text:
|This document is available in two formats: this web page (for browsing content) and PDF (comparable to original document formatting). To view the PDF you will need Acrobat Reader, which may be downloaded from the Adobe site. For an official signed copy, please contact the Antitrust Documents Group.
WHEREAS, plaintiff, the United States of America, having filed its Complaint in this action on May 25, 1999, and having filed amendments to the Complaint on June 8, 1999 (hereinafter the Complaint and the amendments to the Complaint are referred to collectively as "Complaint"), and plaintiff and defendants, by their respective attorneys, having consented to the entry of this Amended Final Judgment without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law herein, and without this Amended Final Judgment constituting any evidence against or an admission by any party with respect to any issue of law or fact herein, and that this Amended Final Judgment shall settle all claims made by the plaintiff in its Complaint;
AND WHEREAS, defendants have agreed to be bound by the provisions of this Amended Final Judgment pending its approval by the Court;
AND WHEREAS, the essence of this Amended Final Judgment is the prompt and certain divestiture of the identified software and associated assets to assure that competition is not substantially lessened;
AND WHEREAS, defendants have represented to plaintiff that the divestitures ordered herein can and will be made and that defendants will later raise no claims of hardship or difficulty as grounds for asking the Court to modify any of the divestiture provisions contained below;
AND WHEREAS, plaintiff currently believes that entry of this Amended Final Judgment is in the public interest;
NOW, THEREFORE, before the taking of any testimony, and without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law herein, and upon consent of the parties hereto, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED as follows:
This Court has jurisdiction over each of the parties hereto and over the subject matter of this action. Venue is proper in this Court. The Complaint states a claim upon which relief may be granted against defendants, as hereinafter defined, under Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 18).
As used in this Amended Final Judgment:
A. "Computer Associates" means defendant Computer Associates International. Inc., a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Islandia, New York, and includes its successors and assigns, subsidiaries, divisions, groups, affiliates, partnerships and joint ventures, and directors, officers, managers, agents, and employees.
B. "Platinum" means defendant PLATINUM technology International, inc., a Delaware corporation with its headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace. Illinois, and includes its successors and assigns, subsidiaries, divisions, groups, affiliates, partnerships and joint ventures, and directors, officers, managers, agents, and employees.
C. "Defendants" means, collectively or individually as the context requires, Computer Associates and/or Platinum.
D. "Acquirer" means acquirer or acquirers of any of the Platinum Assets ordered to be divested by Section IV.A of this Amended Final Judgment.
E. "Divested Product" means each of the following software products supplied by Platinum for use with the OS/390 or MVS mainframe operating system: (a) AutoSys/Zeke (formerly Altai's Zeke), (b) AutoRerun (formerly Altai's Zebb), (c) AutoMedia (formerly Altai's Zara), (d) CCC/Life Cycle Manager, each of the following software products supplied by Platinum for use with the VSE mainframe operating system, (e) AutoSys/Zeke (formerly Altai's Zeke), and (f) AutoAction (formerly Altai's Zack); and (g) the "CIMS product line," which includes CIMS MVS Resource Accounting System; CIMS UNIX/NT; CIMS MVS Capacity Planner; CIMS VSE; CIMS VMS; CIMS Desktop; CIMS Report Writer (Spectrum Writer); and all products related to any of the foregoing products in the CIMS product line. With respect to each of the foregoing, a Divested Product includes each predecessor version of the product and each version that has been or is currently under development or that has been developed but has not been sold or distributed. Any divestiture of Platinum's rights, titles and interests in the CIMS product line, pursuant to Section IV of this Amended Final Judgment, shall be subject to any rights held by CIMS Inc. as a result of the CIMS Distribution and Licensing Agreement, dated as of February 21. 1999, between PLATINUM technology IP, inc. and CIMS Inc.
F. "Platinum Assets" means all tangible and intangible property or property rights owned or licensed by Platinum and reasonably required in developing, testing, producing. marketing, licensing, selling, or distributing any Divested Product, or in supplying any support or maintenance services for any Divested Product. The Platinum Assets include all of Platinum's rights, titles and interests in any asset which Platinum has the right to convey, license, sublicense or assign. If Platinum's rights in any Platinum Asset are licensed under terms that would prevent it from conveying, licensing, sublicensing or assigning such rights to an Acquirer, defendants shall take no action (such as asserting or enforcing any exclusive rights included in Platinum's license of its rights to the asset) to bar the licensor of such asset from licensing rights in the asset to an Acquirer for use with any Divested Product, and defendants shall take all reasonable steps (including, but not limited to, promptly executing necessary documents or agreements with such licensor) to cooperate with and assist an Acquirer in obtaining such a license, provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent defendants from asserting or enforcing any exclusive rights possessed by Platinum to prevent an Acquirer from using such licensed assets other than with a Divested Product. The Platinum Assets include, but are not limited to:
A. The provisions of this Amended Final Judgment apply to defendants, their successors and assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, managers, agents, and employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them who shall have received actual notice of this Amended Final Judgment by personal service or otherwise. Defendants and each person bound by this Amended Final Judgment shall cooperate in ensuring that the provisions of this Amended Final Judgment are carried out.
B. The Trustee appointed pursuant to Section IV of this Amended Final Judgment shall require, as a condition of the divestiture of the Platinum Assets required herein, that each Acquirer agree to be bound by the provisions of this Amended Final Judgment.
A. Defendants are hereby ordered to divest the Platinum Assets to an Acquirer approved by the plaintiff in accordance with the terms of this Amended Final Judgment. Divestiture shall be accomplished by a trustee to be selected by plaintiff at its sole discretion. Defendants shall not object to the selection of the trustee on any grounds other than irremediable conflict of interest. Defendants must make any such objection within five (5) business days after plaintiff notifies defendants of the trustee's selection.
B. Only the trustee shall have the right to divest the Platinum Assets. The trustee shall have the power and authority to accomplish any and all divestitures at the best price then obtainable upon all reasonable efforts of the trustee, subject to the provisions of this Amended Final Judgment, and shall have such other powers as the Court shall deem appropriate. The trustee shall divest the Platinum Assets in the manner that is most conducive to preserving and maintaining competition that currently exists between Computer Associates and Platinum in the markets for the development, sale and maintenance of the mainframe software products described in the Complaint. Subject to Section IV.C. of this Amended Final Judgment, the trustee shall have the power and authority to hire at the cost and expense of Computer Associates any investment bankers, attorneys, or other agents reasonably necessary in the judgment of the trustee to assist in the divestitures, and such professionals and agents shall be accountable solely to the trustee. The trustee shall have the power and authority to accomplish the divestitures at the earliest possible time to a purchaser or purchasers acceptable to the United States, and shall have such other powers as this Court shall deem appropriate.
C. The trustee shall serve at the cost and expense of Computer Associates, on such terms and conditions as the plaintiff approves, and shall account for all monies derived from the sale of each asset sold by the trustee and all costs and expenses so incurred. After approval by the Court of the trustee's accounting, including fees for its services and those of any professionals and agents retained by the trustee, all remaining money shall be paid to Computer Associates and the trust shall then be terminated. The compensation of such trustee and of any professionals and agents retained by the trustee shall be reasonable in light of the value of the divested business and based on a fee arrangement providing the trustee with an incentive based on the price obtained and the speed with which divestiture is accomplished.
D. Defendants shall take no action to interfere with or impede the trustee's accomplishment of the divestiture of the Platinum Assets, and shall assist the trustee in accomplishing the required divestitures. The trustee and any consultants, accountants, attorneys, and other persons retained by the trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books, records, and facilities for the Platinum Assets, and to Platinum's overall businesses as is reasonably necessary to effectuate the divestiture. Defendants shall provide financial or other information relevant to the Platinum Assets customarily provided in a due diligence process as the trustee may reasonably request, subject to customary confidentiality assurances. Subject to customary confidentiality assurances, defendants shall permit prospective acquirers of any Platinum Assets to have reasonable access to the information provided to the trustee and to management personnel for the Platinum Assets, and to make inspection of any physical facilities for the Platinum Assets.
E. After the trustee's appointment, the trustee shall confer regularly with designated representatives of the parties and shall file biweekly reports with the parties and the Court setting forth the trustee's efforts to accomplish the divestitures ordered under this Amended Final Judgment; provided, however, that to the extent such reports contain information that the trustee deems confidential, such reports shall not be filed in the public docket of the Court. Such reports shall include the name, address and telephone number of each person who during the preceding period, made an offer to acquire, expressed an interest in acquiring, entered into negotiations to acquire, or was contacted or made an inquiry about acquiring, any interest in the business to be divested, and shall describe in detail each contact with any such person during that period. The trustee shall maintain full records of all efforts made to sell the businesses to be divested.
F. Any proposed divestiture of any of the Platinum Assets shall be accomplished in such a way as to satisfy plaintiff, in its sole discretion, that the Platinum Assets can and will be used by the Acquirer as part of a viable, ongoing business involving the sale or license of the Divested Products to customers, including a demonstration to plaintiffs satisfaction that (1) the divestiture is for the purpose of competing effectively in the selling of the Divested Products to customers; (2) the Acquirer has the managerial, operational, technical and financial capability and intent to compete effectively in the selling of the Divested Products to customers; and (3) none of the terms of any divestiture agreement gives defendants the ability artificially to raise the Acquirer's costs, impairs the Acquirer's ability to maintain or innovate with respect to any of the Divested Products, impairs the Acquirer's ability to support customers, or otherwise interferes with the ability of the Acquirer to compete effectively. Plaintiff may object to a proposed divestiture in the manner prescribed in Section VI of this Amended Final Judgment. Defendants shall not object to a divestiture by the trustee on any grounds other than the trustee's malfeasance. Any such objections by defendants shall be made in the manner prescribed in Section VI of this Amended Final Judgment.
G. If the trustee has not accomplished such divestitures within one hundred and twenty (120) days after its appointment, the trustee thereupon shall file promptly with the Court a report setting forth (1) the trustee's efforts to accomplish the required divestitures, (2) the reasons, in the trustee's judgment, why the required divestitures have not been accomplished, and (3) the trustee's recommendations for completing the required divestiture; provided, however. that to the extent such reports contain information that the trustee deems confidential, such reports shall not be filed in the public docket of the Court. No less than three (3) days prior to filing such report with the Court, the trustee shall furnish a copy of such report to the parties. Upon the filing of such report with the Court, each party shall have the right to be heard and to make additional recommendations consistent with the purpose of the trust. The Court shall thereafter enter such orders as it shall deem appropriate in order to carry out the purpose of the trust which may, if necessary, include extending the trust and the term of the trustee's appointment by a period requested by plaintiff, or entering an order divesting any or all of the Platinum Assets to such Acquirer and upon such terms as the Court deems appropriate.
Any agreement for divestiture of the Platinum Assets shall at minimum, convey the following:
A. All of Platinum's rights, titles and interests in all the Platinum Assets (subject to Subsection V.E. below and subject to any limitations on defendants' ability to convey, license, sublicense or assign any such rights, as described in Subsection II.F. above).
B. The full and complete assignment of rights under all customer licenses and maintenance agreements for the Divested Products, subject to pro-rated allocation of maintenance revenue as specified in Subsection II.F.(8) above; provided however, that in the event any such licenses or maintenance agreements also encompass other products or services, Acquirer shall not be entitled to receive any rights with respect to such other products or services.
C. The right to obtain the interface information relating to the integration of AutoSys/Zeke and AutoSys as it exists as of the date of the filing of the Complaint; and in the event interface information relating to any existing or future version of AutoSys under any name is made available to any software developer or vendor, the right to obtain such information by the same means and on the same terms and to the same extent as it is made available to such other software developer or vendor. No non-competition clause in or ancillary to any provision of such interface information that may impair the Acquirer's ability effectively to compete with defendants shall be enforceable in any court, except defendants may restrict the use of such interface information to establishing an interface between current and future versions of AutoSys/Zeke and current and future versions of AutoSys.
D. The right to negotiate, without interference by defendants, for the employment services of any of Platinum's employees who, prior to the announcement of the subject acquisition, had employment responsibilities relating to the Divested Products. If the Acquirer employs any such person, any employment-related non-competition clause, as it relates to the Divested Products, that runs in favor of defendants shall be unenforceable by defendants in any court, except for the persons identified on Exhibit 1 to the Amended Final Judgment, which is filed under seal.
E. At Acquirer's option, any tangible assets that are used in conjunction with the development, support or maintenance of the Divested Products, excluding defendants' interests in real property, fixtures and leases and shared equipment.
F. Such usual and customary warranties as are necessary to effect the purposes of the trust.
Two (2) days before proposing any divestiture, the trustee shall notify plaintiff and defendants of the proposed divestiture and proposed terms and conditions thereof. Defendants shall, within two (2) days after receiving such notice, have an opportunity to confer with the trustee and Acquirer, to state their opposition to terms and conditions that they consider to be inconsistent with this Amended Final Judgment, and to make such recommendations as to different or additional terms and conditions that they believe are consistent with this Amended Final Judgment. Within two (2) business days following execution of a definitive agreement, contingent upon compliance with the terms of this Amended Final Judgment, to effect, in whole or in part, any proposed divestiture pursuant to this Amended Final Judgment, the trustee shall notify plaintiff and defendants of the proposed divestiture. The notice shall set forth the details of the proposed transaction and list the name, address, and telephone number of each person not previously identified who offered to, or expressed an interest in or a desire to, acquire any ownership interest in the business to be divested that is the subject of the definitive agreement, together with full details of same. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by plaintiff of such notice, plaintiff in its sole discretion may request from defendants, the proposed Acquirer, or any other third party additional information concerning the proposed divestiture and the proposed Acquirer. Defendants and the trustee shall furnish any additional information requested from them within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the request, unless the parties shall otherwise agree. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the notice or within twenty (20) calendar days after plaintiff has been provided the additional information requested from defendants, the proposed Acquirer, and any third party, whichever is later, plaintiff shall provide written notice to defendants and the trustee stating whether or not it objects to the proposed divestiture. Any such notice objecting to a proposed divestiture shall state the reasons therefore. If plaintiff provides written notice to defendants and the trustee that it does not object, then the divestiture may be consummated, subject only to defendants' limited right to object to the sale under Section IV.F. of this Amended Final Judgment. Upon objection by plaintiff, the divestiture proposed under Section IV shall not be consummated. Any objection by defendants under Section IV.F. of this Amended Final Judgment must be conveyed in writing to plaintiff and the trustee within ten (10) calendar days after the trustee has provided the notice of execution of a definitive agreement required under this Section VI of this Amended Final Judgment. Upon such objection by defendants, the proposed divestiture shall not be consummated unless approved by the Court.
A. Within ten (10) calendar days of the filing of the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order in this matter, defendants shall deliver to plaintiff an affidavit which describes in detail all actions defendants have taken and all steps implemented on an on-going basis to preserve the Platinum Assets pursuant to Section VIII of this Amended Final Judgment and the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order entered by the Court. The affidavit also shall describe, but not be limited to, defendants' efforts to maintain the Platinum Assets as an active competitor, to maintain at current levels the management, staffing, sales, marketing and pricing of the Platinum Assets, and to commit resources, development and support to the Platinum Assets at a level not materially less than that committed prior to the announcement of Computer Associates' proposed acquisition of Platinum. Defendants shall deliver to plaintiff an affidavit describing any changes to the efforts and actions outlined in defendants' earlier affidavit(s) filed pursuant to this Section within ten (10) calendar days after such change is implemented.
B. Until one year after such divestiture has been completed, defendants shall preserve all records of all efforts made to preserve the Platinum Assets and to effect the ordered divestitures.
Until the divestitures required by the Amended Final Judgment have been accomplished, defendants shall take all steps necessary to comply with the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order entered by this Court. Defendants shall take no action that would jeopardize the divestiture of the Platinum Assets.
Computer Associates is ordered and directed not to finance all or any part of any divestiture to any person made pursuant to this Amended Final Judgment, or to enter into any agreement requiring or permitting the reporting to defendants of sales units or revenues of the products included in the Platinum Assets by the Acquirer or the payment of continuing royalties to defendants by the Acquirer.
For purposes of determining or securing compliance with the Amended Final Judgment and subject to any legally recognized privilege, from time to time:
A. Duly authorized representatives of the United States Department of Justice, upon written request of the Attorney General or of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division, and on reasonable notice to defendants made to their principal offices, shall be permitted:
B. Upon the written request of the Attorney General or of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division, defendants shall submit such written reports, under oath if requested, with respect to any matter contained in the Amended Final Judgment and the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order.
C. No information or documents obtained by the means provided in this Section shall be divulged by a representative of plaintiff to any person other than a duly authorized representative of the Executive Branch of the United States, except in the course of legal proceedings to which the United States is a party (including grand jury proceedings), or for the purpose of securing compliance with this Amended Final Judgment, or as otherwise required by law.
D. If at the time information or documents are furnished by defendants to plaintiff, defendants represent and identify in writing the material in any such information or documents to which a claim of protection may be asserted under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and defendants mark each pertinent page of such material, "Subject to claim of protection under Rule 26(c)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," then ten (10) calendar days notice shall be given by plaintiff to defendants prior to divulging such material in any legal proceeding (other than a grand jury proceeding) to which defendants are not a party.
Jurisdiction is retained by this Court for the purpose of enabling any of the parties to this Amended Final Judgment to apply to this Court at any time for such further orders and directions as may be necessary or appropriate for the construction or carrying out of this Amended Final Judgment, for the modification of any of the provisions hereof, for the enforcement of compliance herewith, and for the punishment of any violations hereof.
Unless this Court grants an extension, this Amended Final Judgment will expire upon the tenth anniversary of the date of its entry.
Entry of this Amended Final Judgment is in the public interest.
Dated: October 9, 1999
Pursuant to ORDER TO PLACE


text:
Get 15% OFF Your Next Order
The best deals come to your inbox. Sign up for GEMPLER'S emails to get exclusive offers and first dibs on hot new products!
Zip ties are ideal for securing fencing, cables, wiring, bags and more
These nylon zip ties feature finger grips for easy handling and allow the tie to be partially closed without engaging the pawl. The one-piece design, transition rails and teeth provide a low insertion force, while maintaining a high-tensile strength of 40 lb. 5"L. Pkg. of 1,000.
Specify color from the drop-down menu above.
View all fasteners
2018 Reference Guide: Page 376

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Polar Bear Plunge Postponed Due To Extreme Cold
The extreme cold weather that has put New Jersey into a deep freeze has forced one group to postpone its annual "Polar Bear Plunge" fundraising event until next weekend.
The event staged by the Rotary Club of Asbury Park was due to take place Sunday morning. Funds raised were to go toward restoring the Jersey Shore and supplying safe, quality corneas for transplant to poor patients in medically underserved countries.
But with temperatures in the low teens and wind chills expected to be in the single digits on Sunday morning, club officials said it wasn't safe for people to be at the beach in their bathing suits.
The event will now be held Feb. 2.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)


text:
I have cancer: Mark 'Chopper' Read reveals
UPDATE: INFAMOUS underworld legend Mark Chopper Read has terminal cancer.
Read said he has been given a worst-case diagnosis of just weeks to live.
Another doctor said he could last up to six years, but all agree he is at the end of the line.
Read has been in and out of hospital after haemorrhaging litres of blood.
The ex-crim turned author and artist has four cancerous tumours on his liver, which has to be drained to stop the toxins from reaching his brain and causing chemical delirium.
The one-time standover man, 58, has lost a lot of weight.
Read said he wasn't afraid to die, but did not want to die in a pool of his own blood.
He also blamed Jimmy Loughnan – a now dead criminal associate – for ruining any chance he had of a liver transplant.
Read said Loughnan stabbed him nine times in a prison fight, which was depicted in the Chopper film.
He has too much scar tissue around his liver to enable the operation.
Read said the toxins in his body could not be processed by his liver.
"Looks like the big C has finally bitten. Let's see how we go," Read tweeted this afternoon.
"I actually feel OK. Some more surgery in a couple of weeks and hopefully I'll be ready to rock' n roll after that."
He earlier tweeted: "Sorry I haven't been tweeting of late. Have been spending a bit of time in hospital for my liver."
Read worked as a standover man and was convicted of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping, arson, impersonating a police officer and attempted murder.
Read was sentenced to 13 years' jail for attempting to kidnap a County Court judge at gunpoint and spent only 13 months out of jail between the ages of 20 and 38.
In the past, he has claimed to have killed 19 people.
Read has been stabbed more than a handful of times, shot once, run over by a car, had a claw hammer embedded in his head, and was made to dig his own grave, and cut off his ears in prison.
Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read's chilling letters from Risdon Prison
He also wrote her chilling letters where he called himself a "no-eared monster" and asked where he should send the ransom note as he'd like to kidnap her one day.
Eighteen letters written by the infamous Australian underworld figure to Ms Brack will go under the hammer this weekend, along with other possessions of his such as an engraved lighter, at an auction house in Sydney.
The never-before-released letters were written by the notorious murderer to Ms Brack, a journalist, from his jail cell at Risdon Prison in Tasmania in 1992-3 where he was serving time for inflicting grievous bodily harm on bikie boss Sydney 'Sid' Michael Collins.
Despite protesting his innocence in these letters, Chopper eventually admitted to killing Collins in a chilling interview with 60 Minutes before his death from liver cancer in 2013.
"Believe it or not, I really didn't shoot sid Collins," he writes in his second letter to Ms Brack. "He was shot then driven to hospital thus saveing his life — Im spoced to have shot him then allowed him to be driven to hospital 'the milk of human kindness' does not run that thick through my vains — the fact that the nit wit was allowed to live should have crossed me off the suspect list' [sic]."
At the end of that second letter he signs off with "I never get angry".
But he seemed pretty angry by the third letter when the prosecution's case against him was looking solid: "I mean BIG Deal — sid collins lost a kidney — 'it's not Saturday night in Balfast'. – if I shot the prick — Id say so. – 'But I didn't shoot him' [sic]."
Ms Brack, who first met Chopper in 1992 when she filmed a news segment with him for the TV show Hard Copy, said "reading old letters from someone recently deceased feels a little strange, especially when they were written from prison by such a famous felon".
She had a terrifying meeting with Chopper, which included firing shots out the window from the car Ms Brack was riding in, and Chopper playing Russian roulette with a gun pointed at her head.
He recounts the incident in the letters: "You forgot to mention in your little story about the Drive out to the Clarendon arms Hotel at Evendale when I hing the Gun out the window and let 6 shots Go — the boys in the car behind — us — the camera crew loved that — I often wonder why I didn't kidnap you — I mean you wouldn't have told on me would you Ha Ha."
The letters continue in this manner over an 18-month period. As time goes on Chopper's menace and malice escalates, giving an insight into the effect prison life can have on an inmate's sanity.
"Chopper was given the term of 'at the Governor's Pleasure'," explains Ms Brack. "It's a tough sentence because there is no end date for a prisoner to work towards and it's usually given to the criminally insane."
In one of his last letters he called himself a "no-eared monster" and asks where he should send "the ransom note" as he'd "like to kidnap" Ms Brack one day.
As well as his downward mental spiral, the letters showcase the trademark sense of humour that earned Chopper his huge fan base, which ranged from everyday people to celebrities and gangsters.
Upon his 1998 release from prison, a series of best-selling books, live shows and an award-winning movie about his life secured Chopper's place in Australian pop culture history — whether people like it or not.
"One thing I can say, Chopper was consistent — consistently alternating between moments of truth and chunks of lies," Ms Brack said.
Now, 18 of Chopper's handwritten letters, a polaroid self-portrait, a Christmas card with a disturbing poem and his brass cigarette lighter engraved 'Mark Brandon Read 1000%' are going under the hammer at Theodore Bruce Auctioneers in Sydney on Sunday, March 30.
"I guess they'll go to a Chopper Read fan or collector of contemporary criminal memorabilia," Ms Brack said. "But there is satisfaction in knowing some chosen charities will benefit from the proceeds."
Mark Brandon Chopper Read
A.K.A.: "Chopper"
Classification: Murderer?
Characteristics: Member of "The Overcoat Gang" – Self-described vigilante slayer of criminals
Number of victims: 0 – 19
Date of murders: 1979 – 1991
Date of birth: November 17, 1954
Victims profile: Men
Method of murder: Several
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Status: Served 20+ years for assault and other felony counts. Released from prison in July 1997
Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read (born 17 November 1954), is an Australian ex-convict, author, and celebrity.
Early life
Read was born to an ex-army father and a mother who was a devout Seventh-day Adventist. He was placed in a children's home for the first five years of his life. Read grew up in the Melbourne suburbs of Collingwood, Thomastown, Fitzroy and Preston.
He was bullied at school, claiming that by the age of 15, he had been on the "losing end of several hundred fights", and his father, usually on his mother's recommendation, beat him often as a child. Read was made a Ward of the State by the age of 14 and was placed in several mental institutions as a teenager, where, he later claimed, he was subjected to electroshock therapy.
By his mid-teens, Read was already an accomplished street fighter and the leader of the Surrey Road gang. He began his criminal career by robbing drug dealers, based in massage parlours in the Prahran area. He later graduated to kidnapping and torturing members of the criminal underworld, often using a blowtorch or bolt cutters to remove the toes of his victims before killing them (hence the slang term Toe cutter, used for Head hunters).
While in Pentridge prison's H division in the late 1970s, Read launched a prison war. His gang, dubbed "The Overcoat Gang" because they wore long coats all year round to conceal their weapons, were involved in several hundred acts of violence against a larger opposing gang during this period.
Around this time, Read had a fellow inmate cut both of his ears off in order to be able to leave H division temporarily. While in his early biographies Read claimed this was to avoid an ambush by other inmates, by being transferred to the mental health wing, his later works state that he did so to "win a bet". However the nickname "Chopper" was given to him long before this, from a childhood cartoon character. Several other members of Read's gang also cut off their own ears in a similar fashion after this incident.
Read was ambushed and stabbed by members of his own gang in a sneak attack, when they felt his plan to cripple every other inmate in the entire division and win the gang war in one fell swoop was going too far. Another theory is that James "Jimmy" Loughlan and "Blue" wished to benefit from a contract put on Chopper's head by the Dockers. Read lost several feet of bowel and intestine in the attack. Ironically, Jimmy Loughnan was a longtime friend of Read's. Read was, at the time, serving a 17-year sentence after attacking a judge in an effort to get Loughnan released from prison.
Read once claimed to have served two years for GBH starting in 1978 after attacking a local pimp and drug pusher who was attempting to force a 13-year-old schoolgirl into prostitution, claiming "It was worth it."
Described variously as witty, charismatic, sadistic, and frightening, Read admits to being involved in the killing of 19 people and a further 11 attempts. Many of his associates in the underworld claim that Read is prone to making up numbers to increase his own notoriety and the sales of his books. Read himself has stated on numerous occasions that he would "never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn."
Convicted of crimes including armed robbery, firearm offenses, assault and kidnapping, Read spent 13 months outside prison between the ages of 20 and 38, then went on to become a successful author of crime novels, selling in excess of 500,000 copies of his works. More recently, he has also found success as a recording artist.
In 2005, Read embarked on a tour of Australia performing a series of shows titled I'm Innocent with Mark "Jacko" Jackson and later toured Sydney in a stage show with a new co-star, former Detective Roger "The Dodger" Rogerson.
In 2001, Read was featured in an advertisement on behalf of the Pedestrian Council of Australia warning of the dangers of drunk driving. Read is seated at a kitchen table undoing his shirt and, while pointing to the numerous scars and injuries on his body, says:
"When I was in prison… I got slashed in the face… my ears cut off…..my eyebrows trimmed and a butcher's knife here, an icepick here – NOT FUN AT ALL, etc… If you drink and drive and you're unfortunate enough to hit somebody, you ought to pray to God that you don't go to prison."
In 2006, Read appeared in another commercial speaking out against domestic violence. On 13 March 2006, he released a rap album titled Interview with a Madman. He also appeared in the 2002 Australian comedy Trojan Warrior.
Read allowed use of his name to Australia's heaviest alcoholic lager called "Chopper Heavy". The beer is produced in Rutherglen, Victoria, a town associated with Australia's most notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly.
Mark made the headlines again, on December 15, 2008, after being questioned by police about an alleged incident in Johnson St Collingwood. Read was attacked by a tomahawk-wielding man he claimed he had never met before. Read said, "I ran to the panel beaters and grabbed a steel pipe and he jumped into a car and nicked off." Read suffered a minor injury to his arm after being hit with the blunt end of the tomahawk. Read was questioned by detectives at Richmond CIU before being released without charge. His alleged attacker has not been found.
Personal life
Read married Australian Taxation Office employee Mary-Ann Hodge in 1995 while imprisoned in Risdon Prison in Tasmania for the shooting of his friend Sidney Collins. The marriage produced one child, Charlie. They later divorced in 2001. On 19 January 2003, he married long-time friend Margaret Cassar. They have one son, Roy Brandon.
He contracted Hepatitis C during his time in prison through using a blood-stained shaver. Read revealed in March 2008 that he only has two to five years to live and requires a liver transplant, which he has refused, saying he does not want to take away a liver from a more deserving recipient.
Bestselling author
Read's first book, Chopper: From the Inside, was collected from letters he sent while incarcerated in Melbourne's Pentridge Prison and published in 1991. It contains tales and anecdotes of his criminal and prison exploits. Further biographical releases followed in a similar vein. However, with the advent of Chopper 5: Pulp Faction, Read began writing fictional tales based on his experiences of criminal life. Attempts were made to ban a children's book written by Read titled Hooky the Cripple.
The 2000 film Chopper, starring Eric Bana as Read, was based on stories from Read's books and independent research, leading to events portrayed on screen which somewhat contradicted Read's version of events. For instance, Read claimed in early books to be vehemently against drugs, but the film portrays him as a casual drug user. In response, Read stated, "You have to have tried something to be able to say you hate it."
Bana has agreed to play Read again in the sequel to Chopper. Read has refused to deny reports that he will have a cameo in the film.
Chopper: From the Inside (1991), ISBN 0-646-06543-2
Chopper 2: Hits and Memories (1992), ISBN 0-646-10987-1
Chopper 3: How to Shoot Friends & Influence People (1993), ISBN 0-646-15444-3
Chopper 4: For the Term of His Unnatural Life (1994), ISBN 0646210149
Chopper 5: Pulp Faction: Revenge of the Rabbit Kisser and Other Jailhouse Stories (1995), ISBN 0-646-25065-5
Chopper 6: No Tears for a Tough Guy (1996), ISBN 0-646-29637-X
Chopper 7: The Singing Defective (1997), ISBN 0-646-33923-0
Chopper 8: The Sicilian Defense (1998), ISBN 0-9586071-0-9
Chopper 9: The Final Cut (1999), ISBN 0-9586071-4-1
Chopper 101⁄2: The Popcorn Gangster (2001), ISBN 0-9579121-0-2
Hooky the Cripple: The Grim Tale of a Hunchback Who Triumphs (2002), ISBN 1-86403-165-4
The Adventures of Rumsley Rumsfelt (2003), ISBN 0-9579121-7-X
Chopper 11: Last Man Standing: From Ex-Con to Icon (2007)
Interview with a Madman (2006)
Public commentary and political views
Read has made public comment about a number of criminal cases, including the Ivan Milat backpacker murder and the Port Arthur massacre. He has frequently appeared on radio and television talk shows to promote his books and discuss his views on many issues. For a short period of time, he also had a column in Ralph magazine. He also was a regular columnist for the British magazine FHM. He currently has a column in Zoo Weekly.
His success in selling tales of his criminal past, and a number of recent attempts by other criminals to do likewise, has prompted widespread calls to amend the Federal Proceeds of Crime Bill (2001)—which confiscates the proceeds of drug deals and robberies—to also apply to indirect proceeds of crime, including book sales, TV appearances, and the like. Read has described his political beliefs as "to the right of Genghis Khan". In his book Chopper 2, he lists American conservative G. Gordon Liddy and Bruce Ruxton, a critic of Australia's immigration policies and leader of the Victorian RSL, as his political heroes.
Cultural references
A fictionalized version of Read was recently featured in several sketches on The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. Some of these sketches, such as "Harden The F*ck Up!", have gained a kind of cult following among Read's fans in Australia and across the world. Chopper was portrayed by Heath Franklin. Read has praised Franklin's exaggerated impression, although he believes that Franklin is actually impersonating Eric Bana's film portrayal of Chopper, rather than Read himself.
Acclaimed science fiction author William Gibson based a character (Keith Blackwell) in the final two books of his Bridge trilogy on Read. In the second book of the trilogy, Idoru, Gibson wrote in his acknowledgments:
"Anything I know about the toecutting business, I owe to the criminal memoirs of Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read (Chopper from the inside, Sly Ink, Australia, 1991). Mr. Read is a great deal scarier than Blackwell, and has even fewer ears."
The 2000 film Chopper, starring Eric Bana as Read, was based on stories from Read's books and independent research, leading to events portrayed on screen that somewhat contradicted Read's version. For instance, Read claimed in early books to be vehemently against drugs, but the film portrays him as a casual drug user. In response, Read stated, "You have to have tried something to be able to say you hate it."[citation needed]
Personal life
Read married Australian Taxation Office employee Mary-Ann Hodge in 1995 while imprisoned in Risdon Prison in Tasmania for the shooting of Sidney Collins. The couple had one child, Charlie, and divorced in 2001. On 19 January 2003, he married long-time friend Margaret Cassar. They have one son, Roy Brandon.
Read contracted Hepatitis C during his time in prison through allegedly using a blood-stained shaver.In March 2008 he revealed he only has two to five years to live and requires a liver transplant. However, he has refused to countenance this, stating, "A transplant would save me, but why would anybody give 53-year-old Chopper Read a liver over and above an 11-year-old girl with liver cancer? They wouldn't – and I wouldn't ask. I need a transplant, but I don't want a transplant."[7] He discussed this again in August 2009, when he was interviewed on ABC Local Radio and was quoted as saying "I haven't had a drop of alcohol for 18 months, I have cirrhosis of the liver… there's no cure for that"
Personal bodyguard
In 1998, Read met his bodyguard, Mark "Hammer" Dixon, after Read's release from Risdon prison in Tasmania. Working as a driver and body guard for Read's friend and colleague in crime, Charles "Mad Charlie" Hegyalji, Dixon eventually become Read's most trusted ally. In the March 2003, Read was travelling the country doing paid appearances and ended up in a venue where security was run by Dixon. After finishing a show and exiting to the car park with his entourage, a disgruntled patron ran at Read brandishing a claw hammer. Dixon threw himself in the line of the hammers blow and then neutralized the attacker. As a result, Dixon became Read's full-time bodyguard. http://www.markhammerdixon.com/
"Never Plead Guilty"
I am Mark Brandon Read, but most characters like to call me "Chopper." There are a few obscure theories as to how I got my nickname, some reckon it is from an old cartoon, some say it is because I use to cut off the toes of others, while there are those that say it is because I had someone cut my ears off in jail. Maybe they are all right! Maybe they are all wrong! Who really cares.
For the record, it is because someone cut my ears off when I was in Melbourne's elite bluestone college – more commonly known as Pentridge. For some insane reason, some upstanding members of that institution were out to hurt me. I summoned all my manners to politely suggest to the screws that I be transfered from H division. They declined and said there was no way I would be getting a transfer, so I made the simple decision that ears off = transfer. Believe me, it works.
Note – For those that think this webpage is going to cover all the little intricate details and stories of my love, that I have told in my book…keep dreaming. If you want to know details about my life and why I am what I am, I suggest that you buy my books. I haven't busted my hump for hour upon hour just to shoot myself in the foot now and give it all to you for free. No, no, no, that would be quite ridiculous. Instead, this site will be my initial foray into the cyber world. Here I can sell products and provide you with details of what is happening in my immediate life. It is my international address, my very own "Chopper command centre" if you will.
Now the Chopper movie is another little fable which in principle resembles my life. It is a mixture of fact and fiction and at times a bit of friction, but one character from that movie does exist. His name is Nevile Bartos. Now I have known Neville for 25 years. Neville has saved my hide numerous times and without doubt if he hadn't been around, I wouldn't either. I know that Melbourne has its hard and tough men, as does every other place in the world, but this man is the "THE KING". Now Neville is an Albanian and for those of you with a little knowledge about war, you would know that the Russians for many years, used Albanians as their assassins. These people are totally loyal and totally dangerous. Let's just say Neville is no exception.
Neville "gold shoes" Bartos, what an old chestnut. I don't want to step on any toes, but as the name suggests this man has done to attire, what Jack the Ripper did to late night shopping. I mean, any more gold on this man's shoes, and it would be Australia's second gold rush. I don't know to whom he poses the greatest threat, to certain individuals or to the fashion industry. His fashion sense, shoes particularly, are…well…..interesting to say the least!
Below is a little photo of my home for many years. Coburg's very own Bluestone College. Now this was a true institution, bigger than Eton, Oxford or Harvard. This was excruciatingly hard work.
I have lived a different life of sorts. I am 48 years old and have spent 23 years in jail. A movie based on my life, funnily enough called Chopper, was made in 2000. Since my last visit as a guest of her Royal Majesty in Tasmania's "Big House" Risdon Prison, I have entered my "second life." This has seen me unload my guns (including pistol, shotgun and a few childish goodies such as gellagnite and grenades), empty my holsters and make the obvious and common step of turning from Australia's most notorious underworld hitman (….alleged…..) to an international media mogul of sorts.
As Australia's most credentialed crime novelist I have released 10 best-selling crime books, 1 children's book, made a television commercial for the Pedestrian Council of Australia which won a Gold Lion at the Cannes International Festival, have done numerous television and radio interviews and I have released my own music CD's – including the latest rap extravaganza – Machete. Please allow me to add – I have also had my portrait entered into the Archibald Prize 4 years running – Who said crime doesn't pay. I now have two things in common with Van Gogh. My books are also the most shoplifted in Australia – quite a unique little honour. Before I move on, I should not forget, I am just like most of you – I am also a devout beer connoisseur
Yes I am Mark Brandon Chopper Read – "Star of the Underworld,"- and after 23 years in jail and having been Australia's most notorious underworld hitman, I am finally starting to get recognition. Do not get me wrong, I am just a regular bloke who, through his own means, has tried to do his bit for society.
All this. It's a bit of a joke isn't it? I'd be quite silly to take all this seriously wouldn't I? I'd get quite carried away with myself. I often sit back and just have a little giggle at the whole thing, because someone like me just isn't meant to make it like this. Society has a little hierarchical structure where only people from affluent backgrounds, or learnid individuals, succeed. I just thought to hell with all of this, I'm doing it my way.
All of this, and I have never worked an honest day's labour in my life. Aaaahhh, the Great Australian Dream, who said it is hard to achieve.
But don't get me wrong, for a one time toe-cutter, knee-capper and killer of 19 men (in my lighter moments), swapping my four ten for a HB2.0 is not without its price. It could happen someday, that someone asks me for my autograph and while I'm busying myself with the pen, they put a bullet in my head. Not really a desirable outcome for me is it!
Even though history has been quoted as saying "the pen is mightier than the sword," I would still prefer the sword, plus a pistol, shotty and dynamite. I have often been heard likening myself to a leopard. They never changes their spots, they just get older. My spots haven't changed, I have just gotten older and the spots have slightly faded. I'll never change. I'll always be the same person I always was. It's just that I don't do the things I used to do. After all, even you must admit, they are a little naughty.
Now the movie has me saying "…who said crime doesn't pay…." I must take this opportunity to ask you fine citizens, you little students of life, if you have heard of the "Chopper Read amendments" to both the New South Wales and Victorian laws. These "do-as-we-like" governments have approved new legislation to stop criminals from earning royalties from books and movies about their offences. If you don't mind officer, passing new laws at will, purely to stop profiteering from crime. What a truly dastardly deed. Is this aimed purely at me?……every criminal?…………who? I think to ensure thoroughness, this law should be made retrospective. Then all Henry Lawson's (Australia's great poet) books can be removed from every library and burned, because after all, he did a hell of a lot of his writing while he was in Darlinghurst Prison. I mean the philosophy behind some of these decisions is ridiculous and quite small minded.
This new legislation allows Crown prosecutor's to take legal action to seize all profits from such a venture. It would then go into a fund for victims of crime. Victims of crime? Victims of "bloody" crime, bye gosh, what they don't stop to realise is that I've only maimed and injured those that deserve it – hardened criminals. I've made half of these bloody crims rich, as they have successfully applied for moneys as a victim of crime. Now they intend to make the coffers even bigger. Another of life's little irony's. Bizarre in every sense. I guess that is what makes this country so great. Victims of crime?…Unreal. Why don't they introduce something like the victims of fame. I would find this to be quite fantastic!
You may agree that my life has been quite extraordinary. I don't condone what I have done, but it is in the past and I can't do anything to change it now. However, I can use my experience to inform every single person who views this site, whether they are holier than thou or have done some pretty nasty things in their life, you have the opportunity to change direction. This doesn't mean you change who you are, but you can redirect your life and make something of it. I am speaking from experience. It takes a big man to stand up for himself in any circumstance, but it takes even a bigger man to look at himself in the mirror and say I don't like what I am doing with my life and I'm gonna change it, then follow it through.
Please enjoy my site and provide some feedback on what you would like to see. There is also a products page where you can get some gear you won't find anywhere else in the world. So surf away and cough up some cold hard Stan Cash. For now…….Via Con Dios, Amigos.
"My History"
My early days were spent in the northern Melbourne suburbs of Thomastown, Preston and Collingwood. I was never the toughest kid at school, often being bullied and bashed, but this only strengthened my resolve. From being stood over, to becoming the standover man, my my, what a change. Evolution I suppose.
As a little tacker I was given repeated shock and drug therapies to correct a learning difficulty. Did this tame a monster or create a monster? Neither because I am not a monster. Killed 19, hurt many, caused much property damage – I have never hurt any innocent characters. This should be remembered.
My apprenticeship in crime began in the 1970s. This had me robbing massage parlours and taking on contracts to maim and kill rivals. Once I had obtained a doctorate as a "standover man", robbing drug dealers and other criminals, who funnily enough couldn't report me to the police, became childs play. I once told a friend "why rob a straight guy of $20 when you can rob a drug dealer of $10,000 and he can't go running to the police?" After all both involved some work on my behalf, but the man in the street was less likely to give up his $20 as he had to work hard for it. For the drug-dealers it came easy, so why would they put up a fight. Although some of my victims chose to chew razor blades (at their own request of course), before they would hand over cash? And I am the psychopath!
I've had my fair share of incidents and on several occassions I have nearly met our maker. I've been stabbed, shot, run over, and was once digging my own grave before I used the shovel as a meat cleaver. Let's just say that somone is in that grave and their skeleton is rotting under many autumns of falling leaves somewhere on a Victorian mountain – it ain't me.
People often ask me is the scene from the Chopper movie, where I get stabbed 7 times, true. Of course it is, anybody knows that, or is that anybody that has been stabbed 7 times, Ha Ha. Yes, I did get stabbed seven times and that stabbing scene was very true because you don't feel the wound right away. You could probably liken it to winning Tattslotto – you've got the winning ticket right there in front of you, but although it has happened you wouldn't believe it. Meanwhile, someone like me might come in and steal the ticket. This is not true, I would not condone such a hainus crime. Anyway, in relation to my stabbing, I tried my utmost to be polite and complimented the offender for his sneaky approach.
Chopper, the movie, is 100% lies and 100% truth rolled together to make 100% of nothing. Despite the movie apparently portraying my life and being a box office hit – the first ever adults only movie to go number 1 at the box office – I didn't get anything out of the movie, not even a ticket to its premiere or a ticket to the AFI (Australian Film Industry) awards. I signed all my money from the movie, over to the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne – instead of taking lives I am now saving them, yet even it has not formally acknowledged my donation. Also it greatly annoyed me that I was portrayed as a woman basher and that my new wife, Margaret, did not even rate a mention in the movie. However, the movie has resulted in two of my books being published in Britain and I have been gratiously informed that U2's Bono played the film to bring on his wife's labour – just fantastic isn't it. But…..does this make me a co-parent?
As I said, the movie turned me into a world wide figure, as confirmed by an article written by Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times in July 2001:
Is everyone in Australia a few degrees off from true north? You can search in vain through the national cinema for characters who are ordinary or even boring; everyone is more colorful than life. If England is a nation of eccentrics, Australia leaves it at the starting line. Chopper Read is the latest in a distinguished line that includes Ned Kelly, Mad Max, and Russell Crowe's Hando in "Romper Stomper." The fact that Chopper is real only underlines the point.
A few degrees off north, well Australia is bloody miles of north actually, if truth be quoted. I think he is simply upset about Australia II's victory in the 1983 America's Cup. America's Cup, America's Cup, the Australians said excuse us for just a minute, that would look very nice on our trophy cabinet…Yes, yes it would, that you very much…..we think we will take that.
I have been convicted of armed robberies, a shooting, assault and kidnapping a judge. Between the ages of 20 and 38, I had a measily 13 months on the outside. This was my equivalent to the annual leave that most people get through work.
As reported, I do have a phenomenal ability to withstand pain, often to my detriment. This ability, combined with my desire to get a transfer from Pentridge, convinced me to get a fellow inmate to slice off my ears with a razorblade – just insane stuff really. Little did I know that this would later result in another of life's little ironies. A few years ago I was recruited by some character from Black Flys sunglasses to help promote their products here in Australia. Great, how was I meant to keep the bloody things on?
Pentridge always had its lighter moments and there are numerous stories. In prison I made others chew razor blades while I ate their food and it has been alleged that I use to blowtorch feet so that they smelled like a cross between burnt hair and roast pork. What a fancyful story, by the way have you seen the cover of my book Chopper 10 1/2, The Popcorn Gangster.
In five years at Pentridge, I was alleged , to have attacked 63 men and tried to kill 11. Who invents these numbers, 6311 is my ATM P.I.N number. Their is another story that I would like to set straight. When I had my stomach slit by convicted murderer, Greg "Bluey" Brazel during a prison brawl in 1979. The next day I burst my stiches doing push ups to get fit enough for a revenge attack on Brazel. To this day I cannot believe that I did all those push-ups, the stomach didn't hurt, but the arms ached like hell.
With nothing much to do in Pentridge, aside from hurt someone here or there, it was the place where I learned to read and write. Little did I know, that spending some times learning these artful crafts, would inevitably keep me alive in the long run.
Tip – A little trick I have learned and am willing to pass on to you, comes from when I was freed from jail in 1986. Being a bit short of cash and with jobs hard to come by, I began demanding money from fellow criminals. And the unusual part is I here you asking? ….I use to strap a stick of gelignite to my chest and threaten to blow us both up if they didn't pay up. I can't believe I ever had the audicity. I also can't believe that it always worked.
In terms of a crime that brought me to the public attention, the 1987 shooting of the drug dealer, Siam "Sammy the Turk" Ozerkam, outside Bojangles Nightclub in St Kilda, Melbourne, is an out and out winner. It was as big a hit as the movie about me, which would come out 13 years later. As I've said in my books, it was quite a simple series of events "….I've pulled the shotty out and gone bang and it's bye, bye Turk." It was far from a case of cold-blooded murder, instead it was an act of instinctive self-defence.
It was when I was in jail in 1990, that I made my first steps towards being an author. It all began when I wrote a note to journalist Mr John Silvester after he wrote a derogatory article about me in Melbourne's "The Age" newspaper. In short my note wished him a merry Christmas and it expressed my hope that his house would burn down. That reminds me of a little story about Nick "The Greek" Apostolidis, but you'll have to read my books for that one – but I digress. I wrote around 300 letters in eight months to Mr Silvester, then he and his colleague Andrew Rule edited these letters to create my first book. They hoped it would sell 5000 copies, possible 10,000 and they told me that if things went well, I might end up with a used car. A used car…I'm sure I could park that in the cell with me. Regardless of their "big" plans, my first book has run to more than 120,000 copies, but these cheeky scallywags have yet to give me that used car. Maybe its time to come good on my promise to Mr Silvester…John, your thoughts?
In 1992, the former president of the Victorian Outlaws Sid Collins, was shot in the stomach with a 9mm bullet at point-blank range. To my shock he had the audacity to claim that I had pulled the trigger. Please why would I do such a thing, an unspeakable act. As my lawyer so vehmently claimed, Sid obviously framed me because the real gunman was a fellow motorcycle gang member. Anyway as a result I was sent to jail again. The story of my life. Why is it that for someone with such a reputation both in and out of the underworld, I was so unsuccessful at staying out of jail. Unfortunately, Sid has now been murdered. Of course I was questioned by some big time New South Wales policeman. This is quite bizarre, as I clearly was not in the area at the time of the alleged crime, but these policeman came down at the same time as Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival. Their questions where quite basic, elementary really….so why question me? Anyway I wonder if they know who won Race 5 on Cup Day. A quite opportune time for them, possibly?
In 1995 after a year-long engagement, I married Mary-Ann Hodge whilst in Risdon. Mary-Ann is an attractive and educated woman employed with the Australian Taxation Office. She read one of my books and shortly after came to visit me in Risdon. At that stage I was being held in maximum security indefinitely after I was deemed to be a dangerous criminal. In 1998 my dangerous criminal tag was overturned and Mary-Anne and I moved to a farmhouse at Richmond, Tasmania.
We have a child together, a boy, who we called Charlie, named after my long time and now deceased mate 'Mad' Charlie Hegyalji. Our marriage (Mary-Ann and I) went great guns for a while, but it broke up in 2001. Life in Tasmania was just too slow. I couldn't handle watching chickens and sheep running around day after day. Farming life wasn't for me, so I left with just the clothes on my back and enough money to get out of Tasmania. I returned to Melbourne and have since married Margaret Casser on 19 January 2003. I have known Margaret for 30 years. As we are still on talking terms, I feel that 30 years should be enough to guarantee a happy future. Anybody else out there that has married someone after they have known them for 30 odd years, please don't tell me now that it doesn't work.
As noted on my homepage, this site is far from an exhaustive fable of my life, instead you'll have to read the books for this. This site is instead a more interactive environment where I can provide you real time information, including interviews, photos and products. If you think that something should be added, or that I should link to your site drop me a line and I may consider it. For now……….Via Con Dios, Amigos.
Chopper – Who Loves Ya, Baby?
The Age August 13, 2007
Cinema has long conditioned us to have a soft spot for criminals.
From The Defiant Ones to The Godfather to Dog Day Afternoon to Scarface to GoodFellas to the numerous film versions of Ned Kelly, the common theme running through them all is that crime breeds charisma. Yes, these uneducated thugs may be impulsive and violent and happy to shoot somebody over a misheard drink order, but they also have an undeniable charm.
Such is the case with Mark Brandon Read – aka Chopper – the famous ex-crim who has become a folkloric figure both in the Underworld and in that other world where the rest of us reside.
The Fine Art of Self-Promotion
Read has long known the appeal flamboyant crims can have for straight-living citizens – and he has proved himself a master at cultivating it.
He has produced a series of best-selling, well-written crime books, Read is an artist of considerable repute and he has delighted in spicing up TV news features about Melbourne's crime scene with witty observations that often highlight how movie gangsters provide the template for today's modern criminal. Read laughs at how foolish they are for thinking they are in a movie. We agree, and laugh with him. His appeal doubles.
And Read, of course, is one-up on most Australian gangsters by having had a major film made about him. Chopper, starring actor Eric Bana as Read, came out in 2000 and has enjoyed great success, both here and overseas.
Although Read was not allowed to make any money from the film, he was certainly happy to help out. He gave Bana extensive notes and pointers about what his life was like in and out of prison. Also, Read provided a compelling audio commentary for the DVD release of the film. There might not have been a cent in it for him, but Read seemed happy to participate in a film that would enhance, if not glorify, his legend.
He also performs live shows with other figures of note, such as football great Mark "Jacko" Jackson and notorious NSW cop Roger Rogerson. In these shows Read relates tales from his life for the amusement of a paying audience.
Crime Pays – Or Does It?
But Read has fallen on hard times. A recent report on Channel Nine's Sunday program (airdate 15 July) detailed his financial woes, his uncharacteristically dour mindset and his brooding resentment for those who have made a dollar from his name.
Much of this ire is directed at comedian Heath Franklin, whose over-the-top Chopper impersonation has become the highlight of the popular skit comedy show The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. If somebody is getting big laughs from spoofing Chopper, Read contends, he deserves royalties.
In fairness to Franklin – and to be completely accurate – his is not an impersonation of Chopper Read as much as it is an impersonation of Eric Bana as Chopper Read. The bulk of the gags, mannerisms and references in Franklin's act are clearly derived from the heightened, dramatised film version of Read.
Indeed, the film has become such a pop-cultural reference point it was adapted into a hilarious animated short film by Bernard Derriman, which featured at the short film festival Tropfest in 2001, where it won first prize in the comedy category. Read has yet to register his opinion of it.
The Real Read
Beneath his self-sculpted celebrity and media-friendly persona Read, of course, has a history of violence. He has killed many times and has often bragged about his deeds, most infamously on TV in 1998 when he appeared on the McFeast Live program. (During his lengthy interview with host Libbi Gorr, it became clear that Read was completely intoxicated. The show never recovered from the controversy that followed.)
Key to Read's appeal, though, is his contention that he has never inflicted violence on anybody who didn't deserve it. The innocent have never been in his sights. This is a point stressed both in the film and by Read himself on the DVD commentary track.
He describes one incident where he was about to shoot somebody, but saw there was a child sleeping in the same room. Concerned about the deafening effects the blast from the gun could have on the child's hearing, Read promptly escorted his victim into another room and shot him there.
Chopper versus Mark Brandon Read
Read's appearance on the Sunday report presents a poser. While he seems genuinely down on his luck, Read's media savvy suggests that his hapless aura is a performance designed to elicit public sympathy. For why else would he make his private financial woes public?
The report certainly points out the difference in Read's demeanour – from the cocksure charismatic joker to the hard-done-by family man – and the reporter challenges him over his confessed inability to manage money. "I should not have been allowed anywhere near a credit card," Read says.
Later, while bemoaning the discrepancy between the media image of "Chopper" and the more down-to-Earth "Mark Brandon Read" – as he now prefers to be called – he says: "Why people have this image in their minds is beyond me." A most curious statement, given his authorship of that image.
To watch the 22-minute Sunday report on Read go here. For a series of Chopper skits from The Ronnie Johns Half Hour go here. (Note: These items contain very coarse language.) For a review of the Chopper DVD go here. For a directory of stories about Read's art works, go here. To see a promo for the Chopper animated short go here.
Does Mark Brandon Read have a case for sympathy? Is he being exploited, as he claims? Does he deserve royalties, or should he have thought of trade-marking his name a long time ago? Did the film glorify him? What do you think about Read and the "Chopper industry"?


text: These strange-looking seed fruits are back in vogue as health-giving super-foods, particularly in juice form. The fruits are rich in antioxidants, which prevent LDL cholesterol from doing its damage, and it helps prevent blood clots by keeping blood platelets from clumping together. Pomegranates may also help reduce the risk of breast cancer and lessen the symptoms of arthritis.


text:
Notice of Lien & Foreclosure
604 Park Avenue
Cranston RI 02910
This demand for cash payment or certified funds payment is made relative to the following:
3330-Jesse Sweetloice-$481.00
You must pay the balance due by April 1, 2012. Additional costs will be incurred if payment is further delayed. Should you fail to comply, an owner's lien will be imposed and the property you stored with us will be advertised for sale and sold at public auction on April 25, 2012. Such auction will be held at the address shown above to satisfy our lien.
3/22, 3/29, 4/5/12


text:
During its existence, the Festival was awarded the highest audience recognition. Among the guest stars of the past years artists the best companies in the world: the Royal ballet Covent garden, Bolshoi theatre of Russia, La Scala, English national ballet, Ballet of Monte Carlo, Mariinsky theatre, National ballet of Bordeaux, the National ballet of the Netherlands, Staatsballet Berlin, National ballet of Korea, Ballet of the Vienna state Opera, the Azerbaijani theatre of Opera and ballet, the Norwegian national ballet, Dresden state Opera Ballet, Dortmund ballet, etc.
Today the theatre «the Kremlin ballet» is the highest and cherish the culture of classical dance is a troupe with a unique creative person and distinctive artistic style.


text:
One of the most striking things about Italy is that every place you go has a unique and wondrous set of characteristics. A vacation along the Amalfi Coast is vastly different from a tour of Venice, which when compared to Rome seems like another world. For such a relatively small country, il bel paese packs a huge tourism punch.
Multi-city packages
Guided Tours
Package inclusions
More details
Few places in the world can beat Campania's sheer beauty, combining Mediterranean views, magnificent beaches and incredible mountain landscapes dotted with ... >
Flights Rome
Discover Campania
On this adventure, you'll experience three of Italy's most famous cities. Wander the ancient streets of Rome and admire the grandeur of the Colosseum ... >
Flights Rome Venice
*Restrictions apply.
Rome, Florence & Venice
Take a tour through Florence, the major Renaissance city, home to countless masterpieces. Last but certainly not least, ride a gondola through the canals of Venice ... >
Flights Rome Venice (Mestre)
Rome, Florence & Venice (Mestre)
Start off in Rome and admire the cultural wonders of the Eternal City. From the Colosseum to the Vatican to the Trevi Fountain, you'll be awestruck by all these ... >
Rome & Florence
Renowned for its cliffs, Sorrento overlooks the turquoise waters that surround Ischia, Capri and the Gulf of Naples. Follow the awe-inspiring coastline to the ravishing ... >
Sorrento & Amalfi
Calling all limoncello lovers! Sorrento is the place to sip this local specialty while contemplating the Mediterranean views and strolling the historic centre ... >
Sorrento, Capri & Ravello
New Car Rentals
Car Rentals
By HELEN HATZIS / 22 July 2016
Venice, Italy, also known as: the City of Water, the City of Canals and the Floating City, is one of those destinations that has a reputation that precedes itself. When looking for a tour, perhaps take one with your feet up! There are wonderful gondola rides that offer all the must-see attractions of Venice.
By DIAN EMERY / 12 May 2016
Rome is an ancient beauty and a vibrant living city. As a world centre of European culture, history and industry, Rome attracts millions of visitors each year and is home to over two million residents. Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Pantheon… oh, and don't miss St. Peter's Basilica and Palatine Hill. This is just a small sampling of must-see attractions in Rome.
By MAYSSAM SAMAHA / 22 April 2016
Puglia—which includes the Salento peninsula, or the "heel" part of the Italian boot—boasts gorgeous pristine beaches, quality vineyards, some of the best olive oil Italy produces and a delicious, ingredient-based regional cuisine. It is also one of the least "touristy" regions of Italy, which makes it all the more attractive if you are looking for that authentic travel experience. Take a few days for a Puglia road trip to explore this most stunning region.
By DIAN EMERY / 27 February 2016
At some point during your visit to Rome, you will hit peak consumption of antiquities, crowds, Colosseum lineups and gorgeous marble things scattered everywhere you look. It is time for a break. Our suggestion for a perfect city escape is the tiny walled hill village of Orvieto, in the Italian region of Umbria. You will not regret it: this easy Rome to Orvieto day trip will be one of the best memories of your stay in Italy.
Language Spoken
Passport and Visa
Airports Serviced by Air Transat
By continuing to use this site, you agree to the cookies used, for example, to improve your browsing experience and to personalize the content of the Website. For more information and/or to change your current cookie settings, please refer to our Cookies Policy.


text:
IllumiRoom Turns the Whole Living Room Into an Immersive Screen
Microsoft Research's IllumiRoom extends visual video elements such as explosions, lighting effects, and moving elements far beyond the limits of a television screen and onto the walls and floors of any room, even capable of changing the color/look of physical objects inhabiting the space (e.g. converting a room to black & white or cartoon style). Think of the effect as 2.5D, with depth perception augmented via projection.
The IllumiRoom, a proof-of-concept system that augments the area surrounding a television with projected visualizations to enhance traditional viewing experiences. IllumiRoom can directly extend the viewing experience, turning a 40 inch television into a 15 foot television. IllumiRoom can enable augmented reality experiences where virtual objects interact with the physical environment (e.g. furniture). Finally, IllumiRoom can augment and distort the physical environment (e.g making a living room look like a cartoon).
IllumiRoom uses a projector and a Kinect depth sensor to blur the lines between on-screen content and the surrounding physical environment. It is entirely self-calibrating and is designed to work in almost any room. IllumiRoom can change the appearance of the room, induce apparent motion, extend the field of view, and enable entirely new gaming experiences.
(Images/video: Microsoft Research)


text:
Now that it's out that Bethenny Frankel has filed for divorce, it's time to start talking about it. The divorce has been all over the tabloids, but she's been pretty quiet about it up until now. On Wednesday Bethenny appeared on Ellen to talk about the divorce. And before she even opened her mouth, you could see her getting emotional. She told Ellen she doesn't really care about the tabloids. It's more that, "I feel like a bit of a disappointment to all of you, and I feel like a failure."
Ellen will have none of that! "You are not!" she blurts out almost like a reflex. It's what any of us would say. It's definitely what I thought -- no, Bethenny, you're not a failure! But I've thought about it a little more, and I've realized Bethenny doesn't need to hear that she's not a failure. It's actually healthy for her to admit she feels that way.
Bethenny went on to talk about the responsibility she feels as a public person to be open and honest about her divorce -- even the bad parts. "I can't only be on reality TV and show everything when it's just the fairy tale and not take my hits when they come." She admits that the future is scary. She says she hadn't really thought about being a role model. But seeing her fans' response to her divorce (the supportive, the bad, and the ugly) has made her realize that what she does now matters. She needs to deal with her divorce with grace and dignity because people are watching her.
It's so like Bethenny to turn this into an opportunity -- and I say that affectionately. Right now, thousands of other people who are paying attention are also going through a divorce (me!). And we know that you can't be Superwoman and just power through it in a state of denial, even if you think you're trying to stay positive. You do have to acknowledge those dark, sad feelings so you can truly move on.
So yeah, Bethenny feels like a failure. It's normal to feel that way in the middle of a divorce. And it's amazing how saying that out loud suddenly makes you feel a whole lot better.
Do you think it's helpful to other people for Bethenny to talk about her divorce?
Image via The Ellen DeGeneres Show


text:
Hi! I am Becky from over at SewSaneJane. I am beyond excited to be able to provide you with this recipe. It is my first Moda Bake Shop recipe and when I heard that I was selected, I found myself doing a nerdy little happy dance. I was unable to wipe the smile off of my face for the entire day – and still every time I think about it! Hope you enjoy this quick little treat as much as I enjoy having them around and giving them as gifts.
· (3) pieces of your favorite layer cake (2 for the exterior/bottom and 1 for the inside)
· 10×13.5 section of batting (your choice although I used cotton), separated (described below in cutting)
· (4) buttons – your choice (mine were ½ inch size)
· (4) 3.25" long sections of rope elastic
If desired – a 3" circle of rubber sheeting (water barrier for the bottom)
1) Find 3 pieces of your layer cake that coordinate
2) Cut the two outside fabric layer pieces in half (5"x10")
a. Mix and match the two slices. Set 1 pair aside.
b. Cut a 3.25" circle from each of the fabrics from the remaining set (this will be the bottom).
3) Cut your selected batting
a. One piece should be 9.5×10.
b. Cut a 3.25" circle from the remaining section of batting.
Piecing :
1) Bottom of container:
a. Layer one 3" circle of fabric (right side facing down), rubber sheeting circle if desired, batting circle, and 2nd layer of fabric (right side facing up).
Pin a couple of times to make sure sandwich doesn't slide while sewing. Sew a ¼" seam (raw edges showing) around the circle.
2) Outside of jacket:
a. Take the set of layer pieces you set aside, lay right sides together and sew one of the 10" sides together (use ¼" seam). Iron toward darker fabric.
b. Lay pieced exterior on top of batting, pin.
c. Measure and mark fabric (I used an erasing pen on light fabrics and chalk on dark fabrics) measure and mark 1.25" in from one edge down length of fabric. Then measure and mark small cross hatches at 1.25″, 2″ from each end.
d. Sew buttons to fabric/batting layer.
e. On opposite edge, measure the same top/down for placement of elastic. Fold elastic strips in half. Place loop edge toward the center of the fabric. Pin and sew elastic to the very edge of the fabric/batting layer (I used a 3 point zig zag stitch as my machine manual recommended it for elastic) Repeat for each of the 4 loops.
3) Add your layer of interior fabric to the mixture:
a. Layer: (right sides of fabric should be facing each other with batting on the bottom).
b. Pin together.
c. Sew around the perimeter – leaving a small opening on the bottom for turning (3" or so), snip corners.
d. Invert through your bottom opening. Push corners out, fold in edges from turning opening ¼" , and press.
e. Add a 1/8" topstitch around the perimeter (this will sew shut the turning opening).
4) Now attach the bottom to the sides:
a. Make sure right sides are together.
b. Start at the top edge, match up a small section of the circle (on top) to the bottom edge of the body of the wine jacket. Back stitch a couple of stitches, then sew a handful of stitches. Stop, rotate the circle yet to be fed through with the edge of the other fabric. Sew a handful of stitches and repeat.
*As you are sewing, you will notice that the fabric is rolling up with the circle rather than feeding behind the machine. When you get to the end of the fabric, backstitch a couple of stitches.
c. Turn rightside out
5) And VOILA! Time to sit back, add a bottle of wine, and enjoy your hard work!
One fantastic, cute, cozy wine bottle koozie that fits a standard sized wine bottle.
Becky McGrath


text:
At a tour of the site on Monday, September 10, organizers and elected officials unveiled a pedestrian safety plan they hope will be used by the Department of Transportation as a guide to improve safety in the area.
The focus is on the large parking lot under the expressway. The proposal highlights issues that the partnership says need to be addressed, like massive potholes throughout the parking area and garbage. However, the most critical issue was safety.
At the exit and entrance of the parking area there are no stop signs, street lights or crosswalks. Drivers and pedestrians are given no instructions as to what to do next.
"The public's safety of the people who walk the streets and that drive are in our hands as our first obligation, whether your in city or state government," said Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, who during the tour used a radar gun to catch speeders in the act.
With a diagnostic treatment center and a school in the area, Councilwoman Letitia James noted the large number of pedestrians crossing the street.
"Students unfortunately have to traverse under this overpass each and every day and take their lives in their own hands," said James.
Another issue that was touched upon during the tour is that of pipes under the expressway not working properly. According to Michael Backer of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project, these drainage pipes were assembled and installed two years ago.
They are supposed to bring rainwater from the BQE down through a system of pipes eventually draining it into a sewer. However, the pipes are clearly not working because residents have noticed large pockets of water accumulating, pipes leaking, and massive potholes underneath the pipes.
With Community Board 2 supporting the proposal, members of the partnership are hopeful that government agencies will step in and make the improvements.
Backer called on the DOT to "sit down and talk about some of these recommendations," as well as visit the area. When asked about a time frame, Backer said, "tomorrow."


text:
- Product Info
Product Info
Arkon TomTom ONE XL Air Vent Mount
Arkon's Air Vent Mount is a breakthrough in mounting technology. It features Arkon's removable swivel air vent pedestal.
The removable air vent pedestal can be moved easily from vehicle to vehicle without damaging your vents, when used properly. It's the perfect travel companion. This solution is designed for use only with vehicle's having horizontal air vent louvres.
Warning, Do not try to remove your device and air vent mount from the air vent by pulling with outward force on the vents. It's essential that you remove the entire solution using the REMOVABLE vent clips.
Do not install Arkon products over an air bag cover or within the air bag deployment zone. Arkon Resources, Inc. assumes no responsibility of liability for injury or death as a result of car crashes and/or air bag deployment.
This Arkon Mount is compatible with the following devices:
- TomTom ONE XL Version 1
- Reviews
No Reviews Available


text:
Campbell™ Interest and Skill Survey
Overview: Vocational interest and skills inventory with career planner for college-bound or college-educated individuals.
Age Range: 15 and up
Reading Level: 6th grade
Other Languages: Spanish
Administration: Q-global or paper-and-pencil
Completion Time: 25 minutes (200 interest and 120 skill items, 6-point response scale)
Norms: 5,225 working adults
Scoring Options: Q-global, Q Local, internet or mail-in scoring
Report Options: Profile
Publication Date: 1992
Product Details
Manage your CISS testing program on-line. Click here for a DEMO.
The Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS) measures self-reported vocational interests and skills. Similar to traditional interest inventories, the CISS interest scales reflect an individual's attraction for specific occupational areas.
However, the CISS instrument goes beyond traditional inventories by adding parallel skill scales that provide estimates of an individual's confidence in his or her ability to perform various occupational activities. Together, the two types of scales provide more comprehensive, richer data than interest scores alone. The Internet version of the CISS survey, which includes an innovative test management system for counselors and an expanded CISS Career Planner, adds new dimension to this dynamic, popular instrument.
The CISS instrument focuses on careers that require post-secondary education and is most appropriate for use with individuals who are college bound or college educated.
How to Use This Instrument
Counselors, psychologists, and human resource professionals in mental health, business, and educational settings can use the CISS survey to help:
- Explore new avenues in career development
- Pinpoint areas of academic study that can build skills and, as a result, increase career options
- Support personal counseling by identifying occupations or vocations that help meet the individual's needs
- Advise displaced and transitioning employees in outplacement programs
Key Features
- The use of both traditional interest scales and parallel skill scales helps individuals gain a more thorough understanding of suitable career options.
- The CISS instrument uses easily understood, contemporary items.
- Test items reflect a respect for individuals of different gender, race, religion, and national origin.
- Combined gender scales allow for the broadest interpretation of survey results.
Orientation Scales
The seven Orientation Scales, 29 Basic Scales are based on Dr. Campbell's model for occupational orientations. These orientations generally correspond to the familiar RIASEC themes.
Basic Scales
The 29 Basic Scales, which represent parallel interest and skills scores, divide the Orientation Scales into the following categories:
|Leadership, Law/Politics, Public Speaking, Sales, Advertising/Marketing
|Supervision, Financial Services, Office Practices
|Adult Development, Counseling, Child Development, Religious Activities, Medical Practice
|Art/Design, Performing Arts, Writing, International Activities, Fashion, Culinary Arts
|Mathematics, Science
|Mechanical Crafts, Woodworking, Farming/Forestry, Plants/Gardens, Animal Care
|Athletics/Physical Fitness, Military/Law Enforcement, Risks/Adventure
Psychometric Information
The CISS instrument was standardized using a reference sample of 5,225 employed men and women representing a wide array of occupations and ethnic backgrounds.
Report Option
Individual Profile Report (Product Number 51456)
The CISS results are presented both numerically and graphically and include narrative comments to facilitate easy interpretation by the respondent. In particular, the report recommends vocations that the respondent should pursue (high interest and high skill), avoid (low interest, low skill), explore (high skill, low interest) and develop (low skill, high interest). Also, a worksheet is available to facilitate action planning, and a two-page file summary is included for use by the career counselor.
Sample Reports: Internet version |Paper version
Scoring and/or Reporting Options
Q-global™ Web-based Administration, Scoring, and Reporting – Enables you to quickly assess and efficiently organize examinee information, generate scores, and produce accurate comprehensive reports all via the Web.
Q Local™ Scoring and Reporting Desktop Software - Enables you to score assessments, report results, and store and export data on your computer.
Mail-in Scoring Service - Specially designed answer sheets are mailed to Pearson for processing within 24–48 hours of receipt; results returned via regular mail.
- Allows you to score the assessments at your site.
Internet Scoring - Offers flexibility and interactivity.
Counselors can manage all their online CISS administrations at the Pearson Internet Administration Center, www.profiler.com/career/Admin. The Admininstration Center offers the interactive features that are only available online. For example, the CISS online report includes:
- Links to career-planning exercises and career resources
- Direct link from CISS occupations to the O*NET occupations
- Career Assessment Inventory-Enhanced also available
Managing Your Online Program
Getting Started with Q-Global Training Series
View these brief training modules about Q-global
Module 1: Gaining Access to Q-global
Module 2: Signing in and setting up your account
Module 3: Managing sub-accounts
Frequently asked questions follow. Click on a question to see the response.
What is the value of the skills component of the CISS assessment?
When making career decisions, people generally weigh several factors, including interests and skills. Self-report skills reflect a level of confidence in the ability to do various activities. Estimates of skill level are typically based on experiences doing similar tasks and learning new things. The basis for the development of the CISS assessment is the belief that interests and skills are closely intertwined. In general, people tend to enjoy things they do well; likewise, they tend to perform well in areas they find interesting.
How does the new Campbell model and its seven orientations relate to the RIASEC model?
The CISS orientations and the RIASEC themes correspond as follows:
RIASEC Campbell Realistic Producing AND Adventuring Investigative Analyzing Artistic Creating Social Helping Enterprising Influencing Conventional Organizing
Although many of the CISS orientations have a reasonably close resemblance to their Holland (RIASEC) counterparts, there are some differences. Specifically, the CISS Influencing orientation reflects leadership activities, whereas Holland's RIASEC Enterprising theme tends to reflect sales and public relations activities. The CISS Organizing orientation tends to reflect management and financial service activities, whereas Holland's RIASEC Conventional theme reflects activities related to office and clerical work. The biggest difference is with the Holland Realistic theme. Within the CISS assessment, this theme is represented by the Producing orientation, which reflects mechanical, construction, and farming activities, and the Adventuring orientation, which reflects military, police, and athletic activities.
Can I use the CISS assessment effectively with individuals whose work-related experiences are limited?
Because no one has actually performed all of the activities listed in the CISS assessment, all respondents are, in a sense, extrapolating beyond the data. They are estimating their probable level of skill, given sufficient training and opportunity to learn. Younger respondents are also capable of making these estimates, provided they have a basic knowledge of the world of work.
Respondents, regardless of age or work experience, should be encouraged to identify overall themes in their scores rather than putting undue emphasis on the point values of single scores. Underlying themes are more stable and provide a solid base for respondents to extrapolate beyond the data provided by the CISS assessment.
How should flat or deflated profiles be interpreted?
Flat or deflated profiles often present the greatest challenge to career counselors. The absence of clear preferences or aversions yields little information about interest. Some initial clues for interpretation may be found in the Procedural Checks section on page 11 of the respondent's profile, especially in the Response Percentage Checks sections for interest and skill items. Comparing the respondent's patterns with the average patterns of the norming sample (Figure 3-1 in the CISS manual) will highlight any differences.
With this general information and some knowledge of the respondent's personality and motivation, the tester may wish to ask the respondent about his or her test-taking strategy:
- "When you answered the CISS items, did you use any particular test-taking strategy?"
- "How did you decide how to answer the questions?"
- "What were your criteria?"
If it seems clear that the respondent misunderstood the directions or used a distorted or highly idiosyncratic approach, you may either readminister the survey or use the results on a very tentative basis only.
Please call 800.627.7271 to order or for a Free Trial! You cannot order this product online.
CISS Internet Vouchers Pricing
- 1-4 administrations: $16.75 per administration
- 5-49 administrations: $12.75 per administration
- 50-99 administrations: $12.25 per administration
- 100-249 administration: $11.75 per administration
- 250-999 administrations: $11.50 per administration


text:
Fools Wid It: Cleveland Cavaliers "Delonte West" & DC Rapper KayeM Spit A Freestyle At KFC!
Will reports "Cleveland Cav Delonte West & DC rapper KayeM KFC Freestyl"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Cherish Beautiful Memories with Graceful, High Quality Artistic Urns
Your loved one never blended into the crowd or faded into the background. When you choose one of our beautiful, unique artistic urns, neither will their final resting place.
Capturing the personality, dignity and gusto of your loved one, these artistic cremation urns stand out from the typical vessels you'll find at funeral homes or online.
Unique urns for cremation – a work of art you'll be proud to display
While it may be possible for you to find your loved one a dignified or peaceful final resting place, few of these run of the mill selections will express the distinctive spirit that set them apart like one of our artistic cremation urns.
These beautiful urns are available in a wide variety of styles and designs, many hand-made by artists who specialize in funerary pieces. We're proud to work with these talented artisans, who are selected for their dedication to the craft, their creativity, and their compassion. They understand that when you put your trust in them to create an artistic cremation urn, they are creating more than just a work of art – you're honoring a lifetime of love and accomplishment.
Artistic urns are available in many styles and materials
Une Belle Vie carries unique urns in a variety of styles. We understand that in times of stress even small tasks such as selecting the right urn can seem overwhelming. Our goal is to offer you a variety of high-quality options, in styles ranging from traditional to totally unique, and never less than extraordinary.
The materials used to create these artistic urns are chosen just as carefully as the artists themselves. Available materials include elegant glass, uniquely glazed ceramics, warm woods, and more. Browse our gallery for inspiration, and if you don't find a piece that you believe truly captures the spirit of your loved one, reach out to a Custom Urn Curator to help design a custom urn that honors the life of the deceased.
In addition to our varied selection of standard sized urns, we also offer a variety of smaller keepsake sized urns that are just as individual and distinctive – perfect for families who would like to share the ashes of the deceased, while retaining a portion of the cremation ashes for display in one of our artistic cremation urns.
Artistic urns honor your dog or cat
We also understand the impact that the loss of a beloved pet can have on your family. To honor their special place in your life, we create unique artistic pet urns of uncompromising quality that reflect their unconditional love, and express their unique personality and zest for life.
These handcrafted art pieces will serve as both loving memorials to your furry friend, and as a beautiful addition to your home's decor.
A low pressure, personalized purchasing experience
In your time of stress, we understand that compassion and empathy are the qualities you need the most. If you need additional assistance selecting the perfect urn to honor your loved one or pet, we offer the opportunity to work one on one with a Custom Urn Curator who can walk you through the sizing process, direct you to the style of urn that honors your loved one, or assist you as you begin the process of designing a custom urn from scratch.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to your Custom Urn Curator, who will be happy to assist you with answers to your questions and additional options.
Browse our collection of one-of-a-kind artistic cremation urns, or contact a Custom Urn Curator to design a unique urn.
Artistic Adult Urns
Eternal Wish$950.00
Strike! Bowling Ball$850.00
Diva High Heel Shoe
Starting at: $850.00
Cape Cod Lighthouse
Starting at: $500.00
Starting at: $50.00
Fly Away
Starting at: $600.00
Artistic Child and Infant Urns
Enchanted Unicorn$405.00
Giddy Up Pony$750.00
Bling! Cherished Princess
Starting at: $375.00
Forever in My Heart Glass Keepsake
Starting at: $135.00
Starting at: $50.00
Artistic Keepsake Urns
Monterey Sea Lion$500.00
Giddy Up Pony$750.00
Last Rep$800.00
Bling! Cherished Princess
Starting at: $375.00
Glass Ash Globe Memorial
Starting at: $295.00
Artistic Pet Urns
Grand Mesa$350.00
Bling! Pawsitive ReflectionStarting at: $300.00
Starry Night$295.00


text:
Julia goes to yoga
Julia Roberts turned 46 on Monday. She was papped going to yoga yesterday. Have you noticed Julia's been getting papped more lately? Not a lot. Not too much. But she could go months without being shot and now, now it's slowwwwwwwly building up in frequency. Coincidence or conspiracy?
When's the last time you watched this clip?
It's actually been a while for me. I totally forgot …she took the time to ADJUST HER DRESS.
Most people remember "Mr Stick Man". But there are so many other moments. So many other JULIA ROBERTS MOMENTS. Like when she yells at the clock. Then she puts her hand on her hip because she's NOT GOING ANYWHERE. And then the laugh. Is it a bell with a pleasant sounding peal? Or is it a buzz that's sawing through your sanity?