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This article is part of our MLB Team Previews series.
2014 Atlanta Braves Team Preview
You could see it coming a mile away. The Braves, after running away with the NL East -- they won the division by 10 games over the preseason favorite Nationals -- won just one postseason game, losing quietly to the Dodgers in the NLDS. As a team, Atlanta struck out a whopping 1,384 times, tops in the National League, but clutch hitting and great pitching overcame a lack of discipline during the regular season. Many saw a team not built for the postseason, however, and sure enough, the free-swinging Braves struck out 42 times in four games against Los Angeles, with Justin Upton whiffing to put a fitting end to their 2013 season. To be fair, Tim Hudson's ankle injury left the rotation without its "ace," and the team really didn't have enough pitching to match the Dodgers anyway, but it was a predictable, live-by-the-sword, die-by-the-sword situation, offensively.
Five of their regulars (Dan Uggla, Justin Upton, B.J. Upton, Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson) fanned 116-plus times last season, and the team's offensive identity will be largely similar in 2014. They walk a lot (second in the NL last season), and manager Fredi Gonzalez tends to play it safe on the basepaths, instead waiting for the big hit with runners in scoring position. It's not a perfect formula, but that's not to say it won't work again this year. The Braves have a strong top of the rotation, and the
2014 Atlanta Braves Team Preview
You could see it coming a mile away. The Braves, after running away with the NL East -- they won the division by 10 games over the preseason favorite Nationals -- won just one postseason game, losing quietly to the Dodgers in the NLDS. As a team, Atlanta struck out a whopping 1,384 times, tops in the National League, but clutch hitting and great pitching overcame a lack of discipline during the regular season. Many saw a team not built for the postseason, however, and sure enough, the free-swinging Braves struck out 42 times in four games against Los Angeles, with Justin Upton whiffing to put a fitting end to their 2013 season. To be fair, Tim Hudson's ankle injury left the rotation without its "ace," and the team really didn't have enough pitching to match the Dodgers anyway, but it was a predictable, live-by-the-sword, die-by-the-sword situation, offensively.
Five of their regulars (Dan Uggla, Justin Upton, B.J. Upton, Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson) fanned 116-plus times last season, and the team's offensive identity will be largely similar in 2014. They walk a lot (second in the NL last season), and manager Fredi Gonzalez tends to play it safe on the basepaths, instead waiting for the big hit with runners in scoring position. It's not a perfect formula, but that's not to say it won't work again this year. The Braves have a strong top of the rotation, and the back end of the bullpen is outstanding. Freddie Freeman showed improved plate coverage while hitting .319 -- he didn't hit below .291 in any month last season -- and will likely be motivated to justify his eight-year, $135 million extension. Jason Heyward never really got going in 2013, as his season was interrupted several times by injury, and could very well be in for a big run-scoring campaign atop the lineup. Brandon Beachy (elbow) never made it back to full strength, but after a cleanup procedure in September, he's expected to be a full-go come spring training. The talent is there, but there are several challenges waiting for Atlanta.
The biggest of which will be overcoming the loss of its two longest-tenured players, Brian McCann and Tim Hudson, via free agency. Evan Gattis is expected to take the reins as primary catcher, and while he lessened concerns about his defense and game-calling ability last season, it remains to be seen how he'll do in that role. Gerald Laird will likely catch more frequently than most backup catchers, and Ryan Doumit will be in the mix as well despite his concussion issues last season. If Gattis proves to be too much of a liability behind the plate, however, or if there is an injury, Christian Bethancourt could get the call a bit sooner than expected. Bethancourt has a great arm and tremendous athleticism, but his defense would come at the expense of offensive production. With Hudson now in San Francisco, Kris Medlen is the de facto No. 1 guy, though Mike Minor is perhaps the true ace of the staff, and 23-year-old Julio Teheran isn't too far off. There are question marks at the back of the rotation, but GM Frank Wren was confident enough in the organization's starting pitching depth to deal Sean Gilmartin, a first-round pick in 2011, to the Twins for Doumit. Chris Johnson will be under a lot more pressure after finishing second in the NL with a .321 average, and new leaders will need to step up in the clubhouse.
Offseason Moves
Lost Brian McCann (Yankees), Tim Hudson (Giants), Eric O'Flaherty (A's), Scott Downs (White Sox), Paul Maholm (Dodgers), Luis Ayala (Nationals), Elliot Johnson (Indians), Reed Johnson (Marlins), Paul Janish (Rockies) and Cristhian Martinez (unsigned) via free agency.
At this point, the baseball world knows who Brian McCann is; a powerful, pull-hitting, veteran backstop with above-average on-base skills and the Yankees shelled out $85 million to acquire his services in the offseason. It's a perfect fit for both the Yankees, who relied on the likes of Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart last season, and McCann, as the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium should keep the power numbers coming. Tim Hudson, now with San Francisco, figures to see more favorable matchups in 2014 with the subsequent move back in the rotation, assuming his ankle continues to heal as expected. Luis Avilan's emergence made O'Flaherty less of a priority, especially given his asking price and the fact that he's still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Scott Downs was a rental. Elliot Johnson, Paul Janish and Cristhian Martinez were all non-tendered.
Signed Freddie Freeman to an eight-year, $135 million extension.
The Braves are entering uncharted territory with this deal, as it blows the franchise's previous record contract, Chipper Jones' six-year, $90 million pact, out of the water. While Freeman finished second in the National League in RBI last season with 109, and third in the league with a .319 average, he hit .443 with runners in scoring position, and benefited greatly from a .371 BABIP. Moreover, his ISO dropped from .196 to .181, and he notched just 18 extra-base hits on the road, down from 28 in 2012. Now, all that said, Freeman hit lefties with far more consistency, improving his average against southpaws by 50 points (from .237 to .287), and his overall OPS by 101 points. He's hit 21-plus homers, while appearing in 147-plus games, in each of his first three full seasons. Still just 24 years old, Freeman's signing can be easily justified, even if there's not a whole lot of projected growth from here.
Signed free agent Gavin Floyd (White Sox) to a one-year, $4 million deal.
Tommy John surgery cut Floyd's 2013 season short after just five starts and effectively ended his tenure in Chicago. A best-case scenario for Floyd's return to action would be May, and that's believed to be a realistic possibility if he continues to progress without setback, but it's no lock. It didn't deter the Braves from signing Floyd as relatively low-cost, experienced starting pitching depth. He hasn't posted an ERA below 4.06 since 2008, but can at least eat up innings, when healthy.
Traded Sean Gilmartin to the Twins for Ryan Doumit.
Gilmartin struggled mightily at Triple-A Gwinnett to begin 2013 (5.74 ERA, 1.59 WHIP), though his struggles can almost certainly be attributed in part to his elbow tendinitis. He's expected to have no health limitations when spring training opens, and could push for a rotation spot with Minnesota. Doumit gives the Braves a much-need bench bat, who can also help behind the plate and in the outfield. A .268/.329/.438 career hitter, Doumit will likely play a much smaller role with his new club, but should still get some big at-bats.
Re-signed Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal.
While the Braves would like their young arms to keep Garcia in the minors to open the year, he will get to compete for a rotation spot this spring. The Orioles virtually gave Garcia away to the Braves in late August, and the change of scenery did wonders for the 37-year-old right-hander. Garcia posted a 1.65 ERA and a 4.0 K/BB over six regular-season appearances (three starts) with Atlanta, and he even got a postseason start, the 11th of his career, in the NLDS. Prior to the trade, Garcia posted a 5.77 ERA and a 2.17 K/BB in 11 games (10 starts) for Baltimore.
Signed free agent Mat Gamel (Brewers) to a minor league deal.
A non-roster invite to spring training, Gamel will look to improve his stock after missing the last two seasons with ACL injuries. The 28-year-old displayed significant pop while in the Brewers organization, and could end up being a bench option for Atlanta later in the season.
Projected Lineup
1. Jason Heyward, RF
2. Justin Upton, LF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Evan Gattis, C
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. Andrelton Simmons, SS
7. Dan Uggla, 2B
8. B.J. Upton, CF
It may look like a rather top-heavy lineup after last season, but the Atlanta offense should be a force yet again after finishing fourth in the National League with 688 runs. If B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla can improve even marginally, it will make things a lot easier for the heavy lifters. The Braves led the NL in home runs last season with 181, and while they don't run all that much, they do have some speed both in the lineup and on the bench. Jordan Schafer led the team with 22 stolen bases. B.J. Upton was the only other player on the team with double-digit steals.
Projected Rotation
1. Kris Medlen
2. Mike Minor
3. Julio Teheran
4. Alex Wood
5. Brandon Beachy
Just as many expected, 2013 was a breakout campaign for Minor, who led the team in innings pitched (204.2), strikeouts (181) and quality starts (23), while improving his strikeout and walk rates to 8.0 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9, respectively. He trimmed his ERA by more than 90 points, despite a 20-point increase in his opponents' batting average on balls in play. Efficiency is an issue for Teheran -- he made it out of the seventh inning just five times in 30 starts -- but he has great command of his pitches (2.2 BB/9) and will likely only get better as he learns how to further handle major league hitters. Beachy and Wood are the big question marks at the back of the rotation.
Closer: For the third consecutive year, Craig Kimbrel led the National League in saves, becoming the 11th pitcher in major league history to reach the 50-save mark in a single season, while also becoming the first pitcher in the history of the game to record 40-plus saves in each of his first three full seasons. He set a Braves franchise record in 2013 by converting 37 consecutive save chances, and ended the season by converting 40 of his final 41 opportunities. After the calender turned to June, Kimbrel allowed just four earned runs over 46.2 regular-season innings (0.77 ERA), and he held opposing batters to a .161 average for the year. His strikeout rate did, however, drop by more than three per nine innings, to a career-low 13.2 K/9, and his swinging-strike rate was well below where it was in 2012 (13.6% from 19.2%). Lefties hit .211/.265/.309 against him, up from .116/.189/.143, and his walk rate was up slightly as well. All that aside, Kimbrel didn't lose any juice on his fastball, and is unquestionably one of most dominant end-gamers in all of baseball. He's still the easy choice for first reliever off the board in 2014.
Key Bullpen Members:Jordan Walden missed time at various points in 2013 with injury and fell apart at the end of the year, but the hard-throwing right-hander proved to be a valuable addition to the Braves' already strong bullpen. He posted a 2.42 ERA over his first 47 appearances of the year, and while his strikeout rate dipped slightly, he still averaged more than 10.0 K/9 and trimmed his walk rate to a career-best 2.7 BB/9. Walden will continue to bridge the gap to Kimbrel in 2014, setting up along with David Carpenter and Luis Avilan, and given his experience closing, he'd be an obvious candidate to take over ninth-inning duties should anything happen to Kimbrel.
The 24-year-old Avilan held opposing southpaws to a .144/.219/.163 batting line en route to 27 holds last season, third-most in the National League. He made a team-high 75 appearances, and had a stretch from late May until mid-August where he made 35 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. His stuff may not be overwhelming by traditional standards (1.73 K/BB, 8.7 percent swinging-strike rate), but Avilan will remain the top lefty option out of Atlanta's bullpen until Jonny Venters (elbow) is healthy, and even when Venters is back, Avilan should continue to rack up a decent number of holds.
Carpenter, a waiver acquisition from the Red Sox in November of 2012, recorded a minuscule 1.78 ERA, with a 10.1 K/9 and a 90.2 percent strand rate in 56 appearances after his late-April callup. He could be in that discussion to close as well, but again, only in the event something happens to Kimbrel. That doesn't mean there won't be plenty of high-leverage outs for him to get.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said that he expects David Hale to compete for a spot in the major league rotation this spring, and left open the possibility Hale could be a bullpen option if he's unable to secure a starting role. A bullpen role seems more realistic given the team's other options. Ryan Buchter, a 26-year-old lefty, was added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft after posting a 2.76 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 62 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett last season, and may pitch out of the big league bullpen until Jonny Venters returns. Command is a major issue (8.7 BB/9 at Triple-A), however, and the Braves are still rather short on lefty relievers.
Notes of Import, Fantasy and Otherwise:
Can B.J. Upton turn it around?
In Year 1 of a five-year, $75.25 million pact with Atlanta, Upton experienced an unfathomable fall from grace. He got off to a terrible start, posting a .145 average over the first two months of the season, and never rebounded, ultimately losing his everyday job and finishing with a .557 OPS, nearly 200 points below where it was in 2012 (.752). Upton struck out 151 times in 391 at-bats, with 49 of those coming in just 114 second-half trips to the dish. One season removed from hitting 28 homers and swiping 31 bags, Upton was one of the biggest fantasy busts in recent memory, and he will have to fight for playing time this spring, though the Braves surely aren't ready to completely give up on him with four years remaining on his contract.
What's Justin Upton's value?
Upton's first month in a Braves uniform was the stuff of legends, as he clubbed a whopping 12 home runs in April and appeared to be headed for a career year. Over the next three months of the season, Upton managed just four home runs. He got hot again in August, and finished with a team-leading 27 big flies, but it was at times a frustrating season for his fantasy owners. After recording 18-plus steals in each of his previous four seasons, Upton attempted just nine steals in 2013, and his strikeout rate jumped dramatically from 19.3 percent to 25.0 percent. By no means was it a terrible year for Upton, but he didn't live up to his price tag, and his 17.9 percent HR/FB rate is likely unsustainable. Moreover, a rebound in batting average is not necessarily a lock, as his BABIP was still above .320.
What happens to Dan Uggla?
To say that Uggla's 2013 was a disaster would be an understatement, as he struck out 171 times in 448 at-bats and posted just a .671 OPS for the season. His .179 batting average was by far the lowest among qualified hitters, and LASIK surgery in August didn't help as Uggla hit just .133 after his return. Elliot Johnson eventually took his job as the starting second baseman, and Uggla, the team's highest-paid player, was left off the postseason roster. The Braves, unsurprisingly, want to unload Uggla, but the $26 million remaining on his contract will make that hard to do unless they want to eat a significant portion of the money. Regardless of whether or not he's traded, Uggla's days as an everyday player may be over, despite him being just one season removed from an All-Star selection.
What will the rotation look like in July?
This is jumping the gun a bit. First off, what will the rotation actually look like coming out of spring training? Is Brandon Beachy's elbow going to hold up? Alex Wood will presumably be under an innings limit after maxing out at 139.2 last season, and the Braves could always decide they need him in the bullpen to start the year. Is Freddy Garcia still an adequate major league starter, or was his run at the end of last season just a flash in the pan? Will Gavin Floyd be back before June? A lot is up in the air right now, but the Braves do have the likes of J.R. Graham and David Hale to fall back on in the event of multiple injuries over the first few months.
Are the Nationals just too good?
The Washington Nationals, at least on paper, present an incredibly daunting obstacle, but the Braves did have their number last year, with 13 wins against six losses. If even remotely healthy, the Nationals should roll through a lot of teams, and it's a question of whether Braves have enough fire power to keep up. The Mets went out and added some quality pieces in Bartolo Colon and Curtis Granderson this offseason, and figure to be more competitive as well. It's still a two-horse race, but the path to the division crown will be tougher in 2014.
The back end of the bullpen is outstanding and the top of the rotation is strong. Offense is productive, if at times inconsistent, with power from top to bottom. Andrelton Simmons is already one of the best defenders in the game, and there's plenty of athleticism in the outfield. A lot of youth is already on the major league roster.
As discussed earlier, the team strikes out way too much as a whole, and is prone to funks. The back of the rotation is unproven, and there's a lack of left-handers in the bullpen. Second base is a glaring hole, and valuable, veteran leadership was lost in the offseason. Also, there isn't a ton of talent in the upper levels of their farm system.
Rising:Andrelton Simmons - The move down the batting order predictably helped Simmons' power numbers, as he went on to post a .472 slugging percentage after the All-Star break, but he still finished the year with an OBP below .300. Standard rotisserie owners didn't have much of anything to complain about, however, as Simmons smacked 17 homers and scored 76 runs, fourth-most among all shortstops. Looking ahead to 2014, Simmons may see fewer scoring chances while near the bottom of the order, but his .247 BABIP seems likely to rise, and he's already producing top-10 value at the position.
Declining:Chris Johnson - Johnson finished with the second-best batting average in the National League (.321) last season, while smacking 12 home runs and 34 doubles. The numbers were surprising, but even more so when looking at his advanced statistics, as Johnson posted a rather paltry .136 ISO, and his contact rate dipped slightly. His walks were also down, as he drew only 29 in 514 at-bats, and his .394 BABIP jumps out as an anomaly, even though he has always been a high BABIP guy. To his credit, Johnson did hit lefties with great consistency (.383 average), after struggling against southpaws in 2012 (.245 average). A regression at the dish seems inevitable, but the hot corner is his, and he could move up to the five-hole in the batting order to fill the void left by the departure of Brian McCann.
Sleeper:Brandon Beachy - Beachy's recovery from June 2012 Tommy John surgery seemed to be going smoothly right up until his final minor league rehab appearance, when he felt some tenderness in his surgically-repaired elbow during a start with Triple-A Gwinnett. The setback delayed his return by more than a month, and Beachy ended up making just five starts with the big club before being forced out of action due to elbow inflammation. Fortunately, Beachy was cleared of any additional structural damage, but the Braves weren't taking any chances, and instead shut the right-hander down in September. He then had the elbow scoped, but the expectation is that Beachy will be ready for the start of spring training. Of course, the sample size from last season is too small to draw any real conclusions, but Beachy's fastball velocity was near where it used to be, and his walk rate was way down. If healthy, the 27-year-old Beachy is a virtual lock for the rotation out of spring training, and while he may never post numbers like he did in 2012 (2.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP), Beachy could prove to be a steal at his discounted 2014 price, though there's still plenty of risk involved.
Supersleeper:Tommy La Stella - Tyler Pastornicky is an obvious candidate for playing time at second base if Dan Uggla is dealt or continues to struggle, but La Stella is definitely in the mix as well after raking at Double-A Mississippi (.343/.422/.473) in 2013. He also drew the praise of the team's director of player development, Bruce Manno, with an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League. The 25-year-old La Stella is very disciplined at the plate, as evidenced by his 35 strikeouts in 303 at-bats last season, and a hot start in the minors could put him in contention for a major league roster spot, regardless of Uggla's status. Further, La Stella offers significantly more upside at the plate than Pastornicky, making him a better speculative target for those in deeper formats.
Top Prospects
Lucas Sims, RHP - Considered the top pitching prospect in the Braves organization, Sims was dominant in his first season at Low-A Rome (2.62 ERA, 10.3 K/9, 3.5 BB/9). When the 2014 season opens, Sims will still be just 19 years old, and while those in dynasty leagues will likely want to pick him up, those in re-draft leagues can leave him be, as it's hard to imagine he'd get a run with the big club in 2014, given the team's pitching depth. It's believed that Sims could be future option in the front of the Atlanta rotation, however, so patience in dynasty formats could pay significant dividends.
J.R. Graham, RHP - Shoulder troubles sent Graham to the shelf in mid-May, and the right-hander didn't even step onto a mound until five months later. The Braves are expecting the rather cautious approach to pay off, and that Graham will be ready for the start of spring training. The 24-year-old, widely considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Braves' organization, succeeds in pounding the strike zone and inducing a high volume of groundballs (2.24 GO/AO in 2012), so even with the pitching depth in Atlanta, Graham could make a push for one of the final rotation spots. His minor league strikeout numbers aren't great (7.1 K/9), but he can consistently hit the mid-90s with his fastball, and can get as high as 97 mph.
Tommy La Stella, 2B - See above.
Christian Bethancourt, C - Heralded for his rocket arm and athleticism behind the plate, Bethancourt took a significant step forward at the dish last season. In 90 games with Double-A Mississippi, he hit .277/.305/.436 with 12 homers and 11 steals, after slashing just .243/.275/.291 at the same level in 2012. Concerns remain, however, about Bethancourt's lack of plate discipline, as he drew just 16 walks in 388 plate appearances in 2013, but he did show some improvement in the second half, with a .329 on-base percentage over his final 39 games. The 22-year-old will likely need to show continued improvement in the minor leagues before being considered for a promotion, but with Brian McCann now out of Atlanta, it's possible he could get the call sooner than expected, if Evan Gattis struggles defensively, or if there is an injury to Gattis, Gerald Laird, or Ryan Doumit. He likely wouldn't see enough time to make a dent in the counting stats, however, so his fantasy upside, especially for 2014, is limited.
Jason Hursh, RHP - Sticking with the team's MO, Atlanta drafted Hursh, a groundball pitcher, with their first-round pick in 2013. He went on to strike out just 15 batters in nine starts with Low-A Rome in his first professional season, but posted a 1.96 GO/AO and held opposing batters to a .206 average. Of course, Hursh still has much to prove in the minors, and may not even sniff the majors in the next two seasons, especially with the supply of viable arms currently ahead of him on the organizational depth chart in the Atlanta system.
Mauricio Cabrera, RHP - Cabrera gave up just three home runs in 131.1 innings with Low-A Rome in 2013, but he walked batters at a 4.9 BB/9 clip and uncorked 16 wild pitches. Just 20 years old, he's a ways away from making an impact in the majors, but the right-hander throws hard and could at least catch the eye of those in dynasty leagues in 2014.


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The next person who says they can't wait for 2020 to be over will get slapped. (Worry not, I'll sanitise my hands beforehand.) Now, in all seriousness, I am tired of hearing "I just wish this year was finished already".
First of all, why would anyone wish away the time that was given to them? To me that is an insult to those who do not have such gift. Time of being alive is the most precious thing given to every single one of us over and over again, yet we all take it for granted and only when we are at the end of the road, we realise that there wasn't enough of it to do all we wanted. We have to stop wishing time away and start appreciating every second of it, whether it is a second of joy or sadness or pain, because quite often, pain is better than no feelings and no sensations whatsoever.
This September I did a 10K race at Dorney Lake. Initially, I was really excited about it, because it was my first race since lockdown and also my first 10K race this year. It didn't go well. (I was on a second course of antibiotics and only just getting to back normal after a minor running injury.) The race was extremely painful and felt incredibly difficult, and the result was so disappointing I cried at the finish line. Still, it was a positive experience of a sort, because as I was running (and suffering), I thought of all the people who couldn't run; all the people who consider conquering 10K a lifetime achievement, no matter the pace; all the people who would love to experience my pain because it is nothing compared to the pain they are feeling… So if this race was 2020, I can put my hand on my heart and say that, although it was crappy, I gave it my all, achieved the best I could given the circumstances, and grew a little stronger and wiser.
I appreciate that everyone's 2020 represented different challenges and pitfalls. I have to admit that introverts like myself found social distancing and restrictions much more manageable than extraverts. (No social functions to attend, yay!) Although I cope quite well with not seeing my friends and family, I am still heartbroken after leaving a job and company I loved. So yes, everyone had different challenges to overcome, but the bottom line is, sitting around and dying for 2020 to end is no productive use of one's life.
Also, why do people think that 2021 will be any better than 2020? We have absolutely no guarantee of that. It can be just as, or even more horrendous than 2020. (And there is a pretty good chance that it will.) But what if 2021 is our opportunity to stop waiting for good things to happen and for the world to return to its old self. We cannot just sit around and wait for outside conditions to be favourable in order to start living.
Frodo (sitting in a dark cold tunnel of Moria, probably hungry, with no spare clothest and all sorts of nasty creatures trying to track him down to kill him) said: "I wish none of this had happened." Gandalf's reply was: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
So while we might not have the power to change the current circumstances, what we have is the ability (a gift and an obligation) to decide how we spend our time.
Let's stop wishing the world was different. Instead, let's search for that silver lining and make the crapmost of the current circumstances regardless of what they are. Use that time. Achieve something. Make yourself proud. Inspire others. Be thankful no matter what. And by doing all that, you will play your own little (but important) part in changing this world and making 2021 better for yourself, for those close to you, for everyone.
So long 2020 and happy 2021!

subset: commoncrawl


text: August 12th is Love Your Book Shop Day! It's the day book shop owners get to celebrate all of the lovely folks who come into our shops, while book lovers around the country get to celebrate their local independent book shop. We can't wait! We're having a party and will have other exciting celebrations to be …More


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The much-publicized LeAnn Rimes and Brandi Glanville feud reignited last week after a seemingly innocent comment by LeAnn referring to Brandi and Eddie Cibrian's children as "her boys." Since then things have exploded with Eddie Cibrian also getting in on the mudslinging by sharing a frustrated email exchange with ex-wife Brandi with Radar Online. That was followed by an even more frustrated profanity-laden email from Brandi Glanville in which she calls LeAnn Rimes a "country c***" among many other things.
With their aggression seemingly played out, Brandi and LeAnn have now seemingly shifted gears into sympathy mode, first with Brandi Glanville telling In Touch that she will be having surgery this week to remove a tumor from her breast. "I am having surgery this week and am relieved it's going to be over with," Brandi tells the magazine. "It's a blessing the tumor is non-cancerous."
LeAnn is countering with tonight's E! Special: LeAnn Rimes in which the singer sits down with Giuliana Rancic in an emotional interview in which she reflects on her affair with Eddie Cibrian and all the pain and suffering it has caused.
Rancic asks Rimes if she has any regrets. "I don't like the word regret," LeAnn says. "I wish I handled it differently because I wish I could have been better for me, for Brandi [Glanville, Cibrian's ex-wife], for Dean [Sheremet, her ex-husband], for Eddie, and for everyone else. I know, in this situation, it's going to take some time. All I wish is that everyone that was hurt, that we hurt, that I hurt, can be happy."
In this clip LeAnn begins to lose it as she explains, "No one will ever understand how much thought and hurt were put into our decision" to end their respective marriages.
"I don't think anything can separate anything that's super-connected," Rimes continues. "You might have had so many wonderful things with each other's spouses in your relationship, but something along the way broke that. You can't break what's broken already."
Wait, what?
LeAnn's husband (and Brandi Glanville's former husband) Eddie Cibrian offers up sympathy for his current wife. "My heart goes out to her every single time she's getting bashed for something," Cibrian tells E!. "It's unfair for her and it's unfair for us. [The affair] wasn't frivolous, you know."
Though I never thought I would ever post this song in a post performed by anyone other than the late, great Buck Owens, here's LeAnn Rimes with her rendition of the seemingly appropriate country classic, "Crying Time:"
See more from LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian in E! Special: LeAnn Rimes, airing Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
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How to master creative thinking
Innovative thinking expert and author, Jeff Dyer, lets marketers in on the secrets and skills needed to become a marketing innovator.
Just how did Steve Jobs and Marc Benioff of Salesforce.com fame become the gurus of creative thinking? Were they born with an inherent talent, or can you in fact learn to become a leading marketing innovator?
According to Jeff Dyer, co-author of the book The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators, becoming a truly creative marketing leader is something all of us can achieve, provided we adopt distinctive behavioural practices and are willing to take calculated risks. He spoke about his research into creative skills at the Adobe Digital Marketing Summit in Salt Lake City on 4-8 March.
As a sign of the importance of bringing creativity into marketing leadership today, Dyer cited a survey of 1,500 CEOs worldwide which found the top competency requirement is 'to embody creative leadership'.
"I want you to realise and appreciate that innovation is your job," Dyer told marketers at the summit. "That doesn't necessarily mean product information, but also process innovation. Anytime you have a problem to solve at work, and you come up with a solution that hasn't been used before, that's innovation. And that's what will make you and your companies successful.
"If you want to do something different, you will have to challenge the status quo. What our research tells us is that if you act differently first, you're more likely to think differently and therefore be more innovative."
Behavioural strengths
One of the cornerstones to creative leadership is association, or lateral thinking. Dyer identified four behaviours that feed it: questioning, observing, experimenting and networking.
According to the Innovator's DNA research, leaders of innovative companies (see list below) spent 31 per cent more of their time looking for innovative ideas using these four behaviours, than those at non-innovative companies (15 per cent).
"You have to have the courage to innovate, spend time at it and take some risks," Dyer said. "You have to act differently if you want to think differently."
So how do you tackle each of these?
Skill 1: Questioning - Good innovators tend to ask questions in two ways , Dyer explained. They either impose constraints around the parameters of the question, such as 'what if we only had half the budget?', or they ask questions that eliminate constraints.
Recommendation: "We found question-storming to be a good way to achieve this," Dyer said. "Identify a problem you are trying to solve, but instead of brainstorming solutions, brainstorm only questions to the problem. Until you answer those, you probably won't know how to come up with a really good solution. At the end, prioritise top 3-5 questions that should be addressed first.
"Also push others to imagine the future by asking 'what if' questions."
Skill 2: Observing - It's crucial as a marketer to become more observant, as you want to make sure you really understand what other perceive you're doing in the market, Dyer said.
Recommendation: " You could swap your marketing teams with another company to improve observing," Dyer suggested. "Otherwise, put yourself in a new environment and you will have new opportunities to learn. New associations will emerge."
Skill 3: Experiment - According to Dyer, a common thread for experimentation is using an hypothesis test. However, his research into innovative leaders found they also take the time to learn new skills and are willing to try something new by seeking different experiences, or even taking things apart.
Recommendation: Digital marketers should be doing lots of A/B testing to see how a different group of customers respond to a slightly different experience. The more tests, the better chance you have of seeing something new, Dyer said. "We should be doing lots and lots of these experiments to understand how people respond to our products and services."
Skill 4: Networking - Do you talk to others about the problems you are facing? Well, you should be. Dyer said it's important for marketing leaders to build an ideas network to sound out problem they're facing.
Recommendation: The more diverse your network, the better chance of finding a creative solution, Dyer said. "If you're going to be a more creative problem solver, you need to get input from others who can offer a different perspective and who see things differently from you. If you can have a dialogue about problems, challenges you face and get a new perspective, you're more likely to have a creative idea."
The world's most innovative companies
The Innovator's DNA and Forbes have created a list of the most innovative companies based on an 'innovation premium' index. This is a measurement of the current market value of existing businesses using cashflow and financial analysis, against the stock price value. The higher the value of the stock, the more expectation of innovation, Dyer said.
- Salesforce.com 75.1 (innovation premium)
- Amazon.com 58.9
- Intuitive surgical 57.6
- Tencent Holdings 52.3
- Apple 48.2
- Hindustan Unilever 47.7
- Google 44.9


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The Ninepoint Gold and Precious Minerals Fund declined 16.22% for Class F in Q1 2021 as precious metal equities struggled against a backdrop of soft gold and silver bullion prices. Through Q1 2021, the fund's tilt towards small and mid-sized mining companies created a drag in its performance relative to the benchmark. Despite the Strategy's recent underperformance relative to large cap miners, our attraction towards the small and mid-sized operators in this sector remains unchanged. Our conviction is underpinned by the historically low valuation multiples that we see in our sector today. Over the years, our fund has been able to uncover substantial alpha within the small and mid-cap miners. By our work, we see continue to find fertile opportunities capable of generating prolific returns.
Since our last commentary, governments around the world have continued to binge on debt. The US Federal Reserve, the ECB and other major monetary authorities have maintained their foot on the pedal when it has come to asset purchases meant to stimulate risk-taking. Investors in the Western hemisphere responded to this by buying gold and silver through the first three quarters of 2020. In doing so, investors pushed the price of gold to a record high and silver to its highest close since 2013. High expectations and euphoric sentiment typically lead to short-term consolidation and that is precisely what we have experienced of late. The performance of gold and silver over the past six months has produced more frustration than euphoria. When the typical seasonal strength in precious metals we see around January and February failed to materialize we saw short-term traders exit their positions. Negative capital flows were apparent in gold and silver ETPs (Exchange Traded Products). We must note that the quantum of this move was modest versus the 2020 inflows.
Concurrently, we also saw speculative positions getting unwound in both gold and silver futures. Rising interest rates, the emergence of Bitcoin and a robust global economic recovery have been used to explain the poor showing of precious metals. Perhaps a more important reason behind the recent weakness in precious metals has to do with something simpler - the Law of Supply and demand.
The annual supply of gold has averaged around 4700 tonnes. Approximately 3500 tonnes of this supply comes from mine production and the other 1200 tonnes per annum is recycled gold which is primarily derived from jewelry being sold for cash. When the price of gold rises, we see increased recycled gold entering the supply chain as people cash in on their old jewelry. Despite a tumultuous 2020, which saw a decline in PGM production, gold production remained quite stable versus 2019. Recycling was higher than normal at around 1300 tonnes in 2020 due to buoyant gold prices and weaker economic conditions.
While supply was fairly stable in 2020, the demand side of the equation was exceptionally volatile. There are four key areas of gold demand – jewelry, retail investments through bars and coins, ETPs and Central Banks. Least unsurprisingly, ETF demand was exceptionally robust in 2020 with ETPs around the world adding almost 900 tonnes of gold to their holdings. What was surprising was that retail investment demand was down year-over-year in 2020. This was not on account of mediocre investor enthusiasm, but because refineries shuttered their operations and the gold logistics chains were disrupted. As a result, high demand for gold coins and small gold bars, only led to high premiums as suppliers were simply unable to meet demand. Central banks around the world also took a big step back from their gold purchases as their attention shifted to helping their respective economies.
The biggest decline in gold demand came from the largest demand sector – jewelry. Gold jewelry demand soaks up almost 50% of the total annual supply and in 2020, demand for jewelry collapsed. We had already seen a drop in jewelry demand out of China in 2019 as COVID-19 related shutdowns began to affect the country later that year. For the full year, jewelry demand declined from 2137 tonnes in 2019 to 1327 tonnes in 2020.
So far in 2021, despite the doom and gloom that Western precious metal investors are feeling, gold demand is resurgent once again. Indian jewelry demand has already bounced back strongly with March 2021 imports coming in 471% higher on a year over year basis. In fact, India imported a record 160 tonnes of gold in the month of March alone.
We saw similar trends play out in the silver market in 2020. According to the Silver Institute, the silver market has remained in a small deficit since 2019 with demand edging out supply. We do not have clear data for silver available just yet. However, based on preliminary estimates, 2020 is expected to produce a small reduction in silver mine output, as a result of COVID-19 related shutdowns in South America. On the consumption side, manufacturing demand for silver was softer both for industrial as well as silverware use in 2020. However, similar to gold, silver saw an increased level of investor interest last year with a record level of silver bullion flowing into silver ETFs. Over 280 million ounces of silver flowed into ETPs last year. Silver is often referred to as poor man's gold and indeed, retail investor interest in silver surpasses gold. At the retail level, investor interest for silver coins and bars was much stronger than what we saw in the gold bullion market. Refineries have been unable to keep up with retail demand for silver coins and bars. Despite the softness in silver prices through 2021, coin and bar demand has remained exceptionally strong through 2020 and into 2021. Lack of adequate silver coin and bar supply has left most dealers are charging hefty premiums for the physical metal even today.
Looking ahead, we remain strongly optimistic about our outlook for precious metals. Investor sentiment in the Western world is at a trough and appears to be improving daily. We are also seeing India and China pick up where they left off. Many weddings and event celebrations have been held off in India and other countries on account of COVID-19. These events represent strong pent-up demand for both gold and silver. Softer prices encourage more demand from Indian and Chinese buyers who aggressively buy the dip because they view gold and silver as a long-term store of value.
In our Q4 note, we had made note of the compelling value in the precious metal mining space. Despite the challenging environment we experienced during this quarter, our bullish conviction has remained unchanged. Mining companies are trading near the bottom end of their historical valuations.
Through 2020, gold averaged $1707/ounce while silver averaged just over $22/ounce. Despite the recent weakness in gold and silver, both metals continue to trade above their 2020 averages. Producers in our Strategy are expected to generate record profit margins in 2021 at prevailing metal prices while delivering strong EPS and FCF growth. Valuation multiples are also at a trough, but not for long. We rarely see the combination of low multiples and rising earnings. It is important not to lose sight of the big picture here. We are in a precious metals bull market and March appears to have marked an important low for the sector. Precious metal miners appear poised for a strong move higher.
Maria Smirnova, Shree Kargutkar & Jason Mayer
Sprott Asset Management
Sub- Advisor to the Ninepoint Gold & Precious Minerals Fund
1 All returns and fund details are a) based on Series F units; b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year; d) as at March 31, 2021; e) 2001 annual returns are from 11/15/01 to 12/31/01. The index is 100% S&P/TSX Global Gold Total Return Index and is computed by Ninepoint Partners LP based on publicly available index information.
The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: commodity risk; concentration risk; currency risk; cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk; exchange traded funds risk; foreign investment risk; inflation risk; liquidity risk; market risk; securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions risk; series risk; short selling risk; small capitalization natural resource company risk; sub-advisor risk; substantial unitholder risk; tax risk; uninsured losses risk.
Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the "Funds"). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), other charges and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rate of return for series F units of the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2021 is based on the historical annual compounded total return including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.
The opinions, estimates and projections ("information") contained within this report are solely those of Ninepoint Partners LP and are subject to change without notice. Ninepoint Partners makes every effort to ensure that the information has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, Ninepoint Partners assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages, whether direct or indirect, which arise out of the use of this information. Ninepoint Partners is not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. The information should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstances. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Ninepoint Partners. Any reference to a particular company is for illustrative purposes only and should not to be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell nor should it be considered as an indication of how the portfolio of any investment fund managed by Ninepoint Partners is or will be invested. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may collectively beneficially own/control 1% or more of any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may hold short position in any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. During the preceding 12 months, Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may have received remuneration other than normal course investment advisory or trade execution services from the issuers mentioned in this report.
Ninepoint Partners LP: Toll Free: 1.866.299.9906. DEALER SERVICES: CIBC Mellon GSSC Record Keeping Services: Toll Free: 1.877.358.0540


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TIFF 2015: Cemetery of Splendour
Finally making his return after winning the Palme D'Or five years ago with Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Apichatpong Weerasethakul delivers yet another beguiling and utterly singular film with Cemetery of Splendour. Taking place at a former school that turned into a hospital for soldiers suffering from a strange sleeping sickness, local woman Jenjira (Jenjira Pongpas Widner) decides to volunteer, looking after the soldier Itt (Banlop Lomnoi) as he sleeps in a comatose-like state. The soldiers eventually wake up randomly for brief periods of time before suddenly passing out again, and through his brief moments of consciousness Jenjira and Itt develop a strong friendship.
As with most of Weerasethakul's work, the story takes a backseat. The director has described his film as either a dream about being awake or a reality that can feel like a dream, and Cemetery of Splendour's largest achievement is how well it weaves reality, fantasy, dreams, spirituality and the supernatural together. All of these things—usually seen as separate entities—flow together through Weerasethakul's vision: two beautiful women can suddenly become the spirits of princesses, a school can turn into the battlefield of a great war between ancient kings, and a park can become a great kingdom overseeing plenty of rich, fertile lands. There's a boundless imagination to the film, and through its hypnotic visuals (a sequence with a group of lights can easily function as its own brilliant installation piece) it's easy to get swept up by its beauty. Fans of Weerasethakul's work should find themselves pleased with yet another terrific film from the director, and those unfamiliar might not find a better entry point than this. By this point, there shouldn't be a reason not to check out Weerasethakul's work. He's one of the best directors working today, and Cemetery of Splendour is another excellent addition to his filmography.


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Rub & Grub Sticky Sesame
Our Sticky Sesame rub is a sure thing when it comes to chicken wings. Sesame seeds, Chinese spices and brown sugar will create the perfect caramelisation on your next chicken dish and have people crossing the road for more. Ingredients: Sesame Seeds, Sugar, Garlic, Onion, Spices. Blended and packed in Australia (SA) from local & imported ingredients.


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Jul 31, 2023, 07:14 EST
New York, United States, Jul 31, 2023, 07:14 /Comserve / -- Global video streaming market is expected to a notable CAGR of 19.10% during the forecast period
Recent report published by research nester titled "Video Streaming Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2033″delivers detailed overview of the global video streaming market in terms of market segmentation by type, by services type, by solution type, by user type, by revenue type, by industry type, by deployment type, by platform type and by region.
Further, for the in-depth analysis, the report encompasses the industry growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, BPS analysis and Porter's five force model.
The global video streaming market is segmented into solutions type such as Pay TV, Internet Protocol Television and Over The Top. Among these segments, over the top is expected to dominate the overall video streaming market. Furthermore, factors such as increasing mobile subscriptions, adoption of mobile connected devices, easiness in watching the video anytime & anywhere stimulate the growth of video streaming market. Owing to implementation of cloud-based video streaming solutions, the video streaming market is observing scalable growth.
Demand for video streaming is increasing globally due to growing interest of users in watching live events and video calling. Social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook are the major factors for the contribution to the growth of video streaming. These social media websites help the users to exchange their views, thoughts and help the users to participate in various events and activities.
Global video streaming market is expected to a notable CAGR of 19.10% during the forecast period. Moreover, the global video streaming market is expected to grow with high pace during the forecasting period due to the awareness about business productivity and increasing usage of digital media among organizations and individuals.
In terms of regional platform, Asia Pacific countries such as China, India accounted for the fastest growing market of global video streaming in terms of revenue in 2017. Among Asia Pacific countries, China is expected to grow in video streaming market during the forecast period due to large number of users using the internet.
North America is expected to hold the largest market for video streaming due to the increase usage of mobile phones and technical advancements.
Apart from this, Europe showcases lucrative growth over the forecast period i.e. 2017-2027 due to the adoption of digital technology among retail, marketing and entertainment industry.
Demand for Online Video Streaming (Netflix, Apple Music, Amazon Prime)
Online video streaming is one of the most widespread internet activities across the globe. Online video streaming holds the largest market share. It was estimated that Saudi Arabia leads at an 89 percent online video usage by the end of 2016. It was estimated that by the end of 2020, the number of online streaming users in US will surpass 240 million.
Globally, Netflix holds more than half the video streamed over the internet. Netflix produce its own series such as Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. Netflix's gives a tough competition to its competitors as it has easy to use interface and it is user friendly.
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Memo to the CIA: You can now confidently put an end to waterboarding. Just make your prisoners watch this excruciating Ritz-Carlton web film. They will quickly break.
Back in December, when we wrote Ritz Bits, and Web Films vs. Bagels we had a feeling the Ritz-Carlton had lost its mind. But, honestly, we had no idea it was his bad.
March 06, 2008
This Film Is Rated T For Torture
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Congratulations to Matthew Paszek (now at Cornell University) and all other authors on their recent publication in Nature!
Export 6 results:Author Title [ Type] Year
Filters: First Letter Of Title is A and Author is Lakins, Johnathon N [Clear All Filters]
Journal Article
alpha6beta4 integrin activates Rac-dependent p21-activated kinase 1 to drive NF-kappaB-dependent resistance to apoptosis in 3D mammary acini.. J Cell Sci. 120(Pt 20):3700-12.. 2007.


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Coronavirus: Ocado raising £1bn to capitalise on growth in online grocery
Online grocery group Ocado (OCDO.L) hopes to raise more than £1bn to capitalise on the rapid growth of online food and drink shopping seen since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Ocado said in a statement after markets closed on Wednesday (10 June) it aims to raise cash through a mixture of newly issued shares and debt, giving it the "financial flexibility" to expand.
The company expects to raise £650m through a share placing with institutional investors, as well as a smaller £7m offering with retail investors.
The online supermarket also plans to borrow £350m by issuing a series of unsecured bonds due to mature in 2027.
The company said the coronavirus pandemic had "significantly accelerated" the shift towards online shopping. Ocado said there was "significant scope for expansion," citing Nielsen data that suggests online penetration of the UK grocery market had doubled to 13% in recent months.
READ MORE: Just Eat confirms merger talks with Grubhub
Surveys of Ocado's own customers indicate the trend will continue. 47% of customers who had increased their online spending since the pandemic began expected to continue doing so once the crisis is over, Ocado said.
"Online grocery is experiencing an inflection point," said Tim Steiner, the founder and chief executive of Ocado.
"The current crisis is proving a catalyst for permanent and significant acceleration in channel shift globally which we believe will redraw the landscape for the grocery industry worldwide."
Ocado and Marks and Spencer (MKS.L) last year agreed to create a joint venture — a move that saw M&S acquire a 50% stake in Ocado's retail business for £750m.
On 6 May, the company said that Ocado Retail had seen a 40% jump in sales in its second quarter, which ended on 1 June.
READ MORE: UK recession to be worse than France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, warns OECD
Ocado said on Wednesday that current trading remained consistent with those trends. It will publish results from the first half of its financial year on 14 July.
Calling itself "the only end-to-end solution provider for online grocery fulfilment globally," Ocado said that the financial firepower from the planned fundraise would allow it to adapt and improve its position in the market.
"The group believes that that the capital raise will give Ocado Group the flexibility to move fast and capitalise on increasing opportunities arising from the acceleration in online penetration to expand and establish leadership positions in its existing as well as new products and markets," the company said.


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A second new-generation ship will join P&O Cruises in 2022 to broaden its appeal to younger cruisers including millennials, it was announced tonight.
The ship, measuring 180,000 GRT and able to carry 5,200 guests, will be a sister to one already announced to be launching in 2020. Both will have dual-fuel engines using LNG for power in port and at sea, with cleaner air emissions and improved air quality.
The vessels will be built in Germany and registered in the UK.
P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: 'We have a bold and ambitious vision for P&O Cruises to become Britain's number one holiday choice and we can only do that by increasing our fleet. The build for our 2020 ship begins this spring and it will offer all generations of British guests the holiday of a lifetime on the next generation of P&O Cruises ships.
'In four years' time when her sister ship is launched, adding an additional 22 percent capacity, we will see an even greater rise in the popularity of cruising across all demographics and all age ranges including both millennials and Generation Xers.
'Many of them have already learned to appreciate cruising by going on cruises with their families while growing up. Additionally, there are millions more we will attract in the future by retaining the amazing on-board and on-shore experiences and itinerary choices P&O Cruises is known for, while reflecting forward-thinking trends and tastes of British holidaymakers.
'This evolution of the guest experience will be evident over the next few years but will be underpinned throughout with in-depth market insight and feedback we receive from the best source: our current, past and prospective guests.
'The first of our new ships will go on sale in September and we will be announcing key elements of the design and build this year. Our P&O Cruises signature features in dining and entertainment will be across all our ships, but the space and build of the two new ships allows us to have innovative new experiences to create the most memorable holidays.'
Dave Monk (Shipmonk) has been nominated as best blogger in the British Cruise Awards 2018. To vote, please click here


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*For items purchased from an Authorized Stages Dealer please contact the dealer regarding their return policy.


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Isolde Brielmaier
Tang Teaching Museum
Portraiture, at its very core, is about capturing the likeness of an individual. For photographer Zanele Muholi, the genre has provided a tool with which to create lasting imagery of the black queer community in South Africa, to firmly establish her subjects' visibility and presence among us. And what enables Muholi to extend her portrait photography into a realm that boldly posits the contention between strategy and spectacle is the artist's ability to underscore in both overt and subtle ways the range of feminine and masculine qualities and physical attributes that are played out within a single image—and by extension within us as viewers. How do we recognize who is before us? What of our own ideas, experiences, and misconceptions do we map onto an image? And in what ways, time and again, do the people pictured resist our seemingly innate desire to name them?
Scholar bell hooks has noted that the "oppositional gaze" can be seen as a site of resistance for colonized black people globally.(1) Muholi's sitters—and sometimes the artist in her own self-portraits—look directly at us, unflinching and grounded in who they are. Accordingly, hooks's assertion that there are layers of power relations embedded within the act of looking highlights the ways in which this act is reflexive: it works both for the looker and those who are looked upon. It is in this context that Muholi's work HeVi, Oslo must be read. In this black-and-white image, the artist presents herself in a full-frontal, partially revealed nude pose, her eyes directly engaging the viewer. Muholi is situated in an outdoor setting, her curly Afro blending in with both the color of the foliage and the bending curves of the leaves behind her. Similar to the ways in which Muholi's photographs of others work to acknowledge and subvert the traditional gaze of portraiture by using the genre to disrupt and complicate the visual identity of black South Africans, the artist's self-portraiture is equally considered, composed, and psychologically probing. Muholi is both present and absent; she is visible and yet blends or fades into the background of the image. She invites us to pause and take in the entire scene from foreground to background, from left to right, while the artist keeps a watchful eye. Perhaps this is a metaphor for Muholi and her South African black queer community's very existence—one that is both seen and unseen—and for the ways in which she draws from her practice in an effort to solidify its existence and generate meaningful and undeniable acts of insertion into the world.


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Jean-Yves Lemoigne is a Paris-based photographer. On his website you'll find a mixture of the frenchman's work for advertising campaigns as well as some of his personal photo and film projects. He creates truly professional, and sometimes, very funny advertisng! Lemoigne's photography is surreal, beautiful and thought provoking. It's understandable therefore that so many big brands are interested in him.
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14 Jun 2011


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By Adam Bitely – Newt Gingrich has a health care problem. And what mainstream candidate running for President in 2012 doesn't?
Voters got a preview of what health care reforms to ObamaCare might look like should Gingrich win the 2012 election. To say the least, GingrichCare isn't much different than ObamaCare.
Appearing on last Sunday's Meet the Press with David Gregory, Gingrich criticized Romney's health care mandate in Massachusetts and the ObamaCare mandate passed in March of 2010. Newt, himself, is a health care mandate supporter — and it appears the only mandate he supports is his own version.
What's that version look like?
Well, exactly like Obama's — and Romney's.
Newt told the Meet the Press host, "Well, I agree that all of us have a responsibility to pay — help pay for health care. And, I think that there are ways to do it that make most libertarians relatively happy. I've said consistently we ought to have some requirement that you either have health insurance or you post a bond."
As Politico reported yesterday, Gingrich has long supported mandates. In 2007, he penned an op-ed in the Des Moines Register where he stated, "Personal responsibility extends to the purchase of health insurance. Citizens should not be able to cheat their neighbors by not buying insurance, particularly when they can afford it, and expect others to pay for their care when they need it."
Statements like that don't make him sound much like the conservative crusader he has claimed to be since the '94 Republican revolution.
But then again, he did say in 1993 that he was, "for people, individuals — exactly like automobile insurance — individuals having health insurance and being required to have health insurance."
Perhaps Newt Gingrich was never the great Conservative leader that he sells himself as. He definitely appears to be more like the inside-the-beltway charlatans that try to fix all of the people's problems all of the time.
Newt infamously sat on a couch with Nancy Pelosi and supported measures to fix climate change. And now Newt infamously has appeared on our television screens and defended the number one problem with ObamaCare, the individual mandate. Not to mention he has defended one of the key issues that drove folks to the polls in 2010 to vote against Democrats.
Gingrich has long backed down and compromised on principles that are supposedly near and dear to him. The squeamishness from Gingrich to stand on principle indicates a politician that tests the political winds before taking any formal positions on any issues.
As Americans for Limited Government Chairman Howard Rich once wrote, "Such squeamishness is not surprising given the party's recent pattern of backing down in the face of an ideologically inferior foe. In fact, I refer to this flight reflex as 'going Gingrich.'"
And Newt's 2012 platform amounts to nothing more than a wind sock — always changing whichever direction the wind is blowing.
Newt should know that you can't please all of the people all of the time. A majority of Americans want to do away with the monstrosity known as ObamaCare. Dressing ObamaCare up as GingrichCare won't fool anyone.
Adam Bitely is the Editor-in-Chief of NetRightDaily.com. You can follow Adam on Twitter at @AdamBitely.


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Overture, Leonore No.3, Op.72a
Violin Concerto in D
Gerald Barry
Canada [BBC commission: world premiere]
Symphony No.5 in C-minor, Op.67
Leila Josefowicz (violin)
Allan Clayton (tenor)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla
Reviewed by: Peter Reed
Reviewed: 21 August, 2017
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London
There were times when I thought that Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla's Beethoven, particularly in the Fifth Symphony, was too much of a good thing in its drive and tension, but there was no failure of togetherness, and anything that might have initially sounded like a novelty she totally justified in a superbly balanced performance. The Lithuanian conductor was back for her second Prom with the CBSO – she became its Osborn Music Director last year, successor to Simon Rattle, Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons; the CBSO certainly knows how to pick them – and once again sparks flew, ears pricked and eyebrows raised.
Gražinytė-Tyla is an orchestra-animateur par excellence, and she has a phenomenal ear for releasing any number of possibilities in phrasing and scoring. In his programme note for Leonore No.3, David Cairns expresses strong disapproval for this condensed Fidelio being placed sometimes between the two scenes of the opera's Act Two. I can think of a few productions in which it was or could have been a blessing – either way this life-enhancing performance went for the drama's jugular with breezy directness.
Gražinytė-Tyla was conducting from memory and without a baton, the exchanges between phrasing, dynamics and rhythm fluctuating easily through the now-familiar mobility of her expressive hands and arms. She was using 'period' trumpets and tight-sounding kettledrums, and the vibrato-light strings guaranteed a transparent agility. The mercurial ensemble had the sort of purpose you associate with a single performer and it made the music thrillingly volatile. The trumpet calls – played from the Gallery – made their point in this vividly imagined, scrupulously prepared performance.
Gražinytė-Tyla proved a cool foil to Leila Josefowicz's lyricism in Stravinsky's neo-Baroque Violin Concerto, a work that affects detachment then taking you unawares in the two lovely 'Aria' movements. The violinist is a near-constant presence throughout. Josefowicz embraced Bach-style obbligato and a more starry, singing role in the 'Arias'. Her duetting with the wind-players in the opening 'Toccata' was chamber-music conversation at its most balanced and fresh, and Gražinytė-Tyla (now with score and baton) judged perfectly Stravinsky's rhythmic bite while tailoring the orchestra's role to allow Josefowicz's playing to resonate in the big space. This wry, affectionate account made clear what a masterpiece this Violin Concerto is.
Josefowicz's wildly virtuosic encore, from Esa-Pekka Salonen's Lachen verlernt (Laughter unlearned), could have been intended to clear the decks for Gerald Barry's anarchic mischief in Canada. Barry has the knack of drawing musical impetus from the most unlikely sources – in this instance, going through security at Toronto airport, which resulted in this short work that quotes – in English, French and German – from the text of the 'Prisoners' Chorus' in Fidelio, mixed up with Allan Clayton obsessively deconstructing the country's three syllables and some furious orchestral interjections. The audience laughed a bit at repetitions you thought might never stop, and you couldn't help but be impressed by the bravura with which the Beethoven-obsessed Barry translates his inspiration into organised sound, nor by the confidence with which he takes his listeners into his jester-world.
Gražinytė-Tyla again dispensed with score and baton for Beethoven's Fifth, and the 'period' trumpets were back, keeping company with the robust 'authentic' manners of the CBSO's excellent horn section. She added scorch marks to the first movement's Allegro con brio marking, and her rhythmic bite was there from the very start in the famous upbeat, very definitely not a triplet, and she maintained this momentum while exposing detail you'd never considered. The exposition repeat tightened the screw so that the oboe's brief soliloquy became the focal point around which the rhythmic and motivic centrifuge revolved – and it was brilliantly done. Gražinytė-Tyla's Andante con moto for the second-movement variations almost broke into a trot, but not so that her elegant phrasing of the main theme didn't register, along with many surprises of exposure and balance. The paring down of the Scherzo's link to the Finale (the latter's repeat omitted) to a barely audible timpani tapping is a well-worked trick, but it still didn't detract from the heroic trombone blast, and her steady tempo accentuated the music's military weight.
In a view so highly engineered as this, I wondered how much room she'd left herself for further interpretation. It was, though, a thrilling ride, one that made the encore all the more welcome, the strings and their section leaders in Bach's 'Air' from the D-major Suite (BWV1068) at its most serene and translucent.
- Broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 (available on BBC iPlayer for thirty days afterwards)
- BBC Proms www.bbc.co.uk/proms


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I have always been fascinated by the concept of "princess" across different cultures. As some of you know, I was born and raised in the Netherlands, a country with a "real deal" royal family. I grew up celebrating Queen's Day and watching the royal family on TV during important national events. Fast forward a few decades, I'm now a mom, raising kids on the other side of the world.
When our daughter was little, I was struck by how popular the princess themed toys are in the United States. While I have always loved our kids playing pretend games (with or without dress up), I'm not comfortable with the stereotypes that sometimes come along with the concept of "princess." Specifically, I don't like the helpless princess that waits until a prince comes along to rescue her from a bad situation….. This just doesn't match my concept of "princess" and doesn't do anything for any of our daughters as we try to raise them to be strong, capable and responsible women.
Reflecting (and yes, possibly overthinking all of this), I started pondering what the positive character traits of a princess are, or even better…. could be. What if our daughter could be a "princess," what type of person could she strive to be? I wouldn't want her to be concerned about physical appearance. Or the brand name of her clothing. Or caving in to peer pressure just to fit in. However, these are exactly the pressures our society and media puts on our girls: to be perfect, to be sexy, to follow trends...
I decided to write down 40 ways ANY girl could feel like a princess every day. You will find that these ways don't cost money and have a lot more to do with positive character and being a fun loving kid. I have made my "40 Ways to Feel like a Princess Every Day" a free printable (you can click on the image below to download the pdf and print). I hope you will share it with your daughter and other special girls in your life wherever they live around the world. Because it is important that they know they are special and beautiful just the way they are.
3/22/2020 09:29:01 pm
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For all those looking to decorate their homes with some out of this world centerpieces, the UFO chandelier by Studio Italia Design is definitely a must buy. This exquisite lighting structure has been designed by-product and lighting designer Brian Rasmussen for the high-end design company's UFO collection. This unconventional curvaceous structure is definitely a far cry from ordinary chandeliers. It provides the ideal amount of diffused lighting and is available in various customs options and colors. You can opt for either a gold, silver, or white acrylic version of the UFO with the choice of semi-covering colors in red, white, green, and dark blue. Furthermore, you can also create your own distinct pendant combining all or any of the available colors. This stunning fixture will definitely bathe your room in a unique glow. I personally loved the colorful chandelier, as it looks extremely festive and cheerful. Prospective buyers will have to shell out anywhere between $3,275 and $4,630 to own this exquisite lighting structure.
Studio Italia Design offers unique chandelier in its UFO Collection
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Written ByNamrata Dixit


text: Our team has the expertise to assist you. We have over 220 years of experience working with and for the largest vendors and customers in the mailing industry. Adam Lewenberg President Doris Tam COO Britany Utt Director of Operations Jill Moore Director of Strategic Accounts Kris Weafer Data Collector/Administrative Data Support David Bender Director of Data Analytics Donna Collins Client Onboarding and Administrative Supervisor Melisa Rodriguez Enterprise Carrier Management Customer Service Representative Lynsie Murphy Account Manager Makayla Miller Junior Marketing and Communications Coordinator Amey Bonde Excel Data Analyst Nicole Steubing Customer Service Account Representative Steve Smith Strategic Consultant – International Mail Specialist


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Oakbrook and Ogden Tile Installers
Ready to fix up your floor?
Thinking about what the price could be?
Would you like to hear some options from someone you can trust?
Get your questions answered. Find out about costs too.
Having a Tile Floor Installed in North Vancouver
A flooring installer will discuss your preferences and spending budget.
They will then offer some recommendations concerning designs and products and options. You simply pick what you like the best.
They've performed plenty of successful jobs and they understand all the tips and tricks to get your job done right.
A good place to begin is to have a short talk with somebody who does this kind of work regularly.
Your Clark County flooring project will get planned and completed correctly.
Top Reasons Why Portland Homeowners Prefer Tile
- You can get it wet
- Practical for pet owners
- Does not require maintenance
- Stays in style – timeless
- Very easy to clean
- Has an upscale appearance
- Sections can be replaced easily
- Home shoppers prefer it
Negatives to Having Tile
- It can feel cold
- The surface is really hard
Popular Sorts of Tile
In addition to which materials you want to use – stone, marble, ceramic – you have choices with colors and patterns.
Thanks to all of the possible choices, you will find a handful of designs that will look terrific.
If you have any difficulty deciding between all the choices, they have a pretty good sense of what works well.
They are ready to provide a suggestion if you want.
They will carry out the entire installation for your house too.
What Does Tile Installation Cost Near Oakbrook?
As you probably know, the two important cost variables will be materials and amount of labor.
Once you get the dimensions of your room, you can start to ask for a general estimate of the project.
If your current floor surface isn't level enough or secure enough to hold tile, it might need to be prepared first before tile is laid down.
This additional work will come with an extra charge too.
There can be several variables regarding installation.
Sometimes receiving a good quote over the phone is difficult.
It's easy to set a time to swing by your house and check out what your flooring project looks like.
You can receive a quick estimate.
Affordable Tile Contractor Near Ogden
It's really a combination of smaller factors which will add up to a successful project.
Laying all the tiles down on your floor isn't really the challenging part.
The most challenging elements are determining the layout pattern, cutting difficult pieces and ensuring that the spacing and grout are just right.
What your new tile is attached to is important.
The subfloor or existing floor really should be even and sturdy.
If you get a pro to handle your project, the final result is probably going to look great.
Is the Job Hard? Could I Try It Myself?
You don't have to be a genius to lay tile, but the procedure can be difficult if you haven't done it before.
An inexperienced homeowner might attempt a modest basement bathroom remodel, but maybe shouldn't start a larger or more visible project, such as a kitchen area or front entrance.
So How Do I Begin?
Just start by talking with someone.
It doesn't cost anything to discuss it.
Your flooring job is a lot easier if a local Oakbrook pro works with you.
They will help you from beginning to end.
Many Ogden specialists prefer to take their own measurements and check out the prospective work area.
During a short evaluation, they like to make certain they have the proper dimensions.
A check of the old floor is also done.
Tile requires a solid and level surface.
Tile Estimates in Ogden or Oakbrook
Call for a friendly estimate if you live in north Vancouver near Meadow Homes, Bagley Downs and the Vancouver Mall.
Just discuss it.
Getting Projects Done Near These Neighborhoods:
- Meadow Homes
- Bagley Downs
- North Vancouver
- Vancouver Mall


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After you've learned a little bit about the subject, network marketing becomes rather easy to understand. When you follow these tips, you will have good support for your goals in network marketing.
One of the keys to successful network marketing is to maintain a current database of email contacts upon which you regularly draw. Consider purchasing some leads to get started, then supplement those lists with opt-ins from your site. Whatever you do, having a big email list is essential to growing your business.
You want to have about 9 months of your expenses saved in an account for an emergency. Using network marketing, you can earn this money and much more.
It is crucial that you create a monthly budget you can commit to. You must find out how much you will be able to afford to invest into your business to keep it running strong. Unless you are prepared to create a detailed, reasonable budget, you will have ongoing problems earning adequate profits.
Double your successes whenever you can! Look for inspiration in your organization or industry. Watch their success and try to have the same approach and attitude. Imitating these people will only help you along your way to the top. You don't only have to learn from your own success or failures.
If you find network marketing tedious, you can hire an outside firm to do it for you. Outsourcing is good because you might not have the resources or personnel to invest in network marketing. Hiring someone to conduct your advertising campaign ensures you receive a quality product and can concentrate on running your business.
If you want to steer Internet traffic towards your marketing sites, then use the concept of video marketing. A video is a cost effective way to create marketing campaigns that are content-rich.
When you are writing on your website or writing for a seminar, be unique! Leave no stone unturned!
You must think about your budget for network marketing. If you stick to your budget you'll ensure that you have money in both the good and bad times, as well as have some to put back into your business. By laying out your budget with a clear eye, you can plan accordingly. Again, be realistic.
If you are seeking out good network marketing companies, try to find a business which sells products or services that you personally would be interested in buying. If you are genuinely interested, it will come across to your customers, and may translate to them being more interested.
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Always try out your products before you begin your network marketing. You might learn some advantages to the product that you did not realize were there. If you are unable to stand behind the products, you should not work with the manufacturer or brand. No matter how much they pay, they won't be worth it to you if they don't last very long due to poor quality.
These tips will help you to be more confident in meeting your network marketing goals. Keep in mind that there's always more to learn to improve your network marketing strategy, so never stop looking, and you will succeed.


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NEW YORK, N.Y. August 2010 – Lindblad Expeditions has announced their Global Luminaries program for2010/2011. Renowned for their staff's expertise in the regions they explore, Global Luminaries will addan extra layer of interest and insight to their expeditions with special guests drawn from the top tiers ofworld affairs, broadcast journalism, and exploration and research.
The Global Luminaries title refers to what these remarkable individuals contribute to the expeditioncommunity at large ‐ a relevant global perspective. The unique program is available exclusively aboardNational Geographic Explorer and affords guests the opportunity to travel and explore with world‐classpersonalities, as fellow guests, in the intimate and conversational environment of an expedition ‐ andnot just in the context of a presentation or talk from the podium.
Some of the upcoming luminaries who will be traveling this season include (a complete list can be foundat http://www.expeditions.com/luminaries):
Gro Brundtland: Former Prime Minister of Norway. UN Special Envoy on Climate Change.
• The Baltics, August 28, 2011 & Antarctica, November 26, 2011
Mary Robinson: First woman President of Ireland. Formerly the U.N. High Commissioner for HumanRights.
• British & Irish Isles, May 16, 2011
Mikhail Gorbachev: Former President of the Soviet Union, Nobel Peace Laureate, Cold War reformerand 20th‐century visionary. President Gorbachev will meet with Lindblad guests in St. Petersburg.
• The Baltics – Aug. 28 & Sept. 5, 2011
Lech Walesa: From electrician to Labor Leader to Nobel Prize winner to the elected President of Poland,he is fascinating and will visit with us in Gdarisk.
• The Baltics – Aug. 28 & Sept. 5, 2011
Elizabeth Kolbert: Journalist, Staff Writer for The New Yorker and Author of Field Notes from aCatastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change.
• Ice Bears – June 23, 2011
Robert Siegel: Senior host of NPR's award‐winning All Things Considered he has reported from all overWestern and Eastern Europe.
• European Odyssey, Sept. 19, 2011
John Evans: Member of an historic 10‐member expedition in 1966, sponsored in part by the NationalGeographic Society, which became the first to summit the highest point in Antarctica.
• Antarctica – Nov. 27, 2010
Peter Hillary: Born into mountaineering royalty. Summited the highest mountain on each of the sevencontinents, and established a new overland route to the South Pole.
• Antarctica, Dec. 7, 17 & 27, 2010
Tim Severin: Explorer, Historian, Author and Filmmaker; has literally travelled the legendary routes ofmyth and established maritime and exploration historic facts.
• Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands, Feb. 15, 2011
For reservations contact your travel agent or for additional information on Lindblad Expeditions'voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth visit www.expeditions.com or call1‐800‐EXPEDITION.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company that offers voyages in the Galápagos, Antarctica,Baja California, Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, Egypt, the Arctic and beyond. The company works in alliancewith the National Geographic Society to inspire travelers to explore and care about the planet. Aspioneers of global exploration, the organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marineexpedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. LindbladExpeditions has been named "#1 Small Ship for Families" and one of the best Small‐Ship Cruise Lines(Travel + Leisure's World's Best Value Awards 2009); "The Best Ships in the World" and "The BestItineraries" (Condé Nast Traveler: Truth in Travel Awards 2008 and 2006), and Conde Nast Traveler 2009Gold List for Cruise Lines.


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The LC connectors are highly popular within single mode networks. It is known for good performance and small size. LC connectors have a 1.25mm ferrule, approximately half the size of SC connectors. It?s also commonly referred to as the little connector. The LC connector is a small form factor (SFF) connector, which is designed to join LC fibers where a connection or disconnection is required.OM4 has a suggested jacket color of aqua. It is a further improvement to OM3. It too uses a 50?m core, but it supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up 550 meters and it supports 100 Gigabit Ethernet at lengths up to 150 meters. Laser optimized multi-mode fiber (LOMMF) is designed for use with 850 nm VCSELs.When weighing your options between on-premises and access network fiber replacement or new installation, we highly recommend replacing legacy OS1 with a new bend-insensitive OS2 (ITU-T G.657A1) SMF cabling system to support longer reach with enhanced link performance.
For other ultra-long-distance transmissions that employ exclusively C-band and L-band with optical amplifiers, refer to the ITU-T recommendations for the most appropriate SMF types.
Multi-mode fiber is typically cost effective for inside buildings or corporate campuses while single-mode is better suited for longer distance runs. Single-mode fiber can transmit over greater distances but typically requires more expensive equipment. Multi-mode is cost effective for installations where the lengths do not exceed a few hundred meters.The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies ? ICTs.
Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, we allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.


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Saturday, May 7, 2016
The Ottawa Locks
40 comments:
There's more green now but your trees still look rather bare. Your spring is off to a slow start!ReplyDelete
That will take some time to pass all the locks.ReplyDelete
Splendid shot. Greetings!ReplyDelete
Have you ridden through the locks? How long does it take? Such a feat on engineering for back in the day!ReplyDelete
I've never seen the locks empty before William, so interesting to see how they look before filling up!ReplyDelete
Some very cool photos, William...you won't see anything like that down this way.ReplyDelete
@Kay: it was a weird April. Some trees are.starting to have buds and tiny leaves, while others do tend to be late.ReplyDelete
@Marianne: there are quite a lot of locks in this spot. It is a considerable climb.
@Blogoratti: thank you!
@Janis: I have not. I think it takes an hour.
@Grace: it is, yes.Replies
I'll bet it would be fun to do!Delete
Excellent photos, William!ReplyDelete
Great photos! I see a little greener in recent photos but trees in the back look like needing warmer temperature :-)ReplyDelete
Locks are marvelous inventionsReplyDelete
Beautiful photos, William! :)ReplyDelete
The snow is gone now and soon it will be time for summer fun in your city.ReplyDelete
Locks and canals are completely foreign but fascinating for this prairie boy.ReplyDelete
@Lowell: no, but you've got gators!ReplyDelete
@Norma: thank you!
@Tamago: we're now getting warmer temperatures, which should be good for the tulips. The early starting trees are starting to show, while many trees are still bare.
@MB: they certainly are.
@Linda: thank you!
@Sharon: but starting with tulips first!
@Red: this one has a whole lot of history- been here nearly two centuries now.
And I've been through those locks! 16 years old, rollin` on the riverReplyDelete
Nice pix! Locks are so fascinating!ReplyDelete
I love visiting the various locks around here. Would really enjoy seeing the ones you have photographed.ReplyDelete
Still quiet there!ReplyDelete
Nice shot William. I have never have seen locks so this is a first.ReplyDelete
It is interesting to see the locks empty like that!ReplyDelete
@Cloudia: they're quite a set.ReplyDelete
@Cheryl: thanks!
@Lauren: I like seeing the similarities and differences of other canal systems.
@Marleen: it was a few days ago, though on the weekends it tends to get busier down below- people going down along the river or to the Bytown Museum.
@Bill: these are quite a regular sight to me.
@Red: the boating season should be starting up on the Victoria Day weekend, barring any unforeseen difficulties.
The first shot of the locks is wonderful, a great sight with beautiful light.ReplyDelete
Overhere the boating season already started, I had to wait for a bridge two times this week. Thats only the start ... ;-)
A fotografia é tão magnífica que nos convida a passear pelas margens deste belo canalReplyDelete
Um abraço amigo William
Excelentes fotografias e belo trabalho.ReplyDelete
Um abraço e bom fim de semana.
i just ask the hubby about where we have locks around here ... we have some in his old childhood neighborhood. thanks for getting the talking ball rolling. you have a great weekend!! ( ;ReplyDelete
Interesting shots William, that's a great perspective...ReplyDelete
Just came back from hiking along our local canal. Boat is already afloat.ReplyDelete
definitely nothing i see here. :)ReplyDelete
Nothing like this in none of the states where I have lived.ReplyDelete
Always fascinating to watch.ReplyDelete
I love this spot. Been many times.ReplyDelete
This canal is such a marvelous amenity for Ottawa.ReplyDelete
@Jan: I think a great many boaters will be anxious for the season to get started here.ReplyDelete
@Gracita: thank you!
@Francisco: thanks!
@Beth: I do know there are some canals your way.
@Geoff: thank you!
@Revrunner: I think ours will be underway on the Victoria Day weekend.
@Tex: one doesn't find much in the way of canals in Texas!
@Mari: it's quite an engineering feat here.
@Stefan: it is.
@Jennifer: it's a lively area.
@Jack: It definitely is.
Love the snow on one side and grass on the other photo. :)ReplyDelete
Beautiful, beautiful photos !!ReplyDelete
Strong compositions!ReplyDelete
Winter and Spring together :)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 12, 2016 at 4:55 PM
Awesome takes.ReplyDelete
@Debs: so do I.ReplyDelete
@Orvokki: thank you.
@Linda: thanks!
@Karl: I like that this time of year.
@Carolann: thanks!


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Lecture of material and processes of electrochemical energy storage and conversion and other lectures by Prof. R.-A. Eichel
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Actual themes for master- and Phd-thesis
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The Joint European Summer School (JESS) offers a comprehensive introduction into fuel cell, electrolysis and battery technology, whereby only one of the below given modules can be selected.
The summer school can be attended as an optional subject within the master of science class in chemistry (3 CP). The teaching language is English. Assessment of examination is performed at the end of the summer school, either as an oral or written exam (60 min).
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You can find offers for student research projects and theses here
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The IEK-9 day of electrochemistry focuses on basic issues of electrochemistry.Theoretical basics,characterization and evaluation methods, as well as concepts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage will be mainly dealt with.
The topics will be selected and presented by thePhd- students of IEK-9
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HiTEC is the joint graduate school of Forschungszentrum Jülich with RWTH Aachen University and other universities in the area of energy and climate research.
HiTEC theme days are designed to introduce graduate students insubject areas related disciplines and thus to support interdisciplinary collaborations.
The scientific topics are presented by scientists of the institute,as well as external experts.
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