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Succubus (Epic Trading Card Game)
From SuccuWiki - The Wiki of the Succubi
For other uses of the word Succubus, see Succubus (disambiguation).
The Epic Trading Card Game is the creation of Robert Dougherty with development by Darwin Kastle.
According to the game's official website: In Epic there are no cumbersome "resource" or "land" cards. Instead, each turn every player has a single action. The most powerful cards cost an action to play, others are free. This simple system allows for incredibly fun and interactive play right out of the pack. Just shuffle any two packs together to make a 30 card deck and you're ready to play!
Card Stats
- Origin: Magical
- Alignment: Evil Magical Champion
- Cost: 1 Action to play, can also be played in a Build Step.
- Offensive Damage: 5
- Defensive Strength: 5
- Result of Attack: Banish target good or unaligned champion


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Teacher quality
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I attended Macomb Christian for the entirety of my High School education beginning in 2005 after trasnferring out of my local public school system. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there as it gave me many opportunities that I would not have recieved otherwise including individual attention, extracurricular opportunities, and spiritual training. The small class sizes, caring staff, and Christian environment helped me to grow academically as well as spiritually. After graduation, I attended Wayne State University on a full-tuition scholarship; an accomplishment I attribute directly to my time at MCS. I know as a fact that many of my peers were also awarded full scholarships at Wayne State, Lawrence Tech, Oakland University, and the University of Michigan. I am not saying that MCS is without fault and that there is no room for improvement. Any Christian should understand that sin exists and therefore no school is perfect. What I am saying is that MCS offered me invaluable opportunities that helped me to grow personally, academically, and spiritually.
I began attending Macomb Christian when I was in 10th grade in 2007. I found an excellent community of people at Macomb and I not only met my best friend there, but also the love of my life, my husband. I have so many fond memories of the activities we had, spirit week, sports (I played soccer, softball and basketball), chapel band, and our year end trip to name a few. Academically, Macomb prepared me for entrance into the University of Michigan with it's college preparatory curriculum. I felt very confident with my college applications and was guided and helped the entire way by the guidance counselor at the time. Many of the teachers became great friends and mentors to me after graduation and for that I am very grateful. I was mentored and cultivated by these dedicated teachers. They give all they have every day to instill Biblical principles into their students and give them the best education possible. I would absolutely recommend Macomb Christian to anyone. It was a life-changing experience for me that I will not forget!
When we were about to inquire in the school, my husband went in the school ahead of us. He parked in their parking lot waiting for me and my son. Since the staff do not recognize him and the car, and parked there in a while, they called the cops. Because of that, it made me thought that my son is safe in that school. My son became very comfortable in school, interactive with staff and other kids and excited to learn. At kindergarten, he is already reading story books to his classmates. As a bonus, he learned piano in 3 months in his Kindergarten year. He was able to play a piece in front of the elementary kids. I never thought that my timid boy will develop to that level after 3 years. The piano lesson is something that I requested and worked with the school for him to have. I am so thankful with how the staff of MCS caters to the need of their students and their family.
This is a great school that comes together as a strong community and cares about the children. The teachers are amazingly dedicated & we pray together and for each other.
My son has just begun his second year in the EEC Pre-K program. He struggles with a speech impediment however the EEC at MCS have been actively involved in assisting our family with encouraging my son to overcome this obstacle. It is very comforting that his teach Mrs. Constance and assisting staff are just as excited as we are for his continued progression of language and give me daily reports of progress. I am pleased thus far with MCS as long as my son continues to reap the benefit of a loving, faith re-enforcing and most importantly making education a great challenge to promote early EXCELLENCE.
Macomb Christian Schools has provided a educational and Christian foundation for our child that reflects the values and belief systems reflected in our home. The faculty & staff show personal care, compassion, and concern for students and their student's families which again reinforces what we try to instill in our child. Our child has confidence in the word of God, herself, and the education she receives at MCS. We are well pleased!
My daughter is enrolled in the Early Childcare/ Preshcool program. I am extremely happy that our daughter has been able to attend the Early Childcare/ Preshcool program at MCS. She started in an early 3's class last fall. I cannot express how pleased we were with the development she has shown in the past year. Along with fundamental social and educational lessons, she has been taught Bibilical truths that have shaped her early development. The director for the Early Childcare/ Preschool program is amazingly wonderful and Godly woman! I cannot say enough about her and her leadership over the programs she oversees. My daughter adores her beyond words can say. My daughter is in her second year of the program attending a mix class of 3's and 4's. We are very excited to see her progress socially, educationlly, and spiritually!
Our son Griffin has been going to Macomb Christian Schools for 2 years now. He started in the Early Education Program, which was incredible, and has now just started Kindergarten, where the individual attention he'll be receiving is worth all the money in the world. I can't tell you how much we love him going there, we're so looking forward to what the future holds for him at MCS. From the teachers to the office staff, we've had nothing but an excellent experience. They care about your child, they connect with him/her, there not just "a number" in the classroom. The family atmosphere is a huge plus, you feel like you have known everyone for years. The quality of education our son will be getting is going to be shaping his future and we can't think of any better hands to have him! I highly recommend Macomb Christian Schools!!
I have had two children at Macomb Christian School. The early education department is wonderful. Ms. Beck and the other teachers and aides provide a loving environment that teaches children the fundamentals. They treat the children like they are their own. They are quick to respond to special requests and the needs of not only the children but the parents as well. They are fun and creative and have developed a great learning environment. My kids love this school and so do I.
My daughter attended preschool at Macomb Christian and is now in Kindergarten. I am very pleased with the experience she got in kindergarten and have heard excellent feedback about the kindergarten teacher.
This is our family's sixth year at Macomb Christian. I actually can't believe it's been six years! We LOVE our school!!! We know our children are getting the best education and we are constantly amazed at their achievements at MCS. Biblical truth is being taught and I think my children now know the Bible better than I do. ;-) Passion and sacrifice is clearly visible in the teachers. Our child in secondary loves every single teacher! They work hard to teach, create a Christian environment and make each child feel valued. Volunteers are welcomed like family and the school really appreciates every student and parent. We not only love our school. We feel loved by the school!!
New leadership, new technology, new staff, along with dedicated Godly veteran teachers. All teachers properly certified. Teachers are enthusiastic and love to see their students learn. Our school year has already started and there was a secondary overnight fellowship for students and teachers in Port Huron. Great way to start off a positive experience at Macomb Christian Schools.
I am an MCS alumnus, and here are, in my opinion, the two most important reasons to attend MCS. First and foremost, my time at MCS greatly furthered my relationship with Christ. Our instruction in theology and some of the works we read (Systematic Theology, Don't Waste Your Life) was excellent. Secondly, there is ample opportunity for your child to succeed in a multitude of areas. I graduated with a 3.98 GPA and was a triple varsity athlete. I was also able to serve on student and class council as well as drama club. If your child is willing to work hard and try their best, they will be able to build a resume that any college will love. Some may say that the education at this institution is subpar, however, that is just not true. Like any other school, your child will get out of it what they put into it. From MCS I was able to graduate from university with a 3.9 GPA and a degree in biology. Your child will get out of this education just what what they put into it. The difference is at MCS small class sizes will give your child the freedom to do almost anything they set out to. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to achieve all this at a public school.
This school is absolutely terrible, the tachers do not enforce the rules and the "Christian" environment is barely able to be called Christian. There are bullies and the teachers do not handle anything that happens in the school from a Christian approach or any approach for that matter. I would deffinatley not recomend this school for anybody and my child will not be attending this school next year.
I highly recommend this school. Although the numbers have gone down due to the economy, Macomb always manages to find caring teachers. They manage to find young motivated teachers as well as experienced ones. As a previous reviewer said, they teach TRUTH with a capital T. There are some good sports programs for its size. There's a sizeable library for a Christian school. It is definitely a place that encourages parental involvement like few other schools, and it receives it. There is chapel with Godly messages. The curriculum is being constantly evaluated and changed to challenge students more. I graduated from the class of 2002 as salutatorian and graduated from college later in 2007. There are counselors that care about college here and allow students to see the big picture. I can also say plenty of after-school help is available. A very nuturing environment with plenty of field trips and also a special "j-term" for secondary students to see where God might lead them career-wise.
My child graduated from MCS in 2010. We came from a bullying situation and he was never bullied here. In fact even though he came in the middle of a high school grade he was accepted with open arms and loved all the teachers and students. A+ School! Great Godly education
Macomb Christian is an excellent school for many reasons - the teachers & staff are very caring towards my children and are very supportive in giving them the best education. However, I do agree with the previous poster regarding bullying. My son has been bullyed and not much was done. If it continues into this coming school year, my voice will be loudly heard!
School currently has a bully problem that the administration and school board do not seem concerned with. The school is more concerned with their financial issues so they will take any student even bullies. They won t enforce rules, they look the other way, don t see the obvious trouble students for what they are. My two children will not be returning next year, we will be looking elsewhere for a caring school. I suggest you do the same.
Macomb Christian is filled with amazing teachers who love the Lord! They teach the Truth (with a capital T) in the classrooms! The students rank in the top percentile when tested and grads earned over one MILLION in scholarships last year! Academic Excellence, Christ-centered, and Kids who are Changing the World!
We love Macomb Christian because they are like a family to us and all the students that attend. They always put the students first and the teachers are the best of the best!
Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.
The Community Rating is the school's average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.
28501 Lorraine
Warren, MI 48093
Website: Click here
Phone: (586) 751-8980
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subset: commoncrawl


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Posts tagged may
Posts tagged may
May 2013 Hardcover
Cate Lineberry, The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines
978-0-316-22022-4, $27.00
When 26 Army nurses and medics-part of the 807th Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron-boarded a cargo plane for transport in November 1943, they never anticipated the crash landing in Nazi-occupied Albania that would lead to their months-long struggle for survival. A drama that captured the attention of the American public, the group and its flight crew dodged bullets and battled blinding winter storms as they climbed mountains and fought to survive, aided by courageous villagers who risked death at Nazi hands to help them.
A mesmerizing tale of the courage and heroism of ordinary people, THE SECRET RESCUE tells not only a new story of struggle and endurance, but also one of the daring rescue attempts by clandestine American and British organizations amid the tumultuous landscape of the war.
Cate Lineberry is a former staff writer and Europe editor for National Geographic andthe web editor of Smithsonian, and her work has appeared in the New York Times. She lives in the greater Washington, DC, area.
Publicity Contact: Morgan Moroney, firstname.lastname@example.com
May 2013 Hardcover
Michelle de Krester, Questions of Travel
978-0-316-21922-8, $25.99
Laura Fraser grows up in Sydney, motherless, with a cold father and an artistic bent. Ravi Mendes is on the other side of the world—his humble father dead, his mother struggling, determined to succeed in computer science. Their stories alternate throughout Michelle de Kretser's ravishing new novel, culminating in unlikely fates for them both, destinies influenced by travel—voluntary in her case, enforced in his.
With money from an inheritance, Laura sets off to see the world, returning to Sydney to work for a travel guide. There she meets Ravi, a Sri Lankan political exile who wants only to see a bit of Australia and make a living. Where do these disparate characters truly belong? With her trademark subtlety, wit, and dazzling prose, Michelle de Kretser shows us that, in the 21st century, they belong wherever they want to and can be—home or away.
Michelle de Kretser is a Sri Lankan who has lived in Australia since 1972. She is also the author or the novels The Rose Grower, The Hamilton Case, and The Lost Dog.
Publicity Contact: Liz Garriga, firstname.lastname@example.com
May 2013 Hardcover
NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names
978-0-316-23081-0, $24.99
Darling is only 10 years old, and yet she must navigate a fragile and violent world. In Zimbabwe, Darling and her friends steal guavas, try to get the baby out of young Chipo's belly, and grasp at memories of Before. Before their homes were destroyed by paramilitary policemen, before the school closed, before the fathers left for dangerous jobs abroad.
But Darling has a chance to escape: she has an aunt in America. She travels to this new land in search of America's famous abundance only to find that her options as an immigrant are perilously few. NoViolet Bulawayo's debut calls to mind the great storytellers of displacement and arrival who have come before her—from Zadie Smith to Monica Ali to J.M. Coetzee—while she tells a vivid, raw story all her own.
NoViolet's story "Hitting Budapest," the opening chapter of the novel, won the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing. NoViolet's other work has been shortlisted for the 2009 SA PEN Studzinsi Award, and has appeared in Callaloo, The Boston Review, Newsweek, and The Warwick Review, as well as in anthologies in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK. NoViolet recently earned her MFA at Cornell University, where her work has been recognized with a Truman Capote Fellowship. She will be attending Stanford in the fall as a Wallace Stegner Fellow for 2012-2014. NoViolet was born and raised in Zimbabwe.
Publicity Contact: Marlena Bittner, email@example.com
May 2013 Hardcover
Courtney Angela Brkic, The First Rule of Swimming
978-0-316-21738-5, $25.99
Magdalena does not panic when she learns that her younger sister has disappeared. A free spirit, Jadranka has always been prone to mysterious absences. But when weeks pass with no word, Magdalena leaves the isolated Croatian island where their family has always lived and sets off to New York to find her sister. Her search begins to unspool the dark history of their family, reaching back three generations to a country torn by war.
A haunting and sure-footed debut by an award-winning writer, THE FIRST RULE OF SWIMMING explores the legacy of betrayal and loss in a place where beauty is fused inextricably with hardship, and where individuals are forced to make wrenching choices as they are swept up in the tides of history.
Courtney Angela Brkic is the author of Stillness: And Other Stories—named a 2003 Best Book by the Chicago Tribune, a Notable Book by the New York Times, and a Barnes & Noble Discover pick. Her memoir The Stone Fields was shortlisted for the Freedom of Expression Award by the Index on Censorship. Brkic has been the recipient of a Whiting Writers' Award and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She teaches in the MFA program at George Mason University, and lives in New York City.
Publicity Contact: Theresa Giacopasi, email@example.com
The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo—and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation
James Donovan
978-0-316-05374-7, $29.99
A sweeping, action-packed saga of the legendary last stand at the Alamo, by the author of the bestseller A Terrible Glory.
On February 23, 1836, a large Mexican army led by dictator Santa Anna reached San Antonio and laid siege to about 175 Texas rebels holed up in the Alamo. The Texans refused to surrender for nearly two weeks until almost 2,000 Mexican troops unleashed a final assault.
The defenders fought valiantly—for their lives and for a free and independent Texas—but in the end, they were all slaughtered. Their ultimate sacrifice inspired the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo!" and eventual triumph.
Exhaustively researched, and drawing upon fresh primary sources in U.S. and Mexican archives, The Blood of Heroes is the entertaining and unforgettable account of this epic battle. Populated by larger-than-life characters—including Davy Crockett, James Bowie, William Barret Travis—this is a stirring story of audacity, valor, and redemption.
About the author: James Donovan is the author of the bestselling A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Big Horn—The Last Great Battle of the American West. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Publicity tour in Texas: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Killeen.
Publicity contact: Carolyn O'Keefe, email@example.com
Service: A Navy SEAL at War
Marcus Luttrell with James D. Hornfischer
978-0-316-18536-3, $27.99
In October 2006, after miraculously returning from his star-crossed mission in Afghanistan, Marcus Luttrell went back to war. In six months of high-intensity urban fighting in the most dangerous city in the world, Ramadi, Iraq, he was part of one of the greatest victories in the history of the SEAL teams.
Returning home and leaving military life, Luttrell began a quest to understand how and why a rare few choose to risk their lives to serve their country. Drawing on the experiences of warriors of all generations and service branches, exploring their amazing stories, Luttrell has produced a profoundly moving testament to American courage and sacrifice. Service is both a war story for the ages and a heartfelt tribute to all who have served.
Lone Survivor, a New York Times bestseller, has netted more than one million copies in hardcover and paperback, and was propelled back on to bestseller lists after the death of Osama bin Laden.
Writer-director Peter Berg's film adaptation of Lone Survivor is scheduled to go into production for Universal Studios in January 2012.
About the author: Marcus Luttrell became a combat-trained Navy SEAL in 2002 and served in many dangerous Special Operations assignments around the world. He lives near Huntsville, Texas.
Co-author James D. Hornfischer's Neptune's Inferno (Bantam, 2011) was a New York Times bestseller and his The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors (Bantam, 2004) has netted more than 200,000 copies in hardcover and paperback and was chosen by The Wall Street Journal as one of the five best books on "war as soldiers know it." He lives in Austin, Texas.
Publicity tour: Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Hood, Dallas, San Diego, Norfolk, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Pensacola
Publicity contact: Liz Garriga, firstname.lastname@example.com
11th Hour
James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
978-0-316-09749-9, $27.99
Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the discovery of severed heads in a movie star's garden—and a vigilante targeting the city's most despised criminals.
Millionaire Chaz Smith is mercilessly gunned down and Detective Lindsay Boxer discovers that the murder weapon is linked to the deaths of four of San Francisco's most untouchable criminals. And it was taken from her own department's evidence locker. Anyone could be the killer—even her closest friends.
Lindsay is then called to the most bizarre crime scene she's ever seen: two bodiless heads elaborately displayed in the garden of a world-famous actor. Another head is unearthed in the garden, and Lindsay realizes that the ground could hide hundreds of victims.
A reporter launches a series of vicious articles about the cases and Lindsay's personal life is laid bare. But this time she has no one to turn to—especially not Joe. 11TH HOUR is the most shocking, most emotional, and most thrilling Women's Murder Club novel ever.
About the author: James Patterson has had 46 #1 New York Times bestselling hardcovers. The Women's Murder Club is the bestselling new detective series of the past decade, selling 46 million copies worldwide.
This is the eighth book in the Women's Murder Club series co-authored by Maxine Paetro. She is a novelist and journalist. She lives with her husband in New York.
Publicity contact: Sabrina Callahan, firstname.lastname@example.com
The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King—The 5-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea
Walter R. Borneman
978-0-316-09784-0, $29.99
How America's only five-star admirals triumphed in World War II and made the United States the world's dominant sea power.
Only four men in American history have been promoted to the five-star rank of Fleet Admiral: William Leahy, Ernest King, Chester Nimitz, and William Halsey. These four men were the best and the brightest Annapolis produced, and together they led the U.S. Navy to victory in World War II, establishing the United States as the world's greatest sea power.
In The Admirals, award-winning historian Walter Borneman tells their combined story in full and dramatic detail for the first time. He shows us how the four admirals revolutionized naval warfare forever with submarines and aircraft carriers, and how these men—who were both friends and rivals—worked together to ensure that the Axis fleets lay destroyed on the ocean floor at the end of World War II.
About the author: Walter R. Borneman is the author of seven works of nonfiction, including 1812, The French and Indian War, and Polk. He holds both a master's degree in history and a law degree. He lives in Colorado.
Borneman is extremely well-respected by both popular and academic historians. He has received endorsements from Robert V. Remini, Jon Meacham, and Douglas
Brinkley. There are 60,000 copies of 1812 (HarperCollins, 2004) in print, and the paperback still sells between 5,000 and 8,000 copies every year. There are more than 30,000 copies of Borneman's book, Polk (Random House, 2009), in print.
Publicity contact: Theresa Giacopasi, email@example.com.
So Far Away: A Novel
Meg Mitchell Moore
978-0-316-09769-7, $25.99
The lives of a wayward teenager and a lonely archivist are unexpectedly joined through the discovery of an old diary.
Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gallagher is trying to escape: from her parents' ugly divorce, and from the vicious cyberbullying of her former best friend.
The 500: A Novel
Matthew Quirk
978-0-316-19862-2, $25.99
A year ago, fresh out of Harvard Law School, Mike Ford landed his dream job at Davies Group, Washington's most powerful consulting firm. Now, he's staring down the barrel of a gun, pursued by two of the world's most dangerous men. To get out, he'll have to do all the things he thought he'd never do again: lie, cheat, steal—and this time, maybe even kill.
Mike grew up in a world of small-stakes con men and learned the trade at his father's knee. As the Davies Group's rising star, he rubs shoulders with "The 500," the elite men and women who really run Washington—and the world. But peddling influence, he soon learns, is familiar work: even with a pedigree, a con is still a con.
Combining the best elements of political intrigue and heart-stopping action, The 500 calls to mind classic thrillers like The Firm and Presumed Innocent. In Mike Ford, readers will discover a new hero who learns the hard way that the higher the climb, the harder—and deadlier—the fall.
Publicity tour: Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago and Kansas City.
About the author: Matthew Quirk studied history and literature at Harvard College. After graduation, he spent five years at The Atlantic reporting on crimes, private military contractors, the opium trade, terrorism prosecutions, and international gangs.
He lives outside of Washington, DC.
Publicity contact: Marlena Bittner, email@example.com
The House that Ruth Built: A New Stadium, the First Yankees Championship, and the Redemption of 1923
Robert Weintraub
978-0-316-08607-3; $26.99
The untold story of Babe Ruth's 1923 Yankees, their first championship season in the brand new Yankee Stadium.
Before the 27 World series wins, before Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter—the Yankees were new York's also-ran franchise. They didn't even have a stadium, renting out the new York Giants' Polo Grounds and, embarrassingly, losing to them when it counted: in the Fall Classic. But in 1923, the Yankees played their first season on their own field, and everything changed. Babe Ruth bounced back from a contentious season to carry the team to their first title, justifying his new stadium's nickname, "The house That Ruth Built." This is the untold tale of the Yankees' break-out season, filled with stories of new York and baseball in arguably their greatest eras. Robert Weintraub's fresh reporting vividly illuminates the singular year that made the Yankees the storied franchise they are today.
About the author: Robert Weintraub is a sports columnist for Slate, contributes to the annual Football Outsiders Almanac, and has written regularly for Deadspin. com, ESPN.com, The Guardian, and Play magazine, among other media. He lives in Decatur, Georgia.
Publicity contact: Elizabeth Garriga, firstname.lastname@example.com
In Zanesville: A Novel
Jo Ann Beard
978-0-316-08447-5; $23.99
From the acclaimed author of The Boys of My Youth, comes a debut novel about the vivid moment just before we step out of childhood.
The 14-year-old narrator of IN ZANESVILLE is a late bloomer. She flies under the radar—a sidekick, a marching band dropout, a disastrous babysitter, the kind of girl whose Eureka moment is the discovery that "fudge" can't be said with an English accent. Luckily, she has a best friend with whom she shares the everyday adventures of a 1970s American girlhood, incidents through which a world is revealed, and character is forged. In time, their friendship is tested—by their families' claims on them, by a clique of popular girls who stumble upon them, and by the first, startling, subversive intimations of womanhood. With dry wit and piercing observation, Jo Ann Beard shows us that in the seemingly quiet streets of America's innumerable Zanesvilles is a world of wonders, and that within the souls of the overlooked often burns something radiant.
About the author: Jo Ann Beard's work has appeared in The New Yorker, Tin House, and Best American Essays. She received a Whiting Award and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Publicity contact: Carolyn O'Keefe, firstname.lastname@example.com
20 Years Younger: Look Younger, Feel Younger, Be Younger!
Bob Greene with Harold Lancer, MD,Diane L. McKay, PhD, and Ronald L. Kotler, MD
978-0-316-13378-4; $27.99
Million-copy bestseller Bob Greene gives us the definitive anti-aging book.
It's time to turn back the clock! In 20 YEARS YOUNGER, Bob Greene offers readers a practical, science-based plan for looking and feeling their best as they age. The cutting-edge program details easy and effective steps we can all take to rebuild the foundation of youth and enjoy better health, improved energy, and a positive outlook on life. The four cornerstones of the program are: an exercise regimen for fighting muscle and bone loss, a longevity-focused diet, sleep rejuvenation, and wrinklefighting skin care. Woven throughout the text is practical advice on changing appearances, controlling stress, staying mentally sharp, navigating medical tests, and much more. Readers will walk away with a greater understanding of how the body ages and what they can do to feel—and look—20 years younger.
5-city author tour: New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Dallas, Philadelphia
About the author: Bob Greene is an exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer specializing in fitness, metabolism, and weight loss.
Publicity contact: Nicole Dewey, email@example.com
Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN
James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
978-0-316-04300-7; $27.99
The first complete and never-before revealed history of ESPN—"the worldwide leader" and the rowdiest frat house in sports TV.
ESPN began as an outrageous gamble with a lineup that included Australian Rules Football, rodeo, and a rinky-dinky clip show called Sports Center. Today the empire stretches far beyond television into the Internet, radio, magazines, mobile phones, and more, while ESPN's personalities have become global superstars to rival the sports icons they cover. Chris Berman, Robin Roberts, Keith Olbermann, Hannah Storm, Bill Simmons, Tony Kornheiser, Stuart Scott, Erin Andrews, Mike Ditka, Dick Vitale, and scores of others speak openly about the games, shows, scandals, addictions, bitter rivalries, and sudden suspensions that make up the network's soaring and stormy istory. The result is a wild, smart, effervescent oral history of triumph, genius, ego, and the rise of an empire unlike any Television had ever seen.
Tour:Author events in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC
About the authors:
James Andrew Miller was previously Sr. Executive Producer for Anderson Cooper 360 and Executive V.P. of Original Programming for USA Network. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Tom Shales won a Pultizer Prize for television criticism in the Washington Post. He lives in McLean, Virgina.
Publicity contact: Laura Keefe, email@example.com
Tabloid City: A Novel
Pete Hamill
978-0-316-02075-6; $26.99
From New York Times bestselling author Pete Hamill, the extraordinary drama of one fateful day in the greatest city in the world.
In a stately West Village townhouse, a wealthy socialite and her secretary are murdered. In the 24 hours that follow, a flurry of activity circles around their shocking deaths: The head of one of the city's last tabloids stops the presses. A cop investigates the killing. A reporter chases the story. A disgraced hedge fund manager flees the country. An Iraq War vet seeks revenge. And an angry young extremist plots a major catastrophe. The City is many things: a proving ground, a decadent playground, or a palimpsest of memories—a historic metropolis eclipsed by modern times. As much a thriller as it is a gripping portrait of the city of today, TABLOID CITY is a new fiction classic from the writer who has captured it perfectly for decades.
5-city author tour: Chicago, Boston, Washington, DC, New York, Philadelphia
About the author: Pete Hamill is a novelist, journalist, editor, and screenwriter. He is the author of 20 previous books including the bestselling novels Forever and Snow in August and the bestselling memoir, A Drinking Life. He lives in New York City.
Publicity contact: Carolyn O'Keefe, email@example.com


text:
Can you improve your math skills through play?
At brainbow we're obsessed with knowledge gamification. We believe we can make the world smarter through play.
We've been pretty quiet about our plans so far, but we're already testing some of our hypotheses and are capturing tons of data around knowledge and cognitive improvements through games.
In our initial testing, we've proven that we can improve individuals' math skills and specific cognitive skills such as attention and speed through simple and engaging games.
The graph bellow shows how our beta testers perform over time when playing Numbers Together:
People who engaged in limited mental calculations for 10+ years have seen their performace double in only two weeks.
We're now crunching more data to better understand what is simple or complex math and how we can create better levelling algorithms that in turn will help people improve their performance.
If you'd like to contribute or if you simply believe you're a math rockstar, you can download our app on the appstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/numbers-together-by-brainbow/id539359333
It's still rough around the edges and only available on iOS (Facebook account required) so please send feedback and ideas.


text:
Simon Claisse: rainfall on Sunday would be "very welcome"PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Significant rainfall forecast for Cheltenham
CHELTENHAM'S battle against the elements could receive a timely boost on Sunday with a significant amount of rainfall forecast.
Clerk of the course Simon Claisse has faced a struggle to produce his aim of good to soft ground for the first day of the festival due to dry conditions, but a decent amount of rainfall will be a big help.
He said on Saturday: "We had half a millimetre this morning and we are forecast up to 12 millimetres on Sunday, which would be very welcome."
Between ten and 15 millimetresis forecast to fall in the Cheltenham area on Sunday according to a Met Office spokesman, who said: "There will be rain through the morning, which will be heavy at times, between ten and 15 millimetres.
"It will then be dry in the afternoon and a clear night Sunday into Monday, with a risk of frost. That should lift readily out of the ground Monday with a fine and dry day forecast. Tuesday is set to be similar to Monday before things will become more unsettled on Wednesday."
The going at Cheltenham was on Saturday described as good, good to firm in places on the Old and New course, and good to firm, firm in places on the cross country course.


text:
The Waiting Game
I know what you must be thinking: this girl's a joke! Coming on here, expecting there'll still be readers when she's made a disappearing act like Houdini without much of a word, except for that last time when she hit us up with two posts in a row, which was SO last month ago!? Does she really think we're fools? That we'd be sitting here WAITING on her to show up late like Mariah Carey at the 11th hour?
First off, let's remove all negative connotations linking me to diva behavior because there is none in these parts — I always hope that you find something compelling enough to tune in to WIA. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it here: WhoIsArlette.com is NOTHING but lost words in the Grand Poobah online universe without my faithful readers. That being said, pardon my absence, my lack of musings, my wave of mommy brain forgetfulness, my erratic behavior, my…just forgive me already, please?!?!
Yes, things have slowed down despite my best efforts — when one can barely roll through the front door without causing a 5.0 earthquake with their hippopotamus frame, there's cause for celebration.
I'm now in week 38, which by the medicine world's standards is all well and swell, but for me, this spells S-H-O-C-K; after all, Jamal "The Kid" showed up at 37 weeks, so I sort of imagined that nature would set the course for a repeat performance. WELL! Looks like Little Mami is already showing me she's not about that life!? Needless to say, I'm restless and carry out many conversations with her about her peekaboo/running-game-on-you dictatorship and how I want (see NEED!) it to come to a swift end.
Hubby and I have been bombarded with texts, calls, tweets and direct messages asking for labour progress details and unfortunately, we haven't been able to deliver "spread the news!" ferry dust yet. Hubby, who's been nothing short of amazing, finally escaped the house for a few hours after I've begged him to repeatedly (I couldn't stand to see him drown in another comatose support day). I've become pretty "chummy" with the ladies of The Talk and The Social — who else would be willing to keep me company, even if said relationship is of the one-sided kind and I have no say in the matter?
I know I'm close: I can taste it. The nesting phase has kicked in a few days back and I went into overdrive with the cleaning, prepping and whatnot like a deranged Martha Stewart clone. I know I'm close because I've since adopted a middle of the night wake-up habit, listening to the breeze ruffle the trees' leaves and trying to catch backyard night crawlers in their scavenging act. I know I'm close because…I JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING, K?!?! It's the way of the world.
Going to attempt my own "break your water" dance in the hopes that things go off like a Soul Train revival…except not today. Reasons? 1) it's hubby's #forever25 birthday and the man still guards "his" day like a 5-year old toddler guards its favorite toy and 2) it's "Shonda Rhymes owns Thursday TV" day thanks to the return of my guilty pleasure drama Scandal (and the arrival of newcomer How to Get Away with Murder). Multitasking need not apply tonight — tweeting my anxiety over pushing out a little human being is all the sacrifice I can handle at this time.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and por favor, resist the urge to prick needles into dolls that have a semblance of me because you found me to be less than reliable lately; we all peeples. Just know that your support keeps this train humming along the tracks, even when all parties involved are delayed…
Avec amour,
Photo Credit: C. 'WhoIsArlette' and W. 'Only1O' Orellana
Road Trippin'
WE'RE A LITTLE OVER AUGUST'S HALFWAY MARK ALREADY…is this a good thing or not?
Can we talk for a minute about how QUICKLY this summer flew by? Technically, it's still l'été, but before long, some of you will be back on 3-hour long lectures, trying with all your might not to stab yourselves in the eye with sharpened pencils (if you happen to love the Big Institution and its teachings, you have my utmost admiration and respect). For others, this signals the final stretch of taking off work early on Fridays and extending weekends past Monday for whatever summer lovin' has you a blast: cottaging, patio watching, last-minute getaways, Rebecca Black Friday karaoke singing and road tripping.
Speaking of the latter, the O Clan took a little day jaunt to my birth city of Montreal a little more than a couple of weeks back, which was perfect for moi as I slowly feel that my feet will soon cease to be in working order. Our wedding photographer and friend Marie-Michèle joined us for a picnic in Little Italy before we headed off downtown for what was to be back-to-school shopping for Jamal (i.e. the excuses I come up to satisfy my own selfish urges would have your mind blown).
Here's how it went down for two "refuse-to-grow-up" parents, one "a-little t00-grown-up" teenager, a "can't-wait-to-come-out" bun in the oven and a "stuck-with-these-fools" MTL friend.
7:30 a.m. | Cocorico! The rooster call that is my cell phone wakes me up from my slumber, though I suspect Little Mami has been on duty before the fact thanks to her incessant jabs to the ribs. August, in my book, you're fully welcomed. Now, get this kid out already!?
8:00 a.m. | My morning routine is no-nonsense and must have me ready in 30 minutes or less because frankly, I don't like wasting my God-given time on earth singing into a loofah in the shower. My momma cooks up the breakfast of champions for the entire family: eggs, French baguette, ham, fresh veggies and fruits, juice, coffee, the works! Timmies won't erect a monument in my name anytime soon.
9:25 a.m. | Get the day's essentials in the car: cooler, sunscreen, road snacks, camera, chargers, happy moods. I'm one stone throw away from breaking into song à la Julie Andrews, with cartoon birds flying all around me.With a 17-mminute late start, we are finally off!
12:00 p.m. | In Montreal already!? After driving 4.5 hours to Toronto and back for 8 years, I tend to forget how easy-breezy it is to get from OTT to MTL — straight line uncomplicated business (unless your foot gets too heavy on that pedal and Sûreté du Québec happens to be hiding away in the bushes like the Big Bad Wolf looking to stick one Ontario-licensed driver with a speeding ticket). Admit it: they hate us.
12:35 p.m. | Getting across the island from the Trans-Canada highway into the downtown core is like getting through a war zone: you're constantly on edge and feel like a ticking time bomb every time someone cuts you off, doesn't signal changing lanes, or gives you the stink eye for daring to drive a vehicle with a license plate that doesn't spell JE ME SOUVIENS. I feel like screaming "Les Québécois, c'est juste des têtes de cochons! (Quebeckers are a bunch of stubborn folks!), but can anticipate my kid's smart-a** comment to the effect of "Uh, Mom? Wouldn't that make you one if you're born a Quebecker too?" Let's here it for the analogy of the Pot calling the Kettle black. Even in imaginary dialogues with the kid, I must concur "Touché, Jamal, tou-ché". I save myself the humiliation.
12:50 p.m. | Parking, surprisingly, is easy to score in a city known for its narrow streets better fitting Barbie's convertible than human-size vehicles. We're here, sun shining, temps rising, appetites growing. This is how you do Montreal.
1:15 p.m. | We walk over to Dinette Triple Crown and soon after, Marie-Michèle appears in an oh-so-adorable casual tee, jean shorts and Chucks uniform, with a Raised by Wolves strap back hat over her short cropped do (she's too cool for school). More and more people arrive and in the interim, I learn MM is a vegetarian (oops!), which may be problematic since the unassuming little gem, a Southern cuisine spot located in Little Italy, is known for its fried chicken and other grease-spoon fare.
1:30 p.m. | I'm salivating already and my eyes are the size of saucers. This place has garnered rave reviews from MTL's top foodies. Little Mami sticks out her bum in her favorite cavity of my stomach, which is code for "Let's do this, mama!" #PasLtempsDniaiser
1:40 p.m. | It's our turn to order and I rattle off my list like an auctioneer: (3) Meat & Threes, with a combination of sides (mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy slaw, cornbread, biscuits, fried sweet potatoes) and let's finish this off with the Mac 'n' Cheese (locals call it a "revelation"). From here on out, it's a 30-minute wait for our picnic basket.
2:10 p.m. | I have to pause for a moment and observe the picnic basket Dinette Triple Crown hooks us up with: checkered tablecloth, dishware, cutlery, sauces aplenty and mason jars to wash down those pipes with water or summer's quintessential refreshments of ice tea and lemonade. It's a required IG moment, but instead, I'm savoring the basket's content and snapping away with my mind's eye.
2:20 p.m. | After being on the lookout for a vacant picnic table (mama can't do the ground in her condition!), hubby scores us one. Unpacking the basket makes me giddy with anticipation. Everything smells like the best meal you'll ever have in your life and I soon find out that the reality far exceeds the assumption. The chicken is so scrumptious that KFC should stand to go bankrupt (truthfully, they shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath nor sentence); DTC is just THAT.GOOD! The food is so plentiful that despite the four of us taking bite after bite of food in a bid to clear the contents of our basket, it remains steadfast like manna from the heavens. Leftover lunch for damn sure! #nocomplaints
2:50 p.m. | Although we're feeling like Beluga whales the sea cannot contain, I think to myself that maybe we should end this on a sweet note by going to St-Laurent Blvd and getting La Cornetteria's specialty, the Cronetto, which supposedly has people singing heavenly hymns. That moment would most likely deserve a cheesy 80s track like "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin just to signify the epicness of all that is great in life, but it never materializes; we're all too full.
2:55 p.m. | We part ways with MM, driving south to park near Des Pins. As we walk towards St-Laurent Blvd, we spot a little barbershop and the boys decide to have their hair shorten as the unforgiving blazing sun hits us overhead. We leave an hour and a half later, both of them looking fresh to death while I continue to look every bit like my sorry-a** self with mustard splatters on my blouse that have me looking a Basquiat portrait.
4:30 p.m. | Off downtown! Parking in these parts is a little trickier, but my little go-to saving grace is the all-day $7 parking at the Eaton Centre, which is both convenient and beyond affordable by MTL standards. Let the shopping games, from Underground City all the way to St. Catherine Street, begin!
6:30 p.m. | Two hours later, we withdraw from our retail pilgrimage EMPTY-HANDED (did that really happen?) and return to our car, feeling as though we're not quite done with MTL yet. Where else can we head to? I'm thinking street performers, evening walkers, lively entertainment…Old Montreal? The area never disappoints with its Parisian-themed cobble-stoned streets. I may call Ontario home, but I consider myself quite a blessed girl to have been born in this city filled with French charm and history. But alas, I can feel the achiness of my feet from the constant walking turning me into a party pooper. Time to retire you, Montreal, except something tells me we'll see each other again…in another year. Bye bye, la'w! (as my fellow Montrealers would say).
Je me souviens très bien de nos moments passés ensemble et les chérirai longtemps (I remember well our times spent together and will cherish them for a long time).
Avec amour,
Photo credit: C. 'WhoIsArlette' and W. 'Only1O' Orellana
Sunday/Son Day
I've been waiting for it: the sibling jealousy that can arise from any kid who's used to being the only child and who suddenly must contend with the thought and impending arrival of another human being…except, my only kid is surprisingly quite excited to be welcoming a sibling in spite of a significant age gap. Although Jamal is now a teenager and slowly coming unto his own, I still regard him as the little boy who used to raise his arms to me with a look of complete dependency. I still see the joyous little tyke who would trip, see a streak of blood trickle down his leg and instead of crying, would get back up and keep running without a care in the world. He's my first and if there ever was evidence of a boy being a proud son, let alone a momma's boy and unapologetic about it, mine certainly takes the cake!?
I wonder to myself how I'll manage to love both of my children in equal measure without making neither one of them feel neglected. I feel a bit of pity for Jamal as he's been witnessing our families and friends fussing over this little person who is yet to be born. I try to put myself in his shoes and think of the impact this may have on him, whether he still feels he matters to me, to his stepdad, to his grandparents, to his uncles and aunts, both biological and honorary. When my heart suffered its worst heartbreak a long time ago, his presence and his hugs were enough to give me the push to go forward when I wasn't sure I had anything left in me to keep going or fight for. There hasn't been a day that's gone by without him telling me "Mom, I love you" several times with the purest spill of the heart. I'm in awe of this kid: I don't know why I was entrusted his care by the Most High, but I believe that it was more for my own benefit than it ever was for his. He saved me from…me.
I enjoy our talks, our walks; his joie de vivre; his maturity, which he balances perfectly with the realities of being a teenage boy while still living out his don't-want-to-grow-up "Peter Pan" fantasies that keep him amazed by the little things. I let it soak in, try to learn from his way of looking at life when I get manic inside and feel like a complete failure. Even if I waited a long time for a daughter, I never want to make my son feel like he's any less wanted, regardless of the circumstances from which he was born. I wasn't ready then for motherhood, but I did what I felt in my heart was closest to my convictions, and the end result turned out to be one that broadened my understanding of what true love is.
He's my first born, my buddy, an extension of me and my mini-BIG me and now, he'll soon be a big brother. Thankfully, he doesn't hang with the Green-eyed monster and rather, looks at what is on the way as another open door to letting love flow from his heart. Baby S is blessed to have someone openly advocating her well-being, protection and happiness the way only a big brother would.
Whoever Jamal ends up with later on in life (ratchet 'hood rats need not apply — every last one will get screened!), I hope she can see him as I see him: with a heart for the women around him, with a gentleness and generosity that I have yet to witness in other young men his age, and with a drive to better himself in every way while remaining close to the lessons in humility my husband and I try every day to impart.
This is who we were then and this is who we'll continue to be well into the last days of our lives. This post may be called Sunday/Son Day and come a day after the fact, but it is no less us being on our merry mother and son way.
Avec amour,
Photo credit: C. 'WhoIsArlette' Orellana
Clash and Crash
Clash and Crash is the best way to sum up my style as of late: on the one hand, I'm all about comfort (for obvious reasons!), but on the other, I try to retain that sense of individuality that would seem impractical to many in my shoes, almost schizophrenic in nature.
Today's take?
Beetlejuice meets Willy Wonka: two child-like worlds colliding, one rooted in twisted fantasy while the other appeals to innocent wonder. Except, we grown and I'm leaving the magical incantations and hard-learned factory lessons out of the equation. I dress as I please for the one and only earthly body I'll ever get.
To dress yourself during pregnancy and retain parts of yourself, you may have to look the other way if your style of dress happens to be a little "unusual" by society's standards. I've gotten my fair share of odd looks in the last few months for choosing to outfit myself in slouchy pleather pants as opposed to lazy sweat pants, graphic tees as opposed to monochromatic tunics, and high heels as opposed to sneakers. I've been singled out (out loud!) by a bus rider for DARING to wear a form-fitting dress that hit 10 inches above the knee (oh, l'horreur! Get Tim Gunn on the phone tout de suite!). I'm very outspoken naturally and couldn't care less about others' opinions of me in the matters of dress codes (especially if the judging jury could easily pass as extras on the set of Weekend at Bernie's) but I've found myself growing a little apprehensive with each stare, as if I WASN'T allowed to dictate my place in the world by what makes me feel good, at a time when my body is foreign and unrecognizable to myself and needs nurturing much more than judgment.
When has pregnancy, one of life's greatest gifts, become something to shun as dirty or inappropriate if it is not concealed under prudish attire?
At a time when I should be walking proudly, bearing the energy and beauty of my blessing, I've been made to feel like I should not "advertise" the evidence of my joy in ways that suggest out-of-the-box self-expression, and this has both startled and saddened me. I began second-guessing my own personal choices, telling myself that perhaps I'd be better off jumping aboard the peasant dress, flats, ponytail and bare minimum face look. Comfortable? Very. Remarkable? No. If blending in was ever what I set out to do with my look, my thoughts, my words and whatever else you may think of, there would no purpose for this blog, for opinions, for influence and for growth. Real life, for me, began the day I found my voice. Hence, the apprehension has no business setting shop in this life that waves the "No Apologies" flag.
The Sunday that I set off to explore Ottawa for fun in one of my black, body-hugging halter dresses, I was stopped by a woman in her early forties who saw me walking by as she was having tea on a patio with her mother. She ran after me and this was our exchange:
HER: "Excuse me?"
ME: "Yes?"
HER: "I'm sorry. I had to come running after you to let you know that my mother and I just saw you walking by and that we love seeing a pregnant woman showing off her pregnancy curves. You look great!"
ME: "Are you serious? You have no clue how much this means to me. People haven't been too kind with their stares and comments."
HER: "Really? You have a glow! You know where the judgment stems from? My mom told me once that in her time, a woman was meant to cover evidence of her pregnancy because if she didn't, it was synonymous with her doing the deed. But times have changed! So, don't let people's looks get to you. You look amazing!"
ME: "Thank you for coming over. This has made my day and reminds me that I should stick to my guns. Have a great day!"
To that lady, thank you: not because you've given me a green light to resist convention, but because you've reminded me that the more convinced I am of my inner light, the easier it is to let it shine bright into the world.
Avec amour,
Photo Credit: W. 'Only1O' Orellana
It's In the Bag
"Yeah. I always carry this much s*&t into my bag; you never know when you may have to jam." – Allison "The basket case" Reynolds, The Breakfast Club
As an aspiring writer (and one who hopes to become a published author some day), I try to find ways to connect my thoughts and emotions to a topic that 1) interests me; 2) is relevant to my readers; 3) allows me to flex my thinking and prose; and 4) is presented in a much different (if not unusual) manner than what the masses produce. I'm in no way the next Margaret Atwood or Alice Munro and would much rather be a first rate version of myself than the 1,000,000th version of someone else; but thankfully, judging by the enthusiasm I've garnered through comments, retweets, personal messages and the likes in the last year, I believe I've managed to successfully achieve that mandate without pulling teeth. I take pride in writing FOR you and engaging WITH you.
However, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't admit to feeling inspired and tickled pink by some of the content fashion and lifestyle bloggers put out, because a lot of it is darn right fun, light and beautiful! Sometimes, part of the fun is joining in on the fun and contributing your take to the conversation. Lately, I've been thinking that I'd like to spill…the contents of my bag à la Allison Reynolds (I'll let Miss "basket case" hold on to the inevitable fate of becoming a shopping bag lady that sits in alleyways, talks to buildings and wears men's shoes).
Many men are confused by women's need to carry an elaborate "accoutrement" on their arm every day, and depending on which end of the spectrum they happen to stand on, they may be as perplexed as The Devil Wears Prada's Nate ("Why do women need so many bags?…You have one, you put all your junk in it, and that't it! You're done!") or as empathetic as his buddy Doug ("Fashion is not about utility. An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individual identity"). Here, here, Doug! Couldn't have said it any better…
So, with that being said, here are the every day essentials that go into my sturdy-and-beginning-to-fade Aldo 'Folortan' trapeze studded handbag, last year's birthday gift from the hubs that continues to score me compliments to this day. Eventually, I hope to graduate to some more grown-up fare — you know, a little something that rivals rent money and which preferably, comes in the most divine buttery leather. Brands, if you have quick reflexes, this is your cue to #showmetheswag!
1. KEYS | Pretty self-explanatory, non? I have multiple sets and don't quite know why I have yet to unite them on a single key chain. If I'm ever stranded out of the house, I can always attempt a break-in, but then again, this would be the fastest way to assisted suicide and to having my mug shot appear on the 6 0'clock evening news, with neighbors taking turns putting me on blast à la Antoine Dodson ("You're so dumb, you are really dumb…for real!).
2. GOOGLE NEXUS PHONE | The few times I've left my cell phone at home, the feeling has likened itself to the Phantom limb phenomenon — I know a cell phone will never come CLOSE to replacing a real organ, but you catch my drift (#wedependent). Just like 99.9% of the living and breathing population, my device serves as my alarm clock, my office-on-the-go, my connection to the world, my distraction, my sync pad, my personal DJ, my…I'll stop now.
3. KOBO READER | This is the earliest and most basic version of the device, but it works like a charm and keeps me enthralled in the fiction and biographies of movers and shakers. My current read? The Glitter Plan by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash Taylor, the founders of fashion brand Juicy Couture. It's a light, fun and insightful summer read for the girl who wants to achieve her dreams of striking out on her own. If case you didn't get the memo, being a #GirlBoss is all the rage, dawlin'! (that's a shameless plug for Sophia Amoruso's book, which is also an eye-opener).
4. SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL PEN | This was a gift from my BFF, Roseline, for my 34th birthday. It's such a striking pen that once, while attending a prenatal class, I took it out of my purse to fill out some paperwork and the girl sitting next to us almost had a convulsion at the sight of it (I thought she was going to deliver her baby right there and then). It's slick and pretty, and as my bestie said, fit for a writer. Ah!
5. iPOD NANO | I nicknamed her "Lacey" for reasons unknown. It was a gift from the hubs when we were dating. He had it engraved on the back with Pearls & Times Events, which was my event planning company at the time. Lacey has choked a few times over the years (and even went into cardiac arrest for several months), but she's since come to. She holds sentimental value and has been making up for all the past drama by entertaining me loud and clear ever since. Pfft! Picky little technology…
6. BUSINESS CARDS | Mine are as plain as they come, but they provide all the info one needs at a glance. The company that does them delivers quickly and at an affordable price. Plus, I die of happiness every time I look at that "WhoIsArlette" typeface that's become synonymous with my online brand.
7. LIPGLOSS | I scored this one at the Sparks Sessions Conference in Toronto last November and man, it's the best damn thing since sliced bread. It's hydrating, goes on smoothly and projects the most beautiful sheen. This one, Almay's 'Just Plum Good', was chosen for me by Jacquie Hutchinson, Revlon Canada's National Product Trainer and makeup artist. I call her aunt Jacquie because she's so laid back and accessible despite her tremendous success.
8. PRESTO CARD | The genius behind this public transit card is that whether you're in Ottawa or Toronto, it works! (it even covers the Greater Hamilton Area). I've commuted aboard the "people's limo" all my life and love the convenience of public transit: it allows me time to read, listen to music, draft my next ideas, nap or people watch.
9. ST. IVES HAND LOTION | My ultimate pet-peeve is dry hands. I lather lotion on mine several times a day and have been told that their unwrinkled appearance tricks people into thinking I'm younger than I am (is that a back-handed compliment or…?). Either way, I patrol the streets for ashy hands and pray silently for the guilty.
10. HAIR ELASTICS | I fight with my hair on a near daily basis; it just has a mind of its own. Black ouchless hair elastics are what allow me to thread the careful divide between the unruly, limp and annoying and the presentable and pulled together. I never want to be the girl who looks like "Who Shot John?", so oftentimes, I keep one around my wrist and a few extras in my bag.
11. SUNGLASSES | No matter the season, these eyes need their cover. I don't overthink it and rotate a few pairs based on my outfit and mood. I always purchase cheap ones from fast fashion brands like H&M and F21 because I tend to break or lose them easily. Buying a designer pair that could later be destroyed, lost (or worse!) stolen would send me into septic shock, so I stay in my lane.
12. CHINESE COOKIE FORTUNE | While out to a late Thai lunch with my cousin, his fiancée and their moms last summer as we were planning said cousin's wedding, we were given the standard parting gift: the fortune cookie. Since I was seated at the end of the table, my cousin, who picked one for himself, noticed I didn't have any and gave me his before grabbing another one. Turns out the one he "passed" along to me had this happy and serendipitous message: "You will become an accomplished writer 3 6 9 11 42 48″. I don't know what the numbers stand for; I don't even believe in Chinese astrology. But I do believe that some things are meant to be and well, if you know anything about me, the rest of what's to come will be history…
There you have it! Other things that often find their way in my bag as well: a few magazines, a notebook, gum, a few colored pens and my passport (because, well…you never know when you may have to jam!).
Tell me: what's in YOUR bag?
Avec amour,
Photo credit: C. 'WhoIsArlette' and W. 'Only1O' Orellana
We apologize for the interruption in programming…
…but when a dapper and sweet-voiced Tennessee-born gentleman, with hypnotic music and killer moves to boot, happens to stop by your city for a night and a friend invites you along to see him do his thang, you must:
1) Dig into your well of patience to get you through the work day and keep yourself from bursting like a Cinco de Mayo piñata;
2) Spend your entire afternoon revisiting his discography and refreshing your memory's jukebox so that you don't look like a complete aberrant fool during sing-alongs;
3) Remind yourself 1,000,000 times that his sexy love anthems, no matter how convincing they sound when he croons and smirks directly into the camera, are really not about you.
Oh, to hell with it! I love me some JT like a fat kid loves cake and tonight, I'm going to Take Back The Night.
#FollowMe via Twitter and Instagram at @WhoIsArlette because my own idiotic, happy face will become a hashtagged occurrence of its own.
Now, get Jimmy Fallon on via teleconference — he's needed for some hashtagging sign language.
Avec amour,
Been to the Starving Artist Exhibit Yet?
I looked down at my watch: 11:08 a.m. I sighed deeply and picked a piece of thread unraveling from my alleged "in pristine condition" vintage blazer before sighing again. Although we were only eight minutes behind schedule, I seethed with impatience as we waited for the most-buzzed about exhibition tour in town to begin. My muscles started to grow numb from foreboding — nothing had taken place yet for me to assume that some impending doom was upon us, but nonetheless, the feeling clang on like an icky rash. Every few minutes, newcomers to the group would arrive at once, marching dutifully like ants in a single file before stopping abruptly at the edge of our broken circle. The creases on their faces gave away their palpable excitement as they spoke animatedly amongst themselves before letting their childish laughs rip through the air. Finally, our guide appeared seemingly out of nowhere and proceeded to commend our attention by waving a gaunt and veiny hand to rally the troops.
"Good day and welcome to the Starving Artist Exhibit!" he shouted enthusiastically, revealing scraggly, yellowing teeth under a thick mustache. "The International Museum of Hopeful Creatives is thrilled to be the first to host this never-before-seen, world-class exhibition about the exhilarating and uncertain world of the struggling artist. Since its inauguration 6 days ago, the exhibit has had an unprecedented number of visitors, breaking early attendance record predictions of 10,000 guests. I'm happy to report that we will be reaching the 1,000,000-visitor mark with you all today! Aren't you lucky to be part of the one in a million group to mark this milestone?"
The group erupted into cheers, clapping boisterously. The guide ran his hand on the back of his close-cropped hair, adjusting his thick-rimmed glasses over his nose and licking his lips suggestively as he looked in the direction of a pretty young brunette who bore all the winning elements of a made-for-the-runway model. An elderly woman standing nearby for whom the innuendo didn't go unnoticed, wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Before we go any further, please step this way and pick up the paddle that represents your vocation and follow me!" he continued, leading the way into an area where light became increasingly sparse. I looked down at the rows of wooden paddles, my eyes glazing over the options:
Photographer…Musician…Graphic Designer…Stylist…Painter…Makeup Artist…Performer…Videographer…
I came to a complete stop as the Writer paddle came into full view. It definitely mirrored my reality the closest, but didn't sum up entirely the scope of my dreams. My mind argued against the paddle's one-liner headline, which fell short of telling the real story of the struggles I faced on a daily basis as an aspiring writer. Accustomed to regularly receiving generic "Hi There!" pitches from PR companies and brands, it didn't take me long to realize that I was perceived as another "Eager Beaver" puppet whose strings these industry giants felt they could pull with promises of free swag and VIP tickets in exchange for free marketing write-ups. I grabbed the paddle and twirled it in my hand, following the group closely behind.
"The exhibit has been designed to showcase several types of creatives, taking you through the realities of their dreams and struggles based on a number of factors such as passion, self-promotion, personal marketing and branding, ferocious competition, creative license, high-demand client expectations and so on," noted our tour guide. "Feel free to peruse the massive display at your leisure and ask me any question you may have," he added noncommittally before disappearing behind a wall.
As I approached the 12-ft long window display, I was taken aback by the House of Wax-like figures who stared back at us blankly as if their souls had been stolen in some cannibalistic ritual meant to exterminate them. One of them appeared to be struggling under the weight of multiple bags, overpowered by Transformer-size equipment; another stood amongst several racks of high-price gowns and boxes of shoes, while an impeccably dressed figure stood nearby looking condescending and requesting "More options!". As I walked by each figure, I read the descriptive over each one silently:
The Shoot-Free-for-Exposure Photographer…The Barter-for-Beats Producer…The Gimme-More-for-Less Graphic Designer…The Copy-My-Genius Painter…The Run-Around-Town Slaving Stylist…The Put-a-Price-on-My-Art Makeup Artist…The Nickel-and-Dime-Me Performer…The Let-Me-See-Quality Videographer…
A burly man with a balding head dressed in what seemed to be his return-from-the cottage getup, spoke up to one in particular.
"These mannequins are creepy," he said. "They almost look life-like!?" he observed. "These descriptions seem so accurate, but are so sad," he continued. "It's almost as if these people have lost that sparkle in their eye because no one takes their craft seriously. They look distressed, worn-out…"
"…almost as if they've been doing this forever and are now depleted from trying to prove their worth and feeling like they're getting nowhere" suggested a lithe redhead, who knelt closer to the window before tapping its glass with her finger.
"This one looks like she hasn't slept in days," said a couple as they pointed out another target. A few of us gathered around them and let out groans of agreement. I felt sucker-punched: the figure sat among a sea of rumpled sheets, looking focused on what could be construed as another rewrite. I considered the scenario before me: how many hours had she put in already in drafting what she hoped would be read, shared and celebrated? Was she doing it because she had been contracted to do so or because she hoped to be in the near future? Was she being promised her own bylines and hence, pouring all of her heart and soul into those lines, hoping to be found worthy of an opportunity? Would her work go on to live gloriously, or vanish unrewarded, taking her along with it?
We all stood in silence, each one of us gazing in the direction of the objects of our afflictions.
The elderly woman from earlier spoke quietly: "At this rate, they should have just slapped 'Will work for food!' above the entire display because that's essentially what each one of these represented figures want — to share their craft with the world while ensuring their likelihood. We're first driven by the feeling of contributing something worthwhile to the world. Showing skill, talent, innovation and creativity…that's one thing; but nurturing those traits is quite another!? This is why many fail and give up when recognition is slow to come…Where do we draw the line? When do we agree to keep going out of love and when is it time to demand respect for our time, efforts and work? Hmmm, food for thought, I guess…" she concluded with a gentle smile, winking my way. I smiled understandably.
I looked down at my watch: an entire hour had gone by in the blank of an eye. I looked around the room at the other attendees — silence weighed heavily over the room, leaving only racing thoughts to speak louder than words and interrogations ever could. The awkwardness was suddenly broken by the tiny voice of the pretty brunette.
"How come there's no figure representing a model?" she asked inquisitively. We all turned to look at her before looking back at the window display. Our guide emerged from his hidden corner, his clothes slightly wrinkled.
"Oh, the committee was slow to introduce this one to the gallery, but it's already in the works."
"What will the figure be called?" asked a teenage Asian boy without raising his eyes from his Instagram feed.
"The Make-Me-Famous-Now Model" replied the guide. "Well, what do you know, the tour is already over. Thank you all for visiting the Starving Artist Exhibit. Please do not forget to return your paddles before leaving. Hope you enjoyed yourselves. Have a wonderful day!"
He turned to the young pretty brunette and whispered: "I can quickly show you the model figure you inquired about, if you want?" he offered, smiling brightly and extending his hand to her. She took it without hesitation and followed him.
"Thanks for the tour, Mister…?"
"You can just call me Terry…"
Avec amour,
Photo credit: thelocalmotif.com
Measure of an Indochino Man
The man who is too – shall we say – lazy to care about his appearance is described by Clueless protagonist Cher Horowitz in an unflattering voice-over monologue as follows:
"So okay, I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all, but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair – eww! – and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so!"
I never quite understood why Miss Horowitz was given a paltry C in debate class — her assessment of the high school male population, among other things, was not entirely devoid of logic then and certainly isn't irrelevant in our fashion-obsessed society today, whether subjects are at the junior level or upper echelons of education. Judging by the growing class of well-dressed
superheroes men all around us today, the obvious may have hit some of us over the head a bit later than our fictitious high school BFF, but remains no less a reality that we now dissect with the same pomp and circumstance that we devote to our own outfits and the study of seasonal trends and collections.
What can be said of the Davids, Ryans and Kanyes of this world? Are we staring down the trifecta of swagger, swaggerlicious and swaggerific? The penchant women have for men who possess the credo on good style could fill an entire style tome; starlets are no longer the only ones reaping the marks of our criticism: we speak of Gucci, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana suits with the same candor used to debate 'Who Wore It Best?' and 'This or That' showdowns — a man's look either has us singing his praises or singing "I don't want no scrub; a scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me…"
I, myself, am loca for men who look the part, walk with confidence and incite stares and drool from pretty ladies and supermarket grannies alike. I'm happily married but am certainly not dead, and when a fella happens to "represent", I pray internally that a national holiday will be inaugurated in his honor, complete with a megawatt parade that'll have him flanked by the Me(a)gans (as in Fox and Good). High-end designer brands have launched many a Hollywood bloke into the style stratosphere, but this fact still begs a couple of questions:
Is the league of extraordinary gentlemen reserved strictly to those with deep pockets? And if not, where can everyday civilians with more "modest means" turn to for similar craftsmanship and quality at a fraction of the cost without having to turn to malls' generic destinations?
Indochino, the leader in custom online menswear (and a proudly Canadian brand!), has felt the pulse of the industry and filled a void in these matters, commending an impressive presence both at home and abroad. With the retailer's Traveling Tailor pop-up shop now in the nation's capital until July 6th, Ottawans can experience the careful attention to detail that is synonymous with the brand's mission to provide "custom suits for men of action who do not have a lot of spare time". Free consultations, measurements and the creation of a personalized
armor suit take less time to conceptualize than one's drive home from downtown to the suburbs in rush hour (i.e. saving adrenaline-pumped soccer fans time for those can't-miss-'em FIFA matches). Priorities in check for all!
Come along as Indochino Retail Operations Manager Erin Clark offers her take on custom-made suits as the hallmark of being a gentlemen, cites the new class of style influencers and suggests ways of styling your new suit for different occasions.
Arlette: This Traveling Tailor pop-up shop idea is genius! As you may have heard, Ottawa is known as Government City and if there ever was a place that required proper suiting, it certainly is our fair city!? However, there's this misconception that dressing impeccably either requires a fortune or is impossible to achieve because the few known stores who cater to men are known for taking the 'one-size-fits-all' approach. How does an Indochino custom-made suit break the mold?
Indochino: In a lot of ways! Where we're breaking the mold is giving every guy the opportunity to be able to get dressed well in a suit that fits; something that's affordable for every guy, accessible for every guy and it's really made for them. So not only is the fit made for them, but they get to choose all the customizations on the suit to the way they want it, depending on the lining, the buttons, how they want the pockets…It's all up to them.
Arlette: We've been blessed with many examples of well-dressed men in entertainment, music and fashion: there is a certain aura and confidence that these men exude when they're dressed to the nines (I think of the Robert Redfords, Colin Firths and Sean Combs of this world). Are we witnessing a new class of style influencers that has men taking note? Any notable mentions?
Indochino: There's a lot of guys with great classic style, going back to Steve McQueen, but there's also the more modern look like Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds…I think the suit is all about confidence. What we're seeing more and more of is print, color, three-piece suits, double-breasted suits. A suit is all still the same traditional elements, but what we're doing is the modern element fit. So, all of these things have been around for a long time; it's just a matter of making them with that modern fit from then into the now.
Arlette: Several men in my entourage have admitted to never owning a suit; they rent from their local rental stores for weddings, galas and the likes, but shy away from making the investment for multiple reasons. Two of the reasons I've often heard are that 1) they can't think of enough occasions that would warrant the purchase of a suit and 2) they're not sure how to make their suits versatile. What is the Indochino way of solving these conundrums?
Indochino: The way to make a suit versatile is to pick a color that you can do all seasons, that you can do as a business suit if you have the need for that, or that you can bring into evening going out for cocktails, or that you can wear something formal to a wedding. A three-piece suit is going to give you the most versatility as well because they have the option to take the jacket off, be just in the vest; they can roll up the sleeves, have a little bit less fabric, and we can do fabric all the way around the vest so that they still got that nice, clean look, and they can break up the vest and wear it with different pants. The jacket, as well, is really easy to break up and wear with denim and oxfords for the weekend, for a great weekend look.
Arlette: Indochino currently has a partnership going with United Way Ottawa which aims to donate a suit to a man in need for every 50 suits sold during the TT pop-up shop — I love when fashion and philanthropy come in perfect harmony! Why United Way Ottawa and how do you foresee this partnership impacting the men in need?
Robin Rowley, Marketing Director: We chose United Way because when we were in Ottawa in 2012, two of our biggest advocates in the market were existing customers who happen to work for United Way. When we decided to come back to Ottawa, we wanted to do something with them as we supported the community.
Want to get the star Indochino treatment? Appointments are being booked faster than you can say Mr. Pitt 5x times in a row, so don't delay! Find the appointment schedule here and get thee to the Chambers Building at 54 Elgin St. to be transformed. And please, for pretty ladies and supermarket grannies' sake, show us your swag using hashtag #SuitUpOttawa.
A huge thank you goes out to Robin Rowley, Marketing Director of Indochino, for the invitation to check out the pop-up store and to Erin Clark for giving me the lowdown on all things Indochino.
I heard there may be another installment of the Ocean 11 franchise…Care to stand in for Clooney and Co.? You sure look like you could…
Avec amour,
Photo Credit: Wil 'Only1O' & Cindy 'WhoIsArlette' Orellana
Wednesday Words
Shot by yours truly last Sunday. A good friend reminded me not too long ago that I was that girl in high school who carried her Fujifilm camera like a third arm, shot everyone around the halls and on school grounds and spent every spare minute of her free periods in the dark room. Some hobbies are reborn when you least expect it; others are reignited when you happen to marry a fine and talented photographer whose work inspires you to get back to the basics; and some resurface just because some days you're feeling restless, are in much need of some vitamin D and just want to connect with the world any way you can…
Avec amour,
Summer Shimmy
Summer is pretty much here, folks: if the several delightful days we've had lately are any indication, we can safely go ahead and intone this little joie de vivre piece, cheerfully tapping along in our revived mules and platforms and burning the what-were-they-thinking Madea-style garbs in our fashionably-conscious pit. I, for one, have been embodying the life of a nomad by spending as much time as humanly possible outdoors, despite the discomfort that accompanies increasingly swollen feet and a protruding belly. What can I say? The memory of this past ratched winter left me so cold (no pun intended) that I cursed its grey days into another planetary dimension and figured that the only plausible karmic solution to dealing with the trauma would be to roast outside like a sweltering pig at a Greek festival. Of course, sun protection prevails, so don't go telling your momma that Arlette encouraged you to take a spin on the Skin Cancer Ferris wheel — you grown, so por favor, act like it!?
Now, on to the business of what makes me happiest every summer without fail: music festivals! I come from a musical family myself, but gave up the art when I was in high school. I don't quite know why: I used to sing, I used to write songs and I used to play piano, but somehow, it all got lost in the frenzy of Alanis Morissette teenage angst, parental expectations and boys. Now, as an adult, I look back on those days with bittersweet melancholy, feeling like I may have missed out on a calling as a… — oh! I don't know –…light-skinned, piano-playin' prodigy who racks up hit after hit (naaaah, boo, just kidding! There could only be one of her!?).
All jokes aside, it seems Canada is fully on par with its southern cousin and rolling out the red carpet on even MORE festivals to satiate our appetites. The usual suspects are showing their stripes by bringing in the big guns of classic bands and today's hit makers (RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest, Osheaga, Montreal Jazz Fest…) while the newest kids on the block are appealing to the indie-loving crowd (NXNE, FieldTrip, TIME…). Last year, Osheaga had me dizzy with its honest-to-goodness eclectic lineup, while Bluesfest had Ottawa roaring along with the bands of our collective teenage dreams. I would love to partake in the milestone celebrations of a few of them this year, but am faced with that eminent cankles-and-elephants pudding by the end of August, which would greatly restrict my capacity to be out and about like the cool kids (in other words: the cut-off outdoor playtime for this chick is July). However, should I find myself so lucky to sit in the media or VIP section of one particular concert to take in la musica comfortably, I'd leave my greed at the door and opt for the ONE act that has kept me humming along during the colder months and which I suspect could prep me with Energizer Bunny strength for delivery come fall.
Where: TIME Festival – Garrison Common | Toronto | Saturday, July 19, 2014
Additional Notes: the band will also be playing the Osheaga festival in Montreal on Saturday, August 2, 2014
The deets: I've been OBSESSED with St. Lucia ever since my ears were wiggled by their hit 'Elevate' on Songza's Blogged 50 playlist. What is it about their sound that brings out the pearly whites faster than a Colgate commercial? The elements: 80's Lionel Ritchie-esque happiness meet cool Depeche Mode vibe + repeat every lyric prose + make-you-drop-everything synthpop beats make this so-awesome-it-hurts band my sole music craving of the summer.
It's another Manic Monday, but you may just have found the cure to your stuck-in-a-cubicle woes…
Photo credit: popcultureaddict.com


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'Last shot' story prompts look at facility's first shot
Last week we ran the story about "The Last Shot" at the Port Clinton Middle School Gym/Auditorium. That got local historian Lock Zeis going and he went back into the archives of the Ottawa County Museum and pulled out an article in the Port Clinton Herald from Dec. 16, 1937, highlighting the FIRST GAME at what was then the brand new high school gym/auditorium! It was a 22-8 Port Clinton victory over Oak Harbor and drew a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. The player of the game was Gene Bolte, who replaced "Big Jim Sims" at center and was a rebounding machine.


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Women's Carlie Mary Jane
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Part of our popular translucent collection, the Carlie Mary Jane offers the cushiony comfort you love from Crocs combined with the fresh looks of an eye-catching transparent upper. Easy to slip on and off for go-anywhere style ... anytime!
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Best Crocs shoes I've ever owned
Love this pair so much that I'm currently wearing my third pair! Overall is very good though when I was wearing this model the rivet on my right shoe kept coming out. The same for my 2nd pair (same model). BUT when I purchased the 3rd pair (White/Fuchsia Chameleon Carlie Mary Jane Crocslite), it was ok, the rivet stayed put. Pls work on the rivet for the this one.
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Asking what a business analyst does seems like a pretty straightforward question, but it rarely yields a straightforward answer. Unlike many other IT jobs, companies often don't have clearly defined requirements for their BAs.
When hiring programmers, companies list the languages and technologies programmers will be expected to know and even specify the certifications they want them to have. But what kind of qualifications are companies looking for in their business analysts?
Steve Kubick, a business analyst for AutoZone for the past two years, says that in the course of networking with other BAs, he's "never found another person that can give me a definition of what they do as a BA that matches mine."
While Kubick works with different divisions of AutoZone, many of the BAs he's met who work for other companies dedicate their efforts to a single department or single system. Some concentrate on examining systems and suggesting technical tweaks to improve performance, while others rarely consider specific technologies.
This "identity crisis" is common among BAs, conclude Forrester Research analysts Carey Schwaber and Rob Karel, who found it difficult to define the duties of a "typical" BA even after reviewing 29,000 job listings and interviewing more than 300 BAs. They identified two major categories of BAs, business-oriented analysts and IT-oriented analysts, and six archetypes within those categories.
Forrester analyst Mary Gerush, who authored a newly published report that builds on ideas discussed by her two colleagues in their report, says that business-oriented BAs tend to possess more knowledge of business processes and policies and interact more with business executives and stakeholders than their IT-oriented peers. IT-oriented analysts possess a deeper knowledge of technology, and some even do hands-on tech work such as design or development.
Schwaber and Karel contend that the business analyst role will morph into what they call a business technology analyst, someone who feels comfortable implementing suggested changes to business policies directly within supporting software. While that move may eventually come, Gerush thinks companies are more interested in leveraging the existing skills of their BAs than in requiring new skills of them. Better defining the BA role is a logical first step in achieving this aim, she says.
"The landscape is very complex. There are so many different titles and permutations: functional vs. non-functional, hands-on vs. process," says Gerush. "People are really trying to understand the role and all of its variations so they can position their analysts in the best way to achieve their outcomes. They are starting to invest time and energy in gaining some structure and some focus around this role."
As roles like developer, system architect and project manager became better defined over the years, says Kathy Klotz, a business analyst for Konverge, BAs inherited some of their residual tasks. "That can be overwhelming, so what happens is people play to their skills," she says, resulting in the wide variance of duties seen among BAs.
Jay Michael, a business analyst for Colfax, agrees that the BA role is fuzzy at many companies. "Unless they've worked with me directly on a project, people within the company don't know what I do," he says. "I usually describe what a BA does by telling people I am a bridge between business systems from the end user to functional implementation of technical solutions. But when you tell somebody that, they look at you like OK, what do you really do?'"
Though Michael studied electrical engineering as an undergraduate, he switched to business and went on to earn an MBA degree. He then went into a management training program at a manufacturing facility where he ended up working closely with IT because of his own interest in technology. He called it a "forerunner" of becoming a BA because he would talk to managers about what they wanted from IT and then convey their needs to the IT department.
He also worked as a consultant for Arthur Andersen before joining Colfax, where he says the role "has evolved" to fit him. "The company was implementing an ERP system and needed help with it. At first, I was like a systems administrator, but my role has become broader and more business oriented."
Like Michael, Kubick's academic and work experience equipped him with an unusual collection of skills. A developer for a half-dozen years, he began documenting requirements because, unlike many of his IT peers, he is "very much a writer." In fact, he has a master's degree in English. As part of an 18-month project to revamp some software, he worked with members of both the business and IT teams and began "wearing the hat of a BA" before he officially became one.
Every organization defines BA in different flavors but in my world, a BA is the conduit between IT/IS and Business/Operations. BA is essentially the translator between business speak and tech speak. When I hire a BA, I look for strong analytical skills coupled with business process knowledge to start with. My seconday would be to have a good overall IT knowledge with good requirements gathering, fit/gap analysis, and business case development skills. If you would like, I don't mind sharing certain 'freeware' materials that we use to coach aspiring analysts.Reply
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Business performance information for strategic and operational decision-making
SOA uses interoperable services grouped around business processes to ease data integration
Data warehousing helps companies make sense of their operational data