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Cultural Differences – Getting Aquainted Part II
Korea is a strange place. Expats who have lived here for years still find themselves constantly surprised. The culture is inherently contradictory of itself, and while deeply rooted in centuries old customs, also changes and adapts faster than any other culture I've yet experienced.
In the years I've lived here, I've seen some of the kindest, most generous acts offered by people, but I've also witnessed blatant racism and xenophobia, often back to back, and from the same people.
This is a technologically advanced country, with the fastest Internet in the world, wireless everywhere, cell-phone service underground, and yet you can't flush toilet paper for fear of clogging the ancient pipes.
Women can sport skirts and shorts that barely cover their bums, yet showing shoulders or cleavage is frowned upon. Ancient grandmothers can barely stand up straight, yet they sprint past you as you climb a mountain trail, and then pound back bottles of makkoli (rice alcohol) at the top. Eating something with your hands is considered dirty, but selling shellfish that have been sitting in buckets of lukewarm water in the sun all day is not a problem.
Some of the differences between our cultures are easy enough to navigate, and cause little-to-no problem when trying to adapt to living here. Taking off your shoes going into a restaurant soon becomes second nature, and you quickly learn to wear easy-to-remove shoes, and socks with no holes, when eating out. But other differences cause a lot of friction, sometimes because it's not just "different" from what we do at home, but it actually goes against everything we've been taught, and we see it as wrong.
1) One of the biggest problems foreigners have here is the automatic deference to older people. In the West, elders are treated with respect, we offer bus seats to grandpas and help grannies cross the street. But if an older person tells you to do something that is incorrect or counter-productive, you can point out the error. Here, correcting someone who is even just a year or two older is considered the height of rudeness. Pointing out to your boss that he or she has made a poor decision, is akin to smacking them in the face, which is never a good idea. Right or wrong, if your boss tells you to do something, you are meant to do it, no questions asked. This can be a difficult thing to do for those of us raised to question authority, stand up when something is wrong, and speak out when you feel you're being treated unfairly.
2) It's also part of the corporate culture to consider staff as belonging to the company. Therefore if the boss decides you must now work Saturdays, this is what you will do. The Korean staff will accept this, even if it makes them angry and they have to rearrange their lives to accommodate that. They may grumble in the staff room, but it's a rare Korean worker who will go into the boss' office to complain. It's just what must be done.
3) Likewise with last-minute decisions and schedule changes. Since the company owns you, you should have no problem doing what you are told. Unfortunately, this idea that staff doesn't need to be told any of the details until the last possible moment often means you don't get told at all, meaning teachers end up in the wrong class, or getting a phone call at 2pm asking why you aren't in class, when up until that moment you were scheduled to come in at three.
4) Many foreign women run into problems here with older Korean men. Due to the patriarchal, Confucian societal structure here, a young woman has basically no status, and Korean girls will not speak back to older men. For those of us raised in the post-feminist society prominent in the West, it's difficult to watch and next to impossible to accept when the older man is trying to dictate to us. This dynamic can create a lot of friction in the workplace between Western women and Korean men.
5) Something specific to this region of Korea is what I refer to as the "Ulsan Accent". There is a tendency in Gyeongsangnamdo (the province around Ulsan and Busan) for people to speak as though they are angrily yelling, even if they are just greeting you. "HELLO! IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU!!"
Of course, when you don't speak much Korean, (or even when you do), it's easy to misinterpret this "accent" as being yelled at for no reason. This can lead to unpleasant altercations. An ajusshi walks up to you and starts angrily (you think) yelling at you in Korean. You either walk away as fast as possible, or you yell back. When alcohol is involved, this can escalate quickly.
6) There are other customs here that foreigners can find annoying and difficult to get used to. While they cause less outright problems than the others, these are the straws that build up until the camel's back breaks. At the supermarket, ajummas love to see what you're buying, even at times going so far as to rifle through your grocery cart. People encourage their small children to talk to you, and teenagers yell out, "Hello!" and "Nice to meet you!" and then laugh like hyenas when you respond, making you feel a little bit like a trained monkey on display. ("Isn't it cute? It thinks it's people!")
And coworkers will tell you, "You're getting fat" or "You look terrible today" without any regard for your feelings. No one lines up unless they are forced to by ropes or numbered tickets, and even then older people will just walk right up to the teller or cashier and force their way in front of you. Your coworkers will refer to you as "waygookeen" (foreigner) when they speak about you, even if it would make as much sense to use your name. At first it all seems funny, but part way through your time here, it starts to wear on you.
You might notice I haven't said what you should do when you encounter these situations. This is because there is no right answer. Some people feel more comfortable just accepting the status quo and going along with it. Others feel the need to stand up and challenge things they feel are wrong and unfair. After all, that's how things changed back home.


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About Us
Hello and welcome to our magazine. Or to be more accurate, as of this moment onward, your magazine – [sic] Magazine.
This is the section where we say a little word about what we're doing – what we represent here and why we called ourselves [sic] Magazine. Yet you found us. You clicked here. So I suspect that deep down in your heart you already knew what you hoped to find.
The idea was born out of a frustration with the music press, particularly in the UK and USA. Like you, I love music. Most of all, I think I am addicted to the discovery of new music. Yet, for the last decade or two, I felt that the mainstream press has been failing us somehow. It was almost intangible but the feeling was that the media focus always went in the wrong direction. For two years now, since my involvement in writing I have seen precisely how the industry behaves. Believe me, their interests are not our interests.
So why should we read their magazines any more?
We should expect more. We should demand more – more honesty, more quality and more feeling. [sic] Magazine is a place for ideas, simply. It is for this reason that we've chosen to populate our top team with academics, humorists, poets and artists. We're interested in the true essence of music. We're eschewing the journalistic style, so commonplace elsewhere, in favour of passion, verve and real meaning.
This is the heartbeat that drives us all at [sic]. We dare to mean the things we say. Remember this when you read something bizarre, provocative or downright crazy. We left it in for a reason, hence our name, [sic]. As you will come to see, the site has taken on a life of its own – already outgrowing the confines of music to embrace all aspects of art and culture. Essentially [sic] is a mirror for its readership – a collective for the disaffected. We're a cultural movement and one that, with time, will become as participative as you wish us to be.
So thank you for hoping. Thank you for daring and thank you for demanding more.
Welcome to your new home.
Brett Spaceman.

subset: commoncrawl


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One of My Dearest Friends Got Married This Weekend
It is always nice when your friends find happiness. This weekend was a joyous weekend with some nuptials involves.
This wedding was up Rock Creek, Montana. The weather was a little suspect at times but that did not slow down the party. They had a blue grass band and the food was phenomenal.
John and I have been close friends for almost 5 years and he has had some heartache in his life so to see him so happy at the wedding comforted me a lot. He deserves this and could not have found better people to enjoy and have be a part of this wedding.
Wishing them many years of happiness. Good to be here for this memorable time.


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- 1 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (if you're skipping the fruit, you can also skip the last tablespoon of flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 extra-large eggs
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (approximately 2 lemons)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, thawed and rinsed (miniature wild blueberries are great for this, and pose the least risk of sinking)
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla and oil. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix the blueberries with the remaining tablespoon of flour, and fold them very gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 (+) minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside. When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping out onto a cooling rack. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in (a pastry brush works great for this, as does using a toothpick to make tiny holes that draw the syrup in better). Cool.


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Not all press is good press after all. After a year's worth of juicy tabloid coverage, TIME readers have voted the Kardashians the most overrated celebrities of 2013. From Kim's eyebrow-raising Met Gala maternity gown to double, mother-daughter divorce announcements, America apparently got sick of keeping up with the Kardashians.
The Kardashians: Most Overrated Celebrities of 2013
TIME readers voted for the reality show stars over Justin Bieber, Duck Dynasty and more.


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In the July 2007 issue of Wine Spectator,associate editor Mitch Frank profiles the Mariani family and Banfi's growth, move to Montalcino and entry into Brunello winemaking: - "Brunello di Montalcino is renowned today as one of Italy's premier wines, and a generous amount of credit must go to this American family-owned company."
The article examines Banfi's pioneering research to isolate top clone's of Sangiovese and how this research helped elevate Brunello to become one of Italy's most celebrated wines: -" 'Montalcino would not be the same without them,' says Paola Gloder, proprietor of nearby Poggio Antico." The article highlights Banfi's proud heritage and promising future.
The full article can be found on Wine Spectator's website.


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While waiting for the bus in London, YouTube user FakieLeatherman came upon a tuba player being asked (harrassed?) to "just blow the bastard" by a passer-by. So, the busker complied ... in style!
Meet Christopher Werkowicz AKA Fire Tuba guy, as interviewed by Emma Spedding of Streets Got Talent:
With a fire horn I always come across a council officer or police that say it's dangerous. It helps me explain that I do special effects for film and theatre for many years that the elements of which I built this devilish invention are certified and come from stores. They all say that the next time I'll meet you here-prison. But a little adrenaline in the life of a Busker is good!


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WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2016 would lift nearly 1 million low-wage workers out of poverty, according to a recent report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Although a majority of low-wage workers are White, people of color would be disproportionately affected by an increase in the minimum wage. Blacks work in low-wage jobs at higher rates than Whites, according to federal statistics. Blacks account for 11 percent of the workforce, but 16 percent of workers that would see their wages increase.
"When you look at the CBO report, part of what stands out is that the CBO confirms that many millions of workers with low or modest incomes would get significant income gains," said Robert Greenstein, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "Even after factoring in the CBO's estimates on the employment effects, there are still very substantial income gains for the bottom and the middle of the population and these income gains are achieved for virtually no budgetary cost."
Even though the CBO predicted that 500,000 low-wage workers might lose their jobs, 16.5 million workers would directly benefit from seeing an increase in the minimum wage. Economists estimate that another 8 to 10 million workers would see their wages increase as a result of a "spillover effect."
Families living below the poverty line will get a $5 billion bump in their income, about 20 percent of the estimated $31 billion. Roughly a third would go to families making three times above the poverty line.
According to the Census Bureau, more than 27 percent of Blacks live in poverty compared to less than 10 percent of Whites. Nearly 40 percent of Black children live in poverty.
According to the CBO report, raising the minimum wage would affect low-wage workers in two ways.
"Most of them would receive higher pay that would increase their family's income, and
some of those families would see their income rise above the federal poverty threshold," stated the report.
The CBO report continued: "But some jobs for low-wage workers would probably be eliminated, the income of most workers who became jobless would fall substantially, and the share of low-wage workers who were employed would probably fall slightly."
Although the CBO report suggested that up to a million jobs could be lost, if the minimum wage were raised to $10.10 per hour, many economists agree that the effect of wage increase would be minimal.
"In a review of over 60 studies that look for statistical linkages between minimum-wage increases and job losses, economist John Schmitt reports that the most accurately measured results cluster around zero: some studies find that raising the minimum wage has a small negative effect on employment, a smaller number find that it has a small positive effect, and most find no significant effect," stated a report by the Center for Budget and Public Priorities.
In January, the Economic Policy Institute advocated for increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 in a letter to President Obama and Congress. More than 600 economists, including seven Nobel Prize winners signed the letter, according to EPI.
Keeping his promise to use his pen or phone in a year of action to help American families, last week President Obama signed an executive order to raise the minimum wage of federal contract workers.
In a policy brief detailing President Obama's executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers, White House officials cited a study that showed when Maryland passed a similar law for state contract employees, competition between companies increased, driving a higher quality of service.
Contrary to common stereotypes most low-income workers are not teenagers working for extra pocket change for clothes and fast food on the weekends.
According to a report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, titled "Low-wage Workers Are Older and Better Educated than Ever," the average age of low-workers is about 35 and only about 12 percent were teenagers in 2011. A majority (60 percent) of low-wage workers are 25-64 years old. More than 30 percent of low-wage workers have some college education and roughly 10 percent have a four-year college degree.
The CBO also found that employment prospects for high school dropouts and Blacks in their 20s would be largely unaffected by changes in the minimum wage.
Lawrence Katz, an economist at Harvard University, said that raising the minimum wage would have significant benefits for low-skill workers, especially Africa Americans.
"Our best estimates suggest essentially no impact on employment and a large improvement in wages for disadvantaged workers," said Katz.
Katz added: "Overall, it's a substantial win for minority workers."


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Breastfeeding challenges
Time to read: 4 min.
Returning to work after maternity leave doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding. With good planning and communication your baby can still benefit from your breast milk.
Getting the work-life balance right can be challenging when planning your return to work after maternity leave. You might feel torn between the emotional pull of leaving your baby and the need to earn money, or the desire to stay connected to your job and develop your career.
If you're breastfeeding and want to continue, you also need to think about how you'll maintain your milk supply and ensure your baby can continue to have your breast milk when you're not around. This often means expressing breast milk at work and storing and transporting it safely, so that your caregiver can feed it to your child.
Returning to work can be a wrench when you've spent many weeks or months one-to-one with your new baby. Continuing to breastfeed is one way to sustain the important bond between you and ease you both into a new routine.
Breastfeeding can also be a lovely way to reconnect when you spend more time apart, as Peggy, mum of one, Switzerland, found: "I returned to work when Penelope was six months old. By then, I was still breastfeeding her just before leaving for the office and when coming home. That remained our special time together."
Bear in mind, too, that your baby can still enjoy all the health-giving and protective properties of breast milk if you return to work. There are many components in your breast milk that fight infections and help your little one recover faster if she becomes ill. Studies even show that breastfeeding mums take less time off work than those who don't breastfeed, because their babies are ill less frequently.1
Some mums don't have much choice over when to go back. It might be determined by your employer, maternity laws in your country, or financial need. If you're fortunate enough to have flexibility, weigh up the pros (such as income, career progression, mental stimulation or social contact) and the cons (being apart from your baby, childcare costs or complicated logistics) and speak to friends and colleagues about their experiences before deciding.
Bear in mind that breastfeeding and expressing while at work, and caring for a baby or toddler too, can be physically and emotionally draining. However, some mums also find that pumping provides welcome respite during a busy working day.
"Coming back to work and focusing on my job for eight hours was hard, so I kind of enjoyed the breaks for pumping," says Monika, mum of three, Switzerland. "It was time for myself when I could sit down, close my eyes and relax."
Choose a childcare provider who's happy to give your baby your expressed breast milk and/or welcomes you breastfeeding when you drop off and collect your baby. Discuss this before you sign up, and explain your needs clearly.
Ask how they'll store your breast milk and discuss how your baby likes to have her milk – warm or cold, while being held, or feeding independently under supervision (if aged six months plus) – so she's more likely to accept it.
If you're lucky enough to have family members on childcare duty, leave them with plenty of milk and instructions for feeding.
Get in touch with your employer as soon as you know you intend to return to work, even if the date is months away. You'll want to discuss your working hours and how they can support your continued breastfeeding. You may want to return part-time or consider a job share, or do 'compressed' hours so you work longer days but fewer of them.
"I had six months' maternity leave, and afterwards it felt OK to start working again. I now work part-time, 60% of the week, and that's perfect for me," says Andrea, mum of two, Switzerland.
If you work for a large organisation, contact your human resources department to discuss their breastfeeding policy. If no staff members have expressed milk before, be a trailblazer and become the first.
If you intend to express milk at work, give your employer plenty of notice. In many countries employers are legally obliged to provide a private space where mums can pump, regular breaks for expressing, and somewhere to store breast milk safely. Find out if your country has employment guidance for breastfeeding mothers and read up on it.
"My advice is to have a plan prior to returning to work," says Shalena, mum of two, Canada. "Determine your needs – how often you need to pump, how long for, and where. Explaining that your needs will change as your baby grows is also important. Make sure you know your rights and responsibilities, and be confident setting out your plans."
An alternative to pumping at work is to organise childcare close to your workplace so you can take breaks to breastfeed your baby at her usual feeding times.
If you're breastfeeding, practise pumping and giving your baby the expressed milk a few weeks in advance, to get both of you used to feeding this way.
You also need to work out the best expressing choice for you. This might be an electric breast pump, a manual one, or even expressing by hand. The efficiency, cost, portability and quietness of the pump may all influence your choice.
Encourage family and friends feed your baby expressed breast milk so she gets used to being fed by other people. Your baby may be more willing to take your milk from someone else if you aren't in the room.
Having carefully planned your return, it's time to think about the logistics of expressing at work – check out our articles on pumping at work, storing and transporting your breast milk safely, and pumping while away from home.
1 Murtagh L, Moulton AD. Working mothers, breastfeeding, and the law. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(2):217-223.
Articles that may be of interest


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Two years ago, I interviewed Jennifer Lopez on the carpet for El Cantante at the Elgin in Toronto. It was intimidating enough speaking to La Lopez herself but even worse because I could not keep my eyes off her Dolce & Gabbana. It was beaded, it was brilliant, it was breathtaking, and she was so beautiful it was sick. She was also very, very, very sweet.
There are galas night after night at TIFF. And since the star guest list this year is impressively bright, it naturally follows that the glamour factor will register on the high side. In other words, it'll be impossible for Kate Beckinsale to overdress for this one…although she really should work on that little problem, non?
The best part about the red carpet excitement? We can be judgy!
Hundreds of red carpet photos will be posted every day during the festival on this dedicated TIFF Red Carpet page sponsored by Herbal Essences.
Here's where you can tell people who are thinner, richer, and better looking than you that they chose an ugly dress. Or suffer with envy over a pair of shoes you can never afford. I'll be right there with you.


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Assalamualaikum and hello lovelies!
Oh my gosh!These photos has been edited for almost 3 weeks already and I totally forgotten to post about this blush. I might have overlooked this post as I have too many draft posts. My bad, my bad. -_- Anyway, without wasting any time, lets get to know my new baby, Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony that I got in my latest collective haul. :) I am not really a blush collector or a blush lover. Therefore buying blush is more towards necessity, meaning that I would only buy them if I need certain shade. I always make sure I don't have the same shade as I don't want to have 2 or more similar colours in my collection, especially higher end brands because they are expensive and I don't want to waste my money on the same thing. And there's this habit of mine where I have the desire to buy at least one blush from each brand because I want to try them all. I am slowly building up my blush collection, but I am pretty sure it's going to take a long time. :P
Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony is a straight up bright pink blush. It might not look as bright in the photos, but it is in real life. I wanted a pink blush because I want to have that fresh and radiant look without trying too hard. I've heard good things about this blush (but not this particular shade) from Essie Button, so I decided to visit Bobbi Brown and see it for myself. There were 16 shades but my eyes went straight to Peony. The silky smooth texture sold me. It is not chalky nor powdery. It glides on my cheeks smoothly and blends so well. It is a matte blush so if you love matte blush, go and try it out. I always prefer matte blush because it looks more natural on my skin.
The shade you see in the pan translates well when you swatch it on your finger. What you see is what you are getting.
You only need a little, don't go crazy dabbing into the pan because is pigmented. The key to have natural looking blush is to blend. Blend, blend, and keep on blending to get your desired glow.
I super love the blush. It gives me the fresh look and natural glow. But of course, I can always build it up for more flushed cheeks. Another pros about this blush is the longevity. It stays on very well on my cheeks, I can guarantee it stays at least 4 - 5 hours under our hot weather.
All Bobbi Brown Counters (Click for store listings)
For more information on Bobbi Brown, kindly visit these links :
Bobbi Brown Official Website : http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/index.tmpl
Bobbi Brown Official Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BobbiBrown
Bobbi Brown Malaysia Website : http://www.bobbibrown.com.my/
Bobbi Brown Malaysia Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BobbiBrownMalaysia
Have you tried any of Bobbi Brown Blush? If you have, let me know which shade you own. ^_^
Till then,
Sabby Prue
Follow my : GFC | Facebook Page | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube


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A new survey shows a large increase in the number of Americans skeptical of the teachings of the Bible.
"The survey finds more and more Americans consider the Bible to be teachings of men... rather than the word of God. The poll... from the American Bible Society... found the greatest increase in those opinions came from Americans between the ages of 18 and 29." (Via WCSC)
According to the American Bible Society's latest "State of the Bible" poll, the number of people said to be "Bible engaged" is now equal to the percentage of people who do not believe the Bible is sacred.
Both groups now sit at 19 percent. The percentage of "Bible skeptics" is up from 10 percent in 2011. According to the president of the society, that's a concerning change. (Via WOFL)
Let's break it down for you ... Those who are engaged by the Bible are those who read it on a regular basis and believe the book is the actual or inspired Word of God. On the other hand, skeptics see the Bible merely as stories and advice. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Amandajm)
The study, which is conducted annually by Barna Research, is based on more than 2,000 interviews with U.S. adults in January and February.
It finds this trend is most pronounced among millennials, those who are range in age from 18 to 29. But why? Most say they are either too busy or significant life changes or events created doubt in their faith.
The president of American Bible Society says the survey shows, "... we just can't hand them a Bible and expect them to find the answers. We have to get out the word to give God's word a chance. It's urgent." (Via The Washington Post)
But The Washington Post points out Bible related movies are "raking it in at the box office."
"Son of God," which opened in February grossed more than $25 million when it first opened. (Via 20th Century Fox / "Son of God")
And "Noah" topped the box office charts when it hit theaters at the end of March, bringing in $44 million its opening weekend. (Via Paramount Pictures / "Noah").
The American Bible Society of course hopes this uptake in "Bible skeptics" reverses. The president believes more people will eventually look to the Bible for answers to America's moral decline. (Via Religion News Service)


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University Policies
File Code: ADM.COAP.POL
Approval Date: 3/30/2005
Revision Date: 10/7/2011
Approved By: President
Council of Administrative Personnel Grievance Committee and Procedure
Grievance Committee Guidelines
Purpose of Committee
The purpose of the Council of Administrative Personnel (COAP) Grievance Committee (the Committee) is to determine if there is a violation in the application of Western Illinois University Policy and/or Board of Trustees Regulations. The Committee will conduct the review, investigate and make a recommendation for resolution of grievances in accordance with established informal and formal grievance procedures as outlined in "Grievance Procedure of Non-Negotiated Employees".
Committee Membership
The Committee will consist of the COAP Vice President and the Area Representative from the WIU-Quad Cities and two individuals covered under this procedure elected at the annual spring meeting by COAP membership. The Committee will select the chair.
Committee Membership Terms and Vacancies:
The two elected individuals will serve two-year renewable terms for a maximum of two consecutive terms. In order to maintain continuity, membership will be staggered two-year terms.
If a conflict of interest is determined regarding a committee member and the grievance, a substitute Committee member will be appointed by the COAP Executive Board.
In the event a Committee member is unable to serve, the COAP Executive Board will appoint another member to complete that term.
Chairperson Responsibilities
- The grievant will send the "Grievance Form" to the chairperson who in turn will complete the information needed on the form and distribute to the other Committee members.
- Correspondence requiring a response from the Committee will be acknowledged by the chairperson within ten working days.
- The chairperson will arrange meetings/interviews with parties involved as necessary.
- The chairperson will ensure minutes are kept.
- The chairperson will take any suggestions regarding policy changes to the appropriate parties.
- The chairperson will prepare a final report and distribute to the grievant, respondent, and appropriate Vice President. (If respondent is the reporting Vice President, the report will be sent to the President.)
- The chairperson will maintain a file of records to give to next chairperson.
- In the event that an appeal is filed, the chairperson will provide the information to the President.
Committee Member Responsibilities
- Attend meetings as arranged.
- Assist with minutes and submit to chairperson, as requested.
- If necessary, vote on issues. A general consensus must be reached.
- Notify COAP Executive Board of any conflict of interest.
- Display impartiality and objectivity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Attain familiarity with Board of Trustees and other University regulations and policies.
- The COAP Vice President and Quad Cities Area Representative will serve as liaisons between the Grievance Committee and the COAP Executive Board.
Meetings will be arranged as needed by the chairperson.
Record Keeping
All documents and correspondence, including the minutes of the meeting, will be kept by a designated Committee member and submitted to the chairperson when complete.
Grievance Procedure for Non-Negotiated Employees
The purpose of the Council of Administrative Personnel (COAP) Grievance Procedure for non-negotiated employees is to provide a mechanism to resolve disputes regarding the application of Western Illinois University Policy and/or Board of Trustees Regulations.
- COAP Executive Board: The COAP Executive Board includes the COAP President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Immediate Past President, one Area Representative from each University Vice Presidential area, one Area Representative from University Technology, one Area Representative from the University President's staff, and one Area Representative from WIU-Quad Cities. (Constitution of the Western Illinois University Council of Administrative Personnel - Article IV - Officers and Area Representatives, Section 1.)
- Grievance: A grievance shall be defined as an allegation that the application or interpretation of general policies that apply to University employees as outlined in the University Policy Manual, and/or any Board of Trustees Regulations (as outlined in Section II: Employees, Subsection A: General and Subsection B: Faculty and Administrative Employees) have been violated.
- Grievance Committee (the Committee): A four member committee assigned the responsibility of reviewing, investigating and recommending a resolution to a grievance.
- Grievant: The employee filing the complaint.
- Non-negotiated employees: These procedures apply to non-negotiated employees defined as administrative personnel not represented under a collective bargaining agreement or the State Universities Civil Service System.
- Respondent: The person against whom the complaint is filed.
- The parties agree that, whenever possible, disputes should be resolved informally at the lowest administrative level. To that end, all employees and administrators are encouraged to communicate candidly and freely regarding differences or concerns.
- While encouraging and providing for informal regulation, these guidelines apply primarily to those cases where a more formal grievance procedure is necessary. Individuals may file a grievance under this procedure if they believe action has been taken that violates the above referenced procedures/policies.
- These procedures do not apply to complaints of discrimination or harassment, which are filed with the WIU Equal Opportunity and Access Office. The COAP Grievance Committee shall consult with the EOA Office to determine if the grievance constitutes a charge of discrimination.
- No retaliation may be taken against any employee of the University who seeks redress under this procedure or who supports individuals in seeking redress.
- All information obtained in the review of a grievance will be confidential to the extent possible.
- The employee has a right to appeal determinations made under these procedures to the President.
- All grievances must be submitted in writing on the COAP Grievance Form and shall be signed by the grievant.
Procedure for Handling Grievances
- Informal
- Before a formal grievance is filed with the Committee, it is recommended that the dispute must first be discussed by the parties directly involved. The purpose of this discussion is to seek informal resolution of the matter. If the issue is not resolved or, due to extenuating circumstances the grievant is unable to discuss the dispute with the immediate supervisor, a formal complaint may be filed.
- Formal
- A grievance shall be filed with the COAP Grievance Committee within ten working days following the date of the act causing the dispute.
- The appropriate Vice President shall be notified within 5 working days of the filing of a formal complaint. With the concurrence of all parties, the Vice President has 10 working days to seek resolution of the grievance.
- The grievance must cite the specific BOT Regulation(s) or University policy that has been violated.
- The COAP Grievance Committee shall conduct a meeting with the grievant as soon as possible and no more than 20 working days following receipt of the COAP Grievance Form. The grievant will be notified of any delays affecting the timeline of this process. The purpose of this meeting is to determine if a means for informal resolution is possible, and to determine if the matter causing the dispute is warranted.
- If the Committee determines that the dispute is unwarranted, formal notice of this determination will be sent to the grievant. This notice will indicate why the dispute is unwarranted and, therefore, not covered under these procedures.
- If the Committee determines that the dispute is warranted, it will conduct an interview with the respondent. The respondent will be provided with a copy of the grievance prior to this interview.
- Either party may submit additional information to the Committee for consideration in determining whether a violation has occurred.
- Once all information has been submitted and reviewed, the COAP Grievance Committee will forward a determination to both parties.
- If it is found that a policy or regulation has been violated or applied inappropriately, the finding will include a recommendation for resolution of the dispute.
- Recommendations for resolution will be forwarded to the appropriate Vice President.
- The Vice President will determine what action will be taken and notify both parties of the decision and the appropriate action.
- Either party may appeal this finding to the President. The President's decision is final.


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Parents try to be fair, but children pick up on subtle differences in the way they are treated.
In a study appearing in the journal Child Development, researchers led by Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto, report on the wide-ranging effects that playing favorites, known as differential parenting, can have on not just individual siblings but also on the behavior and mental health of all family members.
When parents provide more positive feedback and encouragement to one child while sending primarily negative comments to another, it's no surprise that the negatively targeted child may develop more behavior problems and have a more difficult relationship with his parents. But Jenkins and her colleagues were interested in exploring how differential parenting affects all siblings in a family and in understanding some of the factors that might make such differential treatment more likely.
(MORE: Playing Favorites)
The researchers focused on nearly 400 Canadian families, each of which had at most four children. They asked mothers about their children's positive and negative behaviors and went to some of the families' homes to observe parent-child interactions — for example, how the children played without toys and how mothers taught their children to make a pattern based on a photo, and the way mothers told their children a story. When the youngest children were at least 18 months old, the researchers measured the youngsters' aggression, attention and emotional problems and rated their relationships with siblings and parents.
Overall, the negatively treated children tended to show more attention and emotional problems than their more positively treated siblings by the end of the four-year study, but all children showed higher rates of these problems compared with when the trial began. That, says Jenkins, was a surprise since previous work had only highlighted the effect of differential parenting on the targeted children.
"We would have thought that, on the basis of previous research, it would just be the disfavored children who are having problems, but that's not the case," says Jenkins. "Sometimes moms are very similar with their kids, and sometimes they're very different with their kids. And when they advantage some and disadvantage others, it looks like it's a problem for all of the kids in terms of their mental health."
(MORE: Psychological Abuse: More Common, as Harmful as Other Child Maltreatment)
Since parents rarely set out to treat their children differently, the scientists decided to explore which factors promoted differential parenting; they figured that a mother's stress due to economic or personal experiences might have the greatest impact on the way she treats her children, so they also collected data on the mothers' education levels, depression and history of physical and sexual abuse. They also considered family dynamics such as whether the mother was a single parent raising her family and the safety of the home environment.
Mothers who came from unstable family backgrounds were more likely to treat each of their children differently than mothers who had privileged upbringings, and the more external factors a mother faced, like being a single parent or struggling with depression, the more difficult it was for her to treat her children equally.
That makes sense, Jenkins says, since a mother who is stressed may have less patience with the child who has more problems. But as a result, all of her children may experience more behavior problems since children tend to internalize their parents' reactions. Children who perceive the differential treatment as unfair, even if they are treated more positively, may also act out and develop attention or emotional problems as they grow older, possibly as a way to empathize with their siblings or in protest of the injustice of the favoritism. "It creates a sense of the kids feeling uneasy, or [gives them a] sense of unfairness," says Jenkins. "In other studies, we've shown that the amount of differential parenting is related to the quality of sibling relationships, so when a kid is favored or disfavored, [he or she] is fed up with the sibling, getting on less well with that sibling, and that also feeds into the general dynamic of the family."
(MORE: The New Science of Siblings)
Addressing some of the factors that may fuel parents to play favorites, like financial strain, could help alleviate some of the wide-ranging effects on families. "We really have to start supporting parents who are socially disadvantaged and make sure they have access to money so they aren't worried about their kids all of the time, and access to good childcare so that they're not worried about kids being on their own when they're working," says Jenkins. "These things are eating into the way parents can parent."
Even when parent-child relationships are stressed in this way, communicating well can reduce some of the negative consequences. In some families, certain siblings need more attention or support than others, and parents should discuss with their kids why they are approaching siblings differently to avoid any misunderstanding. Children "don't mind that parents treat them differently," Jenkins says. "They only mind when they see that differential treatment as unfair, and that comes about when things aren't explained to children."


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Invasion Day – The 224 Year War Continues.
Each year on "Australia Day", my wife and I visit the location of local Aboriginal midden grounds and pay our respects to the original people who lived on the land that we now live on. In 2009 I wrote the following piece for us to read each and every year until this country acknowledges and begins to respect its Aboriginal people and its Aboriginal past. Health permitting I intend to keep reading this out loud under the figs, next to the mangroves (in the park) every 26th of January, or at least until a more appropriate date for Australia Day is chosen.
"Paying Our Respects – 26th January 2012″
Today we remember our Indigenous brothers and sisters who have been murdered, beaten, raped, diseased, displaced, ignored and forgotten for 224 years.
We remember that they met here peacefully on this midden mound whose name we no longer know.
We remember that here they rested, discussed and resolved problems that the different clans of Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) encountered for thousands of years.
We remember that we are standing on land which they believed could not be owned by any one person but only looked after by the clan / their people – i.e. entrusted in guardianship for all time.
We remember that people belonged to the land but that the land did not belong to all people.
We remember that as a many Nationed peoples, they were invaded, and, that the land was never lawfully settled by the non-Indigenous peoples as no treaties were ever signed with the original inhabitants, as no attempts were made to protect the original languages and culture, and that the original people's presence was never acknowledged in any meaningful way.
Today we remember that choosing this day as the national day of the country is an insult to the surviving Indigenous Australians and disrespects the Indigenous people who died and suffered over the last 224 years. We look forward to a time when this county's national day is inclusive of all Australians, when its flag represents all Australians and its Head Of State is answerable only to Australians.
Yet again we had the whole park to ourselves as we read this out loud and reflected on the day. None of the current locals care to remember that the park is the burial ground of the Indigenous people's sea shell middens.
Regards – Vasilios Theodorakis – January 2012


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This outfit may look strangely familiar … because it's essentially this outfit, with fleece lined tights instead of Ponte pants, and a skirt tossed on to add some textural interest.
I didn't think I'd love this silhouette — long sweater + short skirt + no defined waist. But it ended up surprising me. I'm thinking it works because of the monochromatic palette.
Speaking of, let's chat for a second about neutrals vs. colors when it comes to capsule wardrobes.
Neutrals are my jam. My style. My favorite. And I don't see that changing anytime super soon. So I haven't experimented much outside the neutral range. But I've always held out that a colorful capsule wardrobe can be just as successful as a neutral one — even though it probably takes a bit more planning.
Someday, I want to try my hand at putting together a colorful capsule wardrobe.
But in the meantime, I'm curious if any of you have ever created a color saturated capsule wardrobe? What was your experience with it?
Sweater: old from Nordstrom Rack (similar here)
Skirt: old from Aritzia (similar here)
Fleece lined tights: Hue
Shoes: Charles David
Bag: old from Madewell (similar here)


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The latest rage by agen poker qq aficionados and programmers is to create and use a poker bot that will automatically play online poker with little or no human interaction, with the ultimate goal of winning money. This recent craze has alarmed both online poker sites and players as the fear of a computer program with the capacity to win online poker will essentially be able to outsmart live thinking players of their hard-earned money and eventually rob the poker sites of quality players afraid to play against so many poker bots.
A recent industry study concluded that 12% of online poker players were apprehensive about or had completely stopped playing online poker in light of the recent poker bot craze. That essentially sends players offline rather than risk their money against these new computer-generated poker bots.
However, there are several ways to beat a poker bot in online poker, and knowing these methods will certainly give the human player back the edge against poker bots. One fact that makes a poker bot a better player is that they lack the human emotion or power of reasoning that a human must use when playing online poker. A poker bot is not apt to go on 'tilt' or get angry when they are the victims of a bad beat.
In playing online poker, human players are up against two major advantages. One is the computer generated code created by the poker sites to determine shuffles, deals and outcomes of a hand, while the other disadvantage, just as dangerous to your bankroll, is the poker bot, that is pre-programmed with all the statistics and probabilities of the game.
Nevertheless, you can use the computer-generated codes of the poker sites and poker bots against them if you understand how they work. A poker bot is confined to making decisions based solely on the play of the game with regard to its statistical analysis of poker. In other words, a poker bot will only make decisions based on known patterns in the game.
Moreover, the online poker sites, which actively attempt to detect and thwart the efforts of poker bot programmers and users, have implemented a counter-measure to the poker bots, using the same known patterns. By implementing a counter measure to the poker bots, a poker site is able to ensure that a poker bot will not win since the poker bots actions are predictable and confined to a skill-set directly related to statistical odds and probability.
This, as confusing as it may seem, actually works to the advantage of the human player. While the poker site's software is actively seeking the poker bot patterns and attempting to detect who is a human and who is a computer generated bot script, they also inadvertently implemented a flaw which allows a human player to take advantage of the online poker sites weakness.
In reality, this has resulted in a human player having the ability to not only beat the poker bot, but beat human opponents as well. By following a set pattern that the online poker sites are using, an advantage is created for anyone who is aware of that pattern. This pattern is known as a sequential algorithm and that algorithm dramatically has changed the poker game online to force wins and losses in a set, specific and predictable pattern.
It is not only plausible to beat a poker bot; it is easily accomplished by recognizing the patterns used by online poker sites. These patterns are simple to learn and require little skill by a human player. So the next time you think about playing poker online, consider using the codes and algorithms created by the poker site to your advantage. They are there to prevent the poker bots from winning, but not you!


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Herb Roasted Chicken with Verjus Gravy and Fennel and Goat Cheese and Verjus |
For those of you who have followed me here at More Than Burnt Toast for at least a part of almost eight years you will know that I live in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, the northern most part of the Sonoran Dessert that eventually winds its way to Mexico. I am always more than willing to highlight the bounty of our area thanks to our emerging reputation as a destination for serious wine connoisseurs. Certainly, bounty abounds. Hot, dry weather, sheltering mountains, and rich soil blend to create our valley one of North America's most productive wine regions. The moniker 'Canada's Napa Valley of the North' is often repeated and somewhat apt. The 180km-long Okanagan Valley is home to hundreds of excellent wineries, whose vines spread across the terraced hills, soaking up some of Canada's sunniest climate. The picturesque backdrop is worth the visit alone with lush vineyards and soaring views from over 200 wineries (at last count).
Okanagan Valley |
In an idyllic valley tucked away on the Bottleneck Drive wine trail in Summerland an enterprising couple Kim Stansfield and John Gordon have adventured into organic farming with a small market garden on a 10-acre farm. For them it was a natural progression to plant and nurture a 2 acre vineyard 11 years ago with 3 grape varietals and eventually branch out into premium wine vinegars. Wine vinegar is a beautiful product of the Okanagan wine industry and an ingredient highly sought after by a number of chefs in the finest restaurants here in the valley. For the purpose of this story I wanted to highlight one of our cottage industries and a rather unique niche market. There are many more informed and knowledgable writers than myself to talk about our burgeoning wine industry. What I know and am comfortable with talking about is food.
Kim Stansfield of Valentine Farms with this years Verjus; Valentine Vinegar Works; Valentine Farms |
At the farm Kim gave me a taste of the verjus that was highly reminiscent of apples. I could imagine it as a very refreshing drink in the height of the summer with a little ice and sparkling water. Kim says verjus cleanses the pallet and opens the taste-buds (just like a glass of bubbly would do) which prepares the mouth for the delicious flavours of the food. In contrast lemon juice and vinegar which contain citric and acetic acid, close up the taste buds, and consequently inhibit the favours you will experience in the wine that accompanies your meal. Verjus is "wine friendly." Because they share the same tartaric and malic acids, verjus in your food will not clash with the wine in your glass in the way that vinegar would.
Summerland, B.C.
Canada, V0H 1Z8
Today to highlight my latest aquisition I made a tasty roasted chicken dish served with a warm fennel salad. Both recipes have verjus as the star. There's no greater satisfaction than cooking perfectly roasted chicken on a crisp autumn day. Here's a recipe that ensures a crisp golden skin and a light, flavourful sauce. All of the fresh herbs are lovingly tended on the rooftop garden of my friend Dina of Olive Oil and Lemons. I look forward to other stories about the harvest from coast to coast on Valerie's Facebook Page as we embrace our nation with the Canadian Food Experience Project. The list of participants is here. Autumn feasting menus reflect my belief that enjoying local food in each season is the best possible way to eat. I take every opportunity to fall in love with British Columbia's autumn bounty. Only 4 more months till Spring.
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lemon
1 cup + verjus
Place the chicken, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over them. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over about a cup of verjus.
1 large fennel bulb
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium-sized meyer lemon cut into 6 wedges
4 fresh bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Verjuice
1/4 cup fennel fronds
1/2 cup goats curd
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley roughly chopped
Cut the plump fennel bulbs into halves, then quarters.
Venturi Schulze
Crown Bench Estate Winery
Featherstone Estate Winery
Ridge Road
You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.


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Oct '11 - Apr '14
There were some new faces on site last Thursday for our first volunteer day. Around twenty people showed up throughout the day to help rake dirt and lay sod for the overflow seating lawn. We are very grateful for their support which allowed us to get a large portion of work out of the way in a short amount of time.
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The Virginia Tech design/buildLAB is a Project Based Experiential Learning program focused on the research, development and implementation of innovative construction methods and architectural designs. Students collaborate with local communities and industry experts to conceive and realize built architecture projects that are both educational and charitable in nature. The blog is run by design/buildLAB students who are designing and building a fieldhouse for the Clifton Forge Little League.


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TOT v. UNITED STATES. UNITED STATES v. DELIA.
63 S.Ct. 1241
87 L.Ed. 1519
UNITED STATES. UNITED STATES v. DELIA.
Nos. 569, 636.
Argued April 5, 6, 1943.
Decided June 7, 1943.
Mr. George R. Sommer, of Newark, N.J., for petitioner, Tot.
Mr. Wendell Berge, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the United States.
Messrs. Jack N. Tucker and Morton A. Eden, both of Detroit, Mich., for respondent Delia.
Mr. Justice ROBERTS delivered the opinion of the Court.
These cases involve the construction and validity of § 2(f) of the Federal Firearms Act,1 which is:
'It shall be unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence or is a fugutive (fugitive) from justice to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, and the possession of a firearm or ammunition by any such person shall be presumptive evidence that such firearm or ammunition was shipped or transported or received, as the case may be, by such person in violation of this Act.'
In No. 569, Tot, the petitioner, was convicted2 upon an indictment which charged that he, having been previously convicted of two crimes of violence, a burglary and an assault and battery, with intent to beat, wound, and ill-treat,3 on or about September 20, 1938, at Newark, New Jersey, knowingly, unlawfully, and feloniously received a described firearm which 'had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce to the said City of Newark.' The Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment.4
The Government's evidence was that Tot had been convicted of assault and battery in 1925, and had pleaded non vult to a charge of burglary in 1932 in state courts, and that, on September 22, 1938, he was found in possession of a loaded automatic pistol.
After denial of a motion for a directed verdict, Tot took the stand and testified that he purchased the pistol in 1933 or 1934. He admitted the criminal record charged in the indictment and other convictions. His sister and his wife testified in corroboration of his evidence, but their testimony was shaken on cross-examination. In rebuttal the Government produced a representative of the manufacturer who testified that the pistol had been made in Connecticut in 1919 and shipped by the maker to Chicago, Illinois. At the close of the case petitioner renewed his motion for a directed verdict, which was denied.
In No. 636, Delia, the respondent, was convicted upon two counts. The first alleged that, on September 25, 1941, he was a person previously convicted of a crime of violence—robbery while armed5—and that he received and possessed a firearm, described in the indictment, 'which firearm had theretofore been § ipped and transported in interstate commerce.' The second repeated the allegation of previous conviction and charged that, on September 25, 1941, he received and possessed certain cartridges which 'had been theretofore shipped and transported in interstate commerce.' The Government's proof was that Delia had been convicted of armed robbery and, on September 25, 1941, had in his possession a loaded revolver which had been manufactured in Massachusetts prior to 1920; that some of the cartridges in the pistol had been manufactured in Ohio and some in Germany, the former after 1934 and the latter at an unknown date. The respondent testified that he had, at about the time of his arrest, picked up the revolver when it was dropped by a person who attacked him, but there was testimony which tended to contradict this defense. The Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction on each count.6
Both courts below held that the offense created by the Act is confined to the receipt of firearms or ammunition as a part of interstate transportation and does not extend to the receipt, in an intrastate transaction, of such articles which, at some prior time, have been transported interstate. The Government agrees that this construction is correct. There remains for decision the question of the power of Congress to create the presumption which § 2(f) declares, namely, that, from the prisoner's prior conviction of a crime of violence and his present possession of a firearm or ammunition, it shall be presumed (1) that the article was received by him in interstate or foreign commerce, and (2) that such receipt occurred subsequent to July 30, 1938, the effective date of the statute.
The Government argues that the presumption created by the statute meets the tests of due process heretofore laid down by this court. The defendants assert that it fails to meet them because there is no rational connection between the facts proved and the ultimate fact presumed, that the statute is more than a regulation of the order of proof based upon the relative accessibility of evidence to prosecution and defense, and casts an unfair and practically impossible burden of persuasion upon the defendant.
An indictment charges the defendant with action or failure to act contrary to the law's command. It does not constitute proof of the commission of the offense. Proof of some sort on the part of the prosecutor is requisite to a finding of guilt; it may consist of testimony of those who witnessed the defendant's conduct. Although the Government may be unable to produce testimony of eye witnesses to the conduct on which guilt depends, this does not mean that it cannot produce proof sufficient to support a verdict. The jury is permitted to infer from one fact the existence of another essential to guilt, if reason and experience support the inference. In many circumstances courts hold that proof of the first fact furnishes a basis for inference of the existence of the second.7
The rules of evidence, however, are established not alone by the courts but by the legislature. The Congress has power to prescribe what evidence is to be received in the courts of the United States.8 The section under consideration is such legislation. But the due process clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments set limits upon the power of Congress or that of a state legislature to make the proof of one fact or group of facts evidence of the existence of the ultimate fact on which guilt is predicated. The question is whether, in this instance, the Act transgresses those limits.
The Government seems to argue that there are two alternative tests of the validity of a presumption created by statute. The first is that there be a rational connection between the facts proved and the fact presumed; the second that of comparative convenience of producing evidence of the ultimate fact. We are of opinion that these are not independent tests but that the first is controlling and the second but a corollary. Under our decisions, a statutory presumption cannot be sustained if there be no rational connection between the fact proved and the ultimate fact presumed, if the inference of the one from proof of the other is arbitrary because of lack of connection between the two in common experience.9 This is not to say that a valid presumption may not be created upon a view of relation broader than that a jury might take in a specific case.10 But where the inference is so strained as not to have a reasonable relation to the circumstances of life as we know them it is not competent for the legislature to create it as a rule governing the procedure of courts.
The Government seeks to support the presumption by a showing that, in most states, laws forbid the acquisition of firearms without a record of the transaction or require registration of ownership. From these circumstances it is argued that mere possession tends strongly to indicate that acquisition must have been in an interstate transaction. But we think the conclusion does not rationally follow. Aside from the fact that a number of states have no such laws, there is no presumption that a firearm must have been lawfully acquired or that it was not transferred interstate prior to the adoption of state regulation. Even less basis exists for the inference from mere possession that acquisition occurred subsequent to the effective date of the statute,—July 30, 1938. And, as no state laws or regulations are cited with respect to the acquisition of ammunition, there seems no reasonable ground for a presumption that its purchase or procurement was in interstate rather than in intrastate commerce.11 It is not too much to say that the presumptions created by the law are violent, and inconsistent with any argument drawn from experience.
Nor can the fact that the defendant has the better means of information, standing alone, justify the creation of such a presumption. In every criminal case the defendant has at least an equal familiarity with the facts and in most a greater familiarity with them than the prosecution. It might, therefore, be argued that to place upon all defendants in criminal cases the burden of going forward with the evidence would be proper. But the argument proves too much. If it were sound, the legislature might validly command that the finding of an indictment, or mere proof of the identity of the accused, should create a presumption f the existence of all the facts essential to guilt. This is not permissible.12
Whether the statute in question be treated as expressing the normal balance of probability, or as laying down a rule of comparative convenience in the production of evidence, it leaves the jury free to act on the presumption alone once the specified facts are proved, unless the defendant comes forward with opposing evidence. And this we think enough to vitiate the statutory provision.
Doubtless the defendants in these cases knew better than anyone else whether they acquired the firearms or ammunition in interstate commerce. It would, therefore, be a convenience to the Government to rely upon the presumption and cast on the defendants the burden of coming forward with evidence to rebut it. But, as we have shown, it is not permissible thus to shift the burden by arbitrarily making one fact, which has no relevance to guilt of the offense, the occasion of casting on the defendant the obligation of exculpation. The argument from convenience is admissible only where the inference is a permissible one, where the defendant has more convenient access to the proof, and where requiring him to go forward with proof will not subject him to unfairness or hardship.13 Even if the presumption in question were in itself reasonable, we think that the nature of the offense, and the elements which go to constitute it, render it impossible to sustain the statute, for the reason that one element of the offense is the prior conviction of a crime of violence. If the presumption warrants conviction unless the defendant comes forward with evidence in explanation and if, as is necessarily true, such evidence must be credited by the jury if the presumption is to be rebutted, the defendant is under the handicap, if he takes the witness stand, of admitting prior convictions of violent crimes. His evidence as to acquisition of the firearm or ammunition is thus discredited in the eyes of the jury before it is given.
Although the Government recognizes that the authorities cited in Note 9 announce the rule by which the validity of the Act is to be tested, it relies on certain other decisions as supporting the legislation. We think that what was decided in those cases was not a departure from the rule and that they are distinguishable from the instant cases.
In Adams v. New York, 192 U.S. 585, 24 S.Ct. 372, 48 L.Ed. 575, a state statute made it an offense 'knowingly' to possess policy slips and provided that possession should be presumptive evidence 'of possession thereof knowingly'. The statutory presumption was sustained. Accidental and innocent possession of such a paper would be extraordinary and unusual and the statutory presumption was hardly needed to justify a jury in inferring knowledge of the character of the policy slip by one found in possession of it.
In Hawes v. Georgia, 258 U.S. 1, 42 S.Ct. 204, 66 L.Ed. 431, the statutory offense was that of knowingly permitting a still upon the defendant's premises. The statute provided that when distilling apparatus was found on the premises this should be prima facie evidence that the person in actual possession had knowledge of its existence. The defendant's premises were a farm on which a still was found. This court sustained the presumption. The inference so accorded with common experience that a statutory provision scarcely was necessary to shift the burden of proof.
In Fong Yue Ting v. United States, 149 U.S. 698, 13 S.Ct. 1016, 37 L.Ed. 905, an Act of Congress was involved which required every Chinese alien within one year to procure from the Collector of Internal Revenue a certificate of residence and made it the duty of such alien to produce the certificate on request. Any officer was authorized to arrest a C inese alien failing to produce the certificate on request and to hold him for deportation. The Act placed on the alien the burden of proving at the deportation hearing his residence and of excusing his failure to procure a certificate. Failure to have in his possession the certificate the law required him to have gave rise to a natural inference of intentional failure to procure it or unlawful residence in the country which precluded his procuring it. In such a situation the shifting to the alien of the burden of explanation imposed no unreasonable hardship upon him.
In Yee Hem v. United States, 268 U.S. 178, 45 S.Ct. 470, 69 L.Ed. 904, it appeared that an Act of Congress prohibited importation of opium except under Treasury regulations and the latter forbade importation of smoking opium. The statute made it an offense knowingly to conceal opium illegally imported and threw upon a defendant found in possession of smoking opium the burden of showing that he had no acquired it through illegal importation. This court sustained the presumption on the ground that no lawful purchase of smoking opium could occur in this country and that, therefore, possession gave rise to sinister implications. It concluded it was not unreasonable to create a presumption of unlawful importation as the source of the commodity the possession of which the defendant concealed.
In Casey v. United States, 276 U.S. 413, 48 S.Ct. 373, 72 L.Ed. 632, the offenses created by Act of Congress were the purchase or sale of morphine from packages not stamped with an Internal Revenue tax stamp. The defendant was charged with a purchase from such a package. The evidence showed that he dispensed the drug in clandestine fashion and not from a stamped package. In these circumstances, this court held that the presumption created by the statute that a sale of morphine from an unstamped package should be prima facie evidence of a similar purchase was not unreasonable or beyond the realm of common experience.
The Government seeks to sustain the statute on an alternative ground. It urges that Congress, in view of the interstate commerce in firearms, might, in order to regulate it, have prohibited the possession of all firearms by persons heretofore convicted of crimes of violence; that, as the power of Congress extends so far, the presumption that acquisition was in interstate commerce is the lesser exertion of legislative power and may be upheld.14 Two considerations render the argument inadmissible. First, it will not serve to sustain the presumption of acquisition after the effective date of the Act, and secondly, it is plain that Congress, for whatever reason, did not seek to pronounce general prohibition of possession by certain residents of the various states of firearms in order to protect interstate commerce, but dealt only with their future acquisition in interstate commerce.
The judgment in No. 569 is reversed and that in No. 636 is affirmed.
Reversed in part.
Mr. Justice MURPHY took no part in the consideration or decision of these cases.
Mr. Justice BLACK, with whom Mr. Justice DOUGLAS concurs, concurring.
I agree that the mere possession of a pistol coupled with conviction of a prior crime is no evidence at all that the possessor of the pistol has acquired it in interstate commerce or obtained it since the effective date of the Act under consideration. The Act authorizes, and in effect constrains, juries to convict defendants charged with violation of this statute even though no evidence whatever has been offered which tends to prove an essential ingredient of the offense. The procedural safeguards found in the Constitution and in the bill of Rights, Chambers v. Florida, 309 U.S. 227, 237, 60 S.Ct. 472, 477, 84 L.Ed. 716, stand as a constitutional barrier against thus obtaining a conviction, ibid., 309 U.S. at pages 235—238, 60 S.Ct. at pages 476, 477, 84 L.Ed. 716. These constitutional provisions contemplate that a jury must determine uilt or innocence in a public trial in which the defendant is confronted with the witnesses against him and in which he enjoys the assistance of counsel; and where guilt is in issue, a verdict against a defendant must be preceded by the introduction of some evidence which tends to prove the elements of the crime charged. Compliance with these constitutional provisions, which of course constitute the supreme law of the land, is essential to due process of law, and a conviction obtained without their observance cannot be sustained.
It is unnecessary to consider whether this statute, which puts the defendant against whom no evidence of guilt has been offered in a procedural situation from which he can escape conviction only by testifying, compels him to give evidence against himself in violation of the Fifth Amendment.
c. 850, 52 Stat. 1250, 1251, 15 U.S.C. § 902(f), 15 U.S.C.A. § 902(f).
See 42 F.Supp. 252.
These are crimes of violence according to the definition contained in § 1(6) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. § 901(6), 15 U.S.C.A. § 901(6).
Armed robbery is a crime of violence as defined in § 1(6) of the Act.
Wilson v. United States, 162 U.S. 613, 619, 16 S.Ct. 895, 898, 40 L.Ed. 1090.
Ex parte Fisk, 113 U.S. 713, 721, 5 S.Ct. 724, 727, 28 L.Ed. 1117; Adams v. New York 192 U.S. 585, 599, 24 S.Ct. 372, 375, 48 L.Ed. 575; Mobile J. & K.C.R. Co. v. Turnipseed, 219 U.S. 35, 42, 31 S.Ct. 136, 137, 55 L.Ed. 78, 32 L.R.A., N.S. 226, Ann.Cas.1912A, 463; Bailey v. Alabama, 219 U.S. 219, 238, 31 S.Ct. 145, 150, 55 L.Ed. 191; Luria v. United States, 231 U.S. 9, 34 S.Ct. 10, 58 L.Ed. 101; Hawes v. Georgia, 258 U.S. 1, 4, 42 S.Ct. 204, 205, 66 L.Ed. 431.
Mobile J. & K.C.R. Co. v. Turnipseed, supra, 219 U.S. at page 43, 31 S.Ct. at page 138, 55 L.Ed. 78, 32 L.R.A.,N.S., 226, Ann.Cas.1912A, 463; Bailey v. Alabama, supra, 219 U.S. at page 239, 31 S.Ct. at page 150, 55 L.Ed. 191; Lindsley v. Natural Carbonic Gas Co., 220 U.S. 61, 81, 31 S.Ct. 337, 341, 55 L.Ed. 369, Ann.Cas.1912C, 160; Luria v. United States, supra, 231 U.S. at page 25, 34 S.Ct. at page 14, 58 L.Ed. 101; McFarland v. American Sugar Ref. Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 36 S.Ct. 498, 501, 60 L.Ed. 899; Manley v. Georgia, 279 U.S. 1, 49 S.Ct. 215, 73 L.Ed. 575; Western & A.R. Co. v. Henderson, 279 U.S. 639, 642, 49 S.Ct. 445, 447, 73 L.Ed. 884; Morrison v. California, 291 U.S. 82, 90, 54 S.Ct. 281, 284, 78 L.Ed. 664.
Bailey v. Alabama, supra, 219 U.S. at page 235, 31 S.Ct. at page 149, 55 L.Ed. 191.
Delia was convicted upon an indictment which charged, inter alia, receipt of ammunition.
McFarland v. American Sugar Ref. Co., supra, 241 U.S. at page 86, 36 S.Ct. at page 501, 60 L.Ed. 899.
Morrison v. California, supra, 291 U.S. at pages 94, 96, 54 S.Ct. at pages 286, 287, 78 L.Ed. 664.
See Ferry v. Ramsay, 277 U.S. 88, 48 S.Ct. 443, 72 L.Ed. 796.
The following state regulations pages link to this page.


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John Kerry is not a naive man. I met him recently at a luncheon at Georgetown University with a small group of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders brought together to hear the secretary of state's frank reflections on the peace process.
While deeply aware of the complexities and obstacles to peace, Kerry is undeterred by the acrimony and intransigence that imprison Israelis and Palestinians in a devastating and soul-corrupting status quo even as the Middle East shakes around them. "At some point," he said, "you just have to bet on peace."
There are many legitimate reasons to be skeptical of this latest round of peace talks. To reach a lasting, negotiated two-state solution, both sides will have to make excruciating choices on core issues from refugees to security to settlements to Jerusalem.
This is a rare moment — a precious opportunity for the American Jewish leadership to improve the prospects for lasting peace and security by providing the principled support that can embolden Israel to take the necessary steps to achieve both goals. Instead, too many leaders have opted for muted support of these efforts, shying away from the type of full-throated, ardent, sustained and public backing that will tap into our community's desire for a negotiated two-state solution — offering instead quiet criticism, muttered cynicism or silence.
Driven by fear, distrust and even disdain, some in the Jewish community see the quest for peace — that is, an independent and viable state of Palestine alongside a secure and Jewish state of Israel — as driven by a reckless combination of naivete and arrogance.
I don't see it that way, nor do most American Jews — the quiet majority, all-too-often marginalized when it comes to public discourse on Israel. They — we — love the State of Israel, believe that peace is possible, and see its pursuit not as a sign of weakness but rather as an expression of courage, compassion and faith.
More and more young people identify with this camp, unwilling to abide an untenable status quo that leaves Israel increasingly insecure, isolated and vulnerable to extremism. These young people are rightly convinced that a two-state solution is the only way Israel can live up to its own greatest aspirations as a Jewish and democratic state, end the corrosive occupation and have their Israeli counterparts grow up free from war and terrorism.
For these people, respect for the dignity of the Palestinian people and their national ambitions does not conflict with or undermine their deep love of Israel, but rather is an essential dimension of it.
If Kerry succeeds, it will be because his plan honors the narratives, agonies and legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. It will be because his tireless and seasoned envoy, Martin Indyk, cares deeply and passionately about the security and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. It will be because the bipartisan vision of a negotiated two-state solution — hailed by both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — serves the national interests of Israelis and Palestinians far better than the tragic deadlock that leaves Israel marginalized and besieged and leaves the Palestinians stateless and resentful.
Kerry has demonstrated that he will not veer off course when critics snipe or cynics carp. He will not be deterred by what he calls "the maximalists" on either side — those who will never be satisfied with anything short of everything, those who prefer land to peace, stasis to security, resentment to resolution. If Kerry succeeds, it will be because Israelis and Palestinians recognize that he has staked out a position that is firm, fair and, ultimately, sustainable — everything that today's worrisome status quo is not.
If Kerry fails, it will be because the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships could not summon the courage to take the painful steps required for peace, security and dignity. And it will also be because those of us who so deeply want peace did not do enough to change the political climate in which the leaders are making their decisions. If Kerry fails, it will be because cynicism, myopia and a lack of urgency sabotage this opportunity to reach a negotiated two-state solution before another intifada, crisis or tragic loss of life leaves the region shaken and the parties longing for the reasoned principles on the table now.
Failure will be, in part, because we have allowed a small minority of oppositional voices to be heard over those in the United States who support the president, the secretary of state and the majority of Israelis and Palestinians who polls show support a two-state solution. If the silent majority remains quiet now, it will implicitly allow a short-sighted and self-defeating rejectionism to rule the day.
Let us not let that happen. This opportunity may not come again in our lifetimes, and the cost of failure will be unfathomably high, for both Israelis and Palestinians. Let's help John Kerry succeed — let's help Israelis and Palestinians succeed — by amplifying the voices of hope and possibility. Let them hear our cry and our call in Washington, Jerusalem and Ramallah: We stand with you in the fight for peace.
Rabbi Sharon Brous is the founding rabbi of Ikar.


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What are the essential medical supplies that everyone should have at home?
Everyone should have basic medical supplies such as adhesive bandages, antiseptic solution, thermometers, and pain relief medications at home. It's also advisable to keep a first aid kit handy in case of emergencies.
How can I choose the right mobility aid for my needs?
Choosing the right mobility aid depends on your specific needs and mobility limitations. It's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist who can assess your requirements and provide appropriate recommendations.
What are some important factors to consider when purchasing medical equipment?
When purchasing medical equipment, it's important to consider factors such as quality, reliability, ease of use, and warranty. You should also ensure that the equipment meets any specific regulatory requirements or certifications in your country.
Do you offer home delivery for medical supplies?
Yes, we offer home delivery for all medical supplies. Our delivery services are reliable and ensure that you receive your order in a timely manner. You can conveniently place your order online and have it delivered to your doorstep.
Are the medical supplies on your website suitable for professional use?
Yes, we offer a range of medical supplies that are suitable for both personal and professional use. Our products meet the necessary standards and requirements to cater to the needs of healthcare professionals.
Can I return or exchange medical equipment if it doesn't meet my requirements?
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Do you provide warranty for the medical equipment?
Yes, we provide warranty for all the medical equipment available on our website. The warranty period may vary depending on the product. You can find the warranty information on the product page or contact our customer support team for details.
Are your medical supplies approved by regulatory authorities?
Yes, our medical supplies are sourced from reputable brands and suppliers. They meet the necessary regulatory requirements and certifications in Kazakhstan. We ensure that the products we offer are safe and reliable for use.


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Registered user since Sat 14 Mar 2015
Name:Andrew Myers
Andrew Myers is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His research interests include programming languages, computer security, and distributed and persistent programming systems. Myers is an ACM Fellow. He has received awards for papers appearing in POPL'99, SOSP'01, SOSP'07, CIDR'13, PLDI'13, and PLDI'15. Myers is currently the Editor-in-Chief for ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems (TOPLAS). He has also served as program chair or co-chair for a few conferences: ACM POPL 2018, ACM CCS 2016, POST 2014, IEEE CSF 2010, and IEEE S&P 2009.
Country:United States
Affiliation:Cornell University
Personal website: http://www.cs.cornell.edu/andru
Research interests:Programming Languages, Security, Systems
PLDI 2018-profile
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Former first lady Michelle Obama excoriated President Trump during a video message aimed at delivering her closing argument for why voters should elect Joe Biden.
"We can no longer pretend that we don't know exactly who and what this president stands for. Search your hearts, and your conscience, and then vote for Joe Biden like your lives depend on it," Obama said in the video released by Biden's campaign.
She rebuked Trump for what she sees as "willful mismanagement of the COVID crisis."
"Seven months later, he still won't wear a mask consistently and encourage others to do the same, even when those simple actions could save countless lives," she said. "Instead, he continues to gaslight the American people by acting like this pandemic is not a real threat."
Her remarks Tuesday morning came a day after Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive the rest of his treatment for COVID-19 from the White House.
Upon his return, he took off his mask for a photo-op and in a video downplayed the severity of the virus. "Don't be afraid of it. You're going to beat it," Trump said.
In a tweet Tuesday morning, Trump said he's "FEELING GREAT!"
Obama also admonished the president for his push for colleges to reopen immediately.
"Everybody wants their kids back in school as soon as it's safe," she said. "But as a mom, it is frightening thinking about all of these young people, who were just our babies yesterday, quarantined alone in dorms or apartments with little or no support as the disease continues to spread, unable to come home if their symptoms get worse."
She also used the video to have a frank discussion about white privilege, calling for people to walk in each other's shoes. She said:
Think about it: You've worked hard all your life, and for too long, you've watched the rich get richer ... you've seen your beloved towns shattered by joblessness ... and it's frustrating to hear some folks say that you've been the beneficiary of privilege, that the color of your skin gives you a head start.
But right now, the president and his allies are trying to tap into that frustration and distract from his breathtaking failures by giving folks someone to blame other than them. They're stoking fears about Black and brown Americans, lying about how minorities will destroy the suburbs, whipping up violence and intimidation.
She underlined: "It's morally wrong and yes, it is racist."
In last week's nationally televised presidential debate, Trump declined to denounce white supremacists, instead saying that the Proud Boys, a far-right group, should "stand back and stand by."
He later told Fox News that he condemns right-wing hate groups.
Obama said the moment calls for empathy.
"Imagine how it feels to have suspicion cast on you from the day you were born simply because of the hue of your skin," she said, "to walk around your own country scared that someone's unjustified fear of you could put you in harm's way, terrified of what four more years of this kind of division might mean for the safety of you and those you love."
Obama labeled electing Biden in November as a "chance for a fresh start."
She ticked through the Democratic nominee's biography and decades of public service, noting that Biden continued to serve even in the face of tragedy after he lost his wife and young daughter, and later in life, his eldest son Beau.
She emphasized the importance of making a voting plan, saying, "We don't have the luxury to assume that things are going to turn out OK."
"We cannot afford to withhold our votes or waste them on a protest candidate," she said, perhaps referencing the candidacy of musician Kanye West.
"Work like this may not feel as impactful as attending a protest, but trust me, it is absolutely the most important thing that we can do right now to save our democracy."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Rooney salvages point for Gills
Substitute Ian Craney fired Stanley ahead with just six minutes remaining, however Rooney's powerful spot kick levelled the match just two minutes later.
Gills midfielder Charlie Lee saw his early shot well saved by Stanley keeper Sean Murdoch, and also had his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Dean Winnard, while Accrington's Kevin McIntyre forced a smart save out of Gillingham keeper Ross Flitney shortly before half-time.
Lewis Montrose blazed over following a smart interchange between Rooney and Barry Fuller on the Gillingham right, before Rooney's teasing effort called Murdoch into action once again.
Winnard could have opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark, but his weak header from a Craig Lindfield corner was easily saved by Flitney.
Craney wasted a golden opportunity just minutes after coming on, but made amends for the miss when he fired past Flitney from Luke Joyce's neat assist.
Their lead was short lived as referee Darren Sheldrake gave Gillingham a penalty for a Lewis Moult foul on Danny Kedwell, which Rooney duly converted.


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According to frontman Imperial, Krieg have unearthed the original recordings of the Blue Miasma album, without samples, and are going to use this heavier mix for the re-issue of the album. Imperial mentioned this in a Facebook post detailing the discovery.
Imperial said, "The original unmastered with no samples mix of Blue Miasma has been unearthed thanks to Jeff Marcheski and will have some minor additions to it for the reissue of the album. This original mix was heavier and dirtier than the one that got released and, to me at least, sounds better."
While the original Krieg release was improvisational chaotic black metal, the band had drifted into more modern metal influenced styles over the past decade as Imperial and other members collaborated with indie-rock-hybrid black metal bands and took influences from the experience. The latest developments are part of an ongoing arc back toward traditionalist black metal ethos for this band.
3 CommentsTags: Black Metal, black punk, indie-black, krieg


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OECD Economic Surveys: New Zealand 2019
Well-being in New Zealand is generally high, although there is room for improvement in incomes, housing affordability, distribution, water quality and GHG emissions. Economic growth is projected to remain around 2½ per cent. The main risks to the outlook are rising trade restrictions and a housing market correction. Labour market reforms have been initiated to increase wages for the low paid but will need to be implemented cautiously to minimise potential adverse effects. Substantial planned increases in bank capital requirements should reduce the expected costs of financial crises but might reduce economic activity. To improve the well-being of New Zealanders, the government is amending legislation to embed well-being objective setting and reporting, developing well-being frameworks and indicator sets and using well-being evidence to inform budget priority setting and decision-making. Immigration increases well-being of both immigrants and most of the NZ-born, although associated increases in housing costs, congestion and pollution have had negative effects. A raft of measures is underway to make housing supply more responsive to demand. However, strict regulatory containment policies, which impede densification, need to be replaced by rules that are better aligned with desired outcomes and alternative sources of finance found to relieve local government infrastructure funding pressures.
Also available in: French
Spending on housing allowances and number of recipients are high
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Retirement Strategy: Planning Your Retirement Lifestyle
Some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want; others don't.
Fate aside, it isn't merely a matter of investment decisions that make the difference. There are certain dos and don'ts – some less apparent than others – that tend to encourage retirement happiness and comfort.
Retire financially literate.
Some retirees don't know how much they don't know. They end their careers with inadequate financial knowledge yet feel they can prepare for retirement on their own. They mistake creating a retirement income strategy with the whole of preparing for retirement, and they gloss over longevity risk, risks to their estate, and potential health care expenses. The more you know, the more your retirement readiness improves.
Is the goal to retire debt-free – or close to debt-free?
Even if your retirement savings are substantial, you may want to consider reviewing your overall debt situation.
Retire with purpose.
There's a difference between retiring and quitting. Some people can't wait to quit their job at 62 or 65. If only they could escape and just relax and do nothing for a few years – wouldn't that be a nice reward? Relaxation can lead to inertia, however – and inertia can lead to restlessness, even depression. You want to retire to a dream, not away from a problem.
The bottom line? Retirees who know what they want to do – and go out and do it – are positively contributing to their mental health and possibly their physical health as well. If they do something that is not only vital to them but also important to others, their community can benefit as well.
Retire healthy.
Smoking, drinking, overeating, a dearth of physical activity – all these can take a toll on your capacity to live life fully and enjoy retirement. It is never too late to change habits that may lead to poor health.
Retire where you feel at home.
It could be where you live now; it could be a nearby place where the scenery and people are uplifting. If you find yourself lonely in retirement, then look for ways to connect with people who share your experiences, interests, and passions, those who encourage you and welcome you. This social interaction is one of the great, intangible retirement benefits.
A successful retirement is not merely measured in financial terms.
Even those who retire with small fortunes can face boredom or depression and the fear of drawing down their savings too fast. How can new retirees try to calm these worries?
Two factors may help: a gradual retirement transition and some guidance from a financial professional.
An abrupt break from the workplace may be unsettling.
As a hypothetical example, imagine a well-paid finance manager at an auto dealership whose personal identity is closely tied to his job. His best friends are all at the dealership. He retires, and suddenly his friends and sense of purpose are absent. He finds that he has no compelling reason to leave the house, nothing to look forward to when he gets up in the morning. Guess what? He hates being retired.
On the other hand, if he prepares for his retirement years in advance of his farewell party by exploring an encore career, engaging in varieties of self-employment, or volunteering, he can retire with something promising ahead of him. If he broadens the scope of his social life so that he can see friends and family regularly and interact with both older and younger people in different settings, his retirement may also become more enjoyable.
The interests and needs of a retiree can change with age or as they disengage from the working world. Retired households may need to adjust their lifestyles in response to this evolution.
Practically all retirees have some financial anxiety.
It relates to the fact of no longer earning a conventional paycheck. You see it in couples who have $60,000 saved for retirement; you see it in couples who have $6 million saved for retirement. Their retirement strategies are about to be tested, in real-time. All that careful preparation is ready to come to fruition, but there are always unknowns.
Some retirees are afraid to spend.
They fear spending too much too soon. With help from a financial professional, they can create a strategy.
Retirement challenges people in two ways.
The obvious challenge is financial; the less obvious challenge is mental. Both tests may be met with sufficient foresight and dedication.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.


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Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Victoria Court… What do these three have in common? If you get it, then you get us.
Victoria Court is a chain of hotels in the heart of Metro Manila. From the moment our guests arrive, they are immediately immersed in an extra sensory environment that is tailor-fit to each uniquely themed room. Want to be Batman for a day? We can do that for you. Is being a princess more your thing? Not a problem. No fantasy is too small for our group of intrepid employees who stop at nothing to make sure that our guests are happy from the time they check-in to the time they checkout. Our state-of-the-art themed suites whisk our guests away to wherever their heart desires. Our talented chefs make sure that each taste bud is tickled with every bite of our award winning dishes.
Joining the team ensures that, like our rooms, no two days will be alike. You will be working with passionate, fun-loving, and extremely creative individuals whose main goal is to make our guests forget the humdrum of everyday life, even if just for a few hours.
With fantastic benefits ensuring the growth of our employees, working with us means that you'll be working with a smile, day in and day out.
Need more proof? Our former employees are so good that others in our industry hire them no questions asked.
Join us. Feel the distinction.
Here is the link to what secretly goes on behind Victoria Court's doors:
#TAGmedia #VictoriaCourt