text:
California Dreamin': Trust and Let Go
Trust and let go. These words have been playing on repeat in my mind for some time now.
Most recently this new line of thinking came into play during my recent trip to California. It's always been a dream of mine to do a photoshoot in L.A, cause let's be honest – it sounds pretty freakin' fun and cool! So here I was, making the dream a reality! However, I felt completely outside my comfort zone. Thank goodness for my photographer/friend Kate, whose skills I relied on heavily!
I'm not used to being in an unfamiliar city with lots of eyes on me as I try to figure out how to pose like most of the models in L.A. I'm a country girl who grew up in a small town who was taught to just smile at the camera and say cheese.
I quickly realized I needed to get out of my own head or these photos were going to be disastrous! I literally just allowed myself to have complete trust in Kate and the process by reminding myself to just trust and let go.
I soon found myself relaxing more and more and ended up having sooo much fun! It truly is amazing what can happen when you allow yourself to experience something new and a little scary!
Check out this weeks VLOG where I take you behind the scenes of my L.A photoshoot!


text:
House Democrats are still poised to pass President Joe Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus bill on Friday after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a proposed increase to the minimum wage cannot be included in the stimulus bill. CNN and Politico first reported the news.
Despite the ruling, and after questions on whether the bill would have to go back into committees and go through the markup process all over again, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House is still set to vote on the stimulus bill on Friday. She said the the provision will remain in the bill.
"House Democrats believe that the minimum wage hike is necessary. Therefore, this provision will remain in the American Rescue Plan on the Floor tomorrow. Democrats in the House are determined to pursue every possible path in the Fight For 15," Pelosi said.
Pelosi said earlier on Thursday that the House is prepared to pass the stimulus bill with or without a minimum wage provision, adding that the House could vote on a separate minimum wage measure.
What is likely to happen is after House Democrats approve the measure on Friday, the Senate would then be expected to remove the minimum wage provision, kicking the bill back to the House for a final vote.
Because Democrats are using the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill in an effort to circumvent a Senate filibuster, only certainly types of legislation can be used via budget reconciliation. Buried within the stimulus bill was a proposal to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 an hour by 2025.
Without budget reconciliation, such a dramatic increase to the minimum wage is almost certain to fail in the Senate given that 60 votes would be needed to bring the proposal to a vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his disappointment about the decision in a statement.
"We are deeply disappointed in this decision," Schumer said. "We are not going to give up the fight to raise the minimum wage to $15 to help millions of struggling American workers and their families. The American people deserve it, and we are committed to making it a reality."
In order to use the budget reconciliation process, the bill has to be in agreement with the "Byrd Rule."
The Byrd Rule in general requires that a proposal must produce a change in government spending or revenue, or change the federal deficit. While spending on a stimulus bill should pass the Byrd Rule, there were questions on whether the minimum wage increase would affect government spending or revenue.
In addition to Republican opposition, the minimum wage provision has faced criticism from various industries, including the restaurant industry, which has been decimated amid the pandemic. Rather than scrapping the stimulus bill altogether, leaders of the National Restaurant Association are calling for the minimum wage provision to be removed from the bill.
"Passage of this bill this year would lead to job losses and higher use of labor-reducing equipment and technology," said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. "Nearly all restaurant operators say they will increase menu prices. But what is clear is that raising prices for consumers will not be enough for restaurants to absorb higher labor costs."
If passed on its own, the federal minimum wage would increase to $9.50 on June 1, $11 in June 2022, $12.50 in June 2023, $14 in June 2024 and $15 in June 2025.
A recent Congressional Budget Office analysis projects that the poverty rate would decline by .9%, roughly the same percentage of workers would find themselves out of work.
The CBO projects the cumulative pay of affected people would increase, on net, by $333 billion through 2033. At the same time, those seeing higher income would cumulatively have a $509 billion increase in pay through 2033. Those with reduced employment would lose $175 billion in income.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell cited the CBO's findings on the floor of the Senate earlier this month.
"But remember, this is about liberal dreams and not urgent needs," McConnell said about Democrats wanting to include a minimum wage increase in the stimulus bill.
Schumer has been a proponent of increasing the minimum wage.
"The bottom line is simple. We are still in a historic crisis of health of the economy," Schumer said. "The American people know we're in a historic crisis and the Senate will soon take action on our plan to solve this crisis. A plan with overwhelming public support. Our Republican colleagues will have to decide whether they will work with us to improve the legislation or obstruct it to the bitter end."
The stimulus bill includes $1,400 checks for most Americans making less than $75,000 a year. It also includes $1,400 for eligible dependents. The proposal increases the child tax credit to $3,000 per year ($3,600 for children under age 6). And it extends enhanced unemployment benefits through September.
The bill also replenishes funds for small business grants, and adds nearly $130 billion for schools to retain staff and implement social distancing protocols.
Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk.Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs or on Facebook.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Date(s) - 24/04/2020
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Girlguiding Staffordshire
Unfortunately, due to the current coronavirus pandemic this course has been cancelled.
Girlguiding have updated the 'A Safe Space' training to help create an environment where girls can be safe and have fun. The training is mandatory and needs renewing every three years.
This is Level 4 training.
There are four levels of training. All volunteers will need to do Level 1 and then your role will depend on which of the next 3 levels you will need to complete. By December 2020 everyone will need to have the correct level of training for their role.
A Safe Space, Level 1 – An introduction
For all volunteers including occasional helpers, GO coordinators, home contacts and parent helpers, peer educators and those doing the Young Leader qualification (age 14+).
A Safe Space, Level 2 – Creating a safe space
For leaders, assistant leaders, unit helpers, leaders in training, young leaders, peer educators and those that are doing level 3 and 4.
A Safe Space, Level 3 – Recognising, telling and taking action
For anyone leading a team of adults, leaders in charge (or at least one leader per unit with module four of the Leadership qualification), mentors, advisers, coordinators (except GO coordinators), licence holders on residentials, trainers, tutors and those doing level 4.
A Safe Space, Level 4 – Managing concerns, allegations and disclosures
For all commissioners, designates, deputies and those sharing a role, trainers delivering A Safe Space, safeguarding leads and A Safe Space advisers.
**SPECIAL OFFER** Throughout 2020 there will be no charge for Safe Space training courses.
Our booking terms and conditions can be viewed here.
Unfortunately, due to the current coronavirus pandemic this course has been cancelled.
Bookings are closed for this event.


text:
UPDATE: Unfortunately, the SnoCore Tour has been cancelled due to The Pretty Reckless's Taylor Momsen falling ill with laryngitis. You can read more about it on SnoCore's Facebook Post. You can stream...
The origins of Tooth & Nail's highly heralded hard rock acquisition The Letter Black actually dates back to the members time in Breaking the Silence. After forming in 2006, the group entered the studio independently with Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., Pillar, Disciple), followed by an impressive streak of 150 shows a year including a last minute call from the T&N to serve as a substitute for a broken up band on the otherwise successful Five 4 Five Tour alongside Dizmas and Children 18:3 (with just two weeks notice), and more recently, Skillet's immensely successful Awake and Alive Tour. Between constant contact with the label through that all-star producer and their new manager, the Uniontown, Pennsylvania-based band turned their backs on other label offers and signed by the dotted line.
Read the full Biography
Sarah Anthony - Vocals
Mark Anthony - Vocals and Guitar
Matt Beal - Bass
Mat Slagle - Drums


text:
Within the past 24 hours a number of businesses throughout the UK have received extortion demands from a group calling themselves 'Lizard Squad'. Method of Attack: The group have sent emails demanding payment of 5 Bitcoins, to be paid by a certain time and date. The email states that this demand will increase by 5 Bitcoins for each day that it goes unpaid. If their demand is not met, they have threatened to launch a Denial of Service attack against the businesses' websites and networks, taking them offline until payment is made. The demand states that once their actions have started, they cannot be undone. What to do if you've received one of these demands:
- Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by using the online reporting tool
- Do not pay the demand
- Retain the original emails (with headers)
- Maintain a timeline of the attack, recording all times, type and content of the contact
If you are experiencing a DDoS right now you should:
- Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 immediately.
- Call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) (or hosting provider if you do not host your own Web server), tell them you are under attack and ask for help.
- Keep a timeline of events and save server logs, web logs, email logs, any packet capture, network graphs, reports etc.
Get Safe Online top tips for protecting your business from a DDoS:
- Consider the likelihood and risks to your organisation of a DDoS attack, and put appropriate threat reduction/mitigation measures in place.
- If you consider that protection is necessary, speak to a DDoS prevention specialist.
- Whether you are at risk of a DDoS attack or not, you should have the hosting facilities in place to handle large, unexpected volumes of website hits.


text:
1 The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,
4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
5 They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.]
6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.
9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
10 And the elect shall praise his holy name.
11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.
12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.
13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour.
15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:
18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord
21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
26 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.
29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.


text:
Marano cabalist; born a Christian in Portugal about 1500; died at Mantua in 1532. His baptismal name probably was Diogo Pires. He held the post of secretary in one of the higher courts of his native country. When the adventurer David Reubeni came ostensibly on a political mission from Khaibar, in Africa, to Portugal, Molko wished to join him, but was rejected. He then circumcised himself, though without thereby gaining Reubeni's favor, and emigrated to Turkey. Highly endowed, but a visionary and believer in dreams, he studied the Cabala with Joseph Taytazak and became acquainted with Joseph Caro. He then wandered, as a preacher, through Palestine, where he achieved a great reputation and announced that the Messianic kingdom would come in 1540. In 1529 Molko published a portion of his sermons under the title "Derashot," or "Sefer ha-Mefo'ar." Going to Italy, he was opposed by prominent Jews, who feared that he might mislead their coreligionists, but he succeeded in gaining the favor of Pope Clement VII. and of some Judeophile cardinals at Rome. He is said to have predicted to the pope a certain flood which inundated Rome and various other places. After his many cabalistic and other strange experiments, Molko felt justified in proclaiming himself the Messiah, or his precursor. In company with David Reubeni, whom he came across in Italy, he went in 1532 to Ratisbon, where the emperor Charles V. was holding a diet. On this occasion Molko carried a flag with the inscription (abbreviation for "Who among the mighty is like unto God?"). The emperor imprisoned both Molko and Reubeni, and took them with him to Italy. In Mantua an ecclesiastical court sentenced Molko to death by fire. At the stake the emperor offered to pardon him on condition that he return to the Church, but Molko refused, asking for a martyr's death.
- Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., ix. 234 et seq., note 5;
- Neubauer, M. J. C. ii.;
- Vogelstein and Rieger, Gesch. der Juden in Rom.


text: The perfect look is built from the ground up and our socks are the perfect foundation. Crafted from mercerized organic cotton and ribbed so they hug all the right places. They're reinforced at toe and heel to make sure comfort is combined with durability. The packs of 3 make pairing your socks after laundry easier.


text:
by Kim Hastings
November 5, 2014
A river of New Orleans jazz music runs deeply through the Marsalis family. From father Ellis through Branford, Wynton, Ellis Jr. and to the cousins beyond, music is the lifeblood that flows through their veins. Little surprise then that Jason, the youngest of the Marsalis family, carries on the proud tradition. Jason Marsalis and the Jason Marsalis Quartet bring their love of all things jazz to Dimitrious' Jazz Alley Wednesday Nov. 5. One show only, the music begins at 7:30 p.m.
Jason Marsalis has been drumming all his life. In the last 15 years, he added the vibraphone to his repertoire. It is this fusion of percussive sound that he features in his newest album, 21st Century Trad Band. In a live appearance on KPLU's Studio Sessions, Marsalis was asked about musical influence.
"Well my family first, but I also was strongly impacted by the Afro-Cuban sounds of Abelardo Barroso, Bebo Valdez, and Armando Parazo," said Marsalis.
When asked about his current album Marsalis said, "People hear 'Trad Band" and they think that was something from a long time ago. I want to show the people that it's something that can work today."
Marsalis' group includes Austin Johnson (piano) Will Goble (bass) Dave Potter (drums) and Marsalis, concentrating on vibraphone but also taking a turn on the skins himself.
Marsalis' career was briefly derailed by Hurricane Katrina but has since taken on new life. His 2009 release "Music Update" was his first release as bandleader. The album was Jason's celebratory response to his family winning the distinguished NEA Jazz Masters Award. Since that time, his career has only flourished. 2013 was a monumental year in which Marsalis released his next recording as a leader on vibes entitled "In a World of Mallets". The album went to Number 1 on the CMJ Radio Charts and also won an Offbeat Magazine award, a New Orleans music magazine, for best Contemporary Jazz Album.
Marsalis' fans can expect to hear a wide-ranging eclectic set at Jazz Alley. From the titular track to the off-beat "For the Man With Two Left Feet" the Marsalis Quartet keeps the music humming. Featured are Jazz riffs and signature long pieces that show off the abilities owned by everyone in the group. The show is designed as an homage to jazz, blues, and the myriad music that has shaped Marsalis' life.


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Birth control pills work great if women remember to take them every day but missing doses can mean a surprise pregnancy. Now scientists have figured out how to pack a month's supply into one capsule.
The trick: A tiny star-shaped gadget that unfolds in the stomach and gradually releases the drug.
The experimental capsule is still years away from drugstores, but researchers reported Wednesday that it worked as designed in a key test in animals. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is investing $13 million for further development of the once-a-month pill, in hopes of eventually improving family planning options in developing countries.
"It has a lot of potential," said Dr. Beatrice Chen, a family planning specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, who wasn't involved in the new research. "Birth control is not one-size-fits-all," and women need more options.
Today, women who want the convenience of long-lasting contraception can choose among various devices, from a weekly patch to a monthly vaginal ring to an IUD that lasts for years.
It wasn't clear that "the Pill" — one of the most popular forms of birth control because it's cheap and easy to use — ever could join that list. Pills of all sorts generally pass through the body in a day.
A team from the lab of Massachusetts Institute of Technology inventor Robert Langer engineered a fix to protect pills from the harsh environment of the digestive system.
"We developed this capsule system that looks like a starfish, that can stay in the stomach several days, weeks, even a month at a time," said Dr. Giovanni Traverso of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, a senior author of the study.
The star-shaped device has six arms, and each holds a certain medication dose. The device is folded inside an ordinary-sized capsule. Swallow the capsule and stomach acid dissolves the coating, letting the star unfold. It's too big to fit through the stomach's exit but not big enough to cause an obstruction. As medication dissolves out of each of the arms, the device breaks down until it can safely pass through the digestive system.
Langer and Traverso's team first used the technology to try turning daily drugs for malaria and HIV into capsules that lasted a week or two. They also are experimental, but longer-lasting pills one day could help patients with serious diseases better stick with treatment.
A logical next attempt: A month-long oral contraceptive.
First, they had to tweak the star-shaped device. They made it stronger and turned to long-lasting contraceptive implants for the materials to hold the hormone ingredient and let it gradually seep out.
Then they tested the contraceptive capsules in pigs, which have human-like digestive systems. The experimental capsules released the contraceptive fairly consistently for up to four weeks, and the amount in the pigs' bloodstream was similar to what daily tablets deliver, MIT lead authors Ameya Kirtane and Tiffany Hua reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Lyndra Therapeutics Inc., a Massachusetts company co-founded by Langer and Traverso, is further developing the monthly pill and multiple other uses for the technology.
To be most useful, the capsule should be designed to emit three weeks of contraception and then allow for a woman's period, like a month's supply of birth control pills does, Traverso said. That would alert women when it was time to take another monthly dose.
Pittsburgh's Chen cautioned that more safety testing is required, including how well the experimental capsule breaks down and what's the proper dose of different hormones, before this can be tested in women. Other questions include whether the device dissolves in the same way in different people.
But if it pans out, Chen said it would be exciting to try combining both contraception and HIV drugs into the same capsule, particularly for developing countries where women are at high risk of the virus that causes AIDS.


text:
Rose Oil Shampoo
Regular price $23.00
Rose Oil Shampoo contains moisturizing properties that hydrate the hair and fight scalp dryness as well. Rose oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which means the scalp is soothed and comforted, reducing the signs of irritation and dandruff. This healthier scalp leads to increased hair growth and fullness. Hair is soft to the touch and full of volume.
- Sulfate, phosphate, & paraben free
- Beneficial for fine & dry hair
- Moisturize and hydrate the hair giving it luster and shine
- Helps promote scalp health and hair growth
- Adds volume and dimension for a fuller look
Wet hair, apply shampoo and gently massage into hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with Luseta Rose Oil Conditioner.
Water(Aqua,Eau), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Methyl MEA, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Lactate, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/acrylamide Copolymer, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Nonoxynol-10, Propylene Glycol, Citronellol, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Geraniol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Limonene, CI 16035, CI 17200, Citral, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol


text:
Five tips to help keep your wheels and tyres damage-free.
We often pick up little scratches and scars on our vehicles as part of ordinary wear and tear. A close encounter with a shopping trolley in a car park, backing into a gate you could have sworn was open, taking a speed bump that gave your front lip a bit of a love bite. Probably the worst feeling is when you're confident about a parallel parking spot and then… the horrible sound of your precious wheel being whittled away by the concrete kerb.
Unlike a scratch to your side mirror or a ding to your door, a gutter-rashed (sometimes also kerb-rashed) wheel may mean more than an unsightly look for your car's rolling components. What is sometimes overlooked is the effect rashing your wheels may have on your tyres. They could get pinched, have chunks taken out, and sometimes even be split by the curb. This may result in a compromise in sidewall strength, which could have hazardous consequences in the case of a blow-out.
Here are five parking tips to make sure you avoid embarrassment, unsightly wheel damage and possible road safety issues:
1. Size matters
Know the dimensions of your car. Gutter-rashing often happens because the driver doesn't know exactly where the front and rear wheels are. Getting to know your car's dimensions will help you feel more confident about staying clear of the kerb without leaving a gap wide enough to park a Smart car in.
2. Mirror, mirror
If the dimensions of your car or the car you are driving are unfamiliar, the best way to circumvent any wheel-based injury is to check your mirrors. If you have electric mirrors, use them! The reason they move around is not only so you can set and forget them, but also so you can point them towards the kerb. Many modern vehicles have a side mirror function that automatically points them down when you flick it in reverse.
3. Perfect the craft
This tip is quite simple: learn how to park properly. The Lifehacker website has posted this very useful parking infographic to make sure you nail the perfect parking spot every single time.
4. No stretch zone
Incorrect tyre sizing can be dangerous for correct contact patch and bead seating, while tyres that are too narrow will also slightly stretch over the wheel, leaving the outer edge of the wheel vulnerable to the gutter. In many instances a tyre will actually protect your wheel in the event of a possible rash, and without this rubber shield, guess what's going to be the first point of contact? Yep, your shiny wheels.
5. Too late, I've hit the kerb. What now?
"Consequences of gutter rash will be immediately detrimental to your tyre. Where the gutter rash is severe enough to cause a leak, it will not be a slow leak," says Toyo Tires Australia's technical manager Steve Burke.
If you do sustain any damage to your tyres or vehicle, see us in store and we can help you get back on the road.


text:
The Volunteer Committee is an advocate of the Ohio Volunteer Fire Service to the OFCA by being:
- Active with the legislature, especially with those in leadership roles
- A clearing house for information
- A resource to all of Ohio's volunteer community
- A common voice for Ohio's volunteer fire service
- Active in developing training, officer and leadership growth
- Enhancing the integrity and image of the volunteer fire service
The Volunteer Committee of the Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association is working to determine how to best serve you - the volunteer fire service. We'd like to hear from you concerning the current status of your department and determine what challenges the future may hold for you and your communities. Help shape the future of Ohio's volunteer fire service. The Volunteer Committee is here to serve you. Our success depends on you!
Contact retired Chief Colin Altman at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Below are some links to resources you might find useful for information sharing:
Resource Links
National Fire Academy
National Volunteer Fire Council
NIOSH-Fire Link
Ohio Fire Academy
Ohio Department of Public Safety - Emergency Medical Services]
Volunteer Firefighter


text:
1. Sing Street
I can't fault director John Carney for sticking with his trademark formula; he is, after all, batting 1,000 with "Once" and "Begin Again." "Sing Street" adds to his holy trinity of exemplary music themed tales.
This musical coming of age film is set in Ireland in the 1980s. Our hero is 15 year old schoolboy Conor / Cosmo (newcomer Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who, trying to escape an unhappy home environment and coping with being the new kid at his private Catholic school, forms a rag-tag rock band to attempt to impress a wayward wannabe model (Lucy Boynton). The ridiculously talented young cast (including Mark McKenna, Ben Carolan, and a standout star-making performance from Jack Reynor as the wise older brother) is immensely likeable, and the catchy original songs will leave you tapping your feet long after you leave the theater.
Underscored with themes of friendship and brotherly love, the movie's main focus is on the pure, unrivaled joy of creating art. If you are a musician or a fan of music, this is an absolute must-see (this movie is a genuine pleasure for creative types and will undoubtedly be savored even by those who aren't). As the boys scribble lyrics in pencil and write their own songs (or film their own hilarious new wave music videos), it reminds us to always follow our dreams and continuously forge ahead with our personal artistic expression, even in the face of failure.
As with all of writer/director Carney's best films, "Sing Street" not only celebrates music (accompanied by a tremendous original and classic 1980s era soundtrack) but shows a very deep understanding of the importance of music in ordinary people's lives. Music can serve as the best type of therapy to help us through sadness and tough times, liberating us from the worst the world has to offer. Music brings us love and wonder and happiness and allows us to escape (there's a phenomenal fantasy sequence in the film that I didn't want to see end)! Most of all, this movie is a love letter to youthful creative exuberance, artistic expression and indestructible imagination.
I loved this movie so much and I hope you'll seek it out. It's funny, it's touching, it's wistful, and it's fantastic.
2. Demolition
"Demolition" is an offbeat movie that delves deep in its exploration of grief and human relationships. It's a decidedly adult drama about self-discovery, at times considerably emotional and slightly subversive. This is complex filmmaking at its finest, and this movie spoke to me. There's a lot going on here; so much that I can't wait to watch the movie again. I'm sure it will get even richer with subsequent viewings.
After his wife Julia (Heather Lind) is tragically killed in a car crash where he's in the passenger seat, Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to fall apart. His father-in-law Phil (Chris Cooper) watches as Davis' life unravels (and weighty secrets are gradually unearthed). A handwritten complaint letter to a vending machine company over a $1.25 refund for a pack of peanut M&Ms leads to Davis' path crossing with pothead Karen (Naomi Watts) and her sexually confused son (Judah Lewis). Soon after, a strange friendship ensues and Davis literally begins to tear apart his former life. He becomes obsessed with dismantling everything in site, from espresso machines, bathroom doors, clocks, and ultimately his own memories.
This film is completely self-aware yet not cliched. (Believe me, I was ready to start rolling my eyes when Davis drives past an uprooted tree, but then we hear his voice-over blurt out that "everything has become a metaphor"). This is just one of the many perceptive aspects of the movie that thoroughly worked for me. I found it easy to relate to the story and there was something in each of the characters that rang true in my own personal experiences. Nothing feels forced — even the overt symbolism — because it's presented in a way that elicits empathy and is wholly engaging. The authenticity keeps the story from sinking into a commonplace melodrama.
The main reason I loved this film is due to the brilliant screenplay. It's wordy, insightful, intelligent and hands-down gets my vote for my favorite (and best written) screenplay so far this year. (I can't believe it was written by Bryan Sipe, the same writer who adapted the Nicholas Sparks novel "The Choice" for the screen).
There are so many things that worked in this film: the killer soundtrack, the all-around solid performances from the cast (Gyllenhaal continues his streak as the new master of the edgy performance), the style of the poignant vignettes of pleasant memories of the lead character's former life, and especially the story exposition through letter writing. When Davis begins unloading his grief and life story in his letters, the truth begins to emerge. When he writes "I don't think I really knew who she was" about his dead wife, you get a real glimpse of honesty about his marriage and his character. I loved, loved, LOVED the storytelling device of letter writing.
Hat's off to director Jean-Marc Vallée ("Dallas Buyers Club," "Wild"); he's created a fantastic work of art. Memorable scenes are everywhere, from a cathartic solo dancing bit on a bustling New York City street to the actual bulldozing of a window-heavy house to a very moving (and funny) scene about gender identity in a hardware store. One of my favorite scenes is when Davis, numb with grief, volunteers to do some work with a demolition crew. While working he steps on a nail. At first Davis howls in pain but his screams quickly turn to gleeful laughter as he realizes that yes, he still can feel pain. There are so many affecting scenes just like this, many filled with gratifying emotional surprises. It's painfully beautiful.
"Demolition" excels in telling its narrative of loneliness, self-destruction, shock, grief and emptiness in a tender and realistic way (and even adds a bit of dark humor to the mix). The movie feels raw, gut-wrenching, believable and authentic.
As I finished writing this review, I actually just said aloud: "damn, I really loved this movie."
3. En Man Som Heter Ov (A Man Called Ove)
An exploration of one's own humanity is at the center of "En Man Som Heter Ov (A Man Called Ove)," an enchanting, refreshing little gem of a film that hails from Sweden. This is a beautiful movie with a distinct voice that's filled with a delicate balance of tragedy, sadness, heartbreak, and plenty of Scandinavian humor.
Based on the bestselling novel by author Fredrik Backman, the film tells the story of Ove (Rolf Lassgård), an isolated, ill-tempered, grumpy old man who finds purpose in his life by vigorously enforcing the too-tough rules of his neighborhood block association. He shuns most people and prefers to spend his days visiting his wife's grave. When Ove decides that it's finally time to take matters into his own hands and makes plans to kill himself so he can be reunited with his wife, a young family moves in next door and an unlikely friendship is formed.
While the cantankerous Ove is tortured and haunted by the loss of his adoring wife, he soon learns that he has so much more to live for and finds a new purpose in life by helping others (from his stroke-afflicted former best friend to a homeless teenage homosexual to an injured stray cat). The plot may sound ordinary, but the film is extraordinary.
Ove's story is told in quite effective and compelling flashbacks, exploring the selective memories and the psyche of a man who has given up on life. With each failed or interrupted suicide attempt (a botched hanging stopped by the doorbell, a shotgun to the head that misfires, a carbon monoxide asphyxiation that flops), Ove remembers a previous part of his life. The story seamlessly switches from present to past, giving the audience a glimpse into Ove's personality. He's had plenty of past instances of overwhelming happiness — and more than a few devastating heartbreaks.
There are so many delightful (and tragic) surprises that I don't want to post any spoilers here by giving away too much of the story. Let's just say that this film has a big heart. It's an oftentimes painful tale that's also very, very funny. The story is sentimental but not overly so; it's genuinely touching and will definitely pull on your heartstrings. You'd have to have a heart of pure stone not to be touched by this very special and very profound film.
"En Man Som Heter Ov (A Man Called Ove)" is a bittersweet tale of life, love, loss and loneliness, a movie that reminds us all that life is best lived surrounded by friends and family. It's also one of the best films of the year.
4. Hell or High Water
"Hell or High Water" is one of those little movies that comes strolling along out of nowhere and proceeds to knock your socks off. If you are looking for an extraordinarily well crafted film, this is it. It's not flashy nor splashy (this isn't an action packed shoot 'em up cops and robbers action flick), it's a complex, perceptive character study with a slow burning tension. Everything about this movie, from the accomplished lead performances to the insightful script to the phenomenal original score (by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis) to David Mackenzie's bold direction, exudes a confident cowboy swagger. I didn't want this movie to end.
The film is set in modern day West Texas and has a remarkable sense of place (reminding me much of 2010's beautifully haunting "Winter's Bone"). Giles Nuttgens' dusty, gritty cinematography feels like a broken-in pair of old leather boots, the perfect compliment to the desolate landscape shots of foreclosed farms, lonely roads and abandoned towns. You can practically reach out and touch the desperation.
Here's a rare movie where worldly, perceptive dialogue and sophisticated character development thrives; the character study is just subtle enough and the writing (from super talented screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, who wrote "Sicario," one of my Top 10 Best Films of 2015) is whip smart. The story focuses on brothers Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster), the brains and the brawns behind a scheme to rob banks in a last ditch attempt to save their family farm. The criminal duo soon find themselves being chased by Texas Ranger officers Marcus (Jeff Bridges) and Alberto (Gil Birmingham). We all know the inevitable showdown is coming, and the tension leading up to the final confrontation left my heart racing.
The performances feel so authentic and are inspired all around. Pine is stunningly effective and makes huge strides in his acting cred with this role. Foster gives another exceptional interpretation of a detestable yet sympathetic character (he's born to play roles such as this), and Birmingham is marvelously understated as a loyal friend and partner. There's no denying that Bridges is a national treasure but I really wish he wouldn't have made the choice to do that ridiculous accent he's so fond of lately; at some point he starts to come across as a Sam Elliott rip-off. It doesn't hurt the film and in fact it actually fits with the subject matter — once you get over the initial shock of it all.
"Hell or High Water" presents a story that's cynical yet hopeful, a universal story that grabs on early and never lets go. This movie is never condescending, doesn't pander to the audience, and gives me hope for the future of indie cinema's struggle to get a seat at the Hollywood blockbuster table.
5. Masterminds
I'm still laughing the day after seeing "Masterminds," the latest wackadoodle comedy from director Jared Hess. This one is an audience divider for sure (our screening had a walkout), but if you enjoyed any of Hess' previous work ("Nacho Libre," "Napoleon Dynamite," "Gentlemen Broncos"), you'll probably like this one.
The bizarre humor is targeted to a very, very specific audience (during most of our busy screening, Matt and I were the only two people in the audience who were laughing), and those who are familiar with the Southern way of life will find an even deeper appreciation of the humor. I laughed heartily and consistently throughout the movie from beginning to end, and I have no qualms declaring "Masterminds" not only one of the funniest movies I've seen in years but THE funniest movie of 2016.
This action / comedy is loosely based on the true story of David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), a regular Joe who works (well, used to work) for an armored transport company in North Carolina in the late 1990s. When David develops an unrequited crush on co-worker Kelly (Kristen Wiig), she and her white trash criminal friend Steve (Owen Wilson) lure him into robbing the company. Turns out, this robbery was one of the biggest in U.S. history with a record-breaking $17 million stolen by this one dude and his not-so-smart 'masterminds' behind the operation.
This is wacky niche comedy done correctly, and the film never hits a wrong note with its bumbling quirkiness. It's loaded with very physical slapstick comedy and perfectly ridiculous deadpan humor. You have to pay attention to discover and appreciate the humor, it's not spelled out for you.
Galifianakis is funny to look at anyway, but watching him prance around in a 60s cowboy outfit while strutting down the street in Mexico is campy gold. Add in the pedigreed supporting cast and you've got yourself the perfect comedy. There are reliably kooky turns from Jason Sudeikis as a slightly inept lunkheaded hitman, Leslie Jones as a sass-talking special agent, Kate McKinnon as a flatulent weirdo (seriously, this lady is a national comedy treasure), and an all too brief stint from Ken Marino as an FBI informant neighbor. With a cast like this, you can't go wrong.
This movie is darkly funny and loaded with white trash jokes that are riotous because they are based in truth. (Just wait until you see Steve's high-rise double wide). This movie reminds me so much of this year's hysterical "The Bronze," only without the vulgarity.
Without a doubt this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and I will be quoting it for the rest of my life. I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my face more than a handful of times (yes, really). I highly encourage you to see this one if you laugh at the absurd.
6. The Nice Guys
The bizarre, sleazy and wildly wonderful "The Nice Guys" is sure to be a movie that divides audiences. It's one of those dark, semi-inaccessible films that defies categorization and is just plain strange. Director Shane Black skillfully captures the gritty feel and spirit of late 1970s cinema. The film's tone successfully mixes violence, humor and an enjoyable "whodunit" conspiracy storyline with some truly magnificent vintage set decor and a string of random, memorable single-serving bites of eccentric characters. (Lance Valentine Butler, credited only as "Kid on Bike," has only a couple of minutes of screen time but man oh man does he make a lasting impression)!
Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) and Holland March (Ryan Gosling) are private detectives who team up to solve a missing persons case. March is the "brains" and Healy provides the brawn. The film is set in Los Angeles during the 1970s and centers around a murderous scheme involving the burgeoning underground p*rnography industry and the U.S. Department of Justice. It's a good story and a strong script with a very satisfying conclusion. At times the movie reminded me of a James Ellroy story, but funnier. This made me chuckle even more when Kim Basinger showed up (she and Crowe famously worked together on 1997's "L.A. Confidential," a film based on Ellroy's novel).
The two leads have a genuine, snarky chemistry, so much so that I would love to see them partner up again in future movies. The pair play off each other perfectly and are the true heart of the movie. Adding to the enjoyable performances is Angourie Rice as March's daughter Holly. You'd think a tween girl character would be the most annoying thing ever but not here; Rice is dynamite as a junior detective and has more than a few meaty scenes in the film.
The acting and set design isn't all that works: the violent action scenes (and there are lots of them) are more than noteworthy. The film's bloody opening starts with a young boy sneaking a peek at his dad's nudie magazine stash. Suddenly adult film star Misty Mountains' (Murielle Telio) car comes crashing through his house, narrowly missing the kid and maybe even crushing the family dog. This gruesome scene — complete with full frontal nudity — really sets the tone for this distinctively strange comedy. There's even more fistfights, blood, knives, gunplay and car crashes. Towards the end there's a phenomenal shootout and action sequence that takes place at a car show. Without question this scene provides one of the greatest thrill rides of the year! It's so much fun that I can't stop thinking about it days later.
If you're sick of seeing the same old boring formula films that Hollywood habitually churns out and are in need of a breath of fresh air, go see "The Nice Guys." This movie isn't for everyone, but it's a true original.
7. The Bronze
Humor is very subjective, and "The Bronze" is the perfect example of an incredibly divisive comedy that will push even the most tolerant viewers to their limit. Will you like this movie or will you bail after 10 minutes? That's hard to say. If you are a fan of classic subversive comedies like "Bad Santa," "Borat," and "A Dirty Shame," then this should be right up your alley. If you are easily offended, stop reading this review now.
From this point forward I will assume that I only have similar-minded readers, so I am confident to recommend this movie. Yes, it's a comedy about gymnastics — but it's so much more. Be forewarned that this movie is loaded with strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and a steady stream of sarcastic foul language throughout. It is very, very vulgar, but it's not the gross-out, disgusting style of vulgarity as showcased in this year's "Brothers Grimsby." The film's R rating is nearly earned through profanity alone, but it's the outrageous, absolutely outlandish graphic sex scene that puts it over the top. Seriously, you have to see it to believe it: it's without question one of the funniest and most exotically choreographed sex scenes in movie history (and let's just leave it at that).
Hope (Melissa Rauch) is a former Olympic bronze medalist trapped in her glory days. This faded, small-town celebrity is an obnoxious, unemployed loser. She lives at home in her pathetic dad's (Gary Cole) basement and never changes out of her 2004 U.S. Olympics jacket. Hope has stretched her 15 minutes of fame into a decade of "privileges" (like free pizza at the local Sbarro at the mall, a reserved parking space in downtown Amherst, Ohio, and her photo on the wall in the town diner).
When local athletic ingénue "Mighty" Maggie (the perky Haley Lu Richardson) has a chance to make it onto the 2016 U.S. Olympic team, Hope reluctantly agrees to train her for a supposed $500,000 payday. As Hope realizes that her local celebrity status as a hometown hero is threatened, she has to choose between helping or sabotaging Maggie. Sebastian Stan delivers an uproarious performance as conceited gold medalist Lance, one of Hope's past sexual conquests and now a rival Olympic trainer. Thomas Middleditch charms as the sweet and nerdy Ben, a kindly, put-upon gym owner who has an inexplicable attraction to Hope.
It seems like audiences are in two different camps on this film: they either love it or they hate it, and I think a lot of that has to do with the Tonya Harding type lead character. Jokes are pushed to the limit and the vulgarity of the language here reaches epic heights. The film doesn't rely on gross-out jokes or sight gags either, its humor is mostly derived through crude, profane dialogue. I found it refreshing to see a sports movie that's not full of inspirational platitudes, and this quirky comedy takes no prisoners. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments that this film could easily become an oft-quoted cult classic.
The plot here is very basic but it works, and that's mostly because of the hysterical dialogue and the straight-faced delivery. It's hard not to laugh at the obscene, spiteful character as she spews caustic f-word laced tirades in her thick Midwestern accent. No doubt this is cruel verbal abuse, but it's also very, very funny. Hope is an ungrateful, spoiled, self-absorbed, bratty monster; an awful person who hurls insults at everyone in her path. Somehow I found myself starting to like her. You'll want to hate her, but her raunchy candor is a little refreshing, and the more obscene and cruel she gets, the more the satirical elements of the film shine through.
It's not all mean, however: throughout the story we see glimpses of the dejected, bitter woman that lies underneath Hope's ginormous bangs and tough exterior. And much like its lead character, this film is crude — but underneath it all lies a big heart.
8. Busanhaeng (Train to Busan)
It's not too often that I leave a movie wishing it had been longer, but oh how I wanted "Train to Busan" to go on for at least another hour. Maybe two hours. This is one of the most well made, exciting, emotionally engaging zombie movies I've seen, and it's a must-see (in particular) for fans of the genre.
This South Korean zombie horror thriller is best described as a mash-up of "Snakes On A Plane," "28 Days Later," and "Snowpiercer." Most of the action takes place on a crowded bullet train, creating an ideal sense of urgency with an overly claustrophobic setting for a zombie epidemic. The train is a safe place from the terror that's consuming the rest of the country, but of course an infected person makes their way onboard: and all hell soon breaks loose. The idea of a zombie outbreak onboard a packed train is one that doesn't exactly cover much new ground, but it's a highly entertaining concept and is exceptional throughout in both storytelling and filmmaking.
The frentic story is skillfully realized through thrilling action sequences from director Sang-ho Yeon. Not only is the film exciting, but it's also visually impressive and looks and feels gorgeous — not an easy feat when things start going from bad to worse. Much worse.
What makes this movie work is that it's genuinely emotionally charged. I was fully invested in all of these characters, none of which come across as mere disposable caricatures. Every passenger we meet feels authentic and sympathetic, making every unpredictable and shocking plot twist all the more distressing. There were plenty of times where I had a physical reaction, either by audibly gasping or feeling as if I had been punched in the gut. I give an enormous amount of respect to the actors here; they are accomplished across the board and their work in this film is truly exceptional.
Seok Woo (Yoo Gong) is a divorced dad accompanying his daughter Soo-an (the phenomenal Soo-an Kim) to see her estranged mother. Rounding out the group of survivors are a teenage athlete (Woo-sik Choi) and his girlfriend (Sohee), a selfish businessman (Eui-sung Kim), alpha male Sang (Dong-seok Ma) and his pregnant wife Sung (Yu-mi Jeong). This makes for an eclectic, engaging group of strangers that are forced to band together in order to persevere in their new world reality.
There's a not-so-subtle message reminding us to be kind to each other and the film touches on mild political commentary about Korea's class system, but it never once feels preachy. It's a fast-packed, tightly crafted, bloody tale of redemption in the face of a total loss of humanity.
This is international cinema at its finest, and "Train to Busan" ranks among the very best in the zombie genre.
9. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" is a refreshingly apolitical film based on real-life war reporter Kim Barker and her memoir, The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The book and film detail her years spent as a reporter in the Middle East in the early to mid 2000s. If there is a target audience for this film, I am definitely it. As a former student of journalism, I am drawn to movies about reporters; as a female, I gravitate towards movies with strong women characters. I think this one is going to divide audiences in a big way — you are either going to find it disorganized and chaotic, or you'll really enjoy what this film is trying to accomplish.
First things first: this film is being grossly mis-marketed as a comedy. It's not. This is a straight line drama with a few laughs interspersed throughout. Since this movie was based on a real reporter's personal experiences while embedded in the war torn Arab world, it gives a deeply personal glimpse inside the world of wartime journalists. The writer's lingo is everywhere and all of it (including the multitude of very creative swear words) feels completely authentic. I went in expecting a loaded subtext of U.S. government bashing and a blatant anti-war sentiment, but I was surprised that there was none of that on display. This movie simply presents a strong, character-driven story. It's not a propaganda piece that's trying to convince you of a certain point of view.
There's a strong sense of humanity to this story, and the most effective scenes are those that deal with cultural gender politics. You get a glimpse into what it must be like to be a reporter in a foreign country, from the adrenaline rush of getting caught up in a lead story (or a dangerous combat shootout) to the alcohol fueled downtime in the foreign press corps' barracks. The exploration of the addictive nature of war zone reporting and its subsequent high is all the more compelling when told from a woman's point of view. (I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED the perfect end scene. It's easily one of my favorite endings of any movie I've seen in a very long time).
Admittedly, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" becomes a bit of a muddled mess by the third act, where there are simply too many stories competing for attention. As a result, the better ones get lost in a bunch of noise. There's a love story, a war time accident, kidnappings, workplace problems, drunken parties, and daring military rescues. The whip-smart dialogue and powerful supporting performances from Billy Bob Thornton (as a sage Marine general), Margot Robbie (as an earnest British correspondent), and Martin Freeman (as a lovably sexist freelance photojournalist) keep things afloat. Never do their characters seem phony or bogus.
I never thought I'd say this, but Tina Fey is absolutely fantastic in the lead role. There's not one false note in her performance, and it's evident that this was a passion project for the actress. It's easily the best role of her career and it's going to be hard for her to top this.
10. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Quirky films must be well executed in order to work, and luckily the rabidly original "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," based on Barry Crump's book "Wild Pork and Watercress," meets the challenge. Taika Waititi (if you haven't yet seen his brilliant films "What We Do in the Shadows" and "Eagle vs Shark," rent them now) is back at the directorial helm with this farcical tale of a 60 year old curmudgeon and a wayward 13 year old foster kid. Waititi's kooky sense of humor shines throughout this very funny (and oddly touching) coming of age film.
Ricky (Julian Dennison) is a haiku spouting, hip-hop loving foster kid who ends up at the rural mountain home of rugged Hec (Sam Neill) and kindly Bella (Rima Te Wiata). Child services agent Paula (Rachel House) even calls Ricky a "very bad egg" when she drops him off at his latest in a long line of unsuccessful foster homes. When a tragedy strikes, Ricky fakes his own death, sets off into the woods, and gets lost. When Hec comes to his rescue, there's an accident and the pair find themselves stuck in the wilds for several weeks. A huge misunderstanding ensues and the duo become outlaws on the run, being chased by everyone from incompetent cops, child services, rogue game hunters, a lunatic survivalist, and finally the army.
The handsome New Zealand wilderness is beautifully shot and gorgeously framed, and the look and style of this film is incredibly polished for such a small production. Waititi has as much of an expert eye for visual flair as he does for goofy, irreverent humor. Some of the jokes are just plain unsettling (there's a running joke about "child molesterers" — not a typo — that comes across as more unpleasant than amusing), but for every awkward and squirmy wisecrack there's a comedy goldmine (the cameo by Waititi as a local preacher is one of the funniest scenes in years). The pitch-perfect comic timing and deadpan banter between Ricky and Hec is what makes the movie quite the enjoyable ride.
Make no mistake: this is a very oddball movie, but it's also loaded with universal themes that everyone can relate to. It's outlandish and peculiar, but also provides a poignant exploration of grief, loneliness and what it means to be a family.
These fantastic movies came very close to making the list of my Top 10 Best of the year:
11. War Dogs
12. The Hollars
13. Me Before You
15. Eddie the Eagle
16. Ghostbusters
18. The Lobster
19. Now You See Me 2
Louisa Moore is the co-founder of Screen Zealots and a proud member of the Nevada Film Critics Society.


text:
355 Tasting Notes
Bought this at Margaret's Tea Imports in Pittsburgh when I was visiting family last week. I've been wanting to try it forever, and she had a big selection of cheap Harney & Sons, so I went for it.
This tea is just lovely. I'm a bit rusty on describing tea since I haven't been reviewing, but this is very smooth, not too heavy, and has a not-too-sweet berry flavor with a hint of lemon at the end. Just great. I think this will become one of my "I don't know what to drink this morning" teas.
Hi all! Long time no speak! Since I last did a tasting note, I've gotten a new job, so it's been pretty hectic around these parts. I haven't been drinking much tea (mostly because my apartment doesn't have AC and it's been hot as heck in Chicago), so I haven't been on Steepster much.
Last night a fellow tea-loving friend gave me a few bags of his PG Tips. He loves PG Tips so, so much. It's his everyday tea and has been since he lived in England for awhile. He had already told me he loves strong, bitter black teas, so I knew that's what this would be. And honestly, it's better than I thought it would be. Definitely bitter, but I could see how it would be warm and comforting on a winter's day.
Perhaps more importantly, this bad boy should be arriving at my house today: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DTLNI8/ref=oss_product. I've been wanting a nice iced tea pitcher for ages now, so I now I'll be able to drink tea all summer!
The smell of the dry leaves is exactly like gummi peachies, which made me concerned. Thankfully (I think), it tastes nothing like that. The peach flavor is much more subdued than the smell of the dry leaves, and in fact is a little too light for my tastes. It does, however, come out more as the water cools.


text:
NeoPsychedelia & High Frontiers: Memes Leading To MONDO 2000 (MONDO 2000 History Project Entry #21)
if ($the_byline <> ""){ ?> By R.U. Sirius & Jeff Mark (& Others) } ?>
"The rising popularity of MDMA and other designer psychedelics. The developing scene around intelligence drugs and nutrients. The psychedelic roots of Apple computers. The psychedelic garage rock phenomena that was mostly focused in L.A. Even recent releases by Prince and Talking Heads…"
Yet another excerpt from the upcoming book, Use Your Hallucinations: Mondo 2000 in the Late 20th Century Cyberculture.
R.U. Sirius (early 1985: I had come to San Francisco to start the neopsychedelic movement. And even before the first issue of High Frontiers went to press, I heard that there was a new psychedelic rock movement afoot. Some bands were emulating the style of '60s garage psychedelia — stuff like The Seeds, 13th Floor Elevator, Blues Magoos, Electric Prunes. The beginnings of this scene had been labeled "the Paisley Underground.†I read that an L.A. band called The Three O'Clock was sort of rising to the top of the scene so I bought their record, disliked it, and gave it a bad review in that first issue — comparing it unfavorably to what I considered smart psychedelic music — stuff you'd actually want to listen to while tripping like Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy by Brian Eno or The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein by Parliament Funkadelic. Not that I was averse to… if you will… exploiting every pop cultural indicator of the coming of neopsychedelia in my quest.
And, with the release of issue #2 of High Frontiers, we had a calling card worthy of some media attention. We (mostly Lord Nose and myself) started promoting the idea that there was a "neopsychedelic†resurgence going on. Several journalists and media outlets took the bait.
We (well, mostly me) gave them a kitchen sink of evidence that something novel was afoot. The rising popularity of MDMA and other designer psychedelics. The developing scene around intelligence drugs and nutrients. The psychedelic roots of Apple computers. The psychedelic garage rock phenomena that was mostly focused in L.A. Even recent releases by Prince and Talking Heads; a sudden plethora of trippy MTV videos; and the playful, upbeat, sci fi, expansive themes running through the new wave radio stations from bands like the B52s and The Thompson Twins (Yes, I would even employ such dribble as the Thompson Twins in my plot for world mutation), we told them, indicated a developing shift in the zeitgeist. Lord Nose would add a note of earnest shamanic gravitas to my pop culture spinnings and, all together, it worked.
We got coverage in San Francisco's leftist weekly, Bay Guardian and an article by Laura Frasier for the wire service PNS wound up in several daily papers, including Long Island's main outlet, Newsday (Laura would become a friend and, for a while, Lord Nose's lover). There were even still more outlets, long forgotten. It was our first small flurry. The viral meme, "neopsychedelia,†was injected into the body politic.
We decided to throw a giant party for the issue and the new psychedelia in San Francisco.  Tongue firmly piercing cheek, Lord Nose came up with the idea to call it the Neopsychedelic Cotillion Ball. No doubt, he was having a bit of a giggle at the expense of Alison's upper crust breeding and quasi-Victorian stylings — as she was replacing Mau Mau as the third dominant figure in our little karass and — at the same time — playing with Ken Kesey's famous "Acid Test Graduation Party†that had spelled the end of the Merry Prankster era. We secured this wonderful large venue called "The Farm†and started contacting bands and speakers to see who would appear… for free…
Somerset Mau Mau: I didn't have much to do with that.
R.U. Sirius: Mau Mau and X knocked on the door at Alison's house one day to complain about the naming of the Neopsychedelic Cotillion. They said it was alienating to acid veterans in the Haight and hardcore street mutants in general . It sounded too bourgeois. I found that bizarre, given that these guys over in Marin were even more relentlessly absurdist than we were, that they would have taken the title sort of literally.
We got an incredibly positive response when we asked people to perform for us. We had 5 or 6 popular local bands, including The Morlocks, who were the kings of the local garage psych thing. They were like 10 years old (Ok, maybe like 19). . And we set up panels on quantum physics and psychedelic drugs and maybe a few other things. Wavy Gravy agreed to MC. The freakin' voice of Woodstock for our neopsychedelic rally!
Lord Nose and I went to see Wavy at his famous Hog Farm house in Berkeley to ask him to MC. It was the first time I'd ever been there. He had the Big Pink cover on his bedroom door. His bedroom door was kind of a collage of all sorts of memorabilia of the counterculture and the Grateful Dead, but that 11†x 17†thing dominated. (When I saw him a few years ago, he told me it was still there.)
About a week before the event, I was invited to appear on the Michael Krasny Show on KGO. Two hours long, on Sunday night, it was the Bay Area's biggest talk radio show and I was going to be the only guest. I woke up that morning with a monstrous cold — cough, fever, the whole package. Early that evening, I downed a triple dose of cough medicine and hit the BART from Berkeley to downtown San Francisco. This was before I was familiar with the effects of Dextromethorphan; a hallucinatory dissociative that's in many commercial cough medications. By the time I exited the BART, I was cross-eyed and painless; relaxed and floating; and my mind was… lucid — full of thoughts and quips about neopsychedelia and the magazine and the oncoming event.
I was damn good, if I do say so… quick, self-amused (this annoying tendency actually tends to come off well on radio), and perhaps a bit too fearless. Krasny seemed to enjoy bantering with me about the perceived dangers of mass psychedelic use versus the wonders of a psychedelic movement and about politics and culture and whatever came up. My tongue and brain were loose and careless.
Then the phone lines opened up to callers. In between calls from people asking for drug advice and wanting to know details about the magazine and upcoming party, there were numerous angry calls from people upset that Krasny would even have this glib freak on his esteemed show advocating for psychedelic drugs and displaying bad attitude towards God, Mom, Apple Pie, and Patriotism (or whatever the hell I spoke about in my ripped and fevered mental state). Finally, just a few minutes before the show's end, a man with a deep angry voice thundered across the airwaves, "Tell that asshole we're gonna kill 'im. We're gonna shoot 'im.â€Â Krasny fell into a rage. "Nobody makes death threats on my show! I've never had a death threat on my show!â€
Exiting the station to make the 4 block walk back to the BART, I was a bit less fearless, but, as I remember it, there weren't even any cars rolling past as I made my way. And, anyway, on the radio, no one can tell what you look like. (And they couldn't Google you yet.)
When I got back to her place, Alison exclaimed: "That was incredible!â€Â It was the first time she'd been thrilled by one of my public appearances; in fact, up until that point, I think she had her doubts about my mental dexterity. (Those doubts would occasionally reoccur, maybe deservedly so.) Anyway, that's how I know that the whole thing didn't just seem good to me because the Dextro was flooding my brain with Serotonin.
I was stunned the following Saturday as hundreds of paying customers — most of them young — flooded into The Farm for the event.
It was an incredible venue; large, with an upstairs section.
Scrappi DuChamp: I went to that. I was really fascinated by the place… It was an animal auction house… it was like an auction for slaughter, basically, of livestock, run by hippies. I thought that was pretty amazing. It was under a freeway or past a really old part of San Francisco that was still sort of undeveloped.
R.U. Sirius: Wavy was on and enthusiastic. The psychedelic drugs panel was colorful, as Zarkov, the libertarian investment banker, appearing in a dramatic disguise, denounced his fellow panelists for trying to get psychedelics sanctioned by the government for the exclusive use of psychotherapists. And we quietly passed out capsules with threshold doses of the still legal designer hallucinogen 2cb, which definitely added a cheerful intelligence and intensity to the affair…
… R.U. Sirius: The "Neopsychedelic renaissance†continued apace, with major features in High Times and other long forgotten zines, radio interviews and so on —with High Frontiers often touted as the reigning representation. It seemed that I was blabbing to someone in the media about it at least a couple of times a month. Soon word hit us that people on the L.A. garage psychedelia scene were being drenched in high quality LSD and were diggin' on High Frontiers. Greg Shaw's Bomp Magazine was at the center of that scene and he sent us his back issues (which we were already buying, anyway) and suggested we come for a visit. Jeff Mark and I arranged to go down there.
Jeff Mark: Winter Solstice 1985, R.U. and I took a trip to Los Angeles. The "Neopsychedelic Revival" was by then a real phenomenon. Tom Petty had released "Don't Come Around Here No More", including the Alice-in-Wonderland video — videos themselves were still new then, recall. Newsweek had even done a feature piece on the L.A. manifestation, focusing on Greg Shaw who was putting together some L.A. neopsychedelic 'zine. R.U.'s intention was to make contact and build a bridge; the Pranksters' visit to Millbrook, no doubt, in the back of his mind.
So we hung out for a while with Greg. I think we did a little sightseeing, and then that night we went to see some bands being promoted by him. The space the bands would play in, around the corner from Hollywood & Vine… well, you can't call it a club. It wasn't that, it was just… a room. The entrance was at the top of an external staircase, from which I could see underneath the building, noting with some trepidation that the second floor was supported by a bunch of those steel jacks that builders use to keep a weak ceiling from collapsing. And this would be holding up a couple of hundred dancing humans. I think this might even have qualified as an early form of rave, had that term yet been coined.
There were maybe four or five different bands, each doing 30-45 minutes or so, and the first thing I noticed was that, in keeping with the whole "Neo-Psychedelic Revival" thing, each of them did a version of "White Rabbit". OK, that's an exaggeration; one of them didn't. The next thing I noticed was that the bands each seemed to be made up of the same seven or eight people in varying combinations of four or five.
So, anyway, the building didn't collapse, and we retired after to some other location lost to history for a party. Everyone was high on MDMA, of course. As the evening progressed, I engaged in conversation with several very nice people, and by way of introducing each other, the usual "so what do you do?" kinds of questions arose. Now, I had a straight job at the time, civil service, thoroughly boring. But the people I spoke with described themselves as "make-up artists" or "costumers" or writers or artists of one flavor or another. I began to realize that vocationally, each of these people depended on all the others, networking (another not-yet-coined-term) to get to work on someone's project about something; their livelihood depended on their social contacts.
Now, when you think about it, this was Hollywood; that's how Hollywood works, that's how creative communities, particularly those in collaborative crafts, operate. That's how they produce. Obvious to many, but news to me. The pattern-recognition subsystems of my mind began to assemble what I would come to call my "Theory of Scenes".
A few months later we returned, with Lord Nose, to participate in this event that featured a couple of local bands, and somebody wheeling out Sky Saxon from the Seeds ("Pushing Too Hard").
Nose was showcasing these black t-shirts with the yellow day-glo anti-happy face or whatever the fuck that was (I still have mine, but it no longer fits…) (ed: Sacred Cow Mutilators t-shirt). And it struck me that the 200 or so people at that event, which included almost everyone we'd met in December, comprised the whole of the "neopsychedelic scene" in L.A. That was it. That was all of them. 250 people tops, and they were getting all this media attention. And I realized that's how it probably was in '65, as well; there was the Whiskey á Go-Go scene, one or two other places; a dozen or so bands with some duplication among their personnel, various friends and hangers-on. In the Haight, the same thing. There was the Fillmore, and the Matrix, the Diggers, the Oracle, and it was all the same… what, 300 people? It applies elsewhere also. There's the NYC comedy scene (which in the 70s gave us SNL, and is now focused around The Daily Show), the Boston Harvard/National Lampoon scene, the L.A. Conception Corporation scene (whence came Spinal Tap). All of these basically, at least in the beginning, were not much more than groups of friends. Even in politics. One of my disappointments as I've gotten more sophisticated about politics is the realization that so much of what happens in a place like Washington D.C. takes place in what appears, anyway, to be a social environment, which is why it reminds us so much of high school. And this was, largely, how "Mondo†functioned within the context of the Berkeley New Age "Scene".
R.U. Sirius: Greg Shaw and this guy from a band called Dead Hippie volunteered to throw a High Frontiers party in L.A. so we went back down there a few months later. The Dead Hippie guy was intense. He had sort of a Charlie Manson look and a stare to match and seemed to be searching for some sort of gut wrenching apocalyptic truth. Other that that, he was nice. We hung out for a while as the party was being set up until it became clear that we had no responsibilities other than to man our booth, sell magazines and t-shirts and take home some money.
One peculiar memory: we split for a while for dinner and drinks and somehow struck up a conversation with this crewcut military-looking young dude. When we told him what we were in town for, he tried to convince us to ditch the benefit show because it would be more interesting to drop acid and play paintball at some arena a few miles away. It was his favorite thing.
As with the "Cotilllion,†the L.A. High Frontiers benefit was massive, with bands like Thelonious Monster (I was already a fan) and members of Black Flag who were doing this sort of metal psych as a side project. Sky Saxon jumped on stage with everybody. This being L.A., everybody looked perfect, particularly the young girls in their tight short skirts. After hours of watching hundreds of these chicks stream though, the massive doorman/bouncer finally cried out, "I've got a sheet of acid for the first chick who will drain my cock.â€Â I seem to remember him being approached by a volunteer.
I really didn't connect with anybody other than one porn star-gorgeous chick I'd met the last time around, and her attention was divided between myself and several others taller, darker and more handsome. It was a whole different vibe, not only from the San Francisco party but from the previous hangout in L.A., which had more of a gently androgynous fashion-y pop vibe — all retro Nehru shirts and flared striped pants. Now the scene had become psych metal. They'd gone from Strawberry Alarm Clark to Blue Cheer in a matter of weeks.
Previous MONDO History Entries


text:
Why would you want to do this? Look at the name: STORAGE Shed. Most everybody "needs" more storage because they can't bear to have less stuff. And someone preparing for bad times probably has more stuff than a person who doesn't believe anything bad can happen and expects their parents and/or government to take care of them no matter what. Some of that extra stuff you really don't have room for in your house, and some of your prepping supplies you REALLY don't want to have IN your house. Such as a generator and fuel, oil and vehicle parts, battery banks and so on so building a storage shed makes a lot of sense in some situations. You can, of course, rent storage space; there is a large industry devoted to just that.
There are a few problems with that solution though. One, you have to go there to get your stuff, and that assumes that you have a working transport AND that they can or will let you have access if they have no power or their computers don't work or the people in charge are honesty challenged. Two, you have signed your stuff over to them if they don't receive payment for any reason (such as banks being closed). Three, you are usually contractually obligated NOT to store some of the things you don't want in your house. And four, they can raise their rates whenever they please unless you have a long-term lease. The place I am at currently is charging me TWICE what someone walking in off the street pays, and won't reduce it. I could rent another unit, move my stuff over, and cancel the first place, or move to another location, but I know the new price will just start moving up again. The cost of a storage shed may seem large, but I did the math, and it will be paid off by two years of storage fees, and that is assuming they don't raise the rate again, which is a very poor assumption.
Look at the other part of the name: Storage SHED. Do you have a "post Apocalypse" trade planned or set up; blacksmith, gunsmith, leather worker, seamstress/tailor, weaver, or the like? This could be used for your business or the tools and supplies. Plus, a shed looks like a shed, but it does not mean it must be ONLY a shed. It could provide camouflage for an entrance or exit from an underground area. It can be built with concealed areas. Some sheds are designed as, or can be converted to, a green house, if you are interested in growing your own food and/or medicinal plants or setting up an aquaponics system.
Ok, let us assume you have decided you want a storage shed. But can you have one? Like it or not, there are a number of people or organizations who have control over what you put up. Do you own the property? If not, the owner has complete discretion over what you put up, if anything. And if you don't own the property, do you really want to make improvements to it? An option in this case might be "portable" storage, like a trailer, or one of those transoceanic shipping containers.
Do you belong to a "Home Owners Association"? If so, you have contractually agreed to give them complete control of the exterior of your property. Read the bylaws to see what is currently allowed. Figure out what you can do which abides by any restrictions. And once you come to agreement on what they will accept "today", get documentation which grandfathers your shed against any future changes to the bylaws.
How close are the neighbors, and are they reasonable? If you follow all the legal requirements, they may not be able to prevent you from doing what you want, but if they get annoyed enough, they can still cause you plenty of grief.
Dealing with Governments
And then there is the city, town, township, parish and/or county. Each level of government will have restrictions on what can be done, based on the "zoning" of the property in question. The less remote the property is, the more stringent the restrictions are likely to be. These include things like the percentage of the property which can be "covered", height restrictions, required distances from property lines and other buildings, and many other things, collectively known as "Building Codes". Your safest bet is to get a "building permit", but this has some downsides. First of all, as a survivalist, you should attempt to stay "under the radar". You would be hard pressed to be more obvious than having your plans on public accessible file with the government, and having inspectors checking you out each step of the way. Second of all, it will cost. The building permit has a fee, often based on type of building and square feet. I once wanted to put up a carport, and they told me I would have to pay $5 per square foot just for the permit. For posts and an aluminum roof; the building permit would have cost more than the carport. Not only that, but it is likely they will factor this "improvement" into your property value when computing future property taxes.
By all means, find out all the restrictions on what you can put up; violating restrictions has potential for serious annoyances if the government wants to raise a fuss (and they usually do if violations are brought to their attention). However, if you can avoid getting a building permit, that might be a good path. For instance, here, if the shed is less than 200 square feet, you don't need a permit. That means a 12′ by 16′ shed (192 square feet) can be put up without a permit being required. Just because a permit is not required, does not mean the restrictions can be ignored; you just won't have the public records and government monitoring.
Ways to Get a Storage Shed
The "easiest" way is to have someone build it for you. This will not be the cheapest option, and a competent builder will likely insist on a building permit, meaning not only public records and government monitoring, but the builder and perhaps others will know all about your shed. The incompetent builder will refuse the permit and perhaps build something which violates code, with potential for eventual legal challenges or structural problems. For smaller sheds, you might be able to have it pre-built and delivered. You could build it yourself, which means you have to come up with a viable design (not that hard) and get the materials, which may be a challenge. I don't know about your location, but the lumber here is crap; warped, twisted, split, insufficiently dried. As my dad said when we were trying to get lumber to replace a rotted porch, "I wouldn't use this stuff for firewood". The remaining option is a "kit". This has the advantage that the design, acquisition of materials and much of the cutting are already done for you. A good kit will have better quality material than you may find locally and instructions which most everyone should be able to follow.
Types of Storage Sheds
There are a number of architectural shed types. Chose what you like, and what fits your landscape and restrictions. I'm partial to the "barn" style, because it gives you more height, and even "lofts" in some models. Possible materials include wood, steel, aluminum and various "plastics". Plastic and aluminum tend to be the hallmark of cheap "department store" sheds, great for lawnmowers and garden tools, but not what you would call "durable" or "secure", and usually limited in size. For a substantial shed, wood or steel is usually the way to go. I'm more comfortable working with wood, so that is the path I chose, although steel seems like it might have some advantages.
Depending on what you will use the shed for, you may want to make modifications or additions. For instance, wiring it for electricity may be useful. But since there is no guarantee electricity will always be available, make sure you have the ability to plug-in a generator (via a transfer switch), or add solar or wind generation capability. In some cases, you may want to add plumbing. Note that no matter how much of the electrical or plumbing work you are willing and able to do yourself, you should consider getting a permit for this work and having it inspected. Unlike the structure, which is hard to mess up (especially if professionally designed), a mistake in the design OR execution of electric or plumbing can cause fire, electrocution, leaks, odors or rot/rust. And if not up to code, an insurance company may refuse to pay off on a claim. Wherever practical, have the shed "completed" so it looks like you are "adding" the electrical or plumbing and follow all requirements for what must be visible to the inspector(s). Of course, if you got the permit for the shed in the first place, follow their instructions on when in the process the various inspections should be scheduled. If temperature control is a concern, you may want to add insulation, cooling or heating.
This foundation (literally) of a shed is an important decision. The common choices are concrete, or joists with flooring panels. Concrete may be "better" and in some cases easier; pick your location, set up forms and rebar, and have it poured. It may be more expensive, and less versatile (it is kind of hard to dig through concrete if you decide a partial "basement" would be handy), and "impossible" to move. Joists are likely to be less expensive and more versatile, and if the ground is not even, may even be more practical. There will be beams running the length of the building, with the joists running across the building between the beams. Flooring panels are laid across the joists and fastened in place. Note that the beams and joists are in contact with the ground and so are at risk for rotting and/or insects. Thus pressure treated lumber or corrosion resistant metal is critical here.
Site preparation is highly important, since in order for the floor to be flat and level, and stay that way, the ground must be flat, level and stable. If it is not, you may be able to compensate by having a variable thickness concrete floor, or building a foundation or partial foundation for your beams out of blocks and concrete. A "better" floor system is to have runners the length of the building, on which the beams and joists sit. As long as the runners are flat and level (and adequately supported), it does not matter if the ground is, plus it also allows ventilation below the shed, which can help with cooling and reduction of condensation inside. It also puts the flooring higher, which may make entry more difficult, but on the other hand, gives more protection against minor flooding. The runners, of course, must also be pressure treated wood, corrosion resistant metal, or even concrete and/or blocks, and a ramp can compensate for the step up.
What Next?
Does this sound like something which might be of value to you? Check out Part 2 of the Introduction for some more pre-build details.


text:
Get professional driving training and be a more confident driver through the best driving schools in Kollam
Learning to drive can be a tiresome experience but we provide you the best driving schools in Kollam. that can offer you quality training service at a very competitive rate. No more wasting your time researching and visiting various driving schools to find the best-suited ones. You can pick up the suitable one in your locality based on popularity, reviews and ratings. Choose the best from one of these driving schools that offer top-notch training on various aspects of driving including driving discipline, motor vehicle rules, and vehicle mechanisms.
Yes, most of the driving schools in Kollam will assist you to appear for both written and practical driving license test and prepare you well for the same. Before you appear for the written test, they offered classroom training in order to help you clear the test and to ensure that you will be a responsible driver.
Although most of the driving schools in Kollam insist on maintaining the same time slot throughout the duration of your training, you will be free to select which time slot is convenient for you.
Yes, they do. Highly skilled and background verified instructors are appointed in most of the driving schools. These experienced driving instructors communicate effectively to train each individual according to their ability and temperament.
It largely depends on the individual schools. While some offer pick up and drop facility for free others charge for it. This facility may not be offered by some schools.
Most driving schools in Kollam offer different packages ranging from 10 days to 21 days which helps you to clear the driving tests and gives you the confidence to drive the vehicle on your own. If you have already received some amount of training, then you can ask them to customise and create a crash course for you.


text:
Eyedro Product Review: Fire Prevention
Eyedro Product Review: Fire Prevention
Eyedro product review – a fire prevention perspective from Matt, a NY firefighter.
This article is written in regards to my recent product review of the Eyedro EHWEM1 Wireless Home electricity monitor.
This is my 23rd product I have reviewed for firefighters, and I was pleasantly surprised with the simplicity and ease of use with this product.
First, the customer service team was great to work with, and very knowledgeable of their product.
Second, the design of the monitor is simple, and that's not a negative thing – this product is designed for actual use and it excelled at that. It's often hidden away in an electrical panel and doesn't necessarily need to be overly beautiful.
When I received the product in the mail it was packaged nice and neat. It was super easy to install; it's literally two clicks of the actual monitors on your incoming electrical lines and you're basically good to go. After you install, you simply sign up online and that's it.
This unit is so sensitive and accurate that it can literally tell you when and where your electricity may be costing you money. While monitoring my own system I noticed I had a draw of electricity whenever my refrigerator would kick on, and found out the motor was going bad in my fridge. So I immediately saved money using the Eyedro unit.
What I am most impressed by is the ability to see what appliances draw too much power, not necessarily for electricity use, but for the possibility of a potential fire. That's a great feature for firefighters not only in the field but at their own homes too! For example, if a motor in my fridge is drawing too much power as it did, it allowed me to look into it closer and potentially avoid a fire if the motor got too hot from being overstressed.
Overall, I am impressed with the Eyedro EHWEM1 wireless monitor and will continue to use it in the future. It's a simple product designed for the everyday person. I applaud the Eyedro Company for designing a product with the average person in mind. I would gladly recommend this product to my friends and family.
Is it time to do an audit on your home fire and safety preparedness? Here are some home fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration.


text:
Facebook unveiled on Tuesday a plugin for the WordPress blogging tool that offer expanded integration between the two.
The move will put Facebook widgets on more pages around the Web and will likely bring more content sharing to Facebook's own platform. WordPress software is used to create 17 percent of all Web content, according to Facebook's announcement, accounting for 600 million unique visitors a month. The New York Times' website uses WordPress, for example.
Using the just-launched features, content creators can have new posts they publish with WordPress appear automatically in their Facebook timeline or company page. Without leaving the WordPress interface, authors can also add comments or tag friends when sharing their links.
A new feature will provide readers with personalized recommendations for further reading on the WordPress-powered website they are visiting, based on Facebook algorithms.
An expanded commenting feature includes SEO (search engine optimization) support for comments made using Facebook logins, the company said.
Although some Facebook functionality was already available in WordPress, the beefed up integration eliminates the need for publishers to insert code into their content. The features appear as lists of options that can be selected under Facebook settings and widgets settings.
The plugin will work for non-English and mobile content, according to WordPress.
Source ITworld


text:
International survey flags up packaging concerns
Given a choice of seven packaging materials including glass and aluminium, most respondents to the survey singled out plastic as the substance they regarded as the least environmentally friendly.
Almost two thirds of those in Sweden, more than six out of 10 in India and virtually half of those in the US stated this in the Packaging 2020 Global outlook report.
Consumers in India seemed especially sensitive to packaging issues, with almost seven in 10 survey participants claiming to have felt bad about throwing away plastic bottles. And more than seven out of 10 said they tried to refrain from buying products if they were wrapped in plastic packaging.
Packaging functions
Turning to the functions of packaging, consumers polled indicated the greatest demand for packaging that could flag up food spoilage as it occurred, rather than just bearing a date stamp. More than half of those in Sweden and the US indicated this was their view.
A total of 47% from India held the same viewpoint, with slightly more – exactly half – desiring packaging that kept food fresh for longer, so still showing concerns about spoilage.
Indeed, in India, a significantly greater proportion of consumers than in the US and Sweden – more than half – said they worried the fresh food they bought might be spoiled or unhygienic.
Temperature, damage, distance travelled
Respondents also showed substantial demand for packaging to show how product temperature had changed over time, whether the product had been damaged in transit, its origin and how far it had travelled.
Well over half those surveyed in the three regions said they were very or rather interested in scanning products in stores to discover details including origin, distance travelled and contents.
The top source of packaging hassles cited by 55% of those in the US and 68% of those in Sweden was difficulty in opening packs. In India, just over half reported their top hassle as pack leakage.
"We're seeing purchasing decisions being guided by the packaging material itself, not just the appearance of the packaging," said Fredrik Rosen, manager of Innventia's market and consumer group. "We're also seeing a clear demand and a great need for smarter packaging."


text:
Need to optimize some space in your garage? Why not build a ceiling mounted winch-assisted bicycle rack!
[Mathieu] already has a rather spacious garage, but wanted to make it even more organized. He built the bicycle rack out of 1″ square aluminum tubing, and it's all bolted together (no welding required!). The bikes sit in aluminum U-channels to be secured in place. The entire rack is hinged off of the back wall, and a pulley system using a little ATV winch raises and lowers the rack for easy access to the bikes.
It's currently powered off a 12V motorcycle battery, which he plans to add a trickle charger to — that being said, it has lasted for more than 6 months and he still hasn't had to recharge it! He threw together a little control circuit featuring two relays (up and down) and a 2 channel remote control. The motor is a little slow, but it does the job quite well. If he wanted to get it going a bit faster, he could probably double the voltage to allow for a quicker movement — since it's only on for short periods of time it should be okay. Seeing hacks like this has us wondering just how many winch-driven extras you could build into a single abode.
Check out the following video of it in action!