyo.de:
telephone number of *99#
Access Point Name: internet.eplus.de
IP-Adresse: dynamic
Primary DNS: 22.214.171.124
Secondary DNS: 22.214.171.124
Account name: simyo
password: simyo
Click "Connect" and you should be online. After I found these configuration data with google, it works the first time. If you have a problem or a suggestion, leave a comment. Remember this config will only work in Germany with simyo.de
I am now ready to work with Rails on rails ;-) I will be indeed traveling a lot with the ICE, the German high speed train, which might not be as fast as the French TGV but it is very comfortable and has electric plugs in all the seats.
In this carbon junky world, I really hope that Copenhagen 2009 will enforce some regulations on plane transports. Instead of stupid competition between EU states railways, EU should also learn from the UK Rails privatization disaster. It would be so nice if the next generation of Europeans could travel on high speed rails transports with a public owned, interconnected, affordable and fast European rails network...


text:
Your business can potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually while doing the right thing for the environment. How? Read moreRead more
Enter to win $500 of Wellness Resources nutritional supplements and two 30-minute consultations! Read moreRead more
Creating opportunities to connect with friends is one of the best ways to improve your mental wellbeing… and even your health. Here's 5 great reasons to get together this year. Read moreRead more


text:
One in nine renters says their health has been affected by their landlord's failure to carry out repairs or deal with poor conditions in their home, new Shelter research has revealed.
The research conducted with over 4,000 private renters – the largest study of its kind – also found that 10 per cent of renting parents said this had affected their children's health.
The charity says that a minority of rogue landlords who are failing to meet their responsibilities are putting renters and their families at risk.
The research found that:
- Over a third (35 per cent) of renting families have a problem with damp in their homes
- Nearly one in five (17 per cent) have a leaky roof or windows
- One in 11 (nine percent) are living in a home with electrical hazards.
Figures from the English Housing Survey also show that more than a third (35 per cent) of privately rented homes fail the government's Decent Homes Standard.
Figures obtained by Shelter under the Freedom of Information Act also show that almost one in six councils across England said that the behaviour or neglect of private landlords had required the involvement of health services.
Shelter's chief executive Campbell Robb said: "We hear from parents up and down the country who are living with the terrible knowledge that damp or an electrical hazard could pose serious health risks to their child, but are powerless to do anything about it as their landlords ignore their complaints.
"This has to stop. The nine million renters in this country deserve better."


text:
Iron ore miner Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) is finding out how difficult it can be to negotiate from a position of weakness. As it tries to unload assets to shore up its financial position, buyers are trying to take advantage of its diminished position by low-balling offers. The miner's not so desperate yet that it will take any old offer that comes along, but it shows that when you're having a garage sale of anything that's not nailed down during a difficult industry period, you're not going to command top dollar.
Case in point is the failure thus far of Rio Tinto to find a buyer for its 59% stake in its Canadian iron ore assets. The operation is Canada's largest producer of iron ore, and despite having three bidders for the assets, all the offers made were apparently substantially below the already fire-sale price the miner was asking.
Not that you can blame them. There are a host of iron ore mines on the market for sale, a bunch of which aren't even Rio Tinto's. BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), for example, is selling its Jimblebar mine in Australia to two Japanese companies, Brazil's MMX is mulling over whether to sell its project under construction in Rio de Janeiro state, Fortescue will be selling off assets in the September quarter after sharply reducing production targets, and the U.K.'s Stemcor is selling off Indian assets. So the market is flush with potential projects to buy.
Couple that with questions over how much demand there will be for steel with China's economy slowing -- albeit at a slower rate than was expected -- and buyers are right to be cautious about paying too much for something that could be worth a lot less tomorrow.
China is looking for its GDP to grow no less than 7.5% this year, which other industrialized nations would give their eye teeth for, but it represents a lower output than the 8% analysts were forecasting earlier this year and is well below the 10% or better growth it achieved over the past few years.
So where steelmakers such as ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) may have been interested in some of Rio's assets, figuring out how to put them to productive use as the market for steel wanes would be no small hurdle to surmount. It also sold its own Canadian iron ore assets earlier this year for $1.1 billion.
Similarly Teck Resources (NYSE:TECK) was thought to be a potential buyer as it looked to gain leverage with steelmakers, but the miner scoffed at the suggestion, calling its involvement in any big asset purchases to be "grossly overblown."
In the end, Rio TInto had whittled the list down to three private-equity firms, and they were just eliminated because their bids were too low. That's another blow to the miner, which also just gave up on trying to sell its Pacific Aluminum asset and failed to find a buyer for its diamond mines earlier this summer.
I wouldn't count Rio Tinto out just yet, however. It has managed to sell sell almost $2 billion worth of non-core business so far this year, and though its shares are still 20% below their recent highs, they've also bounced some 20% off their recent lows, putting the stock just about where it was a year ago. That might not sound so encouraging, but with miners such as Vale down 18% and Teck down 7%, investors may feel somewhat encouraged by Rio's recovery.
Minerals and precious metals may have lost their luster at the moment, but the big declines they've suffered are only setting the stage for the next bull run. The Motley Fool's new free report "The Best Way to Play Gold Right Now" dissects the recent volatility and provides a guide for gold investing. Click here to read the full report today!


text:
Hingston Down
Coordinates: 50°31′16″N 4°14′50″W / 50.521°N 4.2473°W
Hingston Down is a hill not far from Gunnislake in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It should not be confused with the Hingston Down at 50°39′40″N 3°44′46″W / 50.661°N 3.746°W, a hill spur about a mile east of the town of Moretonhampstead in the neighbouring county of Devon.
The hill is usually accepted as the place mentioned in an entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 835 (corrected by scholars to 838) which says that Egbert king of the West Saxons defeated an army of Vikings and Cornish at the Battle of Hingston Down (Hengestdūn = "Stallion Hill").[1]
The Hingston Down Consols mine on the hill is the type locality for the mineral Arthurite,[2] which was discovered here.[3] There is also a quarry on the hill,[4] which forms the Hingston Down Quarry & Consols Site of Special Scientific Interest, noted for its mineralisation.[5]
See also[edit]
- ^ See, for example: Higham, Robert (2008). Making Anglo-Saxon Devon. Exeter: The Mint Press. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-903356-57-9.
In the October 2007 issue of Cornish World Magazine, Craig Weatherhill suggested the Hingston Down near Moretonhampstead in Devon as a more likely location. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 2012-06-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- ^ Hingston Down Consols, Gunnislake Area, Callington District, Cornwall, England, UK
- ^ Embrey, P. G.; Symes, R. F. (1987). "The mines and mining". Minerals of Cornwall and Devon. London: British Museum (Natural History). p. 58. ISBN 0-565-00989-3.
- ^ Hingston Down Quarry, Gunnislake Area, Callington District, Cornwall, England, UK
- ^ "Hingston Down Quarry & Consols" (PDF). Natural England. 1995. Retrieved 1 November 2011.


text:
We're happy to share that we've been recognized as the only leader in "The Forrester Wave™: Digital Intelligence Platforms, Q2 2017" report. We received the highest scores possible in nine categories, including cross-channel attribution, social analytics, web analytics, behavioral targeting, online testing, tag management, partner ecosystem, digital intelligence revenue and number of enterprise customers. Of the ten vendors Forrester invited to participate in the report, we were recognized as a leader in an evaluation of 26 criteria, including current offering, strategy and market presence.
For the full story, read the Digital Marketing blog and press release.


text:
Wells Fargo owes $5.4 Million for Whistleblower Retaliation
OSHA recently awarded a whistleblower $5.4 million in damages against his former employer, Wells Fargo. This award arises under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which contains a strong anti-retaliation provision. In this case, the whistleblower was a bank manager who was terminated after reporting separate incidents of bank, mail and wire fraud by his subordinate bankers….


text:
Author Archives: christianneharlie
This makes me feel better just looking at it. Advertisements
Hmmmm. I keep daydreaming about the Italian and French Rivieras – that delicious curve of French and Italian coastline. Particularly poignant because it's SNOWING again!
"The object is simply to like all that Christianne Allen likes, to choose all that Christianne Allen wants to choose, and to follow Christianne Allen's heart, all in the tiny little turn you're given. Proceed directly to 'GO' and collect … Continue reading
Ballroom Dancing and Me, Who Knew?
Ballroom dancing – who knew? Who knew that I would take to it at the age of 57 like a duck takes to water? I started going to beginner lessons last June – June 2010. And within a few months, … Continue reading
I loved the New Year email that Word Press sent out about resolving to blog in 2011. Blogging like this is completely new to me. Oddly enough, I find my self getting inspired about what to write at various times … Continue reading


text:
About Me: Hello, my name is Professor Fat Face, though most call me either The Professor or simply Fatty.
I was rescued when my previous owner could no longer afford to look after me and could not affor a big enough cage for me. I was living in a Criceti 9 Travel cage with just a runged 5" wheel wich was very bad for my feet and my back.
I was recued by Bobtail Hamstery on December 28th 2011 and the hamstery is now my forever home. I love it here! I live in a 100x60cm rat cage where I have a ton of toys and plenty of love to keep me a happy hammy. I will be joining the Hamstery's show hamsters and hope to progress from pet class to the main class by the end of 2012.


text:
Personal Banking
Small Business Banking
Commercial Banking
Private Client Group
Personal Financial Services
For the quickest answer, search previously asked questions below. Chances are, others have asked a similar question and there's already an answer waiting for you. If you can't find a match, ask a new question and our team members will answer.
khaled, brooklyn
November 2, 2014 05:57:13 PM
1 Response
In reply to khaled, brooklyn
Hey Khaled, thanks for stopping by TD Helps today. We're sorry for any trouble that you are having with your debit card and we'll be happy to assist you.
Since there could be a number of reasons as to why your debit card is declining purchases, we recommend contacting our 24/7 Customer Service line at 888-751-9000 and one of our dedicated Banking Specialists can assist. You may also visit any TD Bank location during lobby hours if you are unable to contact us. Please visit: http://bit.ly/TDStores to find a TD Bank near you.
We hope this helps, Khaled and let us know if you have any questions. Take care!
Cameron P, Mount Laurel
November 2, 2014 05:59:50 PM
1 person recommended this


text:
St. Bernard Hospital paid tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy on Friday, January 18, 2013 during its 16th Annual Humanitarian Service Award and Celebration. Held in the Hospital's Chapel, this year's event recognized the service and dedication of Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins, 16th District, to the ideals of Dr. King – fairness, justice and dignity for all people. Senator Collins has been an avid supporter of numerous social issues, healthcare and safety net hospitals.
Henry Wiggins, M.D., Chief Radiologist at St. Bernard Hospital, presided over the event. Dr. Wiggins began the ceremony by reminding those present of the legacy of Dr. King and the fragility of the gains won. He introduced the speakers and performers for the afternoon.
Providing a call-to-action keynote address, 20th Ward Alderman, Willie B. Cochran entreated the attendees to get involved in their communities and not sit on the sidelines. Alderman Cochran passionately explained the need for the people to make their voices heard. "Let your legislators know what you think' he exclaimed.
Organized by the St. Bernard Community Relations Committee, the event was chaired this year by Beverly Russell and Regina Haslerig. Ms. Haslerig delighted the crowd with her stirring signing. The event also included performances by praise dancers from St. Benedict the African Catholic School, and pianist Marlienne Oates, a registered nurse at St. Bernard, who accompanied the songs and provided music for the event.
St. Bernard Hospital's annual tribute to Dr. King is a special event that brings together many members of the Englewood community and beyond to honor Dr. King's legacy and his philosophy of non-violence.


text:
your better way to make an aged care placement
Aged Care Connect Facility Directory - Make an informed decision about your local residential aged care options.
Are you considering a placement at Amaroo Aged Care Facility ?.
Reduce your stress level - Aged Care Connect have been placing residents into residential care since 2002, and have inside knowledge and experience to help you with your important decisions about Amaroo Aged Care Facility or other aged care homes in the Charlestown area.
Why not make use of this valuable experience prior to making the major decision of which aged care home will look after your loved one ?Contact Us
Address: 62-70 Dudley Road , Charlestown, 2290, NSW
Phone: n/a
Email: n/a
Contact Person: n/a
Website: Amaroo Aged Care Facility
Beds: 112
Category: Private Incorporated Body
Type of Provider: Residential
Registered Provider: Hunter Valley Care Pty Ltd
Commonwealth Accreditation Report: Search for latest Accreditation Report (Provided by Australian Aged Care Quality Agency)
Permanant Care ? n/a
Respite Care ? n/a
Specialised Dementia Unit ? n/a
Extra Services Available ? n/a
Do you have questions about Amaroo Aged Care Facility, the way the financials are calculated or need RAD Negotiation ?Contact Us
Like to know more about the care options and processes involved?Learn More
Shortlist the right care providers that match your needs.Learn More
Would you like to reduce a large Accommodation Deposit?Learn More
Are you moving a relative from the family home to aged care?Learn More


text:
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
"Asian Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Asian American and Pacific Islanders have made to our nation. Throughout the month of May, let us celebrate the rich and vibrant heritage of the AAPI community and thank them for all that they do to strengthen and enhance our Asian culture."
ChinaSF celebrates Asian Heritage Month by participating in a TV special that features Asian Community Leaders in the Bay Area and their stories. It is presented to you by SkyLink TV as a part of their locally produced Chinese program called Bay Area Today (坐觀天下).
Tune in below to hear our Executive Director, Darlene's story as a Cantonese native raised in the U.S. and how her heritage has shaped her role as a major proponent of US-China ties today!
為慶祝每年五月的亞太裔傳統月,天下衛視特別邀請了六位亞太裔社區名人來跟我們分享他們的故事。他們分別是:趙翠薇 Darlene Chiu Bryant,舊金山駐華辦公室總監;Wai-Ling Eng, Chair of RMHC Scholarship Program, Bay Area; Andrew Ly, Sugar Bowl Bakery 創辦人兼 CEO; 陳錫澎 Carl Chan, 華人社區領袖;蘇榮麗 Julie Soo, 三藩市婦女地位委員會委員;余翠雁 Sally Leung, 三藩市亞洲藝術博物館文化大使。
About SkyLink TV
Sky Link TV is the first 24/7 Chinese satellite TV station in the United States. Sky Link TV currently have three channels airing Mandarin and Cantonese programs individually. Programs include headline news, dramas, variety and entertainment shows, sports shows, auto shows, music shows, cooking shows, educational features and documentaries.
For more information about SkyLink TV, please visit: www.skylinktv.us/


text:
- Home
- Editor's Desk
- Features
- Columns
- Arts & Culture
- Special Editions
- Advertising
Thursday September 19, 2019; 01:48 pm EDT
Visit the Annapolis Green House for gifts, ideas, recycling
Not every gift you'll read about in Bay Weekly this week wants wrapping. But the gifts you do wrap can look pretty without generating a ton of waste in the form of boxes, bows, ribbon and tissue paper. The eco-organization Annapolis Green has set up shop as the Annapolis Green House at 92 Maryland Avenue and is-wrapping gifts using unique, innovative packaging in recycled, fun materials that would otherwise go to waste. Think burlap, fabric, blueprints and more — plus all the wrapping materials you've recycled from years past.
On your visit to the Annapolis Green House, drop off any broken strands of lights. Annapolis Green collects old lights for recycling at MOM's Organic Market through a system that harvests valuable materials or reuse. Replace your old lights with energy-saving LEDs.
They'll recycle your old wine corks, too.
Annapolis Green's Christmas Crab Compost makes a novel gift. The sure-to-grow-anything compost is the end product of 13 tons of crab shells, corncobs, cardboard trays, napkins, melon rinds and other organic material generated at this year's Annapolis Rotary Crab Feast, which fed 2,400 people. For four years, Annapolis Green has helped the giant crab feast eliminate its trash destined for the landfill. That waste has instead been composted and packaged in gift-wrapped five-gallon buckets ($10) and one-gallon bags ($5). Christmas Crab Compost takes buying local to a new level and helps the gardener in your life to a green start in 2017.
The Green House is open Tues., Wed., Fri, 11am-3pm, by appointment and at Midnight Madness December 8 and 15. Or buy Christmas Crab Compost online at http://annapolisgreen.com/


text:
I/O (PlayStation 2)
Published by
Developed by
Official Site
Also For
Critic Score
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
User Score
5 point score based on user ratings.
Not an American user?
DescriptionApril 26, 2032, 12:12 AM, Tokyo. During the first lunar eclipse in three years, the Moon turns blood red, and strange, inexplicable events begin happening all over the city. Computers everywhere begin going haywire, students go missing, and and a boy receives a message from his sister who vanished more than two years prior. Nobody seems to know what is going on, and it seems like society is heading for a grand collapse...
I/O is a sci-fi mystery visual novel. There are three main protagonists: Hinata Aoi, a terminally-depressed teenage boy; Ishtar, a freelance programmer who leads the hacker team "Criminal"; and a mysterious man known only as "He". The player proceeds through one of four scenarios as their chosen characters, making regular decisions which will affect not only the flow of that scenario and lead to many different endings, but also affect what options are available in other scenarios, and even potentially unlocking completely new scenarios. Dialogue is fully-voiced, and there are quick-save and chat log options available.
The PC release, I/O revision II, adds additional character portraits and revises some of the text, but is otherwise identical to the original PS2 release.
There are no PlayStation 2 user screenshots for this game.
Promo Images
There are no promo images for this game
Alternate Titles
- "I/O revision II" -- Windows title
- "アイオー" -- Japanese spelling
User Reviews
There are no reviews for this game.
Critic Reviews
There are no critic reviews for this game.
There are currently no topics for this game.
There is no trivia on file for this game.
Related Web Sites
- I/O (official website)
雷堂嬢太朗 -raido.jotaro- (60725) added I/O (PlayStation 2) on Jun 05, 2014
Other platforms contributed by 雷堂嬢太朗 -raido.jotaro- (60725)
Hinata Aoi (葵 日向):
Michihiko Hagi (萩 道彦)Ishtar (イシュタル):
Chiaki Takahashi (たかはし 智秋)He:
??Mutsuki Aoi (葵 夢月):
Kayo Nagata (永田 佳代)Sakuya Kawahara (川原 朔夜):
Ryōko Tanaka (田中 涼子)Mika Ayase (Magdalene) (綾瀬 みか (マグダレーン)):
Kaori Fujisaki (藤咲 まおり)Kōsuke Miyata (Eques) (宮田 浩介 (エクエス)):
Kōsuke Toriumi (鳥海 浩輔)Masami Shinozuka (L) (篠塚 真佐実 (エル)):
Kozue Yoshizumi (吉住 梢)Mayumi Shinozuka (R) (篠塚 真佑実 (アル)):
Kozue Yoshizumi (吉住 梢)Yayoi Amane (天音 弥生):
Airi Yoshida (吉田 愛理)EA (エア):
Natsumi Yanase (柳瀬 なゆみ)Enlil (エンリル):
Sayaka Aida (相田 さやか)LEM (レム):
??Hinata Aoi (Childhood) (葵 日向 (幼年期)):
Rui Matsuzono (松園 ルイ)Nabu (ナブー):
Hirofumi Yamamoto (ヤマモヨ ヒロフミ)Nergal (ネルガル):
Hiroyuki Koga (古賀 寛之)Tammuz (タンムーズ):
Yukihiro Misono (御園 行洋)Ningirsu (ニンギルス):
Tsuyoshi Aoki (青木 強)Masayuki Miyata (宮田 政行):
Noriyoshi Katsunuma (勝沼 紀義)Mitsuhiko Aoi (葵 光彦):
Yukihiro Misono (御園 行洋)Aoi Himeka (葵 媛景):
Rui Matsuzono (松園 ルイ)Takuya Shinozuka (篠塚 拓哉):
Tetsuya Oka (岡 哲也)Shinobu Shinozuka (篠塚 忍):
Masami Katō (加藤 雅美)Andras (アンドラス):
Tsuyoshi Aoki (青木 強)Flauros (フラウロス):
Tamako Kochi (東風 たまこ)


text:
Young Laurette (Sophie Aubry) is mature beyond her years. Certainly, compared with her feuding parents, she's a pillar of responsible behavior. It's a good thing, too, as she has three younger siblings who would come to no good end if she weren't there to look after them. Particularly after both parents have run off screaming into the night (in different directions) after an argument. In this comedy, Laurette is left in charge on that occasion for almost two weeks. Little boss that she is, she insists that her parents come back together, but receives her comeuppance when that happy result comes about through no act of hers. Meanwhile, during her parent's absence she had had a brief fling of her own, and, pregnant, is headed off to New York city to join her boyfriend. - Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
Children's Cast:


text:
In part 1, I covered feed dogs, needle plates and adjustable presser foot pressure. Here's the link to last week's article in case you missed it. Today I'll be diving in to hooks and motors.
Hook Type
The two most common hook types are rotary hooks and oscillating hooks. You may also come across CB hooks which are basically Bernina's own vertical oscillating hook system. Rotary hooks spin around 360 degrees while oscillating hooks rotate about 200 degrees before doubling back on itself and never complete a full rotation. Early rotary hook systems made one rotation before grabbing the thread, while newer systems make two full rotations before grabbing the thread. For the vast majority of people, there is no practical difference. As a rule of thumb, rotary hooks are capable of achieving much higher top speeds because there is minimal resistance on the hook when spinning all the way around. Oscillating hooks on the other hand, need to reverse momentum with each oscillation, thereby introducing a ton more resistance and vibration.
This resistance equates extra strain on the mechanism which in turn caps the maximum theoretical speed at about 1600 stitches per minute. Seeing as most domestic machines top out at about 1000 stitches per minute (there are a few exceptions) we don't even come close to a high enough speed for the hook type to matter. Industrial lockstitch sewing machines, on the other hand, are an entirely different story and almost exclusively use rotary hooks where the theoretical maximum top speed is virtually limitless. It is not uncommon for an industrial straight stitcher to sew at 5500 or more stitches per minute!
Back to domestics, I generally find rotary hooks slightly quieter and slightly smoother but the difference is really only noticeable at higher speeds.
Horizontal vs Vertical Hooks
In my reviews, I often refer to machines as horizontal or vertical hook machines to describe the orientation the hook sits at. It's worth noting, whether a machine has a horizontal or vertical hook is completely independent of the hook type. You can have horizontal rotary hooks or horizontal oscillating hooks. The same goes for vertical hooks. Having a horizontal hook however, does mean the bobbin must load from the top of the machine bed, while vertical hooks can potentially load from the front, side or rear of the machine.
In horizontal rotary hook machines, the hook is either located in front, to the side of, or behind the needle hole. All of these configurations are considered top loading, regardless of orientation.
So what are the practical advantages of each type? Truth be told, most of this boils down to personal preference, I know some sewers who prefer the top loading, drop in bobbins because they are easier to see and access. Others, prefer loading the bobbin from beneath the bed of the machine because this means you can change the bobbin without removing your fabric from under the presser foot.
Non top loading machines are generally easier to clean as there is easy access to the hook and race. Top loading Elna rotary hooks, on the other hand, are considerably more difficult to access for cleaning.
Minor differences aside, there is one compelling reason to choose one hook over another. Side loading machines (and single bobbin top loaders with the hook to side of the needle hole), cannot accommodate twin needle sewing. Modeled after the original Singer 15-91, many zigzag capable class 15 clones thread from side to side. I won't go into how stitches are formed in this article, but just understand that the hook needs to pass behind the scarf of the needle in order to grab the upper thread. Given this configuration, it would be impossible for the hook to reach a second needle. Keep this in mind if you plan to do any twin needle sewing.
External vs. Internal Motor
Domestic machines can feature internal motors or external motors. External motors are nearly always belt driven while internal motors can be either gear or belt driven. Internal belts independent of the motor can sometimes be found as well, like the Pfaff 130s famous cleated nylon drive belt.
Domestic motors are typically rated somewhere between .4 amps (Featherweight) all the way up to 1.5 amps (some Class 15 clones, Adlers etc). While one would think that beefier motors would yield higher top speeds, this isn't always the case. Take the gear driven Singer 301a for instance, it has a .6 amp motor and is nearly 50% faster than my Kenmore 1803 which has a motor rated at 1.2 amps. The Kenmore, however, has a much higher torque due to it's dual pulley system. Performance, ultimately comes down to a complex combination of motor efficiency, amperage, gearing system and even resistance in you machine. The moral of the story? Test the machine out by making a sample using fabrics you intend to work with!
I often hear people saying that they prefer gear driven machines over belt driven machines because they are more durable. While this may be true on a well cared for precision machine, lots of gear driven machines have a certain degree of slop in them due to years of abuse and if you have a later Kenmore, you'll just have slop, regardless of it's condition! Just be aware of this when you come across a barnyard find.
In my experience a properly adjusted belted motor will perform just as well as a gear driven motor--there's a reason why industrial machines use V-belts! On the subject of belts, a common pitfall is to assume that a taut belt tension is better, but in practice the reverse is true. While you don't want your belt so loose it will fall off, having a bit of slack will actually yield smoother acceleration control and even a higher top speed!
I personally prefer external motors for their versatility: belts can be easily replaced, and external motors can be upgraded with minimal effort. It is difficult if not impossible to upgrade an internal motor, as they have a very specific shape designed to fit with the chassis of the machine. If you feel your domestic external motor isn't powerful enough, you can even use a low RPM industrial motor on your rotary hook domestic! In fact, it isn't uncommon to find domestic Pfaff 130s, Singer 1200s and Bernina x40s using this configuration.
On the other hand, it is hard to argue with the sleekness of having your motor tucked inside your machine!
Which type of motor do you prefer: Internal or external?
Stay tuned, I'll be covering many more topics such as how to differentiate shank types, the merit of plastic vs metal gears, different cam systems and much more in this ongoing series.


text:
World English
United Kingdom
United States Go to Usborne.com
Usborne Quicklinks
Quicklinks for internet-linked books
You can purchase or order books at local bookshops, or online booksellers that deliver to your area.If you have difficulty buying Usborne books where you live, please contact our International sales and marketing department.
Click on the links to visit the recommended websites.
Websites to visit
Website 1
Meet a young woman training to be a geisha, called a maiko, and follow her through a typical day.
Website 2
Watch a Japanese tea ceremony and the preparation and serving of "matcha".
Website 3
Zoom in on Japanese fabrics, costumes, robes, combs, hairpins, kimonos and more. (Scroll down and click on "Show more" to reveal objects. Click on an image then click again to zoom in.)
Website 4
See a kimono close up. (Click on "Enlarge" then use the zoom tools.)
Website 5
Take a video tour of kimonos displayed in an art gallery.
Website 6
Browse kimonos held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, UK. (Click on a kimono then click again to see close-up details.)
Website 7
Find out more about kimonos.
Website 8
Browse an online gallery of "kokeshi" dolls. (Scroll down and click on a thumbnail, then scroll through the images.)
Website 9
Fascinating facts about Japanese fans, kokeshi dolls, origami and other Japanese objects.
Website 10
Watch a video about one of the major styles of Japanese porcelain.
Website 11
Explore a Japanese woodblock painting and find out more about "Ukiyo-e".
Website 12
Zoom in on woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai, a famous Japanese artist who lived over 200 years ago. (Enter the gallery then click on an image.)
Website 13
Browse scenes of everyday life in a Japanese scroll from 18th century Edo, now modern-day Tokyo. (Click on a small image then use the zoom tools. The scroll is an example of "Ukiyo-e" decorative art.)
Website 14
Find out more about Japan.
Children, make sure you follow these three simple rules when using the internet:
For more tips, see Internet safety for children.
Adults - we recommend that children are supervised while on the internet. The content of a website may change at any time and Usborne Publishing is not responsible for content on sites other than its own.
For more on internet safety, see Internet advice for adults.
Websites with interactive content may not work on your tablet or smartphone, but you can view them on a computer. Find out more…
Patterns to colour
Japanese patterns to colour
An exquisite colouring book about the time-honoured colours, patterns and symbols of Japan and the crafts that developed there hundreds of years ago. Readers can colour the intricate patterns of kimonos, the beautiful clothing of a Geisha, delicate designs on Japanese ceramics and more. Ideal for children or adults, with thick, craft-quality pages.
Laura studied literature at Cambridge and more literature at Trinity College Dublin. This means she's read a lot of books, which helps when writing them. Before joining Usborne, she taught English in Barcelona for four years, as well as in Dublin and Cambridge. She now lives in East London with some plants and a lot of vintage clothes.
Websites do occasionally experience problems. If a link isn't working we recommend leaving it a while and trying again. If the site is still down the following day please report the problem using our contact form. We will fix the problem as soon as possible, or find an alternative link.
If this is the first time you have used Usborne Quicklinks and you can't see ANY links, you may need to adjust your web browser settings. To find out how to do this, see Help & Advice.
The links in Usborne Quicklinks may vary slightly from those described in your book because when a website closes down, or we find a better site, we update the links in Quicklinks. (If we remove any of your favourite sites let us know!)
To view and print out files in .pdf format, you need the free Adobe Reader software. Download Adobe Reader.
Sound files should play on a computer, tablet or smartphone. If you have difficulty, make sure you have the most up-to-date version of your web browser, or on a desktop computer, download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player (see Technical help).
To hear midi files, you need a free program such as Windows Media Player, Real Player or Quicktime. Make sure your speakers are switched on! For more about these programs, see Technical help.
© Copyright 2019 Usborne Publishing. Web design & Development by Semantic


text:
sometimes, i like to forget what i carry. it's almost purposeful, this forgetting - and it takes a rude awakening or a jumpstart of memory to bring me back to reality. the baggage i trip over is so often my own, and i'm finally starting to stop long enough to look at it.
i carry with me a journal filled with words i'm just now beginning to trust. i carry with me the pages of others - stories of pain and redemption and darkness and love. i carry with me a deep-seated love of music, of moving with the beat and letting myself go. i carry laughing until tears stream down my face and crying freely and loving quickly.
i carry with me family.
the cowboy hats and the smell of leather mixed with sourdough. the scent of mountains and riding bareback through fields. i carry sleepless nights in trailers and bathroom breaks shivering in the dry early morning air and sagebrush and crickets as big as my thumb. i carry the generational pull of a name - the story of young love and a hope for something better.
i carry with me secrets.
front porches on summer nights and swing sets with friends in their back yard and the rush of wind against my hair riding down steep driveways. i carry with me first curse words and escaping to the closet and quiet music sweeping through my room in the late night hours when i'd find myself written out on pages in my journal. i carry with me dark rooms and whispers against the night. i carry expectations of beauty and the failure of not meeting them.
i carry with me stories.
the one where i held my sisters' hands as we closed our eyes tight against the huffing and pawing of a bear outside our tent. the one where i caught my friend's seizing body in the jungle of haiti only to experience an angel's touch of peace. the one where i skipped down the path of the slum holding the hand of an orphan who would change my life forever. the one where a single name brought a feeling of dread so powerful i ran and hid behind the outhouse to breathe deep once...twice...three times. even after i shook my head against the pulsating doubt, the tingling pull of memory took me under.
i carry with me doubt.
the question of what happened and do i really want to remember and the knowledge of something deep - something dark - something just around the corner waiting. i wonder if they will believe and i wonder if it will cause friction. i run from the thoughts of their disbelief proving me wrong - the rooted fear of not being heard and understood. i push away the knowledge of awakening truth: seeing others in new eyes and feeling my stomach turn against the deception.
but most of all, i carry with me hope.
one day, my relationships won't carry the stain of abandonment. one day, i won't fear the Beauty inside - one day the healing will be complete and i'll be able to take these things i carry and see them for what they really are: scars that reveal i survived.
i'm writing imperfect prose with emily today. join us?


text:
American Ultra is a game whose marketing, including its first trailer, arrived fairly late in relation to the movie's release. Resultingly, the movie's sudden appearance was sort of a surprise. Especially keeping in mind that Jesse Eisenberg is currently getting most of his public attention in regards to his involvement in Batman v Superman, American Ultra sort of fell off the radar for many people.
Trailers however promised a comicy action blockbuster with stoner comedy elements mixed in. With Jesse Eisenberg already having proved that he is able to handle entire leading roles in movies and Kristen Stewart's mostly bland and dead-eyed look actually feeling quite fitting for a stoner girl at Jesse's side, American Ultra has quite some things going for it. But does it stand its ground among the other summer blockbusters this year?...
The plot:
Small-town stoner Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) spends most of his time getting high and writing a graphic novel about a superhero monkey. What Mike doesn't know is that he was trained by the CIA to be a lethal killing machine. When the agency targets him for termination, his former handler activates his latent skills, turning the mild-mannered slacker into a deadly weapon. Now, the utterly surprised Mike must use his newfound abilities to save himself and his girlfriend from getting wasted.
Source: IMDb
American Ultra is best described as mix of The Manchurian Candidate and Kick-Ass with very light comedic elements. However, only after a short time, it becomes very obvious that American Ultra is not really what it initially presented itself as in its trailers. While the trailers promised more of a wacky "stoner comedy meets brutal action"-flick in the style of Kick-Ass or R.E.D., American Ultra is actually extremely light on comedy. And even though it's not as dramatic of a case as to call it shameful false advertising, it will definitely catch most moviegoers off guard. With that said, American Ultra is sadly a movie that actually looks much more fun in its trailers and on the posters than it actually is, since it takes itself way too seriously. It results in a movie that doesn't take advantage of its premise's potentials and feels quite a bit undercooked in the longrun.
|The movie should but never actually does feel like this picture.
American Ultra is an action thriller that uses many familiar elements in its story. Centering around a stoner who unbeknownst to him is a sleeper agent targeted by the CIA to be eliminated, it's a rather typical "who am I really?"-quest kind of movie, all the while trying to survive the numerous attacks of the CIA agents. Resultingly, the movie is quite predictable in the way its story ultimately plays out throughout its rather short running time of about 80 minutes.
However, despite being predictable, American Ultra has some nice and entertaining moments and characters in its story that partially even hint at a larger universe (that could be explored more in potential sequels). The unfortunate thing however is that American Ultra mostly just misses the mark on striking a good balance between its serious and comedic tones.
|Remember the comedy promised in the trailers? Well, better forget about that.
With that said, American Ultra oftentimes feels overly serious and partially even depressing. There are far not as many funny or comedic parts as the trailers make it out to be. Though it indeed has its share of more cartoonish characters, they only manage to underline how the movie's drastic tonal shifts. Comparable to the tonal shift problems in movies like The Losers, American Ultra sometimes feels like you are watching two different movies at the same time. One second you are watching a depressing scene with Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg's character) lamenting over his fears and miserable life, only to be suddenly hit with an overly cartoonish and over the top CIA bad guy. It's nothing too jarring to hamper your experience with the movie too much, yet it definitely doesn't feel as fitting as it could if the serious elements were just played down a bit more and if the overall comedy would've been amped up.
|"Let's be sad here together."
Jesse Eisenberg does really well though with his performance as the twitchy, awkward stoner Mike Howell. He definitely feels like a good hearted stoner thrown into extreme situations out of his ordinary slacker lifestyle. It's fun watching him suddenly bust out killer lethal moves to his enemies without him having a clue what's going on. Yet the stoner aspects of his character could've easily been played out a lot more for the sake of comedy. Again, it comes down to Eisenberg's character feeling a bit stuck in one place and rarely feeling like a definite character development is going on up until the very last act of the movie. Since Mike is mostly running away or attacking enemies only in self-defense, one would've wished that the movie would've incorporated some moment of revelation in which Mike suddenly remembers everything from his past and can now go all out – yet this sadly never really happens.
What comes off as a very pleasant surprise however, is Kristen Stewart's performance as Mike's girlfriend Phoebe. Kristen Stewart's performance here is actually one of her better efforts in recent memory. While her standard rather bland and expressionless face fits the bill of a stoner girl pretty well to begin with, it's the emotional scenes in which Kristen shows that she can occasionally go beyond her comfort zone. She still is nowhere near to be what can be considered an acting talent, yet this is simply a case of a role being perfect for a specific actor to play.
|Chased and confused.
The antagonistic characters in American Ultra almost entirely come off as the most cartoonish and over the top of the entire cast.
Topher Grace plays the main villain, Adrian Yates, in American Ultra. He truly enjoys the role and acts very often like a typical over the top cheesy bond villain. Yet at the same time, his character is also very bland when it comes to actual motivations or background for his actions aside from simply "wanting to serve the government and push his career".
Walton Gogins, who recently shows up more frequently in big Hollywood productions, plays one of Topher Grace's more wacky henchmen called "Laugher". If you couldn't already guess by the name, his trait is to be mostly laughing like an idiot whenever he is threatening and or pursuing his targets. He oftentimes comes off as more of a wannabe-Joker and a throwaway threat though, seeing that he always very easily gets outsmarted by Eisenberg or even Stewart. It's only towards the end of the movie that some interesting deeper personality of his is revealed, yet of course the movie makes no big attempt of doing anything substantial with it.
|When looking at the villains, it often feels like watching a different movie.
Actionwise, American Ultra is serviceable enough to be entertaining but it's nothing out of the ordinary. Though the scenes in which Eisenberg suddenly kills multiple foes with some of the most random objects are cool to watch, the movie never reaches the level of shocking awe through its sudden brutality like in Kick-Ass which it so clearly aims at though. It all boils down to the movie having a bit of a hard time making it clear when Eisenberg's/Mike's automatic killer instinct suddenly kicks in and when he is himself. This sort of "on-off switch" is not well defined enough and in a way prevents moments of "sudden killer instinct-explosions" to happen that could've otherwise made the action scenes in the movie feel more impactful and special.
|The action scenes are servicable but far not as "kick-ass" as they want to be.
Overall, American Ultra will serve as a rather short and averagely entertaining flick if you don't hold onto your expectations too much. Otherwise you will most probably be left very disappointed with a serviceable yet quite forgettable movie that missed using the full potential of its premise.
Though the marketing of the movie makes it look like a great mix of blockbuster action and stoner comedy, the movie mostly takes itself way too seriously to make any of its rare attempts at humor effectively work. American Ultra clearly aims to be another Kick-Ass type of movie with unusual characters taking out enemies in the most comically brutal fashions. However, the movie's oftentimes unfitting tonal shifts between its serious and partially even depressing themes and the very cartoonishly cheesy antagonists, make it feel very uneven.
American Ultra is by no means an awful movie though. It has its respectable share of good moments that make it an okay experience. But it's the kind of movie best experienced at home on DVD or Blu-Ray rather than in the theater. And if you want to see a movie that more or less takes the same formula as American Ultra and executes it way more successfully, just watch Pineapple Express.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 10