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This summer, 34 rising seniors from 31 colleges and universities throughout the United States were selected through a competitive application process to participate in the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (JSI) held annually at Princeton by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The seven-week program, which ran through July 29, is designed to help prepare students for graduate study and careers in public policy and international affairs. Here, Timothy Walker, a political science major from Fisk University, gives his portion of a presentation on relations between the United States and European Union as it pertains to threats from failing and failed states.
Photos by Denise Applewhite
Web Stories
Summer program fuels passions for future policymakers
Posted August 8, 2011; 03:00 p.m.
For most of her young adult life, Lamees Tanveer has actively pursued a better understanding of what it means to live in today's globalized world. Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, the Bryn Mawr College political science major has participated in various international conferences and workshops, including the Model United Nations. It wasn't until she spent this summer at Princeton, however, that she was able to deepen her experience and think of a future in policymaking as a distinct goal.
This summer, Tanveer was one of 34 rising seniors and one of six international students from 31 colleges and universities throughout the United States to enroll in the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (JSI) held annually at Princeton by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The seven-week program, which ran through July 29, is designed to help prepare students for graduate study and careers in public policy and international affairs.
"JSI is about learning how to transform the spirit of public service into a force that can bring change," Tanveer said. "When I read the description of the kind of applicant they were looking for, I had to apply."
Kristell Millan (left), a finance major from Arizona State University, and Antwonett Atkins (right), a political science major from Bennett College for Women, listen to their fellow working group member Nora Brito (center), an international relations and economics major from American University. Panelists praised the JSI students for the thoroughness of their presentations and also challenged them to think even more deeply about various aspects of their presentations while offering insights from firsthand foreign policy experiences.
For three decades, the program has invited students from around the world to participate in a wide array of coursework, field research and policy analysis with prominent leaders from public policy, government and nonprofit sectors. Students are chosen based on a demonstrated interest and commitment to cross-cultural and social issues, as well as a commitment to public service.
For Tanveer, this summer's international relations workshop -- led by former U.S. ambassador to Iceland and visiting Princeton lecturer James Gadsden -- was most exciting.
"I think that workshop best exemplifies the aims of JSI for me," Tanveer said. "The program is about two simple things: will and capacity. All of us came here with the will to change the worlds we come from. What we will take from here is the capacity to bring about that change."
The international relations workshop culminated with a final presentation by the students before a panel of U.S. diplomats and policy analysts, including former U.S. ambassador to Iceland and visiting Princeton lecturer James Gadsden (left), George Bustin, a visiting lecturer at the Wilson School and senior counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, and Lisa Kierans, a deputy political counselor for the U.S. Embassy in The Hague. Panelists asked the working groups probing questions about their policy suggestions and also offered advice.
The workshop culminated in two days of presentations by the students before a panel of U.S. diplomats and policy analysts, including George Bustin, a visiting lecturer at the Wilson School and senior counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP; Lisa Kierans, a deputy political counselor for the U.S. Embassy in The Hague; and Michael Gallagher, a retired senior Foreign Service officer and former chargé d'affaires for the U.S. Embassy in The Hague.
"We wanted to give these students a policy workshop, which is a hands-on experience working on a real policy issue for a real client," said Melissa Lyles, the director of the graduate program office of the Wilson School who oversees the institute. "Also, they have something tangible to walk away with at the end of the summer."
Tanveer's group presented its report on U.S. and European Union cooperation against threats from failed and failing states, offering strategic policy suggestions to the panel while also receiving feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the group's approach.
"Policy workshops require writing skills, presentation skills, statistical skills -- a culmination of what they've all learned in just seven weeks," Lyles said.
Vanessa Chavez, a student from the University of California-Irvine who is majoring in international studies, said Princeton's Junior Summer Institute had been on her radar since her freshman year of college. She said she relished the chance to attend this summer in order to spend two months with students who "shared a common desire to make a profound impact on society."
In addition to the international relations workshop, Chavez also was inspired by the intercultural dimensions workshop, which included an intense breakout session called "World Café" where students were encouraged to talk frankly in a nonthreatening environment about complex issues pertaining to topics like race, privilege and international stereotypes.
"Through that workshop I was able to connect more deeply with the other fellows, and I had the chance to listen to their stories and share mine," Chavez said. "Although we didn't always share the same perspectives, I learned to listen carefully and be open to hearing points of views that were different from mine.
"I think this is an important skill in policymaking," she continued, "because it is not about who is wrong or right but about coming together and implementing policy that will impact the greater society."
A panel of rising seniors in the Junior Summer Institute present a detailed plan focused on strengthening cooperation between the United States and the European Union to help prevent attacks from weapons of mass destruction around the world.
Gregory Rockson, a political science major from Westminster College in Missouri, who is a native of Ghana, said he came to the Princeton program not knowing if he would attend law school after graduation or pursue a career in public policy. He now knows it's the latter.
"While all the workshops were great, I particularly enjoyed the intercultural dimensions workshop," Rockson said. "It was amazing because it gave us an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges facing minorities and what we can do to solve these problems."
For Laurence Hull, an international studies and history major from London who is attending Morehouse College, the program enabled him to focus his goals for the future and to deepen his understanding of the importance of being open to other perspectives.
"Even though I come from a truly global city and grew up in an incredibly diverse neighborhood, there are always new cultural backgrounds and experiences to learn about that inform your own perspective," he said.
Dominique Jordan (right), who is majoring in political science at Clemson University, joins fellow student presenters in shaking hands with panelists from this summer's international relations policy workshop. For three decades, the Junior Summer Institute program has invited students from around the world to participate in a wide array of coursework, field research and policy analysis with prominent leaders from public policy, government and nonprofit sectors.
Students collaborated with one another through various new media, sharing documentaries, news articles and individual reports to bring forth fresh viewpoints to their discussions. Conversations continued in less formal settings as well, Hull noted, such as in the dorms and graduate lounge.
"Because of these interactions, I have a better understanding of how psychology and public policy interact," Hull said. "It was really interesting to see how our intuition is often not the best indicator of how effective a policy is because people are truly biased toward their personal experiences and views rather than the actual facts on the ground."
Another workshop the students participated in, titled "Race, Difference and Public Policy," included a trip to Washington, D.C., with visits to the White House, the U.S. State Department and a meeting with Joshua DuBois, a member of the class of 2005, who is executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
The Princeton summer institute is part of the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA), a national consortium of top public policy and international affairs graduate programs that prepare college students for advanced degrees and public service careers. In addition to Princeton's PPIA Junior Summer Institute, four other schools host a PPIA Summer Institute: the University of California-Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan. Each student enrolled in the program is fully funded and receives financial support for all program expenses.
"My views about a career in public service have been reinforced throughout this summer," Tanveer said. "After meeting actual practitioners, from ambassadors to analysts, I know that you have to be extremely driven and self-motivated to survive in this field. At the same time, it's not often that you find people who look back at their career and say, 'I lived my dream.'"
Lamees Tanveer (left), a government major from Bryn Mawr College, and Vania Kinard, a politics and Spanish major from Catholic University of America, join Kristell Millan and Nora Brito in responding to questions from the panel of diplomats. "JSI is about learning how to transform the spirit of public service into a force that can bring change," Tanveer said.


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April 4 Bridge
Monday, March 25
Jenkins VFW, 11 a.m.
No scores.
Tuesday, March 26
Whitefish Golf Course, 1 p.m.
Dick and Doreen Jordan, 53.5; George Polusny and Guy Emmons, 52.5; Tom and Helen McGrath, 45.5; Deanna Dubel and Ardie Hjerpe, 40.5.
Wednesday, March 27
Maucieri's, 11 a.m.
No scores.
Thursday, March 28
Whitefish Golf Course, 1 p.m.
Polusny and Emmons, 45.5; Jim and Myrna Turner, 40.5; Tom McGrath and Jim Thompson, 40; Alan and Rose Ann Stans, 39; Joyce Roemer and Sue Caquelin, 38.5.
Friday, March 29
Crosslake Community Center, 1 p.m.
No scores.
Anyone interested in joining any of the bridge games can contact Jim Thompson at 218-543-4688.
Anyone interested in joining the bridge game at the Crosslake Community Center can call the center at 218-692-4271.


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View a video on "Assassins"
Web Stories
Princeton University Players present Broadway musical 'Assassins'
Posted February 23, 2009; 04:58 p.m.
The Princeton University Players will perform the acclaimed Broadway musical "Assassins" Thursdays through Saturdays, Feb. 26-28 and March 5-7, in the Class of 1970 Theater in Whitman College.
Show times are at 8 each evening, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7.
The musical, originally created by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, is a dark comedy that focuses on the assassins and attempted assassins of American presidents, examining the character and motives of these outsiders and outcasts. Directed by senior Brandon Lowden, the performances feature musical direction by sophomore Andrea Grody, choreography by senior Sarah Outhwaite, lighting design by sophomore Michael Gordon, costume design by junior Jane Dobkin and set design by senior Megan Thompson.
Tickets are $8 for students; $10 for faculty, staff and seniors; and $12 for the general public. They are available online through University Ticketing or by calling the Frist Campus Center ticket office at (609) 258-1742.


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Mikel Maron, Jay Longson, and I went on a night gigapanning safari, getting Mikel ready to gigapan his way through London, ?, and India. This is from the south west corner of Dolores Park. I drove past this spot a view months ago and thought 'self, this is a good place for a nigttime gigapan' I set the camera self t...


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Agenda - Chicago
E-Signature Forum for Banking Executives
April 16, 2013 | Swissotel - Chicago, IL
► RSVP for Chicago
8:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and E-Signature Demo Stations
Arrive early for coffee and breakfast, and take time to visit one of our e-signature demo stations. Experience firsthand what its like to use on-demand e-signatures on the cloud versus fully integrated e-signatures. Use cases will include new account openings, lending applications and more.
8:30 a.m. 8:35 a.m.
Introduction and Welcome
Mary Ellen Power, Vice President of Marketing, SILANIS TECHNOLOGY
8:35 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
Enterprise E-Signature Best Practices for Banks
Michael Laurie, VP, Product Strategy, SILANIS TECHNOLOGY
With so many options for electronic signatures, how do you choose the right approach? While there is no universal best or most legal type of electronic signature, there are best practices that can help you create an optimal e-sign process to ensure high adoption.
Led by 20-year industry veteran Michael Laurie, this presentation will review the top considerations when bringing customer-facing financial service transactions online. Michael will present four best practice categories and use case examples that will help frame your requirements e-sign process framework, transaction management, evidence and architecture. Armed with this insight, summit attendees will know how to design an intuitive e-signature user experience while meeting business and compliance requirements.
9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Transforming the Bank Branch With E-Signatures
John Fraser, VP, Technology and Operations Services, U.S. Bank
In September 2011, US Bank went live with e-signatures in all 3,084 branches nationwide. Customers signing for SMB and consumer loans embraced the new paperless process, with e-signature adoption at 80 percent and rising. This top 5 bank has since extended electronic signing to account openings across all branches and is processing tens of thousands of transactions daily 10 times their original volume of e-signature transactions. In this presentation, John will cover the business case for e-signatures as well as provide a pragmatic and real-world overview of what it takes to set up and scale e-signatures across the enterprise, including the technical architecture required to support for multiple configurations such as loan origination and deposits. Expect to be surprised by this case study especially how fast and easy it was to deploy the electronic signature solution to a second LOB.
10:00 a.m. 10:20 a.m.
Networking Break
Coffee and demo stations are opened.
10:20 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Enterprise E-Signature Use Case Demonstrations
Pat Albert, Business Architect, SILANIS TECHNOLOGY
In this session, you will see a demonstration of an electronic loan application, involving multiple applicants, and two different methods of signing. This use case will highlight the options for authenticating signers, presenting documents, capturing signatures and distributing signed documents in a retail and remote scenario. You will also see how bank staff and management can use an e-transaction dashboard to initiate, monitor or update in-flight transactions.
11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
E-Signature Judicial and Regulatory Developments of 2011-2012
David Whitaker, Counsel, Buckley Sandler, LLP; former Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
The use of electronic signatures and records has expanded and matured rapidly over the past few years. As a result, courts and regulators are being presented more frequently with disputes and issues that specifically revolve around the collection, delivery, presentation and enforcement of electronic disclosures, contracts and signatures. We will review and discuss a number of very significant judicial decisions and regulatory actions that have occurred in the past two years and that affect the banking industry's use of these important eCommerce tools.
12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m.
Smarter Banking Through Information-Led Transformation
Paul Davis, Global Banking Leader, IBM
With extensive experience in the financial services industry, Paul Davis is responsible for leading IBM's efforts to provide global and multi-national financial institutions, service providers and partners with pragmatic ways to achieve their business objectives. In this presentation, Paul will share insights on how to navigate regulatory changes, economic issues, technology and globalization, to better engage with customers. He will elaborate on how IBM's Smarter Banking vision can help financial companies capitalize on change, and how key capabilities like advanced business analytics, front- and back-office digitization and electronic signature will be foundational for building a smarter bank.
12:30 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Wrap Up and Closing
Mary Ellen Power, Vice President of Marketing, SILANIS TECHNOLOGY
12:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open and Lunch and Networking


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Compatible Ricoh MP C3500 C4500 Toner Cartridges Combo - 4pk (BCMY)
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Meet the slimmer, lighter PS Vita.
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Bristol Bay Adult Education Program (ABE)
ABE is funded by the State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation (BBEDC).
The Bristol Bay Adult Education Program mission is to provide basic education instruction to the general public and to the labor workforce so individuals can:
- Advance to a higher academic level
- Improve job skills to begin, retain, or advance employment
- Enter post secondary or vocational technical training
The Bristol Bay Adult Education Program has instructors and staff in many rural communities throughout the Bristol Bay Region. Mainstream campuses are located in Togiak, King Salmon, and Dillingham.
All of these centers offer Bristol Bay residents individualized, free instruction in the fundamentals of:
- Reading proficiency
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We also provide instruction and counseling to prepare adults to attain the General Education Development Certification (GED).
"Workplace Development Skills " are tailored to achieve individual career needs and continual advancement goals.
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We help students with supportive services such as: child care options, transportation to and from our facilities, and the ability to study in a tranquil and comfortable learning environment.
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- Internet and keyboarding programs available for enrolled students
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- Writing successful resumes
- Provide study materials for the Department of Motor Vehicles driver's test
We provide individual tutoring and unique classes for adults who may have a learning disadvantage.


text:
Apartment in a new project in Purvciems. A spacious, sunny apartment with white finish. Separate rooms, kitchen part merged with a large hall. Home entrance is locked. The property is located in an area with well-developed infrastructure.
|Property type:
|Total area:
|70.8 m²
|Direct reference:
|Price / m²:
|Monthly payment of this property in SEB bank:
|Send request for credit consultation
|Number of rooms:
|Total area:
|70.8 m²
Sale or rent your property faster in City24!Place ad
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Real estate company IMMOSTATE shall from now on operate as a full-service company by joining the commercial property company IMMOSTATE Commercial and ...


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There are judging changes for the Feb 8-10 Lassen Retriever Club field trial to be held near Anderson, CA. The judges will be:
OPEN judges are Anna Calvert and Steve Kompf
AMATEUR judges are Joe Beitler and Joe Taylor
Qualifying and Derby judges remain the same -- Casey Adams and Janis Olsen.
Helen Graves, F. T. Secretary
Lassen Retriever Club


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Yesterday we got to hear No Doubt's new single Settle Down, their first new track in 9 years, and today we get to see the music video for the single. As you may recall, we've been teased with photos and short video clips for the past few weeks leading up to the video's premiere. Finally, at long last, we get to see the finished product. Click below to see No Doubt's new music video for Settle Down in full.
As I suspected, the more I listen to the song the better I like it. Settle Down will deffo be one of the big songs of the Summer. As for the video, it's fun … tho, not terribly exciting. I really love the dance breakdown … far too few videos have dance breakdowns these days so I'm glad to see that ND is bringing the breakdown back. Now that the music video is out, we can focus on the release of the band's album Push & Shove (which is due out in September). I think this is a great sign of things to come from No Doubt. Altho the band has been away for 9 years, their return makes it feel a bit like they've always been with us. Do you like this video?


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pyjamas lamson replacement for google groups
Pyjamas and Lamson Mailing list viewer and poster
as part of the "eat dogfood" mantra, and the lovely lamson mailing list software having been chosen, i did an archive viewer a couple of days ago, which used the json-formatted archive created by lamson, because that's far easier to pick up (and less cpu-intensive) and turn into python than a Maildir.
what was missing was the means to post messages.
so, in order to do that, i've had to add openid support to the pyjamas app. then, having got that to work, it was no good on its own so i had to add a way for lamson to send out "is this person who they claim to be" messages, by which the openid could be associated with the email address.
haven't added that into the GUI yet - have to add a "preferences" box. hmm…
anyway: that was quite a lot of fun, working out how to create a state machine in lamson. it took me hours to work out what was going on, but i now should also be able to turn lamson into a "proper" email service, by supporting simple relaying of email@example.com and so on to me, which lamson *doesn't* do on its own.
but then, the next step is to allow posting of messages. that proved also challenging: in the end i chose to use the lamson.server.Relay, connecting over 127.0.0.1 and faking up the "From" and "To".
there's still quite a bit to do, but once it gets to the "useable" state i'm simply going to chop pyjamas-dev googlegroups.com off at the knees. i'll add a reply button, i'll make sure there's a "compose" button… and… errr… attachments? nope. viewing attachments? nope. showing message "reply" threads? nnnope. well, ok, maybe. might have to see how that goes, see if it's easy to do.
about the only thing i migggght see if i can do is to add support for google oauth / openid, because most of the users duh being on googlegroups use google for authentication duh.
but - again, have to see how it goes: once a certain aaabsolute minimum threshold of functionality is achieved, it's bye bye google groups, and one less web site being used which is _not_ a pyjamas application goes out the window.


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Reptiles and AmphibiansSalamandersAll families
Body slender with small head. Varied coloration from dark brown to nearly black, with yellow, buff o… read more
A relatively large, secretive amphibian endemic to California. Adults can grow to a length of about … read more
Small head & limbs. Blackish-brown in color with gray to silvery-white net like markings or spotting… read more
Brown to gray, long and stout. Sometimes with light spots. Seemingly large swelling behind eyes. 12 … read more
Dark gray to brown, lighter on its anterior. Long and slender with well developed lungs.… read more
Elongated body, similar to the Jefferson Salamander. Blueish black in color with blue and white spot… read more
Short and stout with a short tail. Blackish/brown above with white flecks. Brown underside. 13 coast… read more
Long and slender with mottled black/brown color with yellow spots that form a stripe. Fourth outer t… read more
4-6 5/8" (10-17 cm). Slender, with long toes. Black above, with with series of yellow to orange mark… read more
Long but stout. Black to dark brown/gray with 2 rows of yellowish/orange spots from head to tail.… read more
Short, stocky & boldly colored. Blackish/gray above with bold white bands and spots. 12 coastal groo… read more
Long, with a thick body and short tail. Limbs & head seem too large for the body. Dark brown to back… read more
Characteristically tiny head and mouth. Blackish-brown above with greyish yellow patches. Underside … read more
Largest Salamander in the world. Long and stout. Broad head with lidded small eyes. Variable blotchy… read more
2 1/2-5" (6.7-12.5). Color and pattern variable. Dark above, with yellowish bars, spots, blotches, o… read more
7-13" (18-33 cm). Large and stout; head broad; snout rounded. Dark brown or blackish above with many… read more
Snake-like. 4 minuscule legs with 2 toes on each which are virtually useless. Dark grayish-brown in … read more
A salamander with very small short legs, each with 3 toes. Dark brown/gray.… read more
Giant Salamander. Flat body and head, slimy skin. Short legs, 4 toes on each. Uses working lungs, as… read more
Dark and intricately blotched, color varies from purple, tan, gray and copperish brown. Superficial … read more
Brown-reddish brown and brown/golden blotches or mottling. 12-13 coastal grooves. Smooth skinned. Ta… read more
Broad head with shovel-like snout. Brown to light-brassy brown in color with dark reticulate blotch… read more
Blackish-brown with green splotches. 14-15 costal grooves.… read more
Slim, long with long legs and square tipped toes. Brown or Brownish with green-gray blotches. 16-17… read more
Black in color. Triangular head with a slim body. Gray spots cover back. 14-15 coastal grooves.… read more
Short and slender. Brown with greenish mottling. Bronze colored stripe on juveniles. 14-15 costal gr… read more
Brown-grayish. Large head. White underside. 15-16 coastal grooves. usually has golden-yellow spots.… read more
Narrow head and body. Black-brown, with brownish/yellow or reddish band across back. 4 toes on each … read more
… read more
Dark brown with yellowish-red/brown flecks. Black underside with white spots. 16-17 costal grooves.… read more
Tan, yellow or reddish brown stripe above with dark centre line with some blackish smudges on back. … read more
Brown/black to dusky with speckled underside. Small round white spots on sides. 14 costal grooves.… read more
Brown-greenish above. Juveniles have pale spots along sides. 14 costal grooves.… read more
Young have 5-8 spots on the back which fade into adulthood. Adults tan-brown sometimes with a wavy s… read more
Darkly colored with black stripes and a pale line from eyes to jaw. Older examples lose stripes.… read more
Stout. Brown-grayish above with dark brown/black streaks and blotches. Some have darker ridges. Tail… read more
Medium sized, brownish in color with smooth skin and varying patterns, usually with a stripe down th… read more
Black in color with green blotches. Underside black or dark brown. Light dots in 2 rows on either si… read more
Terrestrial. Tan-reddish brown back stripe. Short rounded tail. 13-14 costal grooves.… read more
Only salamander with a constricted tail and 5 toes on hind feet. It has an amazing range of colors a… read more
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ATTENTION: We will no longer offer our RxBLUE prescription drug plans in 2014.
However, we will continue to cover our existing RxBLUE PDP members through December 31, 2013.
Medicare Supplement Members: The non-renewal of RxBLUE PDP does not affect your Medicare Supplement policy.
Every year we evaluate our plan benefits and carefully consider our options. This year has been especially challenging with all the demands from healthcare reform and our obligation to our 1.4 million members. This was a very difficult decision.
No. Your Medicare supplement coverage will remain intact. The RxBLUE closure only affects our Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
As an RxBLUE member, you will continue to have your existing Medicare prescription drug coverage through Dec. 31, 2013. You will need to join another Medicare drug plan in order to have prescription drug coverage in 2014.
Here are some important dates to remember:
RxBLUE members can also get help in other ways:
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/ Matcha Shiro no Kotobuki, Stone Ground 1st Flush Matcha
Matcha Shiro no Kotobuki
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What is Matcha?
Matcha is a traditional Japanese green tea produced by stone-milling a shade-grown green tea called
into a fine powder. The quality of matcha greatly depends on the tea bush cultivar, shading technique and picking standard used to produce tencha. Matcha has a rich cultural tradition as the tea prepared and revered during
–the mindful, artistic, Zen-inspired Japanese Tea Ceremony. Matcha is unique among teas in that when we drink matcha, we consume fresh green tea leaf itself, ground and whisked up into an energizing, refreshing bowl. Today, matcha is enjoyed in both a popular form (as a sort of uplifting "tea espresso") as well as artistic form (through the continued practice of chanoyu). "Ceremonial" grades (for drinking) are distinct from "Culinary" grades (for matcha lattes, confections, desserts, etc).
Matcha Shiro no Kotobuki
is a prized ceremonial grade matcha from the heart of Kyoto Prefecture. Shiro no Kotobuki is a highly respectful name honoring the noble pride of Kyoto tea culture and history. Shiro literally means "castle," yet here it alludes to the placename Yamashiro no Kuni, a region in southern Kyoto. The imperial court ruled in Yamashiro no Kuni during the Muromachi period, when tea culture flourished throughout Japan. Kotobuki means "celebrated" or "noble."
Tasting Notes: Shiro no Kotobuki has a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a deep, lasting umami flavor. It is a smooth, full-bodied matcha with a powerful energy that both uplifts and brings focus at the same time.
Ingredients: Stone-milled Japanese green tea powder.
Tea leaves are harvested by hand in May in tea gardens in Uji, Joyo, Kyotonabe, Kumiyama, Yamashiro and Ide areas of Kyoto Prefecture. Asahi, Samidori, Goko and Uji Hikari cultivars are grown in these gardens. Asahi is a cultivar treasured for tencha production because of its deep umami character. Matcha Shiro no Kotobuki is stone-milled fresh upon request for Rishi Tea, with a production capacity and grinding speed yielding just 600g per day.
Tencha is harvested just once per year between May and June, and is grown almost exclusively to make matcha. Tencha tea bushes are shaded for 3–5 weeks prior to harvest using a traditional frame-and-thatch technique known as
, which blocks 70-85% of the sun's energy from reaching the tea bushes. Shading inhibits photosynthesis in the tea plant, boosting chlorophyll levels and creating a deep green leaf color. The tea bush draws up nutrients stored in its roots and grows wide, thin, tender tea leaves in a struggle to gather more light. These plant adaptations all result in boosted levels of natural plant sugars, amino acids and caffeine, along with decreased levels of catechins, giving high quality matcha its distinctively sweet, umami-rich flavor with a creamy texture and low bitterness. While common, mass-market grades of tencha are harvested by machine, the best grades of tencha with the most tender, sweet flavor are harvested by scissor or hand plucking.
Granite Stone-Milling
The highest quality matchas are milled using traditional granite stone wheels. Stone-milling tencha into matcha results in a richer, smoother, creamier matcha than the more common ball-milling technique. The speed at which tencha is stone-ground plays an important role in the flavor and color of the finished matcha powder. Slower grinding speeds reduce the friction and heat applied to the tencha leaf, helping preserve its vivid green color and fresh flavor, whereas faster grinding speeds can "toast" the tencha leaf and cause its bright color to fade to a greenish yellow.
Learn more about how our matcha is crafted
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Not exactly a fire, but get a load of this....
I live in a desert. We're in the middle of a drought. Winds are always high in this area.
You may notice the time I'm posting this. Why am I up so late? Because some absolute fool has been setting off fireworks in the intersection outside my house! We called the cops, who haven't shown up, and I've not seen anyone actually set one yet, just heard voices and seen the fireworks as they go off.
Really, how can anyone be that stupid?


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Getting Fresh—Oct. 2008
Next Generation Chocolatiers arriving in style, panache
I'm sure a few of you were able to attend the Chocolate Show in New York City last week, which in addition to its fabulous opening night Chocolate Fashion show, featured a broad range of activities as well as leading chocolate manufacturers from all over the world.
This year, Barry Callebaut, together with the French Culinary Institute in New York City, hosted the competition for the American representative that will compete in the World Chocolate Masters showdown in Paris next year.
Lionel Clement, the chef chocolatier at the Wynn Hotel, walked away with the U.S. National Chocolate Master title after putting together an impressive chocolate sculpture displaying the silhouette of a woman's face, accompanied by flowing hair and an elaborate hat, all of which symbolized the "Haut Couture" theme deliciously.
As a result, Clement will be the one wearing the Stars and Stripes patch on his whites and traveling to Paris for the 2009 World Chocolate Masters competition that will take place Oct. 14-16 at the Salon du Chocolat Professionnel.
Clement, who completed the Les Sorbets school in France and spent five years working at Lenotre in Paris, obviously represents the pinnacle of chocolate artistry. We'll be keeping our eyes on Clement, wishing him the same success in Paris as in New York, while he works his magic alongside 19 other world-class chocolatiers.
At the same time, there was another competition -- held just before the opening of the Chocolate Show -- that I believe warrants our attention, as well.
The Next Generation Chocolatier Competition, which is managed by Vreeland & Associates and held every two years, focuses on up-and-coming U.S.-based chocolatiers who use artisan methods in their chocolate making.
This year's theme, "Salty Sweets," accented the growing popularity of adding salt to extend the flavor and texture of chocolate confections. Awards are given for the Best Bar, the Best Bonbon, Rising Star (student or chocolatier in the business less than five years or under 30 years of age) and People's Choice (chocolatier selected by attendees at the awards reception after tasting samples).
Although I wasn't able to attend the Next Generation Chocolatier Competition Awards ceremony, host Curtis Vreeland provided me with not only a list of those who garnered the awards -- as well as a description of their entries -- but also a compilation of judges' comments.
Head judge Clay Gordon, author and chocolate connoisseur, summed up the competition best by saying he was personally impressed "by the seriousness with which the chocolatiers paid attention to the theme," but also "by the playfulness of many of the flavor combinations and forms."
Certainly, the descriptions of the winning entries reinforce that observation. For example, Gail Ambrosius of Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier in Madison, Wis., took Best Bar honors with her 3 Hot Nuts Bar. This beauty features toasted pine nuts, pepitas and pistachios tossed with chipotle powder, cayenne and smoked paprika, then sprinkled on a wafer thin bar of 70% dark Columbian chocolate and finished with Chile Verde salt.
As Gordon explained, "Gail Ambrosius' 3 Hot Nuts Bar did well, in part, because of its unusual presentation for a bar -- a sort of modern mendiant [Classic French bark containing dried fruits and nuts.]. The judges really liked its size and thinness, very unusual for a bar presentation. The judges also felt that the balance of textures between the chocolate and the nuts was complemented by the combination of chili heat accented by the salt. I think that this piece has the potential to influence other chocolatiers' perceptions of what a chocolate 'bar' is."
The Best Bonbon title went to Stephanie Marcon of Coco-Luxe Confections in San Francisco for her Molasses Shoo-Fly Caramel, a black strap molasses-based caramel blended with spices, covered in Venezuelan dark chocolate and accented with Salish Northwest Alderwood smoked sea salt.
As Gordon noted in his comments, this was a "love it/hate it" entry for the judging panel. Nevertheless, the bonbon has the potential "to develop a cult-like following," which always is a good thing.
Bill Brown of William Dean Chocolates in Largo, Florida won the People's Choice Awards with his Mexican Mango piece, which replicates the Mexican custom of "eating fresh fruit and squeezing fresh lime juice on it and then sprinkling on salt and chili powder," the chocolatier explained. The mango bonbon uses Valrhona Caraibe 66% for enrobing, Valrhona Jivara Lactee milk chocolate for the ganache, Boiron mange fruit puree and Saltworks' Green Chile Fusion salt.
The Rising Star award went to Sara Hart of Alma Chocolate in Portland, whose Salty Nutty Toffee Bar and Satay Peanut Butter Cup inspired the panel to acknowledge her efforts.
As Gordon pointed out, "The judges felt that the Satay piece has a lot of promise in its mix of ginger/lime/peanut/spice but felt that the balance between the center and the shell still needed some work. The judges also liked the taste and the texture of the toffee with the chocolate and nuts and felt that it was one of the more interesting combinations of toffee, chocolate and nuts that they'd ever tasted."
Honorable Mentions were presented to Joanne Hansen of Bon Bon Bakery & Chocolates in San Diego and Maria Valente of Chocolations in Mamaroneck, N.Y. for their respective Mayan bonbon and Dark Chocolate, Dried Blueberry and Salty Almond bar entries.
Just to give you an idea of how creative these chocolatiers can be, Joanne Hansen used sweet corn in her bonbon. As Gordon himself remarked, the judges didn't really know what to expect when they heard sweet corn was an ingredient.
But as the head judge affirmed, "While a traditional element of Mayan cacao-based beverages, corn is not a common ingredient in modern confections. The overall balance between the mould, the decoration, the filling, and the way the salt enhanced the other flavors was what delighted the judges. It's not often the case that non-traditional ingredients and flavors come together in a piece that could become a standard, but this may be one of those pieces."
And that's what I especially like about the Next Generation Chocolatier competition. With these young chocolatiers to be, the sky's the limit. And more often than not it works. Consider the list of winners from 2006, and you'll realize that these artisans have already made names for themselves: Michael Krug and L. Burdick of L.A. Burdick, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Christopher Elbow of Christopher Elbow Artisan Chocolates, Kee Ling Tong of Kee's Chocolates, and Kristy Choo of Jin Patisserie.
So congrats to the winners and their creative concoctions. Sweet corn and chocolate … who would have thought!
For more information, visit www.vreelandassociates.com.


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Got a demo of Issues (as it stands) up and running on a public server. It's great to have something tangible for other people to see and touch. There's still a long way to go yet, but I reckon it can be done.
I didn't move house. Very frustrating. The university agency didn't have the keys ready, so everything is postponed until I can get my shit together.
My thesis is on formal languages and logic and how they interact. Lot's of work to do here, as I need to sit down and work through the basic concepts (from semigroups up). I've chosen 5 courses and been to lectures for three of them. Hopefully this will make second semester much easier.


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Web Stories
Discussion on Middle East crisis, Nov. 16
Posted November 14, 2000; 12:52 a.m.
A panel discussion on the "Crisis in the Middle East: Human Rights, International Law, and U.S. Foreign Policy," will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
The discussion will feature Roger Normand, executive director of the Center for Economic and Social Rights; Phyllis Bennis, fellow at the Transnational Institute and Institute for Policy Studies; and Richard A. Falk, Princeton professor of politics and international affairs and director of the World Order Studies Program.
This event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Contact: Justin Harmon (609) 258-3601


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158 Scott Street
Directions St. Catharines, ON L2N 1H1
Are you looking for a new Acura or used car in the Niagara region? Visit Performance Acura located just off the QEW at 158 Scott Street in St. Catharines, East of Lake Street. Performance Acura is a premier Acura dealership in the Greater Niagara Region offering excellent guest services, a friendly environment, attractive financing options and great cars for sale! Our knowledgeable and experienced staff will be there to help you find the car of your dreams. Pick up the phone and call (888) 247-3045, view our inventory online, or come by and see our inventory!


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I lost my crow call this year and was looking to replace it. It was made by Cane Creek and it sounded o.k., not great. I wondered if anyone used a crow call they thought sounded really good? Thanks for any help.
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« Back to Schedule |
Print Camp Details
| Download Info & Welcome Packet
| Download Camp Waiver Form
Ages 8-18
Location: Shady Side Academy - Pittsburgh, PA
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 to Friday, July 11, 2014
Camp Cost: $375.00
America's Baseball Camps is back in Pittsburgh for our 8th annual Pittsburgh Pro Summer Baseball Camp. If you don't like standing around or just playing catch all day, then this is the camp for you! Our daily formats are written by directors with years of Professional baseball backgrounds and mirror a Spring Training type day. Huge reps and teaching all day long with live games mixed in.
Come join us and eat, live and breathe this great game of baseball. Each day the players will receive a significant amount of individual attention due to our low player to coach ratio. Our experienced staff share one common goal and that is to provide you with the tools needed to take your game to the next level and beyond. With up to 25 hours of practice drills, playing in games and receiving verbal assessments throughout the week from our professional staff, it's sure to be a hit!
Camp Packages For your convenience, America's Baseball Camps has two options to meet your camp needs.
Package #1: Day Camp Option (no accommodations)
Package #2: Overnight Staying w/ other Players Option (dorm room included in camp fees)
Additional Options
Professional Pitching Mechanics or Swing Video Analysis
Players will be evaluated personally with Video Analysis software and have the chance to have their swing and/or their pitching mechanics broken down by a Professional Instructor. Professional Instructors will provide an evaluation of feedback, changes and recommend drills to help fix or improve your swing and/or your pitching mechanics.
Check out our One Day Hitting Camp!
We will be conducting an extensive Hitting Camp on July 7th from 2:00pm-6:00pm. This camp will cover every aspect of hitting and is a great way to "kick off" the week.
Airport Pick-up / Drop-off
For our out-of-town campers, we provide airport pick-up and drop-off at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
All options are available on the Registration Page.
Information & Welcome Packet
Location, Dates and Times
Camp will be conducted at:
Shady Side Academy
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Camp Hours
July 7th: 2:00pm - 6:00pm (Optional Hitting Camp)
July 8th 9:00am - 2:30pm
July 9th 9:00am - 2:30pm
July 10th 9:00am - 2:30pm
July 11th 9:00am - 2:00pm
2013 Staff members included the following instructors:
Sean Brinkley: Former Head Coach Georgia Perimeter College
Isaac Haynes: Former Head Coach Westlake High School
Anthony Williams: Head Coach University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Drew Roberts: Head Coach St. Andrews Presbyterian College
Dave Coradi: Assistant Coach University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Rick Clagett: Current Head Coach Boca Raton High School
All Campers should check in at the main baseball diamond at The Shady Side Academy by 8:30am on the morning of the 8th (hitting campers check in at Shady Side Academy by 1:30pm on the 7th).
Attention Fly-In Players without parents (ones we are picking up from the airport): Players need to do their best to arrive before 4:00pm on July 7th. If you are attending the hitting camp please do your best to arrive before 11:00am so we can get you to camp on time. If you arrive later than 11:00am for hitting camp this is ok, it will just be a little tighter for us. On the last day of camp, the camp will end at 2:00pm, so schedule your departure out of Pittsburgh International Airport sometime between 4:00pm and 6:00pm if possible, can be earlier if necessary. We would however prefer you to do your best in scheduling your return flight as close to the 4:00pm to 6:00pm time slot as possible.
Daily Schedule Breakdown
Typical Day at Camp
09:00am: Roll call
09:10am: Break into groups/teams
09:20am: Warm up/Stretch
09:40am: Throwing
10:00am: Station work... (Infield, Outfield, Hitting, Pitching, Catching, Baserunning)
12:00pm: Lunch
12:30pm: Games
02:15pm: Review
02:30pm: End
*Discussion and demonstration precedes all station work*
02:40pm: Overnight Campers proceed back to accommodations
05:30pm: Dinner
06:30pm: Group Activity
08:30pm: Free Time
10:00pm: Curfew
10:30pm: Lights out
As a player you will be evaluated by a professional eye and receive hands on, intense baseball training. Our goal as a staff is to provide you with the tools to better your game, increase your knowledge, skill and confidence and assist in getting you to the next level of play and beyond.
This is what you can expect to work on while at camp:
Stance, Balance, Mechanics, Situational Hitting & Swing Path for hitting
Mental preparation and Hitting Philosophy
Hand-eye coordination drills for all aspects of the game
Opposite field hitting (staying inside the baseball)
Hitting with two strikes - Hitting Off-speed pitches
Situational hitting including Bunting
Base Running with Leads, Steals, etc.
Infield play-corner play & middle infield play
Infield mechanics, huge reps, tweaks, turns, feeds
Outfield play - including throwing from the outfield
Outfield play- routes, positions, jumps, footwork
Pitchers throw during daily scrimmages
Pitching - balance, delivery, pitches, grips & more
Pitching mechanics with fixes all weeklong
Catcher Skills - receiving, blocking, throwing & more
Daily scrimmage games to put all together!
Note: All players will also have the option to train in multiple positions and specific areas of their choice.
What to bring
Remember to label all equipment, equipment bags and belongings with your name and contact info.
Baseball Pants (at least 2 pair)
Baseball T-shirts or jerseys
Baseball socks and sliding (compression) shorts
Cleats or spikes
Baseball bat and batting gloves
Helmet (if you have one)
Baseball glove (mitt for catchers)
Catchers gear (catchers only)
Long sleeve shirts or pullover jacket
Water bottle
Additional items to bring
IMPORTANT! Photo copy of the front and back of your health insurance card
Signed Health & Release forms
Linens (twin beds), pillow and blanket or sleeping bag for dorm room
Toiletries (including powder or spray for sweat rashes)
Pants, shorts & shirts for night activities
Bathing suit
Tennis shoes (or other comfortable shoes for after camp)
Spending money (we recommend $100.00)
Calling Card or Cell Phone
Sun Block & SPF Lip Balm (Chapstick)
Recommend a small fan for evenings (can get hot in Ojai)
Towels for showers and for after pool use
Meals / Snacks
We will provide three meals a day for overnight campers and lunch will be provided at the fields each day for both the day and overnight campers.
Shady Side Academy
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Local Areas of Interest
Pittsburgh is a beautiful, dynamic city full of sights and attractions sure to please the avid sports fan, history enthusiast or culture seeker. Whether you're in town for a visit, or just looking for something new to try, Pittsburgh offers something for everyone.
Things to do and see:
· Mt. Washington and the Inclines
· The National Aviary
· Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
· Andy Warhol Museum
· The Strip
· Carnegie Science Center & UPMC Sportsworks
Contact Information
For all emergencies dial 800-222-8152 and an America's Baseball Camps staff member will give you any assistance needed.
About Us
This is an America's Baseball Camps (ABC) Experience. ABC was started by Ben Boulware, a former professional player in the Chicago White Sox Organization, in 1997. In its 14 years of existence, ABC has grown from a 10-location day camp company to one of the largest baseball instruction companies in the world. ABC now has over 400 locations in 29 states and 4 countries and is continuing to grow each year. We offer coaches clinics and a variety of camps from day camps, overnight camps to weeklong camps in destinations coast to coast. We are dedicated to taking your game to the next level so no matter what your need is or where you are, we've got the camp for you!
Download Waiver Form
« Back to Schedule |
Print Camp Details
| Info & Welcome Packet
| Camp Waiver
Find More Baseball Camps
Check Out College Softball Camps
More Sports Camps
Privacy Policy
ABC Camp Schedule
Coach's Login
Join the ABC Sports Team
Terms & Conditions
Website & Online Registration by ABC Registrations,
part of ABC Sports Camps Network |
© 2017 ABC Camps LLC. All Rights Reserved


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Ringing in the Ears
Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal ear or head noises without any external sound. Noises may be high pitched, ringing, clicking, or buzzing. Pulsatile tinnitus is caused by the flow of blood that accompanies each heartbeat.
Tinnitus is caused by:
- Cochlear damage from noise exposure
- Hearing loss
- Damage to the auditory system
Occasional episodes of tinnitus lasting at most a few minutes are quite common in normal people, especially after exposure to loud noises.
Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal ear or head noises without any external sound. Noises may be high pitched, ringing, clicking, or buzzing. Pulsatile tinnitus is caused by the flow of blood that accompanies each heartbeat.
The Ear Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Special attention will be paid to your head, neck, and ears.
You will be asked questions about:
- The sensations that you have
- The factors that may increase or decrease the sensation
- The medications that you take
- History of trauma
The doctor will look at your ear canal and eardrum using an instrument with a light that is held at the external opening of the ear. A tuning fork can help evaluate hearing. You should receive a complete hearing test. Imaging tests, such as a
CT scan
, may be ordered to rule out serious conditions.
A hearing test includes:
- Tympanogram
- Auditory brain response
- Electrocochleoraphy—to test for Meniere's disease
To help reduce your chance of developing tinnitus, take these steps:
- Avoid exposure to excessive noise.
- Wear earplugs in noisy situations.
- Wear earmuffs when mowing the grass.
- Learn and practice stress management and relaxation techniques.
- Limit use of medications that damage hearing.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your chance of developing tinnitus include:
- Occupations or activities that expose you to loud noises
- Wax or a foreign body in the ear canal
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Certain medications, such as aspirin, antibiotics, or diuretics
- Toxins, such as heavy metals, carbon monoxide, or alcohol
Certain health conditions, such as:
- Ear infection
- Meniere's disease
- Allergies
- High
or low blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Tumors
- Thyroid problems
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
- Blood vessel disorders, such as an aneurysm, fistula, or hardening of the arteries are associated with pulsatile tinnitus
- Fluid in the ear
- Ruptured membrane in the ear
- Injury to the head or neck
Center for Communication and Hearing
maintains an updated list of medications that are associated with tinnitus.
The sensations of tinnitus may have the following characteristics:
- Ringing, roaring, buzzing, whistling, or hissing sounds
- Intermittent, continuous, or pulsatile quality
- Same or varying intensity
- Single or multiple tones
- More annoying symptoms at night or when there are fewer distractions
- Sensation of normal internal events, such as blood pulsing or muscles contracting
Sometimes tinnitus is accompanied by hearing loss and
Tinnitus treatment depends on what is causing the symptoms. This may mean:
- Wearing a specially made splint to help manage
temporomandibular joint disorder
- Taking antibiotics for a sinus or ear infection
- Having the wax removed from your ear canal
- Stopping or changing medications to see if tinnitus goes away
Therapy aims to eliminate or reduce bothersome sensations. Treatment may include:
- Wearing a specially made splint to help manage


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text:
Results 11 to 12 of 12
Thread: Looking for tank mates.
thanks a lot for your ideas, I like the Head and Tail lights a little more than the bloodfins and they are a little less of a bioload than the bloodfin.
you are right for the serpae, and the ember look cool too but maybe to small as I don't want an accent fish for this tank, I like the fact they will stay mid to top as the bottom is occupied.
I am thinking a school of 15 either serpae or Head and Tail lights (the lfs I intend to go has them both)?
Would that be reasonable to add 5 or 6 mandarin shrimp with the corys or too much competition?
If you like the look of the serpae but still have questions about their reputation, see if you LFS can get Red Phantoms. They look similer (more pleasing body shape IMO) but a very peaceful spieces of tetra.Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. ― John Wooden
Sandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep


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I just read that the Obama administration is giving ( I think ) M-16s to Morsi and the muslim brotherhood. Anyone on here read about this ( where and when ? ) ? Or has it been discussed on here and I missed it ?
Dang old age.....can't remember nothin'.


text:
By Chris Kieffer/NEMS Daily Journal
TUPELO – Tupelo's latest crop of honor roll students can proudly display their accomplishment.
The school district created a new yard sign for all of its honor-roll students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Students who made the achievement were given their new placard on Friday.
"I'm glad to be recognized," said seventh-grader Keyonce White, 12.
Keyonce planned to put the sign in her yard as soon as she got home from school on Friday afternoon so that her mom would be surprised when she arrived from work.
"She'll be shocked at first, but she will be glad," she said.
Fellow seventh-grader Lylla Clardy, 12, said the sign makes her want to be on the honor roll again.
The signs have slots for each of the four nine-week periods, and students will receive a sticker each time they make the honor roll to add to the appropriate slot. Those that make the Superintendent's list (all As) get a sticker with the Golden Wave logo, while those on the Principal's list (As and Bs) get one with a gold "T."
On Friday, the district distributed signs to 1,118 students who made the Superintendent's list and 1,787 who made the Principal's list for a total of 2,905.
"We are so proud of our students for working hard and setting their sights high, and for being an example for all to follow," said Superintendent Gearl Loden. "We hope students will take pride in displaying their new signs."


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Disclaimer: These interviews are not associated with a-m-v.org, and do not reflect the opinions of its administration.
Welcome to the Lip Flapper! Each week, we delve deep into the community and get a good look into both individual members as well as group discussions on various issues that surround our hobby.
This Week in "The Lip Flapper"
I compiled a squad of editors to take the side of YouTube in a reply to last week's YouTube panel.
The Panel
CodeZTM wrote:What would you find to be the best qualities of YouTube when compared to a-m-v.org? Are there things that YouTube does that is more preferred than what a-m-v.org does?
Hagaren Viper wrote:I think Youtube makes it easier to find videos you havent seen before. For example, after watching an amv on youtube a list of 'related' vids based on keywords pops up, which varies a little between newer and older vids. So it's pretty easy to go on a 'Wiki Walk' [Youtube walk?] of sorts, watching one related vid after the other. a-m-v.org doesn't *quite* have an equivalent to this. The closest I feel we have to finding random new videos is the AMV Spotlight on the main page, but even so you're basically relying on the title and editor name to draw you in, because both are accompanied by a big black screen where the video is. Of course, as the name implies it only lists the highest rated videos, so you'll end up seeing the same 10 titles over and over anyway. There's also the 'New Vid on the Block', but that has even less draw since you're relying on nothing but a name to hook you.
To put it this way...what if the difference between watching an AMV titled 'Hit Me Baby, One More Time' is seeing the icon Jesse hitting James from Pokemon or not?
Taite wrote:Youtube's ease of access and structure definitely trump over the org.
The simplicity of the upload system makes it a lot easier to get your videos out there, and automatically you have a little "thread" for your video without having to go out and create it. The aesthetics of the site, but mainly these little "threads", are also very appealing. It's simple to use, but also contains many graphics, with the like buttons, recommended videos, view count, etc., all available in one easy place.
The video player, though while it apparently decreases audio quality, is advanced enough to allow you to view the video in the quality in which it was uploaded (360/480/720p). Though perhaps not as crisp as the original file's quality, it does a great job at maintaining most of it.
Youtube's "subscribe" feature is nice, allowing you to subscribe to fellow editors and see their videos within minutes that they are uploaded on your homepage, rather than waiting for that editor to make a thread for it, if they even do. In which case, you'll likely never hear of it. I believe the org has a similar feature to the "subscribe" options on youtube, but I'm unaware of how it works.
The comments system makes it easy to acknowledge to an editor that you've seen their video, even if you don't want to give them criticism. I typically leave criticism on every video I watch on youtube, but that doesn't mean anyone else should expect it. The people on youtube are a different topic.
If you expect and desire criticism though, then you can come to the org, and if people have a strong enough opinion about your video they'll share it. I like criticism and hope people will take the time to leave me some on the org, as I'm always looking to improve my videos to better entertain people. However, I typically like to just drop off videos and leave them there so people can enjoy them, and youtube makes it easy. The comments system is nice because people are more likely to leave a little note acknowledging if they liked it or not, working the same as the QC system. Unless they are a troll, people will typically tell you why they didn't like it as well.So do you think if the org had a more user friendly system that it would garner more attention and possibly better the community?
It wouldn't better the community, no. The community, whose voice is primarily composed of more veteran editors, seem to enjoy the system it has going. There are no flaws in the system, but as one person put it, making it more friendly is like "lazifying" it. If people aren't willing to learn the system, then they should just go away as far as most people are concerned.
If you did "lazify" it, then yes, the org would garner more attention. However, that's not what the community as a majority wants. People, including myself, aren't too concerned about the popularity of the org so much. People want to maintain the close-knit community instead of making it another youtube. If we were to follow youtube's format, the org wouldn't be unique anymore and most people would leave. So as far as bettering the org goes, no, it probably wouldn't.Do you believe that this would further hurt how little commentary that the announcements forums get?
I believe that the org is so small that they don't even need to implement a feature like this. Youtube is so large, and if you're one of those people that are subscribed to a hundred people, the subscribe feature becomes helpful, since you don't have to check a hundred profiles every week or however often. On the org, you only need to check the announcements forum once a week -- there are such a small amount of editors posting threads in this forum on the org that a lot of it lingers on the first page for awhile.
However, I believe a lot of editors on the org have a built in subscribe feature already in their minds haha. They might watch other videos, but typically people tend to only comment on videos from editors that they know, and that's a huge problem on the org. A few editors like yourself comment on a variety of editor's videos though, which makes me excited to see and motivates me to do more of it as well, but I occasionally see a video with no responses fade into pages 2, 3, and so on.
On the first video I announced on the org, I got 2 pages of comments, though half were likely mine, and I was thrilled! This seems to have changed though. If you want people to come back to the org, then you need to comment on their threads. However, like I mentioned earlier, people seem to be more about preserving the current community, which is where these built-in subscribe buttons come into play. People have their own reasons for not commenting, so I'm not blaming anyone for anything, but the lack of comments on new editor's videos is a fact.
Implementing a feature like a subscribe button, if it doesn't exist already here, wouldn't do harm to the lack of comments in the announcement forum. The inactivity would likely just stay the same.
gote wrote:YouTube is a completely viable place to make friends and be in a community. In fact, I'd say it's a much better place to make friends and be in a community. The type of people you have there are just more talkative, and YouTube sends you comments and replies you get to an inbox so it's faster and easier to keep track of things.
There are many different types of communities than on the Org. Game Music Videos, Live Action Movie editing, TV show editing, action editing, just plain Kingdom Hearts videos (where I came from), romance, and probably much more. So you have your pick of any style of editing with any source you want with an Org sized community behind it to make friends, learn, and grow as an editor.
Most of the communities there are hellbent on being friendly and nice and to just love everything (annoying, I know). That's the main issue the Org has with YouTube editors. YouTube editors don't have any real taste in videos and nobody's critical about anything anyone uploads, but it's not so bad when you're first starting out or even when you're semi-experienced and you just need some friendly compliments and to be told you're awesome.
When I was heavily involved the Kingdom Hearts editing community I was an outcast because I criticized videos. I'm not gonna lie though, I was probably pretty rude about it, and everyone hated it. I hated people that hated my criticisms. I hated that nobody cared enough to listen to what was wrong with them. I believed that a negative comment was 10x more valuable than a good comment. I hated the way things were on others' videos, but on my videos I couldn't get enough of the good comments! Those customs and standards of friendship and love really promote good feelings about editing and I really admire that now.
Without friends, who the heck would do this? I can't imagine going past Windows Movie Maker KH 3hr-worktime videos if there weren't people to interact with and comment on my videos. And luckily for me, i started with KH (thanks to kh-vids.net), and I got the super friendly treatment of fellow KH editors to motivate me and inspire me. I don't know if the Org, as it is now, was my sole source of AMV stuff that i would have kept making videos. There's just not enough activity for there to be anybody here who would have liked what i spit out of windows movie maker. Those videos were HORRIBLE.
But It's not those loving communities that people think of when they think "typical YouTube." When you think typical YouTube, what comes to your mind? LINKIN. BALL. Z. Action editors. Naruto vs Sasuke vs Gaara vs Luffy vs Goku vs Radial Blurs and Flash and punching scenes. That community, that ONE SINGLE FUCKING community, is the most detestable group of editors I know of. A circle of uneducated bullies is what they are. If your edits aren't up to snuff. If the blurs flash and scene choice aren't as good as the standard, they actually leave negative comments. That may sound like a step in the right direction for YouTube but the negative comments are always unintelligible and usually even wrong. But if your edits are good, if they're decently smooth and they use cool lookin' scenes from popular shonen anime, then you're cool! You get praises, and random people love your stuff, and you keep putting out those 10-20 seconds of the same shit over and over.
This community is so deluded in their knowledge of AMV editing that they think they have any originality whatsoever. This isn't every single action editor or anything. There are a few gems that finish videos and that do have some original style. The only one off the top of my head is an editor named DW but he's gone now so i have no idea if there's any hope left for this Phadeforsaken community. The majority of them upload 10-20 seconds on average every other day, sometimes less. Always the same shit. This community has the balls to consistently and shamelessly use the Naruto vs Sasuke fight in a video, over and over again.
I saw a complaint on a video that really made me sick and it'll probably stick with me for as long as I edit. A guy accused the editor of ripping off another editor. This was a short meaningless bleach action beta that I've seen a million times before, and I'm sure the accuser has done it himself at least 5 times. The comment said "this is such a rip. You used the exact same scenes as DW just rearranged." I cannot wrap my head around that ignorant comment as hard as I try. I just can't begin to understand the level of stupidity it takes for someone to really be that shamelessly hypocritical. It's none of my concern how or what an editor wishes to edit, but it maddens me to no end when they fight like children based on flawed editing principles and theory and incorrect definitions of things like "originality." Comments like this only serve to promote the same generic type of editing that gets praised. The praise leads to more of those videos being created, videos that are the antithesis of what this site tries to promote. Those videos pervade all of YouTube and soil its reputation which is what constantly distances the Org from YouTube.
There's two sides to the linkin ball z coin, though. Those are just the editors that do this stuff regularly. Then you have the random editors that paste 3 minutes of bleach to three days grace in WMM and upload it. Those aren't even an issue though. It's rare that those videos get enough comments to make them really popular and make them content with their lame videos. They might not get more original as they continue editing, but they certainly try harder to get more views and learn mechanics, so it's not all bad.
The way that YouTube praises random new editors in small but noticeable quantity without negativity is a phenomenal way to bring in new editors by the truckload. Not all of these editors end up becoming anything worth mentioning anywhere, but for every hundred or thousand if there's one gem that would have never been introduced if not for some shitty bleach video, then I am thankful for the trend that YouTube, Windows Movie Maker, Japan, and piracy have all come together to create. And the growth is exponential too, so the rest of those 999 schmucks that never amount to anything in editing still may inspire 999 more schmucks and one gem, and that gem would have never come to be a gem without the schmucks and those schmucks would have never come to be schmucks without the schmucks before them.
I value YouTube's trends and methods and communities. Even the action editing community serves the purpose of motivating themselves. Those tough guy attitudes and their rivalries suit them and their needs and motivate them create smoother and more action packed bleach videos to every popular rock song available, and they help to bring in new talent, just like the schmucks before the schmucks before them. I'll never stop uploading my videos to YouTube for as long as it's allowed. I love the Org much more but because of the size of YouTube's population and the ever increasing rate of growth (despite all of the legal ramifications associated with the hobby), I would have to choose YouTube as a website over the Org any day, that is, if the Org continues to stay the same.
Chez wrote:Youtube did a few things faster then the org. The instant streaming allowed for quick content for the viewers and no wait time from downloading so your comments where usually pretty fast. It also had more impact on the unknown world. Sure there are a few AMV specific sites, but the average person may never click on this site unlike youtube and its many videos about kittens. Though I really enjoy the orgs set up, yes it is more of a learning curve but because of that you actually learn a bit. Just sometimes I would rather spend less time trying to get the right file type and more time getting onto the next video.What can users gain from the org's system in terms of learning rather than youtubes?
Well most of the average youtube users know that you just upload and go. Really easy and simple its just about 2 clicks and you are done, but for the org you actually have to use FTP clients and send everything that way. Yes everything is spelled out when you upload but actually having to get fire ftp or something similar and learn how it functions can actually help you if you decide to take a job editing ( I have had to pull videos from clients using fire ftp it helps in the long run). While it can be cumbersome I would say about 3-5 more clicks it is nice to know that small piece of information.
Jwalk0 wrote:Grab some popcorn, this is pretty long
When it comes to uploading it's so much easier thru YT's upload system. Even though you can't download AMVs from YT like you can from the org unless you use outside methods, the uploading thru YT is a lot more user friendly and common, like on many file sharing sites (which are now being taken out). Even though I have been using the org to upload my AMVs since I first joined, I've only done it by putting them thru indirect links like Sendspace.com and then linking them thru their AMV profiles here on the org. I will start using FTP though. To me and many other editors I know and don't know, FTP is something new and uncommon to us and for some editors I know, they've gotten lazy to use it and completely decided to not ever use it because of that. There are I think at least 5-6 steps to upload an amv thru FTP whereas thru YT it's only 1 step by clicking and that's it. Also the fact that you can upload huge files thru YT whereas there's extenstions new users will have to use in order to upload AMVs that are over 100MBs. I do see how FTP is more efficient when it comes to wanting everything you want to know and more to make the uploading process better and know everything you can do, but more people than less (who are extremely impatient) want to just upload and be done with it. They want their AMVs ready to be viewed or downloaded RIGHT AFTER they've uploaded them but if it takes time to upload it thru a new method, they don't want anything to do with it because they will see it as a hassle when they can do it thru the previous method which is easier to them.
It's easier for people to find out about newer AMVs thru YT, but ONLY, if they are subscribed to editors. I don't know exactly but I think Alerts is sort of like the subscription system on YT, but anyway. If you are a new editor and you upload your AMV on YT, there are more chances of it being watched, and commented on either positively, negatively, or with constructive criticism, from many people on YT than it is on the org.
As long as I've been here on the org, I've found out that the best way to watch a new AMV that an editor uploads thru the org is thru my Free Opinions thread. An editor can send me their AMV and I can watch it, enjoy, tolerate, not enjoy it, and then send them my thoughts on the AMV. In the AMV Announcements thread, it's poorly executed for editors to get their AMVs out to the public unless they are well known throughout the community or they get friends outside of the org to come. Many AMV threads in the announcement thread fight for anywhere near the top so they can be seen more and the only way they can be anywhere near the top is if someone drops a comment on them, whereas AMV threads that don't get as much comments on them, or any, gradually fall to the bottom and then locked. Even though it is a forum where the AMV Announcement thread is located, the only way an AMV thread can stay alive long enough is if enough people continually and gradually post comments in that thread over long periods time before it gets locked, like any other forum thread. Most editors know this and take advantage of that and other editors will hardly get much time to get their AMV threads out long enough before it gets locked. I don't know how but there has to be better ways on the org for newer editors to get their AMVs more noticed. The Opinion thread section is a fantastic way as long as the people who creates the opinion threads continues to give opinions, which is why I will always have my Free Opinions thread open so that newer editors and not-newer editors can get exactly what they need from their AMVs, which is a viewer who will give them an honest critique. I may not give it to them immediately, but it is guaranteed.
On YT an editor doesn't have to worry about an AMV not having enough time to have someone drop their thoughts on it before it gets locked in a section where lots of people gather at once to check it out because they have unlimited time to have their AMVs up and millions of people are always on YT, just as long as the AMV stays up on YT. On the org people have to search harder for editors who do crave for people to drop their thoughts on their AMVs who do not have their AMVs in the AMV Announcement thread, unless the folks really liked the AMVs and want to go out of their way to find the editor and tell them thru their AMVs.
I will agree that alotta editors want quick gratifications thru their AMVs by using YT for that since many viewers will drop what they want to hear, and that is bad in so many ways, including setting up that editor to get big-headed and create a certain view of themselves as not needing to improve and that they've already reached their ultimate potential. The org does an extremely better job of giving editors constructive criticism thru positives and negatives since more editors than less on the org do it to help the editor, and this is more allowed to the public here on the org than it is on YT. You do have some viewers on YT who will give constructive criticism too but more times than less, they will get flamed and ignored for it by the editor, the other viewers, or both parties. The editor may get to the point where he or she may decide to either postpone editing, quit editing, continue editing not believeing they need to improve, or rethink the ways of their edits for the better, but more editors thru the org don't quit and learn more from their mistakes faster from the org and improve than a majority of editors from YT who go the opposite direction and take longer to rethink their edits for the better. Editors who want quick gratification find out the hard way that they can't get that here on the org and a majority of them gets scared to use the org because of it because they don't want anything to rock their individual worlds, but they have to learn to think outside the box and to overcome their own fears so they can become better in whatever areas they believe they can, and not let the abundances of quick gratifications be the world to them.
YT does have it's fair share of the same things the org is for when it comes to constructive cristicisms changing editors' editing traits for the better, but not as much as the org. It's funny when I hear editors from YT say that the org has too many elitest editors cause personally to me, it's not as much compared to the abundance of them on YT, including the oh so many trolls from there. Not gonna say the editor's name but this guy bascially went to AMVs which were outright bad and just straight up mocked the AMVs while giving constructive crticisms, but he gave the constructive criticisms like a complete demon and made the editors turn into defenseless, angry children. He stopped doing it almost 3 years ago but at the time people couldn't tell if he was serious or not thru his tactics. But if he was a troll, like I said, there are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more of these types on YT than the org. If any, on the org. Plus, any internet forum will have it's share of retards and assholes. It's the internet, it's a big world, and both are full of them.
Continuing on where I left off on the AMV Announcement thread topic, personally I have seen many AMVs in the announcement thread that I didn't get a chance to post a comment in before it got locked. I've put it over 33 vids in my org account with about 7 of them I posted in the AMV Announcement thread and at least 3 of those AMVs got locked before anyone even dropped 1 comment on them. Even though life keeps me busy I wish I had more time to post comments on others' AMVs specifically in this thread. I do not have this problem at all thru YT. To those editors with low self-esteem, this can be really discouraging to them because they may feel like their skills aren't worth anything and then either decide to not edit for a while or permanently, or go back to just posting and announcing their AMVs thru YT. I speak for myself and everyone when I say you should not ever fall into this slump since you should make AMVs mostly for yourself, and you have to also do more than just post your AMVs in the announcement thread if you want to have your AMVs more noticed in the thread. Basically just make yourself more known within the community; participate in different threads, help out other editors, join in conversations, start threads outside of AMVs, just become a part of the community. Some editors don't want to go thru all this just so that other people will watch and comment on their AMVs, and they also don't see the benefits of this website providing more for them besides other people watching and commenting on their AMVs. These types of editors need to learn to grow and think outside the box.
I do believe that it's way more easier thru the org to find an AMV with a certain anime, song, and which editor made it than it is thru YT for many reasons though. One example is of course the copyright BS from YT. Hundreds, no thousands of AMVs from YT have been removed or blocked and it's harder for people to find exactly what they want in an AMV thru YT even when they input the anime, song, and the editor who made it. Not only because of the fact that there are a lot of AMVs and because it may not even be there anymore, but mostly because the editors won't put in the names of the animes or songs in the description boxes, tags, and titles of their AMVs for fear out of them getting taken down. I've even seen amvs with just the word "amv" in the tags get removed because of copyright. Editors from YT should have more than enough reasons to join the org thru just this because they do not have to worry about spending days, weeks, months, years, editing an AMV just to have it taken down or blocked in many countries as soon as it's uploaded. And they don't have to worry about wasting time trying to add unintentional things in their AMVs to bypass the copyright systems, which most of the time doesn't work.
Bottom line, if the uploading system was more conventional like on YT while still being able to download from it, and an editor could get as much attention on their AMVs like on YT, without a doubt, this website would have so much more editors joining it and staying on it daily than on YT. Some editors do favor YT more than the org since it's more popular and well known to the world and the viewcounts, but to those who favor more in this hobby besides these and wants to get their works out to a crowd tailored specifically to AMVs, they will have the desire to join the org and an even higher desire if the uploading system and attentions of their AMVs were more like YT's. Plus more editors from YT will want to spend more time making full AMVs than short betas which has been happening too much, I've noticed it since 2009. Even though I didn't even become remotely interested in AMVs until February 2007, I first found my love for them thru YT because a majority of the types of animes and songs I liked in AMVs were thru YT and a good many of the editors and viewers of these AMVs were good-hearted and laid-back folks. Opened an account on the org a month after I joined YT just to download AMVs and only that. And even though I didn't start editing until late that year, it wasn't until a year later from that point that I decided to open a new org account to post my AMVs on and to start becoming part of the org community. I keep hearing about many editors before and after me who did the same thing I did and would just download AMVs and also lurk the forums, and then down the road, do more than just download AMVs and become part of the community. More editors than less should have the mindset to come to the org with more open minds like they do more when they first come on YT, I do understand that part of the problem is the people themselves but the other part is the overall view they have of the org and with enough good views and advertisements of the org, that can be changed. Many editors have and can also use both YT and the org like I always have by uploading my amvs thru both websites and including the org download with the YT version, that way more people get to check out your works and can download them.
I will also say that even though YT has been going thru alotta unnecessary and discomforting changes for AMV editors, editors can find and build homes on YT thru this hobby and the friends they involved themselves with thru this hobby, just like on the org. I'm one of those editors whose a testament of that and even though I see YT as more of a home than it is on the org, it's only because I've been there longer and I've known my friends from there longer. The org is a wonderful and in some ways better place for an editor to have a home as long as they step outside the box, become thick-skinned but fully open to negative constructive criticisms, and participate more in the community.
CodeZTM wrote:(Well, I had a few of my panelists not able to answer, I decided to throw my own 2 cents on this)
To me, YouTube offers a better chance to network and socialize between editors of all kinds of different calibers, and sort of closes the skill gap between veteran and newcomer. I'm always amazed at how people just comment on my videos and then add me on Skype for a conversation about editing or just asking some questions about the anime I used. You can't do that as much on a-m-v.org when you're just walking into the forum.
Let's face it. We scare off nearly 90% of the newcomers without even doing/saying anything to them. We don't have an introduction forum, so they don't really have a chance to get their name out there except with an announcement forum or the grossly underused "newcomer" thread in General AMV. They don't really have a place to ask basic questions or whatnot. Yeah, they can "lurk", but who honestly likes hearing that when they come into a new forum? With youtube, you have your main channel, you can make a "HEY THIS IS ME" video to start off with, or just plain introduce yourself to other editors on their channels.
Also, for the love of God, give everyone a freaking edit button. Yeah, I'm a donator and I hate that we don't get as many perks as we used to, but holding out an edit button is just cruel. I love the comment removal system on YouTube, because when my stupidity asks "what anime is this", and then I see the credits rolling right after I ask it, I can remove it and not force the editor to take the time to answer a stupid question.