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Part of National Museums Liverpool
This internationally significant collection of over 2,000 Tibetan objects gives an insight into the lives of British India officers connected to Tibet and the Himalayas.
Currently on display in World Cultures, Level 3, World Museum
Sometimes, correcting mistakes found in the museum's records leads to new and completely unexpected connections.
Author: Tankard, Elaine
Publisher: Liverpool Public Museums
Date: 1953-03
Description: Introductory essay and catalogue entries, in themes, for the 1953 exhibition; 'Tibet', held at the Walker Art Gallery.
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© Copyright 2019


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Mayor Don Wesely today reminded Lincoln residents that voluntarily water restrictions are still in effect in an effort to conserve water. Beginning Saturday, July 6, property owners with street addresses ending in an even number, including zero, were asked to water lawns and wash cars and other vehicles on even-numbered calendar days. Those with addresses ending in odd numbers were asked to water on odd-numbered calendar days.
"The rain we received over the weekend was very welcome, but it was not nearly enough to solve our drought conditions," said Mayor Wesely. "As we wait for more rain, it's important to do all we can to conserve water, and reducing the watering of lawns will make the biggest difference."
Weekend rainfall amounts in Lincoln varied from about one-quarter inch to a little more than an inch. Jerry Obrist of the Lincoln Water System said usage has reflected the rain. From July 1 through 4, water usage averaged 80.7 million gallons per day. Daily usage since then has been down to 77.1 million gallons on July 5; 68.7 million gallons on July 6; 44.9 million gallons on July 7; and 61.7 million gallons on July 8.
The city Parks and Recreation Department began taking water conservation measures last week. At its meeting this morning, the County-City Public Building Commission put all local government facilities on the odd-even watering system. Because several of the buildings take up large sections of city blocks, the Public Building Commission decided to use the official address of each building. For example, the County-City Building at 555 South 10th, the Justice and Law Enforcement Center at 575 South 10th, and the Old Federal Building at 129 North 10th will water on odd-numbered days. The Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, 3140 "N" Street, and the new Juvenile Detention Center, 1200 Radcliff, will water on even-numbered days.
In addition to following the odd-even system, the Lincoln Water System recommends:
Media Release

subset: commoncrawl


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Community Cinema Series at the Dennos Museum in Traverse City
The Dennos Museum Center and CMU Public Television have announced the films included in the 2010-2011 Community Cinema Series to be shown at the Dennos free of charge. Community Cinema is a community outreach project of CMU Public Television and the Dennos Museum Center. All films are shown at 7:00 pm at the Dennos Museum Center. These screening events are part of the ITVS (Independent Television Service) Community Cinema program. Free screenings of Independent Lens films will be held the first Thursday of the month beginning October 2010 through May 2011. For more on the Independent Cinema series, visit WCMU.org/TV.
October 7, 2010, 7:00 pm – Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood IndianReel Injun is an exciting, insightful and entertaining feature length documentary about the evolution of the image of North American Native people ("The Indians") in famous Hollywood movies, from the silent era to today.
November 4, 2010, 7:00 pm – Deep Down Beverly May and Terry Ratliff grew up on opposite sides of a mountain ridge in eastern Kentucky, where coal is king. When a mountaintop removal coal mine encroaches on their community, the two find themselves on opposing sides of a debate dividing their community and the world: who controls, consumes and bene?ts from our planet's shrinking supply of natural resources?
January 6, 2011, 7:00 pm – For Once In My Life For Once In My Life is the story of an inspiring group of people and their dream to make music. This film follows the members of the Spirit of Goodwill Band while they prepare for the concert of a lifetime. As they navigate daily life, these twenty-eight musicians and singers, all with a wide range of severe mental and physical disabilities, display talent, humor and tenacity. "For Once In My Life" shatters preconceived notions of what it means to be disabled and reveals the greatness within all of us.
February 3, 2011, 7:00 pm – Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story This film follows the sad and startling story of Cyntoia Brown, who is serving a life sentence for murder at the age of 16.Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story takes a hard look at some of the complex social issues concerning a 16-year-old girl who is serving a life sentence for murder. The filmmaker spent nearly six years exploring her life and familial relationships in order to answer a very basic question… why? This documentary pushes aside assumptions about what we think about violence and takes a glance into a startling social mirror that reveals a strong connection between violence in her maternal line and a predestined childhood filled with bad decisions.
March 3, 2011, 7:00 pm – Pushing the Elephant This film chronicles the story of Rose Mapendo and how she escaped from the ethnic violence of the Democratic Republic of Congo to become a vital voice to help mend her divided country. She has assisted dozens of survivors to recover and rebuild their lives. But there is still one person Rose must teach to forgive – her daughter Nangabire.
April 7, 2011, 7:00 pm – Bhutto As the first woman to lead an Islamic nation, Benazir Bhutto led a life of Shakespearean dimensions. When the former prime minister of Pakistan was struck down by an assassin in December 2007, her untimely death sent shock waves throughout the world, transforming Bhutto from political messiah to a martyr in the hearts of her people.
May 5, 2011, 7:00 pm – Welcome to ShelbyvilleSet in the heart of America's Bible Belt, Welcome To Shelbyville focuses on a small Southern town as they grapple with rapid demographic change and issues of immigrant integration. The film captures the complexity of the African American, Latino, white, and Somali subjects as their lives intertwine against the backdrop of a crumbling economy and the election of a new president.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and exhibition, go to dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.


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BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky's lawyers said Saturday they tried to quit at the start of jury selection in his child sex abuse trial because they weren't given enough time to prepare, raising an argument on the trial's speed that could become the thrust of an appeal.
And one of the jurors who convicted Sandusky of 45 child sex abuse counts said Saturday he was swayed by the "very convincing" testimony of eight accusers who said the ex-Penn State assistant football coach molested them for years.
"It's hard to judge character on the stand, because you don't know these kids," juror Joshua Harper told NBC's "Today" show. "But most were very credible – I would say all."
A day after Sandusky's conviction, his lawyers disclosed they felt too unprepared to adequately defend him because of how quickly the case was brought to trial. Experts have said the seven months between Sandusky's November arrest and trial was fast-paced by Pennsylvania standards.
"We told the trial court, the Superior Court and the Supreme Court we were not prepared to proceed to trial in June due to numerous issues, and we asked to withdraw from the case for those reasons," attorney Joe Amendola told The Associated Press.
The issues included a scheduling conflict with a defense team member and the need to read a cache of documents produced by a lengthy grand jury investigation. Judge John Cleland denied their request.
The attorneys raised other issues that could be part of the future appeal, saying that a mistrial was sought and denied over a repetition at trial of a brief part of a November interview that Sandusky had with NBC's Bob Costas.
Jurors in the two-week trial convicted Sandusky of 45 of the 48 counts against him, meaning that Sandusky, 68, likely will die in prison.
Harper said the accusers who testified one by one of horrific abuse at Sandusky's hands were each believable, "but then also the fact that we saw this corroborating story between all of them. It was very convincing."
Then Sandusky's impassive face when the verdict was read was confirmation for the jury, he said.
"I looked at him during the reading of the verdict and just the look on his face. No real emotion," he said, "because he knew it was true."
Harper said jurors had some issues with the testimony of Mike McQueary, then an assistant, who said he saw Sandusky assaulting a boy in the Penn State showers in 2001; jurors acquitted Sandusky on one count relating to the incident.
The case is poised to move to an investigation of university officials' role in reporting the charges; two ex-school administrators face trial on charges they didn't properly report McQueary's account of the suspected abuse in 2001.
Almost immediately after the verdict, Penn State President Rodney Erickson signaled an openness to quickly settle potential lawsuits arising from the convictions, saying the school "wants to provide a forum where the university can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims' concerns and compensate them for claims."
The university recently reported a $1.8 billion endowment. But both sides have reasons not to want to go to court, said Jason Kutulakis, a Harrisburg-area lawyer who specializes in child welfare and juvenile law. Victims are reluctant to get on the stand and have their credibility attacked, he said.
But "Penn State's got so much egg on their face, they probably just want to make it all go away," he said.
For now, the school is facing one lawsuit from an accuser, Travis Weaver, who was not among those represented in the criminal case against Sandusky.
Lawyers for McQueary, who testified against Sandusky, have signaled their intent to sue, along with a lawyer for one accuser, so-called Victim 5.
Jeff Anderson, who represents Weaver, said that he represents more victims of Sandusky's and that he will ask the court to allow him to begin seeking information from Penn State in Weaver's case.
The next step is to determine the extent of Penn State's culpability, lawyers say. In part, that means finding out who in the university's upper ranks knew Sandusky was preying on boys and could have stopped it.
The former Penn State officials facing charges – athletic director Tim Curley and retired Vice President Gary Schultz – are charged with lying to a grand jury about what they knew of a 2001 incident in which McQueary said he saw Sandusky assaulting a boy in a football team shower.
A separate investigation by ex-FBI director Louis Freeh, who was hired by Penn State's board of trustees to investigate the university's handling of the Sandusky allegations, is due later this summer.
Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno was fired for a failure of leadership for not going to the police after McQueary told him about that incident. The scandal also caused the departure of university President Graham Spanier.
Philadelphia-based lawyer Fortunato Perri Jr., who followed the trial, said the jury's dismissal of the charge involving the 2001 shower incident could help the defense of Curley and Schultz.
"You've now had a jury kind of preview your case with respect to the credibility of McQueary, and they didn't believe him," Perri said. "Who knows if the next jury would believe him or not believe him?"
But the administrators' attorneys would probably be precluded from introducing the acquittal evidence at the separate trial, Perri said.
Sandusky's sentencing should be in about three months; an exact date hasn't been set. Because of the severity of the charges and mandatory minimum sentences, he faces an effective life sentence.
Local & State
Armed with smartphones, volunteers track Casco Bay king tides as harbingers of sea-level rise
Our View: Landmark 1964 Supreme Court case protects a free press
Letter to the editor: Emergency declaration has devastating impact on those at the border
Letter to the editor: Extent of Trump's lying constitutes the real national emergency
Letter to the editor: School curricula that focus on just 1 faith teach the wrong lesson


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Ever think that you've cooked chicken in every way possible? Well, think again! There are tons of creative ways to cook this protein-rich bird, and they all spell delicious! Try this Peach Chicken recipe that adds a little sweet-heat that your mouth will love!
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 pounds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 large firm-ripe peaches, cut into 1/4-inch slices, or 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen peaches, (about 4 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, add to the skillet and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar and orange juice in a small bowl and set aside. When the chicken is browned, transfer to a plate and set aside.
Add the ginger and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, the soy sauce mixture, and the peaches to the pan. Turn the heat up to high and cook, uncovered, for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is nicely thickened and the peaches soften. Add the chicken back to the pan with the sauce, turn the heat down to moderate-low, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
In the meantime, toast the almonds in a dry skillet over a medium-high heat stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Serve the chicken topped with the sauce and sprinkled with the toasted almonds.
Yield: 4 serving, 1 piece chicken, 2/3 cup sauce and 1/2 tablespoon almonds per serving.
Sweet Heat Peach Chicken was originally published on blackdoctor.org


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I needed someone's opinion. Should I get a Harajuku or a lolita costume?!!
Go to party city dot com and click see all teens they are on the 3rd or 4th page next to each other! Thanks in advance!!!!!!
P.S-It's Japanese right?^^'
Foodies do it better.
I'm actually like leaving right now for the store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hold on hold on! Please realise that this was a comment, NOT a recommendation!
Wow... it has been a while since I have been to a Spirit Store, I had not realized that they expanded the sexy kitten, sexy nurse, sexy witch, sexy etc. collection of years past.
Eh...what do you want the costume for? Party? Early Halloween planning? A date? An anime con? ^_^
The Big Onigiri.
- Wherever you go, there you are. -
I wouldn't buy a lolita costume. Mostly because it's a costume, and not nearly "real" lolita (and real lolitas DO hate that. I know it pretty well... lots of lolita friends, lol). Besides, it will be extremely expensive.
You can buy cheap clothes at your favorite store and arrange them like in lolita style: look for a cute summer bulky skirt, a cute t-shirt and nice shoes and socks. I'd recommend to use a soft-pink and white combo.
That is called "casual lolita" and it's the only lolita style that doesn't seem ridiculous to me ^^
My bento blog: http://justbento.com/blog/1305
My art blog: http://jizaacaso.deviantart.com
I'm guessing you have this in mind when you think of a "Lolita" costume:
thebiganime fan was asking about the costume here:
Which is this North American lady's interpretation of the term
She describes herself as Senior Designer at a Halloween costume company.
Wearing the costume for Halloween is fine, but be aware that the 'kimono' that wraps around the chest is the wrong way around. In Japan one would only dress the dead in this way.
(When wearing Japanese clothes, left side should ALWAYS wrap over the right.)
well... no i was thinking in things like this (i can't see the first pic because I'm at work now):
while a real lolita would wear something like this: http://log.tenshi-dream.net/pics/btssb.jpg (edit: now I saw the pic Loretta posted. That are actually real lolita clothes, not costumes ^^U)
I know I'm very picky with this... too many lolita friends!! LOL! :D
oh yes, that "Lolita" costume on that partycity site is all wrong, from a purely Japanese point of view. It's some sort of throwback to the Oriental Dragon Lady Madame Butterfly Geisha Massage Parlor stereotype. I would go more for the Harajuku one, simply because as far as I'm concerned Harajuku Girl has been bastardized by Gwen Stefani anyway. ^_^ (not that I'm interested in any way about the purity of cosplay fashions, mind you) The Lolita look that Jiza linked to is more the thing, but in the US it might be misinterpreted as something else.
I agree...
If it was me going to an event I'd try a casual lolita look ( http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp252/shellyzr/casual.jpg ) or karajuku... ( http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/japan_picture/albums/upload/tokyo/ha... ), both are much easier than the real lolita thing.
I actually like the casual lolita look. I find it elegant in a twisted way :D
anyway you can take a look on the pics of this blog to get ideas :D http://www.campuseras.com/blog/493/
I wouldn't recommend the erololi look. The line that divides the "twisted sexy cutie" from the "undressed harlott" is very, very thin.
Friends masquerade party...:P
I lied more of a costume party
P.S- I really like the real lolita dresses but my mom said no one is going to know what I am, so I have to go for something like the "wa-loli" look because it looks more like a kimono I guess...
biganimefan, I guess what we are saying is that the 'Lolita' look on that party outfit site doesn't look anything like 'real' lolita, but it doesn't look anything at all like a real Japanese kimono either. It's like a really bad stereotype of 'exotic Oriental lady at dodgy massage parlor who may have sex with you', to put it bluntly ^_^; I am not sure how old you are, but from a Japanese person's point of view that look is really...not good. If I had a daughter I would not let her dress like that. The other Harajuku Girl look to me is better, though not perhaps as stereotypically "Wapanese".
But eh...I dunno, at a party in the States it may not matter that much....
What Maki has said about the perception of gaudy Japonesque "massage parlour" costumes was echoed in the blog I liked to in my first post where they were likened to "female wrestler robes".
Either choice is fine for a party, but neither represent anything 'real' in relation to Japan. I think I once saw a "wa-loli' costume in a store front that only does fancy dress costumes in Shinjuku but it's not a look that's seen much if at all on the streets of Shibuya, Harajuku or Akihabara.
The Lolita look is a very loose Japanese interpretation of a Western look. And (outside of cosplay - like 'Scarlet Claw' from the Cutie Honey movie) the Wa-Loli look is a very loose Western interpretation of a very loose Japanese interpretation of a Western look.
You're young, thebiganimefan, you should be fearless and wear anything you want to. My message is to enjoy wearing a dress or costume on your own terms. If you want your dress to be authentic and to conform to the codes relating to that dress and its culture, then that is marvellous! You'll find lots of people who are willing to help and guide you and, as a bonus, you'll educate yourself about facets of that culture.
If you want to throw those codes out of the window and dress however you choose, then that's great too. But it's best not to ask for approval for this, just go with your gut instinct and look as spectacular as you can.
What nobody can do here is agree with your original statement:
"P.S-It's Japanese right?"
Neither of those costume options are.
But I did see this version (which, considering who is wearing it, I would NOT call "Loli" or "Lolita") and thought that, for a themed party, it was adorable. So perhaps I would be OK with my own daughter wearing a related look :D
O_O That's so f*cking cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :3
What nobody can do here is agree with your original statement:
"P.S-It's Japanese right?"
Sorry i was just thinking how it's generally like a kimono ( sorta, kinda...) and it sounded kind of silly asking a totally off topic question here. It was a stretch, yes, but I'm sorry to say that this a 'closed topic' (but feel free to comment though, it's neat to hear all of your opinions!!) my friend and i decided on a group costume ( the ones when you have to have more than one person in order for it to make sense) I really apologize, because I know you guys put some thought and time into your comments :(
I should clarify, and I do hope I'm not getting too heavy on you here biganimefan, that as a Japanese female person the Wa-Loli look is just too close to the stereotypes of Asian/Japanese females that I've had to live with most of my adult life. And to me personally (which doesn't mean anything really except to me) it borders on the unacceptable. But that doesn't mean you'll get rave reviews for it at the party. As Loretta said you should do as you like, and enjoy it, but it's not at all Japanese except in the vaguest way.
I do like wa-loli and qi-loli looks but i see them more like a costume. And to me (and I'm not japanese at all!) it smells a little like japanese-chinese-stereotype. I find it cute, though.
But both Maki and Loretta are right, do what you want, no matter what the rest think!!! :D
P.S (again...) trust me none of the people going would be the least bit confused if I wore the purple "kimono". It's not like they know what the poofy-skirted, adorably cute dress would be anyway...
I know this is closed, but I rather like the thing that Jiza posted - the girl with the pink beret and jacket and cute black and white skirt. I can imagine a girl wearing that and not getting the 'wrong' sort of attention from us males. Not JUST the wrong sort of attention, anyway!
I'm not personally keen on kimono costumes, pretty much for the reasons Maki outlined - they seem to reflect the (post World War II?) idea that geisha were prostitutes. Or the costumes just otherwise look cheap and nasty. Kimono should be something beautiful and perfect, not a stereotype-reflecting polyester travesty.
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aerospace engineering
Budget $30-250 USD
Who interested in working with aerospace project using Matlab , contact me for more details
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I am an Electrical Engineer having specialization in Electronics and Control, teaching in Electrical Department at FAST National University Pakistan. I am also persuing my MS degree in Electrical Engineering with speci More
Hi. I think I will be able to do this. Please provide more information. Regards.....................
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I can complete your project fast and accurately. I've been researching in aerospace since last 2 years. So I can do your work fast.
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I can do this project as early as possible because I am skilled in such projects
I have been doing matlab code in General electric for the wind industry in fluid dynamics nontheless. I really think i can help you with your project


text:
A first-of-its-kind event in St. Joseph County Saturday will hopefully attract people interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents, organizers of the open-house program said.
A first-of-its-kind event in St. Joseph County Saturday will hopefully attract people interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents, organizers of the open-house program said.
An information-filled session detailing the aspects of being a foster parent or adopting a foster child will take place 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday at Holiday Inn Express in Three Rivers.
Karie Saylor, licensing specialist with the St. Joseph County Department of Human Services, said the idea of marketing foster care and adoption reflects the need for foster parents locally.
Saylor said the agency has licensed 27 families for foster care, while there is a roster of 130 kids in foster care.
"When we can't find local placements, we work with Bethany (Christian Services) and look to neighboring counties," she said. "It's just so much better for everyone if we can keep the foster care in the county, especially if it helps keep the foster care child or children in the same school district."
She and DHS licensing supervisor Katie Albertson said Saturday's event is an informal opportunity for people to learn more about fostering and adopting. They said approaching representatives from DHS officials in St. Joseph and Cass counties, Bethany, and Family and Children Services in such an environment may appeal to people who are considering either or both opportunities, but aren't sure where to start or are nervous about inquiring through traditional channels.
Saylor and Albertson said it's a no-strings-attached chance to approach people with knowledge about the foster and adoption processes.
"We want (prospective attendees) to be comfortable and ask the questions they may have had but weren't sure how or where to ask," Saylor said, adding the oldest licensed foster mother in the county is 81 years old.
Saylor also said learning more about becoming a foster parent might interest people afraid they may not be considered a traditional family for foster care. Foster families may be single-parent, married, same-sex, or live-in partners.
The only stipulations are that the primary caregivers are 18 or older, live in a house suitable for raising children, will be able to provide a bedroom that has at least 40-square-feet of space and are earning an income from a legitimate and legal source of employment.
Fingerprints and background checks will be conducted and nine classes must be completed before a license is issued.
"The process can take anywhere from four to six months," Saylor said, noting the age for which children may be fostered ranges from newborn to younger than 18 years of age.
The original foster license is valid for six months. A two-year and subsequent renewals are contingent on results of a department re-evaluation, she said.
Most children end up placed in foster care for a variety of reasons, but the most common are drug-related activity by their parents, domestic assault, physical or sexual abuse, or medical neglect.
Saylor and Albertson said even if someone attends for only 10 minutes to get brochures, they hope the event draws a good turnout.


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Modern Flow Equipment reinvented its big sprayer line from the ground up. Built for high-acreage growers and custom applicators to service both large and small fields, the new Field Hawk swoops in to take on all comers.
Set among the machines on display at any farm show, the Field Hawk might initially pass as just another giant sprayer. But one thing stands out immediately on this beast: On all four corners, the large dual wheels clad in Firestone 14.9R46 tires are able to turn in different directions for tight cornering, or all in the same direction to "crab" steer along hillsides.
Although four-wheel steering on a 1,200-gal. sprayer is unusual, that's not the only feature that makes the Field Hawk unique. Its six-section, 90-ft. spray boom can be folded and unfolded on the fly while spraying continues from the unfolded sections. Widths of 80, 100, and 120 ft. are also available. In any case, push-button control of the boom sections allows the massive machine to spray corners and end rows that would challenge sprayers half its size. The machine also has the ability to convert to a dry granular spreader in just a few hours.
Built smart. The Field Hawk is built smart in other ways too. Its power plant is the new 305-hp Cummins QSC, making this sprayer the first to come standard with a Tier 3 emissions rated diesel engine. The engine not only emits less particulate and nitrous oxide, but does so while providing smoother, quieter power than previous engines in this class provide. The engine powers a hydrostatic drive system, which transfers the power to four high-torque-output MW24 Dyna Plus wheel motors. The drive train system can attain road speeds up to 40 mph or power the machine over rough fields and hills while providing ample power for other systems such as the chemical pump, dry spinner, wheel adjustment and boom operation.
An advanced boom suspension system, load leveling and traction control help ensure that the Field Hawk applies its payload predictably and efficiently. A pressurized air ride cab provides comfort and safety for the driver and a buddy seat passenger. Standard row crop tires can be replaced with floater tires to reduce compaction or Titan Stubble Guard tires for rough duty.
Customized. Options such as GPS assisted steering and a Raven Viper or 600 controller give the Field Hawk full site-specific and variable-rate application capabilities. Many other options are available to customize the Field Hawk for each applicator's needs. Numerous option packages and configurations mean prices of the Field Hawk will vary widely, but base price should be similar to prices for competitive models such as the largest John Deere sprayer, putting this machine somewhere around $250,000.
For more information, contact Modern Flow Equipment, 650 N. Sycamore St., Villa Grove, IL 61956, 800/642-8416, or visit www.modern-flow.com.


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- Home
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DeWitt Animal Hospital
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DeWitt, NY 13214
Ph: (315) 446-1200
Fax: (315) 446-4982
Welcome to our website!
We understand the special role your pet plays in your family and are dedicated to becoming your partner in your pet's health care. We treat your pet as we would our own. Our goal is to practice the highest quality medicine and surgery with compassion and an emphasis on client education. Our entire healthcare team is committed to providing personal attention to the unique concerns of each individual pet owner.
We are the official shelter for the City of Syracuse. We receive animals through Syracuse Dog Control that may be lost or injured. We accept donations through Paypal to help care for these animals. We are not a 501(c)3 organization therefore donations are not tax deductible. No goods or services are exchanged for donations.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our veterinary practice and the services we offer. Please contact us at (315) 446-1200 for all your pet health care needs.


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Monday, June 3, 2013
How a Whiskey Shortage Works
While this at first blush simply seems funny -- how blinkered is your world view that you don't think something is happening unless it's happening to you? -- it suggests that many people don't understand how a whiskey shortage works.
First, it's important to remember the three-tier system. By law, producers sell to distributors and distributors sell to retailers. In many states, merchandise can't flow in the other direction. Even chain retailers can't move stock from store to store to equalize availability. This can lead to one store in a market being out of a certain product, while others in the same market have plenty.
To a whiskey producer such as Buffalo Trace, there is a shortage whenever they receive orders they can't fill. Sometimes this is a very short term problem. For example, there are no more finished goods in the finished goods warehouse ('finished' means bottled, cased, and ready to ship) and there is a gap in time before that particular product is scheduled for another bottling run, but there is sufficient whiskey available, so that a normal bottling can be done at the next opportunity. That's not really a shortage, although it can result in a few very limited out-of-stock situations at retail.
Another situation might be that the producer's finished goods warehouse is bare and there's nothing suitable that's available to bottle -- so there's a shortage as far as the producer is concerned -- but the distributors have sufficient stock that the shortage never reaches retail. A point is reached where everything is on the shelf somewhere -- the producer and distributor stocks are depleted -- but they are able to be replenished before bare shelves appear at retail.
For the consumer, a real shortage occurs when the finished goods warehouse is bare and there is no suitable whiskey available to bottle until the next batch reaches maturity. For several months, distributors and retailers are unable to replenish their stocks of that particular item, leading to multiple retail out-of-stock situations market-wide. That's the kind of shortage consumers notice, because they may have to visit several stores to find the item in question.
When this happens to a particular product with regularity, because demand has out-stripped supply for several cycles, more consumers are likely to perceive a shortage. Instead of having to visit several stores to find what they want, they can't find it no matter how many stores they visit.
An even more severe situation can occur when there is a gap in the pipeline for some reason. A good example of this is George Dickel. Because the distillery was closed for several years during the 1990s, the pipeline for George Dickel No. 8 simply ran out and there was none to be had anywhere for more than a year. A shortage that severe is very rare.
What's happening now is that general demand has been outstripping supply year after year, even though producers have been increasing supply at the production end of the pipeline. When this happens, producers make such adjustments as they can to ensure that their most profitable products remain available. (Throughout the Dickel 8 shortage, Dickel 12 and Dickel Single Barrel remained generally available.) In this situation, the pipeline may dry up for a particular product, meaning some but never all retailers will experience out-of-stocks, but they're temporary because there's product in the pipeline that simply isn't mature yet.
So if you buy a bottle of brand XYZ approximately every three months, there may be an active shortage but you'll never notice it, because your buying cycle missed the two-month window when out-of-stocks were occurring.
Just because you personally haven't perceived a shortage, that doesn't mean it's not real.
Some producers in the past have hyped shortages. Beam did this a few years ago with Knob Creek. The shortage was real but retail out-of-stocks weren't widespread enough for long enough for most consumers to perceive the shortage personally. Many, therefore, called it a hoax, and that has led them to assume that all announced shortages are also hoaxes, leading to the "we've got plenty here in Little Rock" phenomenon.
Another situation is the deliberate shortage, e.g., Van Winkle. For Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace and the Van Winkle family deliberately keep supply behind demand. At the moment it may be further behind demand than they'd like, but Van Winkle will never be in surplus if the producer can help it. Van Winkle also has legitimate supply issues because the products are so highly aged, meaning they can't make much of a change in supply if they want to, but that doesn't alter the fact that they don't want to.
Consumers, of course, can contribute to a shortage. While some people poo-poo the shortage, others go out and stock up. Some do both.
What bourbon and rye drinkers are likely to experience going forward is occasional, temporary shortages of certain products. If stocking up is advisable at all, you probably won't need more than one or two extra bottles to ride through a brief out-of-stock. Panic buying is certainly not necessary. The best advice is probably to use an out-of-stock when one does occur as an opportunity to try something new.
16 comments:
- DJ HawaiianShirt said...
Van Winkle's deliberate supply shortage is something that the game company Nintendo was accused of back in the 80s and 90s. I suppose usually it is a tactic that largely frowned upon, but when your product is so freaking high in demand, like Van Winkle, who cares?
- June 3, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Richnimrod said;
Chuck, that is a very well-explained and cogent explanation that way too many buyers don't always seem to 'get'. A shortage isn't always for a long time, nor always in your particular store at the time you're buying; but a shortage is what it is, and it means someone, somewhere, whether it's a consumer or distributor, isn't able to get what he wants. It doesn't necessarily mean you should rush out and bunker up on some brand.
- June 3, 2013 at 5:31 PM
- Chuck Cowdery said...
Not that most people like us need much of an excuse to go out and bunker up. :)
- June 3, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Canada Could Save The Day !
Sazerac & Brown-Forman own numerous brands Canadian Blend Whisky.
Finished mature whisky delivered to USA aboard 8,000 gallon stainless steel tanker trailers.
Bottled in USA......
Sazerac Canadian Blends at Frankfort (Buffalo Trace Distillery) and Brown-Forman Canadian Blends at their Louisville distillery.
History shows Canada supplied large volume adult alcoholic beverages in the past and guessing our Northern Neighbors would be happy to "assist" again !
- June 3, 2013 at 6:55 PM
I'm reminded of the old definition...
A recession is when my neighbor loses his job. A depression is when I lose my job.
- June 3, 2013 at 8:19 PM
- Ryan Lewis said...
"The best advice is probably to use an out-of-stock when one does occur as an opportunity to try something new."
Great advice Chuck. Pick up a bottle of Buffalo trace or Eagle Rare to ride out the storm, and then go try something new.
- June 4, 2013 at 3:38 PM
- Ryan Lewis said...
"The best advice is probably to use an out-of-stock when one does occur as an opportunity to try something new."
Great advice Chuck. Pick up a bottle of Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace to weather the storm, and then go try something new.
- June 4, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Man - I've been experiencing a George T Stagg shortage for a long time. I mean - no stores I walk into have any on the shelf (or have had any - in several months)!! Where is CNN, or CBS, or ABC? Why are the news networks trying to sweep this shortage under the rug?? Who cares about Maker's Mark dropping proof to meet supply - I want to know who is working on the Stagg supply! :-)
- June 4, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Think of this as an oppurtunity to try something new. No need to panic yet.
- June 4, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Thank you for writing this. I should post some of the hate mail I get when we write things like "Black Maple Hill unavailable right now."
- June 4, 2013 at 5:55 PM
My guess is that less than 10% of those who stock up during a shortage are enjoyers of the whiskey who intend to meter out small sips over the length of time they expect the shortage to last. Most are simply grabbing up something they feel will make them rich later on and they would never in a million years actually open the whiskey.
I fully agree that a shortage makes a great opportunity to discover new brands. There are so many to choose from, and you might find one you like so much you won't bother with the old favorite even after she returns (metaphor intended).
- June 4, 2013 at 6:05 PM
- Chuck Cowdery said...
But won't you concede, EllenJ, that there are many people we both know who don't need much of an excuse to buy a few extra bottles?
- June 4, 2013 at 6:22 PM
Stopped by the state store today and thought of this article. I was looking for some specific bourbons and they were out of all of them. Four Roses Yellow Label, Knob Creek and Russell's Reserve. Ended up getting Bulleit.
- June 4, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Chuck, we're in that 10%.
Surely you expect to actually drink the whiskey, not sell it for a profit. Right?
- June 5, 2013 at 9:36 AM
- morlock said...
" many people chose to comment ... that the stores they shop are still well-supplied with the brands in question."
C.Cowdry 6.3.13
Exactly my remarks posted in frustrated response to a leading high end California retailer flogging the "shortage" alarm bell for the umpteenth time in its weekly spirits newsletter. That newsletter now uses its bully pulpit to dutifully trumpet the worsening shortage status every week, immediately followed by breathlessly glowing remarks for triple digit priced "exclusive" products purportedly sold as fast as preppers buy discount priced gold bullion.
Cowdry's recommendation is "try buying 'new' (different label)".
The more obvious answer is buying elsewhere, preferably places not practicing scarecast tactics of FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubt) salesmanship.
BTrace uses the word "tightening". Cowdry echoes the lament of "shortage".
I see the word scarcity as more applicable, and that a scarcity of supply for retailers. If retailers' concern was a scarcity of demand, I wouldn't have to hear about it because they wouldn't be in business long enough to whine about it in weekly newsletters. And I'd buy their bankruptcy auctioned inventory piecemeal as dusties for a lower price.
Strategically, the better option for retailers is to liberate themselves from the distiller/wholesaler cartel altogether by using the political clout of their greater numbers in unity to champion greater range as well as quantity of licensed distillers. If mobile stills responsibly operated could roll up to the back garage door in the industrial park like mobile bottling plants now do at urban wineries, product surfeit would be the lament a short decade later.
If supply shortage is in fact the critical issue, it's time to be forthright about allocation beyond the individual retailers' clamor as to which SKU is absent from his shelf today. For the diligent spirits shopper, I suggest the relatively inexpensive Pro service at wine-searcher.com to quickly broaden their range of retailer choices.
As for myself, an inveterately bunkering hoarder in recovery, I practiced Cowdry's solution before reading it from him, and now resolutely reserve my booze capital outlay for lengthily hunted dusties of strange provenance, only rarely relapsing with a ridiculously overpriced purchase of the most enticing specimen from sponsored spirits tastings.
Brand loyalty is for saps.
- June 5, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Have LOW Budget and cannot afford "premium" ?
Consider purchasing......
"Made in Mexico" Coca-Cola to get the Good Stuff !
Cheap low age bourbon and "premium" Coca-Cola.
Ying & Yang
- June 6, 2013 at 8:31 PM


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Jo Jo Capone Puts Gucci Mane On Blast & Wants Him To Clear His Name Of Attempted Chain Robbery! "Stop OD'n On Syrup. Chicago Started Gang Bangin"
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Ring of Honor issued the following press release:
Wrestling fans around the world were shocked by the announcement that Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling will be running two joint shows in May of this year. The first will be "Global Wars" and will take place Saturday May 10th at the Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto, Canada. The second will be "War of the Worlds" on Saturday May 17th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. New Japan's top wrestlers will be making the trip overseas for these massive events. Over the next few weeks rohwrestling.com will be announcing the names of the New Japan stars that will be competing at these events, with the first one being
The Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada!
Okada is a two time IWGP Heavyweight Champion for New Japan, and will bring the title with him to Ring of Honor for his debut with the company. Okada has already made a name for himself inside North America, but has yet to compete inside an ROH ring.
His accolades in New Japan speak for themselves. Aside from being a two time champion, Okada is also a former winner of the G1 Climax Tournament, and the New Japan Cup. The most impressive of his New Japan successes is his current reign as champion where he has already surpassed 330 days with the title.
Okada's brash personality as "Rainmaker" is sure to clash with the talent on the ROH roster, as it does with the talent on the New Japan roster. His arsenal of moves that includes a devastating lariat and a submission named "Red Ink" makes him a tough opponent for anyone on the ROH roster. Stay tuned to rohwrestling.com for announcements on who the New Japan talent will be competing against.
You only have two opportunities to see the IWGP Heavyweight Champion live and in person in North America. Tickets have sold quickly, but seats are still available for "Global Wars" and "War of the Worlds" on May 10th and 17th in Toronto and New York City. Don't miss these epic once in a lifetime events.
For complete details, visit www.rohwrestling.com.


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What is the difference between monster's death gaze and player's death gaze?
Some monsters don't die when they have lower health than my gorgon's death gaze percentage,
but they take a high damage about double.
So, I think player's death gaze is different with monster's.
Plz, could someone explain me the damage calculation?


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Back in September, David Wasserman, with the Cook Political Report, discussed the election outlook during the Southwest Ag Issues Summit in Austin, Texas. The feeling at the time was that the presidential election was too close to call with President Obama perhaps picking up support following the Democratic National Convention.
The Cook Report also suggested Democrats would pick up between 10 and 15 seats in the House of Representatives and that Republicans could pick up a seat or two in the Senate. Neither chamber would see enough change, Wasserman said, to tip control to either party.
Wasserman recently spoke at the annual Texas Commodity Symposium in Amarillo and offered a post-mortem of sorts on earlier predictions.
The September analysis was pretty accurate. Democrats picked up eight seats in the House of Representatives, but the Republicans failed to gain in the Senate as the Democrats picked up two.
Wasserman said back in September that President Obama was vulnerable because of the economy. He said then that the economy, especially unemployment, was Obama's biggest challenge. "The current unemployment rate is not where a president typically wants it to be for re-election," he said. "Also, the gross domestic product is below 2. By all measures, Obama should be losing. So why not?"Likeability, or lack of it, was a major challenge for Governor Romney back then.
In his most recent remarks, Wasserman said the presidential election turned on three key points: a new "demographic reality," improved perceptions of the economy, and campaign quality.
New demographics
The new demographics show a decrease in the voting strength of white America. Ronald Reagan captured 56 percent of the white vote in 1980 and won by 10 points. In 2012, Governor Romney captured 59 percent of the white vote and lost by 4 points. In 1980, the white share of the electorate stood at 88 percent. That share dropped to 72 percent in 2012.
Wasserman also said Obama's "ground game" was superior with 678 field offices compared to Romney's 252.
Back in the early fall, political forecasters were suggesting that for Obama to win re-election, he would have to re-energize his base and convince African American, Hispanic and young voters to vote in the numbers they did in 2008. Wasserman said then that Obama needed to "juice up the base," to shore up support from Hispanics, African Americans, and young people.
Pollsters then were skeptical, but results show voter turnout of those three segments was significant.
The youth and Hispanic vote each increased by a percentage point; the African American vote remained the same as in 2008. Obama won all three by huge margins. The white vote was down by 2 points and Obama's share of the white vote was down from 43 percent in 2008 to 39 percent in 2012.
Wasserman said "an improved perception of the economy" also helped President Obama, even though he "has spent much of his presidency in the danger zone," with a GDP below 2 percent. "But, just in the nick of time, unemployment's small drop breaks a big barrier," he said. The unemployment rate's drop below 8 percent was good news for Obama. "Above 9 percent is unfavorable for Obama; below 8 percent is favorable."
Also, by Election Day people were expressing a more positive outlook on the economy. A survey showing that 44 percent thought the economy would improve in the next 12 months was the "most optimistic in three years."
Campaign advantage-Democrats
Campaign quality, Wasserman said, also favored Obama. Back in September, he said: "If Obama wins the election, he will win despite the economy and because of his campaign. If Romney wins, it will be because of the economy and despite his campaign."
The "swing state ad strategy" was a crucial factor and the advantage went to the Obama camp. He won all but one (North Carolina) of the swing states. "Obama dominated the swing states," Wasserman said.
The Democrats also had a better convention, he added, and pointed to the Democrats featuring President Clinton versus Republicans using Clint Eastwood talking to an empty chair.
Wasserman gave Romney the edge on debate performance. "Also, Romney's 'pivot' improved his image but not enough in the swing states."
President Obama's response to Hurricane Sandy and the adulation he received from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, along with the endorsement of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, may have helped him with the popular vote but had no effect on the Electoral College numbers.
Romney's comment about the 47 percent also hurt, Wasserman said. "The 2012 lesson: be careful when you refer to the '47 percent' of Americans, you just might end up with them." He showed the vote tally: Obama 50.9 percent; Romney 47.4 percent.
Wasserman said cooperation may still be a scarce commodity in Washington. He noted a "generational sea change in the House but not much partisan change; 166 House incumbents will have less than three years experience in Congress."
He said this Congress remains "the most polarized House in history." Blue Dog Democrat numbers have declined from 55 in 2008 to 27 in 2010 to only 4 in 2012. He said the Tea Party has declined in popularity among the larger electorate but "Tea Party heroes ruled in House GOP primaries."
Other demographic changes include: 26 states have minority-majority districts; minorities and women now make up a majority of House Democrats; white men still make up 88 percent of House Republicans.
He doesn't expect Democrats to pick up enough House seats in 2014 to gain control. "The problem is: in 2012 there were 21 Republicans in Democratic-leaning House seats. Today, (there is) just six. Not much low-hanging fruit left."
In 2014, Democrats have 20 seats to defend in the Senate and the Republicans have 13 to defend. "The GOP is likely to gain, but enough for a majority?"
Wasserman said the make-up of Congress may mean more partisanship and questions about resolution of the fiscal cliff, the Bush tax cuts, defense spending cuts, domestic spending cuts, the farm bill and "Medicare Doc Fix."
In 2013, "68 percent of anti-TARP Republicans will still be in the House."


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It seems Chicago was happy to see us again! (And we were happy to see Chicago again.) The Club Industry Conference and Exposition returned to McCormick Place in Chicago last week to a crowd of 4,000.
Perhaps the most valuable part of the conference was the keynote address by Bridget Brennan. She may not have had the same name recognition of some of our past keynoters, but the message that the author of "Why She Buys" delivered on the purchasing power of women and the way she related it with practical advice to the fitness industry were powerful.
The reputation that women have is that they are shoppers. And many of them are. But shopping is not a selfish act for women, says Brennan, who owns the Chicago-based consulting company The Female Factor. Women shop on behalf of most of their family members. They buy the birthday gifts, the wedding presents, the anniversary cards, the groceries and the school clothes for the kids. Women are used to spending their time shopping—and many have gotten good at it. They expect a lot. They expect excellent service. And most importantly, when women find excellent service, a great price or a valuable product, they feel it is their duty to share that information with their friends, Brennan says. Word of mouth: we all know what a valuable marketing tool that is.
Women make purchasing decisions based on several factors, Brennan says. First, they are highly attuned to ambient details, which means you must provide a lovely and clean locker room with great lighting.
Women also evaluate not just the product but the salesperson.
"They want to give their money to people they feel deserve it," Brennan says. That means salespeople need to establish a rapport with women and focus on the soft sell, especially because women have higher expectations of service, she adds.
Women look for inspiration and a connection to your brand and reinforcement that they made the correct decision.
"It's how you make a woman feel that makes them want to buy from you," Brennan says.
The key to doing this is offering good customer service, Brennan says, which means making eye contact with women, giving them a warm welcome, knowing their name or at least recognizing them when they come in. It also means proactively asking them about their experience because women tend to hesitate to share unless asked. But when you ask, they feel valued.
Women also want an environment that they don't want to leave, which again leads back to cleanliness, natural and warm lighting, comfortable seating areas, a stretching area, mirrors to check their form, and pleasant colors and textures in your facilities.
To provide a feeling of connection, women want you to communicate with them by following up with them after they come in for a tour, showing them everything you have to offer and how to use everything, and giving them the tools to easily share their experience with others.
To help women feel confident that they made the right decision by joining your club, you need to celebrate milestones, not just by sending them birthday cards but by sending them a congratulatory card for coming to the gym for the 100th time or other pre-set milestones. It also requires you to show them that you understand the reality of their lives by offering them short classes, the ability to kill two birds with one stone and options for their children.
Brennan shared even more on the differences between men and women in general that should help those in attendance gain better perspective on this half of the population that makes 80 percent of the purchasing decisions.
Another highlight of the show was watching Daniel Levin, founder and CEO of the East Bank Club, receive Club Industry's Lifetime Achievement Award. A large group of East Bank employees were on hand, causing Levin to joke that he wondered who was back at the club watching the store. Levin was humble in receiving the award, expressing his appreciation to his staff for all their support.
A packed house welcomed those who attended the opening night reception at the Public House, where people stayed long after the reception was officially over. There, I met Yvonne Greer, the winner of the Club Industry free registration, hotel and travel expense. Greer, who owns Power Zone in Peoria, IL, was attending her first Club Industry Show. She rearranged her schedule to be there, and I'm glad she was able to do so.
Also at the opening night reception, I met Rob Barker, the new president of Precor, Woodinville, WA. His international experience and long history with Precor should bode well for the company as it adjusts to the retirement of former president Paul Byrne.
I spent most of Thursday in the CEO Summit (sponsored by Motionsoft) where we had a record number of top revenue-generating club CEOs in the room—58 of them in all. The CEOs listened to a panel session in the morning, then heard a presentation on social media (which we will include online for our Premium subscribers in December) and then broke into discussion groups.
I was pulled away briefly from the CEO Summit to do a short interview with WCIU, a station in Chicago that was covering the Club Industry Show's return to the city. The station did a nice job of giving a quick flavor of the show in their segment.
We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's Club Industry show, which will be Oct. 22-24 in Chicago.


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Jeff Sikich shinnied up a charred oak in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia, shined his flashlight down into the hollowed-out trunk and gazed into the wary eyes of a mother bear 10 feet below.
As he fired a sedative dart into the black bear's shoulder, another biologist on the ground hollered for Sikich to block the opening to keep the bear from climbing up and out. Sikich leaned his long torso into the trunk's interior as the bear raced up, stopping about a foot from his nose.
"She stayed there looking at me, huffing and puffing her jaws and slapping the tree with her massive paws," he recalled.
PHOTOS: Tracking mountain lions
The drug soon took effect and the bear retreated into her arboreal den, Sikich said, "but the guys on the ground had a good laugh when they saw my legs shaking while the rest of my body was stuffed in the hole."


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Elon University junior first baseman Ryan Kinsella was voted the Southern Conference Player of the Year by the league�s coaches.
He was a first-team selection on the all-conference team picked by coaches and on another all-league team chosen by the media.
The coaches also tabbed The Citadel right-hander Austin Pritcher as Pitcher of the Year, Appalachian State outfielder Jaylin Davis as Freshman of the Year and Western Carolina�s Bobby Moranda the Coach of the Year.
Kinsella leads the league with 19 home runs, 70 RBI and a .676 slugging percentage. The junior from Warren, N.J., has been among the national leaders in each category all season, ranking second in home runs and RBI. Kinsella, who is hitting .324, is also in the top 10 in the Southern Conference in runs (seventh, 50), doubles (third, 17), total bases (second, 146) and walks (ninth, 30).
Kinsella is Elon�s first Player of the Year since Chase Austin shared the award in 2009.
Davis, who played in high school for Northeast Guilford, has seen action in all 50 of Appalachian State�s games with 49 starts in center field. He�s hitting .271 with 12 doubles, four triples and four home runs, with his four triples good for third in the league. He has stolen 11 bases and has driven in 33 runs, scoring 28 of his own.
Davis is the Mountaineers� first Freshman of the Year since Kenny Osborne took the award in 1993. He is the fourth Appalachian State player to earn the distinction.
Moranda directed Western Carolina to its first regular-season title since 2007 and their 12th overall. Western Carolina finished the regular season having won 21 of its last 24 games. The Catamounts won a school-record 16 straight conference games at one point.
In media balloting, the Player of the Year distinction went to Western Carolina senior third baseman Tyler White, who batted .357 with a league-leading 25 doubles along with 13 home runs.
Pritcher won the top pitching honor and Moranda was dubbed the top coach, though UNC Greensboro second baseman Benigno Marrero was the Freshman of the Year. Marrero batted .352, scoring 36 runs.
Elon starting pitcher Kyle Webb was a second-team choice in voting on both all-league lists. Teammate Sebastian Gomez was named to the second-team outfield by the media.
UNCG outfielder Christian Wolfe was a first-team choice on both lists, while Spartans third baseman Trevor Edwards was a second-team selection by the coaches.


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From the Journals of Harriet Rubin
On July 31, 1997, Harriet Rubin quit her job as head of Doubleday Publishing Co.'s Currency imprint, which she had created. At age 43, Rubin was one of the most successful business-book editors in the United States, but until then she had always worked for a paycheck. Now she wouldn't. Nor would she start a company. Instead, like more and more onetime managers, she would go solo--would, in her words, "do nothing but the work, the pure core experience, as farmers do when they plant and harvest. I would lead only myself." But lead herself where? The first installment of her journal appeared in Inc.'s August issue. This is the second.
I don't know when i started interpreting uncertainty as opportunity. Or exactly when the glass went from being half empty to half full. But at some point every aspect of the solo life changed for me. "I don't have any clients" became "I'm free to wait for the right oppportunity to come along." I've always pursued deals, chased bets, and exercised my will. Now I'm in pure solo mode: Stand your ground, dare to be an original (which we all are), and let opportunities come to you. What changed my view might have been my dear friend Avram's news that the rise in his PSA might indicate the return of prostate cancer. Something kicked in. Some life force rose up in me, something that said, No no no: You're not going to win, master thief, robber of dreams. You're not going to take your chunk out yet.
The result is that going solo has turned into something bigger and more interesting than a means of making money without an idiot boss second-guessing me. It's become a quest for identity: "Who am I?" Not simply, "What am I doing?" but "How do I want to spend my life?" On the theory that I can't yet know what my business is, I've kept myself from rigid planning. That may sound foolhardy, so let me explain. Marshall McLuhan understood back in 1964 what the key challenge of work would be: "Under electric technology, the entire business of man becomes learning and knowing... All forms of employment become 'paid learning.'... The problem of discovering occupations or employment may prove as difficult as wealth is easy."
The challenge isn't making money, it's discovering what your authentic work is: all bullshit aside, what are you meant to do? The only commitment I make is to paid learning. I am rejecting most opportunities in my area of "intellectual capital": editing, ghostwriting, and manuscript consulting.
I have even avoided calling myself a consultant. Consultants can't offer leaders really good advice, because they aren't peers. When I was a publisher, I was always advising leaders. But I wasn't a consultant dependent on that for my income. Now, as an author and researcher, I hope to attract leaders who are interested in my work--who see me as a peer. Ideally, I want to invent a new kind of role that suits my skills. Otherwise, I'd end up squeezing my skills into an off-the-rack costume. Charles Lindbergh reinvented flying, Maria Callas reinvented opera, Peter Drucker reinvented business. I will create an authentic role for myself. "Keep on writing books," Avram says. "Write for an audience of leaders. Get well known." He's noticed that leaders who have the most stature listen to writers. Consultants, he feels, are not as highly valued. "They are the unhappiest people I know. Sure, they're paid a few thousand dollars a day, but they work so hard to get those jobs that they're miserable. Forget the consulting for now."
Then how do I sell myself? "Nobody's an expert in the Internet, so that's a good field for you. You're an expert in content. Translate that into the new media. Learn by joining a board."
My end-of-year-one goals: 1. Gain legitimacy--join a board. 2. Don't just learn, go further--experiment with your life.
APRIL 4: 'Scarlett, you'll never be poor again.'
The first installment of my Harper book advance arrives! Plus, my agent has presold the rights to the book in Germany and England. It will be months before that money comes in, and taxes must be paid, and the advance is against work still to be done. Nevertheless, I am not "psychologically poor" anymore. It feels like waking up from a fever.
MAY 1: Where's the invisible hand when you need a push?
I decide to let the market tell me what it wants from me, and in a few days I get an invitation to have lunch with Andrew, a successful investment banker. Andrew heard about me from George Stephanopolous, whom I don't know, who heard about me from someone else. Andrew wants to meet me because he thinks I have access to top CEOs. Andrew admires Barry Diller, who gets investors to commit lots of money to his ventures because they think he's a visionary. That's my cue! I tell Andrew that the best way to get access is not to use intermediaries like me but to become a visionary himself.
Andrew, like many baby boomers, has serious money socked away. He's ready to commit to his life's dream or to wave it good-bye. Freud had a phrase for that critical point: the return of the repressed. All those dreams we abandoned in the 1980s when we first put on a suit are coming back with a vengeance. A second puberty is heading our way. For Andrew, the return of the repressed means reclaiming an idealistic social agenda. It means becoming known for ideas, not just for making money.
I'd like to help him. Leaders need to exceed the limits of organizations. They must define themselves not just in terms of business but in terms of social history. That's the only way they can step over the top and into a more exciting game. As a publisher, working with leaders on developing their ideas for books had been my area of mastery. Now I can help leaders build their reputations on a larger stage: the social arena. If Andrew imagined himself as someone worth studying, for his ideas or for some great contribution, then he wouldn't have to envy Diller; he could challenge him.
How I will work with CEOs to do this still remains to be seen. I had better wait for the next cue.
MAY 4: My one-woman show
I'm not just going to learn how leaders step over the top. I'm going to experiment on myself.
I've hired an acting coach, Isabelle, who is training me to stand taller, take up more room. Last session we did the heel-ball-toe walk. You roll your foot, move by standing straight, eyes forward, as if some hand were at the small of your back pushing you. Crowds are parting for me, not "noticing" me so much as getting out of the way of the ninjalike power I'm projecting. The key is to walk tall and focus the eyes on the horizon, imagining the sea beyond the concrete walls of the city. People will feel this sovereignty around you.
Today is lesson two, communication, which I am learning is not really about accuracy. Communication is two-thirds emotion and one-third content. Everything Isabelle is teaching me can be applied to soloing. She suggests that my voice is too high and provokes a feeling of uncertainty, which distances listeners from me. To draw them in, sound should come not from my throat but from deeper in the body.
She says, "Tell me where your tongue is." "Curled at the roof of my mouth," I confess, wondering if this might be deviant. "Most people park their tongue there, but that's bad," she says. "Rest your tongue against your lower teeth. You'll feel calmer; your jaws won't be so tight." I want to reach the point where I can walk into a room the way Isabelle does and not feel as if I'm in a Seinfeld script, with something about to go ludicrously wrong.
MAY 5: Dreaming wide-awake
Today I drew up a list of the people I am most intrigued by and plotted out my "six degrees of separation" from them: Steve Jobs, Rudy Giuliani, Phil Knight, Edgar Bronfman Jr., young George Bush, and Oprah, who I hope will run for president. These people need to rethink their legacy, their place in history, now, while they are at the peak of their powers. It's not just presidents or dictators who need to plan their legacy. It's all of us. To see yourself in history is to see all that one person is capable of doing.
How do I get to these six people? I make lists of people who know people who know people who know them. I will ask, ask, ask for advice on reaching them. Put them all on my mailing list. Tack the list above my desk. I will work at the list sporadically, but I'll keep it there permanently to remind me of the standards I aspire to. Everything I do I will have to feel I can proudly show to these six.
MAY 7: Edgy is good, if you're not prone to falling
"What if something happens to me and I can't work? What do I fall back on?" I ask Avram. "That's what disability insurance is for," he says. Bingo! Because of COBRA, health coverage is automatic when you leave Ma-and-Pa Corporation, but disability insurance you have to rustle up yourself. I check the Web for insurance brokers but decide to find someone I can trust. I call my accountant for a recommendation and soon reach his broker, who asks for my last three years of income-tax returns, my book contract, and notes on other sources of income before coming back with an estimate: Maximum coverage means a policy that would pay me $8,000 per month, starting 45 days after the onset of disability, until death. The premiums, he warns, are enormous. It will cost roughly $9,000 the first year, and it escalates by $1,000 nearly every year after that. I have no idea if this broker's estimate is high, so I must try for a competitive bid. A whole day wasted making these stupid but necessary calls.
MAY 9: Charles Manson is showing up in my daydreams
Two days ago I hadn't thought about disability insurance; now it's all I think about. I decide to get two more bids. But both come back with an even higher premium and more dire warnings: "Buy insurance now while you're still under the Doubleday contract [that's my editing contract; it expires July 31]; otherwise, you may not seem that good a risk." Meaning: an employee is a safer bet than a soloist. As a woman I am already disadvantaged in the eyes of the insurers. Women live longer than men but have more medical complaints.
MAY 16: O solo mio
My piano arrived today. Three years ago, after my divorce, I slept on a sofa. Now I have a bed and this Steinway Boston, filling the room with its mad grin, 52 white teeth, open in a big gotcha smile. I put my fingers on the keyboard, not a clue what I'm doing. I am rewarded with this big sound, beautiful, much better than I deserve.
What am I doing with a piano? It feels necessary, as if my basic categories of need and desire are turning inside out. This whole exercise of soloing is a challenge to destroy old limits. I'm not even thinking about the money. Or the fact that I could have hired a part-time secretary for what this baby grand costs. My old fears, in which I saw everything through the veil of a price tag, are disappearing. It's not that I have more money, it's that I have more confidence that I can earn it. Should I learn to sing?
Took another call from an acquaintance asking me for publishing advice, which he expects, as in the old days, to get for free. I'm not eager to trade on old knowledge, but in some cases I can't refuse. How do I ask these people for money? I E-mail my friend Allan Kennedy for advice. His answer: "Be bold and ask for a reasonable fee for your time and advice. I would suggest that something around $500 an hour or $5,000 a day, or more, would be appropriate for someone of your experience. You might want to get your feet wet at a more modest level, but don't even think of going for less than half of these amounts.
"When first asked, you might suggest that the first two hours or so are free, so that you can make an assessment of whether you can help or not. But be clear up front that the clock starts running thereafter. The only fault with this is you will give away a lot of free time and advice--but then, so do most consultants.
"Most consultants would prefer to be on a retainer and are willing to cut their hourly rate to get one. Most, however, find it difficult to get clients to agree. Therefore, you are better off just having a per diem and converting to a retainer only if the relationship continues long enough.
"Don't be shy about all of the above. Be bold. People are used to paying consulting fees and dislike uncertainty more than the fees themselves. Of course, everyone will take something for free if it is offered, but that would be your fault, not theirs."
Yum, I'm feeling rich, even if it's only because Allan has set me a smart fee! I'm going to shut down the computer and head out for sushi!
MAY 29: Romeo, Romeo, is your name domain-able?
What does it say about two people that they are driving between Verona and Milan talking about company names? Are we nuts? Or is the soloing dream so intoxicating that it can bleach out the Italian countryside Avram and I have come here to see? Even though I am not a company, I will be a Web site someday soon! I need a name the way nations need a flag. Color! Rallying point! Cool material! The best names Avram and I come up with on the drive blend the old and new: Amalgamated Thinking. Acme Ideas. Avram suggests Modern Thought. "I've got it: The Electric Company!" "No, I don't like it," Avram says. "Well, so what? I love it." "How about 6Degrees?" Avram says. "You're a modern content provider, an Internet site, and you will connect people with old ideas and classical thinking. You'll bring people to the future by no more than six degrees of separation. A content company is a connectivity company."
Oh yes, I like it. It has a familiar sound and is very positive. When we get to the hotel, I log on for a search. There is already a crowd of Web sites called Six Degrees. "Too much competition. Better find another name," Avram says.
JUNE 1: A name!
The name came to me yesterday: Rubicon. The red river Caesar crossed when he left a smaller life for the biggest challenge of all. The Rubicon is the symbol of a person's commitment to a big idea. Caesar put his identity at risk to create something new. It's the perfect symbol for a soloist who's out to engage people in big new challenges. Crossing a body of water is an ancient heroic act: one is transformed. The crossing changes you.
But what I really love is that the name is a play on Rubin, with the insertion of "Co." I am not a company; I just contain one! I checked the Internet to see if anybody has dibs on the name, because the Web site will be an important marketing tool. Turns out there are sites for Rubicon and Rubico. So the name for my Web site will be TheRubicon.
Now I have to get it registered. And designed. And I have to see how I feel about wearing the name in public. Will it sound good when I say it out loud? I'll test it out on a few friends. When I started Currency, I called Don Burr, founder of People Express, to ask his opinion of the name. He said, "It's good; it's got fur." "Fur?" I asked. "Layers," he said, "depth, many meanings." Ah, June. Good time to try on fur.
JUNE 4: Crossing my own Rubicon
Just sent a new letter out to Paula Kelly, my chosen designer. (This would be my second try at getting a logo design.) She's off searching for Italian maps to see how the river was portrayed. I ask her to make sure that the image for my logo has a crisp modern look. We have been arguing over the contract. I want all rights to the logo, and to protect myself from being charged for time that only she can measure: Is time spent thinking included in her fee, for example? From now on I will write the contracts myself when hiring vendors. That way my concerns are protected, not just theirs. Contracts are so one-sided: the contract writer holds all the cards, and the client is the dog on the leash.
It's been a rough morning, waiting to hear from Avram while he took his bone scan to be sure the prostate cancer hasn't spread. I'm exhausted from the worry.
JUNE 11: Danger, territory of the high and mighty
Early breakfast with David, who has also struck out on his own, except with a partner. We agreed that our challenge is in how to "productize" ourselves: Can a person keep her face public without having to get on a plane every week to deliver speech after speech? Products will do that for you, David says. We come up with a solution: each of us will create our own cassette series and sell it at a high price, not as entertainment but as a course in imaginative capital. Great idea. We both feel taller and walk our separate ways into the sunshine. Five yards out I wonder how I'm going to find the time and investment capital to create such a product. I can hear the same downpour strike David. I hate having ideas that are too big for me. Will there ever be a time when there will be the staff and the money to do something big and yet not compromise the freedom of soloing?
JUNE 12: Down with the soloist's flu
There aren't many days when I feel too emotionally sick to work, but this is one. I feel smaller realizing what opportunities are closed to me. "You have a great network," Avram says, "but you don't use it. If you did, opportunities wouldn't seem impossible.
"Look at the places you are speaking. Get a list of speakers in advance. Call up their office and let the assistant know you'll be speaking at the same event and book some of their time.
"I'm not saying, 'Go begging.' If you network right, you don't have to ask for anything. You'll be there when opportunities come up. It's like learning a new language. You have to practice everyday. When you go to dinner and sit next to someone, ask them if they know of any companies looking for women to serve on their boards. If you ask 50 times, you'll learn to ask 100 times. All it takes is for you to get one position and do it well; then you'll be recommended to others."
JUNE 13: Rowdy penthouse views
I've reached the top of the Parker Meridien hotel, and the crowd is the Internet's finest, the glory boys of the new medium. I've come aboard a pirate ship. They mean to wrest control of the media from the Time Warners of the world.
Sat next to Dave Wetherell, the Henry Luce of on-line media. Runs an incubator that has given birth to eight on-line companies, including GeoCities. By the time dessert is delivered, I've gotten up my gumption. I ask if one of his companies is looking for a board member. He says yes and gives me the name of the Password. Just like that! Am I really on my way to a board seat?
JUNE 16: The call
I hear from Margaret Heffernan, CEO of the Password, who wants to have lunch. The Password is a cross between a search engine and a magazine rack for the Web. The company sounded small in scope when Dave described it, but Margaret is no small thinker. She craves radical solutions. She believes the Web can become its own medium, not just another means of content delivery. Maybe this will work for both of us. She promises to think about how we can work together. I will, too. We agree to meet soon.
JUNE 18: Pooped soloist attains Everest!
Dead tired all day. Back from a speech in California. Too many time zones. Too many states of being. Met Margaret at the Gotham Bar and Grill to see if we should strike an agreement for me to serve on the company's board.
Margaret defines my role this way: "CEOs are lonely. They can't tell their people their outrageous ideas for the future without scaring them, without them saying, 'We've just jumped through this hoop, now you're thinking of something else?' I need to bounce ideas off someone smart. I need someone to tell me, candidly, if an idea is good or if it stinks. I need someone who can provide useful contacts if I want to investigate some new approach."
A board seat is a good way for a soloist to make money, especially if you get named to the board of an Internet company. You stand to profit when the company goes public. In the Password's case, no salaries are paid to board members. Margaret is offering me 25,000 shares. What is a share worth now? What could it be worth if the company were sold?
Looks like I've made it. Reach the top and what awaits you? No throne but a board seat!
JUNE 22: 1-800-Help-Me-I'm-Clueless
I call a friend to find out if the offer of 25,000 shares without salary is fair. He says it may be fair, but it's not great. He suggests a list of questions for me to ask Margaret. Among them:
How many shares are outstanding on a fully diluted basis? If there are 250,000 shares, my shares are valuable, but if there are 25 million shares, my shares are worth nothing.
What is the strike price of the options?
Over what period of time do the options vest? If it takes 10 years, this is not an attractive deal for me, because I need cash now, and a long vesting period would prevent me from getting it if the company is sold soon, which it could be.
I also check with a member of the Internet content community, who gives me an unbiased review of the company and its product. He says it's trying to be all things to all people, with lots of bargains but nothing edgy or cool to draw a person in. He confirms my instinct that the product needs celebrities and excitement to stir up interest. The great exchange here will be my insight into content for experience in the on-line world. Sounds like a good trade, as long as I am not disadvantaged in the financial deal.
Interesting how businesses embody our personal contradictions. Margaret is so adventurous, yet her site seems very safe. Wonder why there is that gap between leaders and the companies they create.
JUNE 24: This isn't the way we do things on the Planet Maturia
I learned yesterday that a board member should receive as compensation 1% or half of 1% of the company in stock. From Margaret's reply, I'm receiving a quarter of 1%, which is low. If the company wants me, why make this bottom-of-the-barrel offer? But I'll take it. I'm there to learn, to make a difference to the company, to help the CEO, whom I like and respect. It will be one of the few corporate boards of a media company where the majority of the members are women. Still, the offer rankles me. The big board seats go to people with contacts, not insight. What is insight compared with the ability to pick up the phone and get through?
JULY 7: You sure this is Sun Valley? It feels like the dark side of the moon
Avram and I arrived in Sun Valley, in Idaho, to attend the Herbert Allen media conference. This is our fourth straight year. We feel a little like graduating seniors: all-wise, all-knowing. Had breakfast with the Mondales and Bob Strauss, were introduced to Diane Sawyer, were greeted by George Fisher as if we were old friends. But this year is different from the others.
I sit with my feet up on the sofa in our bungalow; Avram is lying on the window seat. Everyone else is doing deals or enjoying themselves. I'm going to wait out the afternoon rain that looks like snow because of the milkweed blowing off the trees. I'm in a state of pissed-ness. Angry because I still haven't heard about the disability insurance, which makes me fear it won't be approved. Recalling how just a year ago Avram was chasing down deals for the distant future; now he's shadowed by the uncertainty of his health.
Last year the conference theme was globalism. Presenters described with military precision how they were freeing India and China to choose Coke over Pepsi, and Nike over Reebok. This year the mantras are "Internet" and "content." Not one self-respecting entertainment company is talking pipelines and distribution. The networks are even claiming they are makers of content. Being in the content business will transform them into being more imaginative and risky. They will start to think and act like storytellers.
I listen to the talks, but the script running through my head is, Please, God, don't take Avram from me. He is my Virgil, my guide, my teacher, my beloved, source of all highs and lows. The things I've accomplished over the last five years I've done to keep up with him and make him proud. We've never been able to live together, but we have no appetite for breaking apart. And now? When he sleeps, I am so alone. I feel I'm being poured out like the rain into the earth.
Avram's health makes me impatient to live, and business is often an obstacle to life . "I would live my life in nonchalance and insouciance," Ogden Nash once wrote, "if it were not for making a living, which is rather a nousiance." I can think this and in the same moment wonder, How does one get to be Diane Sawyer? By not caring about rejection. By being beautiful and flawless and unbruised by pain. That is what business has always wanted: either a burnt-toast Joan of Arc or a woman no one can touch. All this will change; we are wearing our vulnerabilities in public more and more. And being appreciated for it. A CEO who left his perch, having suffered a nervous breakdown, recently said to me, "I was afraid that when I left my company, no one would call me. Now more people than ever are calling. I'm more human in my vulnerabilities."
Got the call: Turned down for disability insurance. Why? Because I am a self-employed home-based worker, unattached to any institution. Is everyone who is self-employed in such straits? My broker says he will take my application to Lloyd's of London, the insurer of last resort, the underwriter of Russian cosmonauts and Bruce Springsteen's voice. I should feel special to be in their company. So why am I pissed? Because I don't see why I should be considered a risk just because I am free from any damn company? Does that make me a menace to myself? But even Lloyd's is no done deal. I have to reapply and begin another wait. My Doubleday benefits run out on July 31. What if something bad happens after that and I'm still not covered? The broker says not to worry; he'll have me covered by the 31st.
I hope so.
JULY 9: The way down is the way up
At the management panel today, Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin blew the others away. No small act, since his fellow panelists included Andy Grove and Rupert Murdoch. Levin talked about integrity as the consistent element in all his products, from music to magazines. He said they had to appeal to the public, but also to people in the company. "If our people don't love the product, what good is it?" A vast change has transformed Levin since the terrible murder of his son Jonathan, a year ago. I recall another CEO who had lost his son. In his despair he called a friend, a scholar who was an expert on the story of Oedipus, the king who sleeps with his mother and is blinded for this act. This CEO drew a line going upward to show how strong Oedipus was before that tragic act, and then a line going down to show the king in his misery. "No, you've got it all wrong," my friend said to this man. "I'd draw the lines going exactly opposite. As a king, Oedipus did a lot of things he didn't really care about. After the tragic loss of his kingdom, Oedipus finally discovers what is important to him. Blind to the surface of things, he ironically sees in the clearest way, no illusions, no bullshit. Oedipus lived for 30 years in that state of clarity. What a terrific thing." I'm convinced one doesn't have to suffer to see, that questions of legacy can give leaders the depth they need to see without illusion. I feel I'm closing in on making these matters my "practice."
JULY 11: Cool
Put on my Nikes and ran to the Hemingway memorial. It's a black brook, and over it is a plaque with sentimental doggerel about how Hem wanted to be part of the free blue wind. The water flows cold and fast, and I dipped my fingers in it, my own private Nile in Idaho, and then I walked back up to the bungalow, getting spun up in the sky. I stopped and imagined learning how to be good, or better than good. I expect so much of leaders; how can I ask them to attain that height unless I attain it myself? So much of the genius of the country is here in Sun Valley this week, and all these people are doing is making better telephones or winning the war against Pepsi. Is this the last horizon for business? Or can leaders learn to spend their time in ways that justify their lives?
JULY 12: The blonde leading the blonde
The women's panel: a rare sight, beautiful faces staring back from the stage. No one had realized how deprived we'd been, having to stare at Bill Gates's dourness, until we walked in and saw Diane Sawyer in cashmere; Diane Von Furstenberg, her tummy only a puff like a brioche, in one of her classic 20-year-old dresses; Geraldine Laybourne, with her green-trim glasses and honey-blonde hair; and Katharine Graham, 81, looking like Queen Elizabeth I. The eyes feasted.
Sawyer began with a good joke: If a man says something in a forest and his wife isn't there to hear it, is he still wrong? My favorite line belonged to Von Furstenberg. Asked about the future for women, she explained that when times get tough, people will elect a woman. The French have a phrase: "Cherchez la femme." When life gets dark, turn to a woman. Maybe that's why dying men call for their mothers.
But they weren't there to argue the case for women atop organizations. Graham went so far as to say that women should not work and had no place on boards. "Boards don't do much anyway," she said.
This year Herbert Allen gave three slots away to noncompany presentations---on women, race, and management. Someone at the conference said that Allen doesn't want to be remembered as just a deal maker but as a man who quietly made a difference.
JULY 13: Who am I? Where have I been?
Back home. My book of airline receipts is so thick it looks as if there are still tickets left in it. Five cities in 10 days: Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Sun Valley, New York. Gathering ideas, reminding people (including myself) that I may be one lone player but I can still fill a lot of space.
JULY 29: Pressing the button
Had a next-to-last meeting with my designer, Paula Kelly. She has done a great job on my letterhead. Her logo is like a little AT&T globe, but it's my world. The red river, Rubicon, looks fetching on the page, a heart line, a blood line. I'm very happy. Now the last payment needs to be made, the ball-breaking estimates will come in from the printers, and we're off. Getting stationery is like printing one's own money--let me come to believe that, please, dear Soloist God. You who are singular, help all us little singulars believe that a being alone can make the world. Why on earth am I getting so holy?
AUGUST 1: Today I am one
Lunch with Burt, my favorite rabbi. He is going through the same watch-and-wait calendar with his wife as I am with Avram. We meet every three months or so and compare notes, travel, book lists. "Whom do you c