text:
I'll be the first to chime with "it sucks, I hate it, put it back, fix it...."
It wasn't broken, why change it and without warning.
Oh and by the way, can someone show me how to find the link to the Insiders page? I could ONLY find it via the site map, it was not in any place I have had it before, its not readily available so was that a "oopsss" by the Marriott.com team or is there something we haven't been told about the insiders pages (I'm assuming the first)
Okay, I'll be the first to ask, what are you talking about? I have not seen or had anything new on the Marriott site at all. I just checked it out and looked at some upcoming reservations, no difference so splain it please to this slow old guy.
Looks like what I see except for the gray nav bar.............don't get to technical, remember I am old!!!
you'll also notice, there's no link to the Insiders page in those, even if I dive into sub-menus on the left, nada until I click site map
Not at all like that, wonder what I've done wrong?
dunno maybe they are slowly rolling it out or I was a bad boy
either way, the new site, yeah not a fan LOL and they gotta fix the links, too much of a pain to find my way back in here without a bookmark
Agree with you!
When I went on the Marriott site to find MI, I honestly thought it had "Been done away with"! I do believe that this site "Will not be around in the future"!
I made a reservation for an upcoming trip to Cleveland, and luckily saw "See what Insiders have to say".
This is really a "Step back", it is really time consuming to try to find this site, and I think many people will give up!
Just my opinion?
yep, exactly. If I wasn't already aware of the insiders pages, I would not have ever found it on the site that I'm presented with at marriott.com right now. If that site design is pushed out globally to everyone, the insiders will take a hit in participation without question.
Hi Zukracer - thanks for the screenshots and concern! You can always reach Insiders directly at www.marriottrewardsinsiders.com but that doesn't help those that don't know about the community. I'll also see about renaming the footer link to Insiders as "Members" is hardly the best label to link here. Happy Friday!
I can also add that this is a limited test - so it's not fully baked and not everyone will see it.
Yes, I do see the members link now, which is sorta misleading but the sucko part is that it doesn't automatically log me into the Insiders page. If I come from the site map it does and when I used to click the link in my "useful links" area it did.
I think more over, why weren't we at least given a heads up on it? Allowed to beta test it or is this the beta test? Was it an oversight or are the two sites just that disconnected? I understand that change is inevitable and always happening but I sure wish folks would realize that if its not broken or if its not going to significantly increase productivity or reduce processing load on the servers, leave things well enough alone. This looks like someone in the marketing department got a wild hair somewhere and decided "oh well its looked the same for a few months, lets change it again". One other bit o feedback I would have provided had we been able to beta test it: Its too gray/black. Marriott has a lot of colors in their properties, can we at least have some on the web page?
I saw it and don't like it. Why is Marriott paying someone to change something that's not broken? On my computer with Windows Vista, everything still looks the same. But on my computer with Windows 7 or 8, I forget which one, the marriott site is totally different. And the only way I found Insiders from the Marriott home site was to click on Members all the way at the bottom of the screen...had to scroll down quite a ways to even see that and then just got lucky that it took me to Insiders. But then I had to sign into Insiders all over again. And as for going straight to insiders...I don't like that. I want to be able to go to the Marriott homepage and have an easy to get to, recognizable link straight to Insiders, otherwise it's not worth the trouble. Tell whoever comes up with the brilliant ideas that not everybody who looks at this site is as smart as they are about navigating a computer. Thank you.
I agree completely. I had finally figured out how to navigate the previous website and now they change it again. There isn't even a login on the initial view. I had to click on Rewards to login. The website designers must have previously worked for Microsoft designing the windows updates
I had been traveling and had not been on Insiders for a while. The changes are awful. I can't imagine that they were made by anyone with an ounce of experience in marketing. I hadn't been a frequent contributor, but followed the discussions quite often. I am sorry to say it, but this feels like the death throes of the site to me.
Just chiming in "the site sucks" !!!
I don't like the new site either. While it's visually cleaner and a little nicer, it's navigation is awful, and yes the Insider link being renamed like that is very misleading. I though the link was gone entirely before I read this thread.
What never fails to irritate me, though, is the fact that I'll often try to login directly through Insiders, but they I'll get redirected to the marriott.com page to login there, then have to login again on Insiders. What's the use of SSO if it isn't going to work right? The new marriott.com just compounded the problem for me...
I am with all of you. I "hate" it.
The old site finally came back and this is the first that I have been on Insiders. I never found it with that horrible replacement.
I would do a search and then try another and it would keep the old, the problems went on and on. Don't bring it back.
There are things with the last update that I hate too. It seems that everytime they change it, it is worse.
Lucky... I still have the "new" site
Totally agree that I do not like the new format. The original has returned to me this morning.
I did finally find the Insiders link on the other, but that's probably because I'm a computer geek!
My immediate reacation was that corporate was a bit annoyed with us Insiders and wanted to make it more difficult to find. Possibly on the way to shutting the site eventually. It certainly wouldn't be inviting for any new user to find this site.
Kroywen, never thought about it that way... kind of makes sense! Let's hope that isn't the plan...
Anyone else having issues with signing onto marriott.com today? Seems I have the "old" site back but can't get logged in for anything. Says invalid password, though clearly the password works since I'm back here posting
This morning I had to re-type my password because the first go was deemed invalid. I just thought it was my early AM typing ability (lack thereof). The second attempt worked, so I still don't know if it was me or the site.
I have tried to sign in five different times (within a 15 minute period) and got five different screens - none of which allowed me to access my account (Reservations, points etc). I called plat line to confirm my points and reservations were still there and yes they were and they informed me they had gotten several similar calls (a few mentioned it on flyertalk as well). I even went with what I got - book a room and when I entered the info I was just taken to a blank grey screen.
So, seeing this post I signed in and it took me directly to my Marriott account rather than straight to Insiders as it had thousands of times before. After banging around the new and improved Marriott site (which I'll probably never see again) for 3 or 4 minutes I finally found Insiders and here I am. I'm sure you won't hear from me again, because I'll never hit the same combination of events (it's like when you forget whether the dead bolt is locked or not!). I'm with you guys in spirit, if nothing else.
Those are like the problems I've been having. Sometimes I get screens that don't even have a place to sign in. So exasperating and then some people answer that they've had NO problems. Why even go to a sight that expresses the problems people are having if you're not having any?
I was connected to the "new" site for about five days, but am relieved to say that I'm back to the oldie but goodie. I have nothing positive to say about the new design except frustration and confusion. I also found it interesting that there was no link to insiders!
I'm finding all kinds of links lacking on it. Even "Sign in" from certain screens, like when we "purchase / sign in for" the enhanced speed internet. I don't sign up for the regular internet since the $4.95 is free to our room. Quite a few other links missing, too.
HELP!?!?!?!? I'm having a Twilight Zone experience with the new website.
I'm trying to book (investigate, compare) a room in New York City, and the web page is fighting me tooth and nail. It keeps giving me (all of) New York - egads - or Brooklyn (although that's not what I typed in).... Here's what it's giving me (sometimes), in addition to suggesting hotels in Albany, etc....
p.s. I know I'm a geezer, but I'm no Luddite, and I think I've established my NYC hotel street cred - NYC - Market Pricing - argh,this is maddening!!!!
p.p.s. For whatever reason, by entering New York - Carnegie Hall - I got a normal search result (or at least what I wanted). But I've got to admit, I can't remember using Carnegie Hall as my primary point of reference in NYC since the 1960's... [Will most Americans, let alone foreign travelers, intuit that entering Carnegie Hall makes more sense than New York City as a search term???].
Just sent this to the fools at Marriott -even that was a mystery to figure out how. "Your new web site design is the worst change I have ever seen. It is baffling to use, the search results list hotels without showing rates, the displayed reservation form is at best tricky to figure out. WHO IS WATCHING THE STORE. WHO IS CHECKING TO SEE IF INDEED A REAL USER CAN NAVIGATE AND MAKE DECISIONS IN AN INTELLIGENT AND EFFICIENT WAY. NO ONE, THAT IS WHO. Am I angry - you bet. And I am Platinum Elite with a ton of internet experience. Y O U have destroyed our on-line experience by being just TOO CLEVER. Amazingly lousy decisions in all respects."
Hi seand,
We can definitely see how frustrating this all may be. It is always a transition when websites change, but we will do our best to continue to communicate with the tech team and our Insiders. I will certainly be sure to send this message along to them from our side as well. As soon as I hear any information, I will let all of you know!
There are many web site changes that make it less desirable for us to use it. We are the users and I think they should try to please us. I don't see that happening. I would like to see a place for use to voice what we don't like about the site and then see action on a least some of them There were things that we did want improved and those have not happened. I am not sure who decides what they do but don't think they look to us, the users.
An example of the MI site: we didn't want to see all the reviews. We have been given a way to exclude them. I have to click on that link too many times. It would be better for me, and I think most others, if when we click activity, it automatically excludes the reviews. There is a link to see them if we choose.
I hate clicking the mouse. I think they should minimize these for us.
Thank you for the suggestions, californian. I have shared all your ideas with the greater team.Stay tuned for more information!
I don't mind it, but still would like to see Lifetime Points there somewhere, alongside Lifetime Nights, maybe under the "Account Overview" link?
Agreed, not sure why the lifetime points issue cannot be resolved, it's not like this is "top secret" data or maybe it is!!


text:
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) is holding a Right To Vote Conference entitled Breaking the Chains: From Jail Cell to Voting Booth on Thursday, May 3, from 8:30 to 4:30 at the United Steelworkers Union Hall (3340 Perimeter Hill Drive).
Conference highlights include:
Workshops are designed to:
For further information or to register contact the ACLU-TN Right to Vote Campaign at 615-320-7143 or firstname.lastname@example.com, or visit the website at www.aclu-tn.org.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Connect with
Enter your WordPress.com blog URL
http://.wordpress.com Proceed

subset: commoncrawl


text:
300+ Utleier · Sunnyvale
300+ Utleier · Sunnyvale
A wonderful home stay, grandpa and grandma very caring in every aspect! Our son love them, esp. grandma, we learn so much from child teaching! The room is pretty big, everything is ready and clean, we spend wonderful time there, thank you all!
ZHENOctober 2016Bill's parents are so nice. The room is large and clean. The place is quiet. There is many parking spots. You can either park on the street or in front of the garage.
ZEJUNSeptember 2016因为飞机晚点到Bill的房子已经是凌晨1点多了,Bill还坚持等我到给我开门交代好,这个可能是我遇到过的最热心的房东了。住的房间非常大,特别干净,床上用品非常舒适,老两口对人也非常和蔼可亲,对高科技话题也很有兴趣。总之,下次到湾区有机会一定首选Bill的房子。
FengAugust 2016Bill and his parents were amazing! Couldn't ask for a better first Airbnb experience very sweet and Bill answered any questions in a timely manner with a smile :) I recommend this private room to anyone. The experience was as lovely as the hosts.
CherieSeptember 2016Bill's parents were a pleasure to stay with. Their home is a great place Will definitely stay here again in the future.
MarvinSeptember 2016Large and clean bedroom in a quiet neighborhood with a gracious host.
DaveAugust 2016They were so welcoming and kind. The room has a great master bath in it so it was a nice combination of feeling like a house and having our own privacy. He brought us bottled water daily and changed the towels, which was so nice!
AngelaNovember 2016A very comfortable and clean room with a big private bathroom. Great location if you are visiting the Valley area.
GunillaMarch 2017Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Spacious, quiet and private space that features strong water pressure, very comfortable beds and a large kitchen and dining area for home cooked meals. I also loved the wraparound porch that overlooked a backyard with fruit trees - such a peaceful spot to take my morning coffee. WiFi is reliable and fast, check-in was very easy and there's even an adjustable height desk to work at. The decor is modern and tasteful; I loved the couches and beds so much that I asked the host where he got them! Overall an excellent place for a business or family stay in the South Bay - I look forward to a future visit!
AnnieFebruary 2017This house is exactly as described in the posting. The house was clean, super spacious, and in a quiet neighborhood. I would definitely recommend or stay here again. Pavan was a great, responded promptly to my messages, and had some complimentary water bottles waiting for me us.
Éder M.February 2017Pavan's place is a palace! One of our best airbnb experiences yet. Spacious and clean, excellent beds, beautiful views, nice kitchen stocked with goodies. Pavan really goes above and beyond to make his guests feel at home. Check in and out are a breeze. An oasis in Silicon Valley.
NathanFebruary 2017Tons of space, hot shower, great host!
caseyFebruary 2017everything is perfect, comfortable bed, video games and of course, everything u will get in here, do not worry about anything
XINGFebruary 2017Awesome place. Would definitely book again
PhoebeFebruary 2017My wife and I had an extended stay in Pavan's beautiful guest house during the workweek for several months while we were commuting to Sunnyvale. We helped furnish the apartment and hope you find it as much of a home away from home as we did. The area is incredibly convenient for every conceivable retail need, has great cuisine and grocery options, and strikes a perfect balance between accessibility to major highways and a quiet residential neighborhood. Pavan is a solicitous host and responsive landlord with a great family. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay.
JacobFebruary 2017Romtype
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
Delt rom
Plass til
Privat rom
Bed & Breakfast
Plass til
VA's home is fantastic and the host is very nice! My parents really enjoy the great environment and lovely pets. Strongly recommended!
YangJune 2016V.A. met me when I arrived, and showed me everything I could possibly have needed for my stay. She made sure my room was stocked with all the bedding and shower amenities, as well as supplied me with an abundance of healthful snacks and drinks. The room was perfect for my two-day stay, and it was great having a brief chance to talk to V.A., to meet her dogs, and to take a walk through her front-yard sculpture garden. Such a great place - with gorgeous and fascinating art!
StephNovember 2015Spectacular sculpture garden, very nice room, excellent host.
TomMarch 2017This has been my best airbnb experience to date and hospitality at its best. The host VA, with her Swiss-French accent was charming, personable, warm and very welcoming. Her home - an Eichler - is most inviting, tranquil and magical, filled with interesting art pieces and paintings. The garden is beautiful and free flowing. The room was spotlessly clean, lots of natural light and very comfortable with easy and private access to a shared bathroom. SUPER comfy bed with crispy clean linens. I was able to work at the desk for hours. The room was fully equipped and well stocked - healthy organic yoghurt and drinks, multiple snacks, fresh bread, tea kettle, tea cup, and tea, bottled water. VA's home is in a quiet and very safe neighborhood, with easy access to stores and the highways. I certainly would recommend VA's listing to everyone and definitely plan on being back.
DesireeAugust 2016VA has a wonderful home! The room was comfortable and had everything we could ever want. Amazing host! Amazing stay! Thank you!!
AllyAugust 2016Lovely house and very friendly host. Everything was as described. There are a few rescue dogs (and doves) present, so you should be okay with that if you're going to stay here. All the animals were well-managed and friendly, just something to be aware of. Wifi worked well. And VA had some delicious vegan snacks laid out in the room!
MorganJuly 2016Va made our stay so perfect. We came to San Jose for a huge multi-act concert, yet here we are back at home and what we most remember was our stay at her house. So many little things that made such a big difference. Fresh fruits, different bathroom decorations each morning, the artwork everywhere we look. Then there's Va herself - what a sweet, honest, caring, kind soul.
JeffOctober 2016Staying with V.A. is always a delight. Her room is immaculate, generously supplied with delicious vegan snacks and beverages, warm, clean, and available whenever needed. V.A. has always greeted me personally upon arrival, and does everything to ensure that I have what I need for the most comfortable stay. V.A. is a kind and creative soul, and always provides insightful conversation and encouragement. The sculpture garden itself is gorgeous - plenty of incredible art to discover with each visit!!
StephFebruary 2016Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Very nice host. The room is clean and provide coffee and snacks. Very organized, got everything you want. Separate entrance very convenient. Would take again next time.
JoanFebruary 2017Responsive, kind host with a clean, convenient location. Great air b&b
FernAugust 2016I really enjoyed the clean, peaceful, room and private bathroom. I was very happy to find my favorite Starbucks coffee! and coffee maker in the room!
NoelJanuary 2017Nice location and hosts. Clean and comfortable.
RamanathanMarch 2017What great hospitality, this was a great setup even a washer and dryer to use, You was very nice and communication was superb.
MiguelAugust 2016Great value! Pros: Good location if you need to get work done in the bay area. You (the host) had snacks for me and also used to replenish filtered drinking water for me every day, which was fantastic. Saved me the trouble of getting bottled water. I also used the washer/dryer once and they are in great condition. Separate entrance and private bathroom are a great bonus and were very important for me. Cons: Room is a tad small, but sufficient for short stays. Bed is a little creaky and walls are thin so you might hear guests in the other room and vice-versa. You was a great host and always available if I needed anything. I had a great stay.
HariJanuary 2017Excellent clean, private bedroom with a private bath. You communicated well and responsive. Coffee, snacks, and towels were provided. Overall a great experience. Highly recommended.
TonyJanuary 2017Great place to stay!
ChristianFebruary 2017Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Jack is a great host, he only speak Chinese but he has someone to translate if you are an English speaker. Good for the price.
LingDecember 2016Very good and would stay again
JerryNovember 2016Try and get in contact with jack a little early so he has time to reply and all. The dryer takes a little longer than i thought, so make sure you plan out your laundry and dont stay up until 1am waiting for laundry like i did!
HojaeMarch 2017Manage your expectations
RustyJanuary 2017The place was great. It was calm and silent. Jack was a friendly host.
Sharen KumarDecember 2016I had a pleasant stay.
Suresh BabuMarch 2017I like the place, the bed was comfortable, everyone there is friendly. Jack is Mr. Nice Guy
JamesNovember 2016Very good value for the money
VelFebruary 2017Romtype
Delt rom
Plass til
Olwen's place is really convenient and a good place to stay if you are in the area. The room has lots of space and feels very private with a nice bathroom attached. Both Olwen and Ravi are very friendly hosts.
YasserMarch 2017Olwen did everything to make my stay pleasant. They have a lovely home and I was very comfortable.
LisaFebruary 2017Olwen always responds promptly to my text. I was late for check-in but I have no problem with self check in because their manual is precisely correct. Ravi also answers all of my questions during the stay. They are nice couple and hosts. The room is clean and nice. The bed is more than comfortable. I strongly recommend their place.
JonghoJanuary 2017Olwen quickly answered my questions. I was late for check-in than I had planned because my friend, without a plan, picked me up on the way to her house, but her flexibility in check-in time made it no issues. Ravi was also very helpful when I came to check-in, during the stay, and when check-out. For the room, it is perfectly as described; luxury and clean.
MuhammadDecember 2016I stayed for a week and really had a wonderful stay at their place. Olwen & Ravi were both wonderful to talk to and friendly. I had arrived a bit late that evening for check in but they were really flexible with me. The neighborhood itself is quiet and quite close to restaurants & downtown Sunnyvale. It is definitely close by lot of good restaurants. The bed is awesome :) A bed with the massage function, well, I can't really ask for more can I? Their house is clean & well maintained and gives you really good vibe with a wonderful feeling of being at home.
BikeshDecember 2016Great location, comfortable, exactly as advertised. Couldn't reasonably ask for more.
DavidFebruary 2017This was easily my best Airbnb experience thus far. The room is wonderful with lots of natural light and an amazing bed, and having your own bathroom is great. I haven't had much reason to leave because of it! Olwen and Ravi are super nice and will help you with whatever it is you may need. If I ever need to in the future, I would definitely come back.
KeithDecember 2016We were happy that we chose this place. Olwen and Ravi very nice couple. They have been polite and friendly. Regarding the master room everything was clean and nice like on photos. Highly recommend it!
DmitriiFebruary 2017Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Jacqueline was a gracious hostess, and my visit was a pleasure.
LauraFebruary 2016Great home away from home. Jacquelin made me feel so at home treating me like family and took me in as her own daughter.
MalaLlisaAugust 2016Jacqueline was really helpful to us and accommodated our last minute travels. She is an amazing superhostess!
LyleOctober 2016Jacqueline has a well-maintained guest room at a great location. The neighborhood is quiet and safe, and the light rail is just across the street. More than that, Jacqueline really makes me feel at home. I was out one night for a while and she texted me to make sure that I was not lost or anything. If I'm going back to the same area for work, I will definitely go back to her again!
LuApril 2016She is welcoming and considerate. Her place is clean and comfortable. I'll definitely try to stay with her next I'm visiting my Daughter. Highly recommend
WeiAugust 2016Clean, quiet and comfy bedroom with private use of bath is perfect for the commuter. I work in the Bay Area and travel there weekly. This is one of my favorite places to stay. Jacquie is very respectful of your privacy but always good for a little conversation at the end of the day.
RoniJune 2016Jacqueline was very nice and accommodating and her place was clean and was in the perfect location for going to events at Levi's Stadium.
ALINAJune 2016Jacqueline was an excellent host. She has a warm and welcoming home and she did everything she could to make me feel at home and give me whatever space I needed. Great place for a quick and simple stay.
MarkJanuary 2016Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
I recommend staying here, especially if your main concern is cost. You should be aware that it's set up as a hostel, with several beds in one room. Ingvald is a great host, and you're likely to meet other interesting people. I also enjoyed the Cambodian donut place next door!
AdrianJanuary 2017Good great
clair(Ockhee)December 2016Place for great. Ingvald was a nice and a friendly host. The neighborhood was great. I really had a good time here.
Sharen KumarNovember 2016It was a great place to stay for one night. You get a bed with clean sheets, as much blankets as you want and you get access to a kitchen & a bedroom. You're sharing the apartment, with Ingvald, the host, and up to 3 other guys. It's a very small student apartment, which is not as tidy as a hostel, but in a safe, pleasant & cozy area/neighborhood. The Wifi is pretty slow. If you like talking about politics & stuff and you want someone, who knows the area and who's always a friendly host, Ingvald's apartment is the right address.
LucasNovember 2016Ingvald was very easy to communicate with and was welcoming into his home. The shared space was clean and his approach made it easy to come and go.
MichaelNovember 2016Very good place for travelers under budget. you will share the room with 4 or 5 people if the room is full. like a dorm.
JinDecember 2016Good place for the price, good host but very slow wifi is a problem.
KushalDecember 2016This is my first hostel experience. It was pretty cool. Definitely not a place if you need privacy but the host is a great guy. He was really generous while I was there and really helped me out.
BenjaminNovember 2016Romtype
Delt rom
Plass til
Clean, private, quiet, perfect! Great host!
SoloniaFebruary 2017Great spot! Quiet, private, well equipped and modern. Will def stay again.
AlexDecember 2016Really nice space. Plenty of storage for clothes, kitchen looked nice (didn't use) with full size refrigerator and nice cooktop. Really great shower. It's a studio, but with plenty of space, but if it's more than one, you'll both be up or be sleeping. But there's 2 couches, table for 4, so a lot of space to spread out. And a big flat screen TV.
EdwardJanuary 2017Igor's place checks all the boxes on a quality Airbnb.
DarrenFebruary 2017Great stay as usual
MatthewJanuary 2017Second stay was just as good as the first!
MatthewDecember 2016Great place, everything was new and updated. Mattress is pretty firm, which didn't bother me, but might bother those used to a softer bed.
Chris Ritter & Maria AnthonyFebruary 2017Suited me perfectly for a quick visit to Sunnyvale. Very clean and Igor was there to greet me on arrival. I would happily stay there again on my next trip.
MarkOctober 2016Romtype
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
Great host, nice and cozy bed. This there is a walmart and many shop nearby. Recommend to all to stay in sunnyvale and easy to drive to San Francisco also. บ้านพักดีมากๆเจ้าของน่ารักเป็นส่วนตัวดีมาก มีห้างใกล้ๆ
KeerinFebruary 2017Steven was a great host!!!
OscarSeptember 2016Penny and Steven were amazing! My fiancé and i stayed there after i surprised him with his first NFL game 49ers Vs. Cowboys Steven showed us how to get EVERYWHERE and Penny always made sure we were comfortable...needless to say our stay with them was one of the best stays we've ever had with air B n B!!! They are flexible accommodating and to top it off nice people!
Keani-LehuaOctober 2016Steve and Penny were awesome! Great company! Very hospitable! We loved and enjoyed our stay!!
UchennaSeptember 2016really nice experience
韬December 2016The place was wonderful Steven and his Fiancee made us feel super welcome and helped us plan our short stay in the area, including how to take the train up to San Fransisco! Bed was comfy and the room was clean!
SpencerJune 2016perfect
jooyongNovember 2016We were looking for a place to sleep for few hours before we flew and close to Levi's Stadium. Close enough to see the stadium from his house and reasonably priced. Great communication and promptly replied to all our concerns to make us feel at ease. His room had everything you need like staying in a hotel, plus 2 bottles of welcome water (Great we were thirsty). All marks checked Steve house got all what we were looking for. Highly recommend his place.
MaryAnnJune 2016Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Fantastic choice - I would highly recommend it!
JessicaFebruary 2017Kathy and Craig are the most welcoming, warm hearted hosts. Communication before arrival was perfect, we found the charming cottage with no effort and everything in the cottage looks even better than the pictures! You can tell that a lot of effort and love has been put into making the cottage perfect and there is nothing missing, down to the last detail everything is provided for your comfort (including wine, freshly baked cokies and a fully stocked fridge and pantry, which we found extremely kind and thoughtful, specially upon arriving late in the evening after a very long flight from Europe). We spent a wonderful week and got the chance to spend some time with Kathy and Craig and their family and friends, which was an amazing experience, not to be missed! We can't wait to see them again. The cottage itself is absolutely enchanting, spacious and airy, very charmingly decorated and everything for your comfort is provided, from bathrobes to ironing board to shower gel to water bottles and breakfast granola, just in case you didn't have time to buy your groceries before arriving. Kathy and Craig are the dream hosts, they will never bother you unless you want to meet them, which we cannot recommend highly enough, they are both wonderful people and we consider ourselves very lucky to have met them. We strongly recommend this enchanting cottage and its wonderful owners to anyone who considers staying there, an experience not to be missed! ( we are already booking our next stay there and are very much looking forward to it).
Lars & ElenaJune 2016Great instructions - Private room was clean and beautiful I would stay again
EdFebruary 2016The listing was as described, perfect! This is a great space that feels very private and clean; with a comfortable bed and a great shower. Kathy really has a way to make you feel welcome - great snacks, breakfast and even a bottle of wine to relax in the evenings. She was great communicating, and left it up to me to decide on the level of engagement with the main house. The area has some good options for food and groceries within walking distance, and is centrally located to travel anywhere by car (my daily trips were mostly around Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and/or Milpitas).
JorgeJanuary 2016Kathy and Craig were excellent hosts and communicated exceptionally well. I arrived late and everything was set up and ready. The place is great, quiet and very clean and comfortable.
PatrickOctober 2015We had a beautiful stay in the Bay Area at "Calista's Cottage." This Airbnb is lovingly and tastefully decorated. We did not expect to find such a private quiet backyard with beautiful patio furniture. Communication with the hosts was great.
AnneSeptember 2016This was a first time experience with Airbnb. It was definitely one of the best accommodations I could have imagined! I felt like I was in my own secret little world. From the aroma of orange blossoms to the visits from Dr. Frank, resident ambassador cat, I loved every minute. Kathy and Craig were very helpful and met my every need. They even left an umbrella at the gate because it was raining when we arrived. I look forward to my next trip to 1170 Bennington.
AnneMarch 2016Loved this place. Very quaint. Better than the photos. Hosts were super welcoming. Even had wine and fruit waiting. I hope to stay here again soon
MarkOctober 2015Romtype
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
I needed a place to stay for the night near Stanford Hospital. Grace got back to me within minutes of my inquiry. The apartment was clean and comfortable. The complex was quiet and a quick drive to the downtown eateries. The gated parking lot was an added sense of security. I would definitely stay here again.
KayNovember 2016Overall a very good experience.
CameronOctober 2016It was very neat, had a very big TV, and a big bed.
KenMay 2016Grace met me upon my arrival. The place was very, very nice. Secured parking.
AbrahamJanuary 2016This was a fine place to stay and worked for my purpose. However the room I was given was not as pictured. No couch... But clean and comfortable.
LorieDecember 2015Great room; great experience! Grace was very attentive and a accommodating. Hope to stay there again soon :)
MichaelFebruary 2016Grace was an exceptional communicator and met me even with a late arrival to show me the apartment. The apartment was great, very comfortable clean and well maintained. All in all a great experience.
PatrickNovember 2015Grace was so nice and room was perfect
Suk SooJanuary 2016Romtype
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
The bed is comfortable, the kitchen equipped to make simple meals, the water hot and a private outside area to sit and enjoy. This cottage is quiet and private, perfect for a short term business stay or as a spot for couples to stay who want to explore the Bay area.
janeFebruary 2017LOVED this little spot, so peaceful and in a really great location. Doug is a really nice guy and always on hand to help. I'd love to stay in the garden cottage again someday soon!
SimonDecember 2016Doug is a great host and this is a great location for anyone visiting Silicon Valley.
RuthJanuary 2017Nice stay in Doug's comfortable cottage. Lots of space, and highly recommended. Thanks.
BrianFebruary 2017A place with lots of peace of mind . Very near( walkable distance ) food stops . and Doug is very friendly and gave his best to direct me to the house even at late night. Self Check in here made things much easier.
radhaFebruary 2017As with my first stay, Doug was a friendly and communicative host and his cottage is an amazing deal. Highly recommended!
JoshJanuary 2017Doug's space was great. Exactly how it was described. He met me when I arrived and showed me around. I would definitely stay here again!
RafiNovember 2016Clean, comfortable space. Nice looking kitchen, although I didn't use it. The ample hot water was appreciated with the unusually cold weather during my stay. Doug made my late arrival check-in easy.
EdwardJanuary 2017Romtype
Helt hjem/leilighet
Plass til
Linda is a very hospitable host. The bedroom is comfortable, clean and cozy. A very good stay.
EllenOctober 2015The listing description is very accurate at I felt welcome at Linda's home. She was always ready to help (I had heavy bags, and she helped me with them).
EkaterinaMarch 2015Linda was a great host. She was pleasant to chat with and made sure I had everything I needed. Having packed lightly, I didn't have any shampoo or conditioner, and she gladly supplied those amenities. She was very professional and went above a beyond what I expect a host is required to do. She gave me travel tips and places a could check out and let us store some things in her house so we didn't get them stolen which was a very big bonus! She gave us privacy when we wanted it, and was available when we needed her. Overall a fantastic host! Unfortunately parking was a little bit of a hassle, but easy to work out if you have some patience in walking 5 minutes back and forth to the car. Sunnyvale is not the best place to stay if you want to explore San Francisco, but if you are willing to pay for a 14$ (round trip) CALtrain, it is only about a 1h-1.5h ride to downtown SF.
DanykaSeptember 2015I stayed at Linda's house for 6 weeks for business while relocating from Germany to California and looking for an apartment in this area. The location was perfect as the Caltrain station and Sunnyvale downtown is in walking distance and grocery stores can be reached by bike. I brought my own bike but Linda even offered hers. Communication is easy as she is living here and after work usually at home and open to a talk or questions. Part of the family are 4 cats, so you should at least be cat-friendly, though the cats won't go into your room. In the room, I could fit my two large bags easily into the closet and still had enough space for all clothing as in addition you can use the drawers in the cabinet on the right in the photo. The mattress was a really good one, firm, more European style. You share the bathroom, which is well kept by her, only with the one other guest room as the house offers two additional more shower / toilet rooms used by the family. I enjoyed to use the well equipped kitchen for making breakfast porridge and dinner.
HolgerNovember 2016リンダは本当に素晴らしいホストでした。必要なものはすべて準備していただけていたし、彼女のやっている合気道のクラスも見学させてもらいました。かわいい子猫たちにも出会うことができました。すごくお勧めできる部屋です。
KenshuNovember 2015Just amazing. I enjoyed the stay at her place A LOT!! Linda, such a nice and energetic person hosted me very kindly with patience. I was able to feel so relaxed at her very clean and warm place with her hospitality. Also, she is very considerable for travelers in many ways --- she prepares plenty of plugs near the bed, clearn water, and more. Plus, five cats made me feel so happy. Definetly I'll come back again in the near future!!
EurekaOctober 2015My wife and I stayed at Linda's place for three months. Linda was a very friendly host. She not only shared her place but also feeling and life with us. The place was in a convenient spot in the south bay. We can even walk from Sunnyvale Downtown and from Mountain View Downtown to Linda's place (not often but it's feasible). The community was quiet for walks. Time goes by, but seeing the picture of the room reminds us the good time we had with Linda and her family.
TonyAugust 2015Good location and good value. Getting settled in was a bit bumpy, as the room wasn't ready, but Linda is super nice and made me feel at home right away.
BrianNovember 2015Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
Jazen was great! Communication was made daily via email. Overall my room was exactly as the photos showed. Common area was good. Bathroom was ok. I'd definitely stay again. I loved the meditation suggestions and the concept of the flow house.
ReginaSeptember 2016Jazen and Lucy gave me all the details I needed to make my stay great. Checking in and out was so easy and the pictures are exactly how the room was set-up. I enjoyed my stay and would consider staying there again.
JetOctober 2016Jazen is a very good host. Very nice house and Jazen made sure all amenities are there. Clean environment. Also a good coordinator with guests for check-ins and check-outs.
VidyaJune 2016I stayed here for about 6 weeks for a business trip, and this room was absolutely incredible! it exceeded all my expectations, clean, bright, roomy, comfortable. Plenty of accommodations, great bathroom, great kitchen for cooking, everything I needed was there for me the whole stay! Loved it, sadly he going home.
JoshOctober 2016Neat and comfortable room at a nice location!
SidharthJune 2016great stay
prashunMarch 2017I had reached the house after a 30 hour flight and on reaching the place, I immediately felt relaxed and at home. The room was exactly as described (which was perfect) and the common area was simple & tastefully furnished. I had come for work this time but would definitely plan to stay in the place again when I come on a holiday to the Bay Area.
RonakOctober 2016Check in was easy and the room was very nice. We had a great stay!
PatrickMarch 2017Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til
The place was clean and Dhruv was a great host. will certainly want to stay here again since it's also very close to office
DivyabhFebruary 2017Dhruv's place is great - private bedroom, own bathroom, and in-unit laundry. It is close to numerous companies in the Valley, CalTrain, and downtown Sunnyvale.
KhamlaJanuary 2017Dhruv's place is really nicely located and he is an excellent host. Will look it up for my next trip
AnitaJanuary 2017Great location, perfect host, easy commute if you are working in tech offices near by. Dhruv was very cool and easy going host, had great time staying at his place.
arjunDecember 2016Romtype
Privat rom
Plass til


text:
Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byNorman Gaines Modified about 1 year ago
1 Purpose / Audience and Content Organization Follow the Writing Process Know your Audience Use an organizational strategy
2 The Writing Process PrewritingWritingRewriting Examine your purpose Determine your goals Consider your audience Gather your data Determine how the content will be provided Organize the draft according to some logical sequence that your readers can follow easily Format the content to allow for ease of access Revise o Add missing details o Delete wordiness o Simplify word usage o Enhance the tone of your communication o Reformat your text for ease of access Proofread o Correct errors
3 Know your Purpose Provide facts or information about a product or service? Data sheet White paper (report) Proposal Website content Provide instructions to use a product or service? User Manual Tutorial Procedures
4 Know your audience Who will read the document? What do they know about the subject? Why will they read the document? How will they read the document?
5 Who will read the document? Self-directed Want a reason Have prior experience Goal oriented Internally motivated Busy Adults What attitude is your reader likely to have?
6 What do they know about the subject? Are you writing to….. High-tech readers? Low-tech readers? Lay readers? Multiple readers with varied levels of knowledge?
7 Types of Readers LaymenNon-specialists who lack background (knowledge or experience) in the subject matter. TechniciansReaders who use a document to assemble, operate, maintain, or repair equipment or to run complex processes. May or may not have required background. ExecutivesReaders who use technical information to make decisions. May or may not have technical background. ExpertsReaders who know everything about the technology – design, construction, uses, operations, and theory.
8 Why will they read the document? How effective and informative your technical writing is depends on how you select, reject, and arrange your details. Determines the level of detail…. Too many…. you put readers to sleep Too few…. you leave readers uninformed In the wrong order…. readers are confused How much detail will you include? Which words will you define? What kind of illustrations will you use?
9 How much detail…. Inverse relation between size of group and amount of detail Largest audience gets the least amount of detail
10 How much detail…. DetailsAudience SizeAudience A Motor Trend magazine Manufacturer's engineering specs A showroom brochure The owners manual A Time magazine advertisement The shop manual
11 How much detail… Have a specific person in mind as your audience Place yourself in his/her position Ask: what does he/she want to know?
12 How will they read the document? How will the content be delivered? How should the document be organized?
13 How will the content be delivered? E-mail Cell phone e-mail PDA e-mail Letter/memo User Manual Report Brochure Newsletter Website PowerPoint Which communication channel will you use?
14 How will the content be delivered? The type of communication channel determines the size and shape of the content. The communication channel determines the technological requirements of the writer and reader(s).
15 How should the document be organized? Sequential / Chronological—good for instructions Order of Importance—good for reports, presentations General to Specific—good for "big picture" Division/Spatial—good for technical descriptions Task analysis—good for user manuals Problem/Solution—good for proposals Comparison/Contrast—good for showing alternatives Organize the draft according to some logical sequence that your readers can follow easily
16 Sequential / Chronological Reader moves through information from beginning to end in a linear fashion Numbered lists to indicate sequence Transitional words to identify movement through the sequence – first, next, finally Sequence guide words – step, part, phase, segment Numbers Images to clarify sequence Chronological – use of a timeline or flowchart Good for instructions
17 Order of Importance Place most important point last. Leaves audience with most important information fresh in mind – PowerPoint presentation. Start with the most important point. Presenting numerous points and want to ensure reader is attentive to most important information. Memos, reports, emails Websites (pyramid approach) Allows you to emphasize or de-emphasize information. What do you want the reader to remember?
18 General to Specific General information provides background, scope and context for more specific information. Make general statements, then support them with specific facts. Introduction, Overview Provides the reader with the "big picture" first. Gives them something to relate the specifics to.
19 Division Divide and subdivide a whole idea, object or phenomenon into its various parts. Documents that: Include a parts lists – specification or data sheet Describe the parts of a process, procedure, policy or event. Some things can best be understood by treating them as a series of smaller parts.
20 Spatial Helps reader visualize what you see Layout of the land, placement of components within a system Describe what you see as it appears in space ─ left to right, top to bottom, inside to outside, clockwise. Good for technical descriptions
21 Spatial Description At the basements north wall, I will build a window seat 7' long by 2' wide by 2' high. To the right of the seat, on the east wall, I will build a desk 4' high by 5' long by 3' wide. On the south wall, to the left of the door, I will build an entertainment unit the height of the wall including four, 4' high by 4' wide by 2' deep shelving compartments. The west wall will contain no built-ins. You can use this space to display pictures and to place furniture.
22 Task Analysis What tasks do they need to accomplish? What types of information do they need to make a decision? First step in most technical writing projects. Focuses on what kind of information the reader needs. Good for User Manuals
23 Parallel: Headings should be alike. If first section is a noun phrase, all should be; if participle phrase all should be. Descriptive: Not vague. Allows reader to scan through and jump to information of interest. Headings indicate where information can be found. Use headings to reveal your strategy. Noun PhraseParticiple Phrase Mining StageMining the Coal Transportation StageTransporting the Coal Combustion StageBurning the Coal
24 They should be descriptive and parallel. Non-Parallel Non-Descriptive Introduction Background Marx Generators Line Pulse Beam Generation Transporting Beam Pellets Results Conclusions Introduction Background Marx Generators Line Pulse Beam Generation Transporting Beam Pellets Results Conclusions Parallel and Descriptive Introduction Past Designs for Particle Beam Fusion New Design for Particle Beam Fusion Charging Marx Generators Forming Line Pulse Generating Particle Beam Transporting Particle Beam Irradiating Deuterium-Tritium Pellets Results of New Design Conclusions and Recommendations Introduction Past Designs for Particle Beam Fusion New Design for Particle Beam Fusion Charging Marx Generators Forming Line Pulse Generating Particle Beam Transporting Particle Beam Irradiating Deuterium-Tritium Pellets Results of New Design Conclusions and Recommendations
25 Organization is hidden without secondary headings Performance of the Solar One Receiver Introduction Steady State Efficiency Average Efficiency Start-Up Time Operation Time Operation During Cloud Transients Panel Mechanical Supports Tube Leaks Conclusion Performance of the Solar One Receiver Introduction Receiver's Efficiency Steady State Efficiency Average Efficiency Receiver's Operation Cycle Start-Up Time Operation Time Operation During Cloud Transients Receiver's Mechanical Wear Panel Mechanical Supports Tube Leaks Conclusion
26 Format to provide easy access Use highlighting techniques, such as White space Headings Bullets Graphics Font changes Color
27 Rewriting Revise Add missing details Delete wordiness Simplify word usage Enhance the tone of your communication Reformat your text for ease of access Practice the speech or review the text Proofread Correct errors
Similar presentations
© 2017 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.


text:
APSOPA has been shelved for now, but we'd be surprised if it doesn't come back in one form or another.
And when it does come back, it will be because of sites that actively encourage pirated feeds of movies and TV shows. These sites, which may have legitimate uses, are mostly used for illegitimate stuff.
We got an idea of which sites are the most egregious abusers, and likely to be from the Naughty List the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released back in December.
Interestingly, a lot of these sites have banners on the site asking users to take action against SOPA.
Please Note: This is not a comprehensive list, and we're not saying these sites are all bad. We're just saying there is enough bad stuff on them to give people reasons to want to censor the web.
A few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
Craiglist's founder Craig Newmark on overcoming 'my suckage as a manager'
More "Idea Factory" »
Michael Lewis on how to deal with bosses and control your own career
Get the best of Business Insider delivered to your inbox every day.
Available on iOS or Android


text:
Full profile →'">
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
By Cathie Ericson
This story originally appeared on LearnVest.
In just a few days, over a hundred million people will be watching the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos face off for total football domination.
And as Super Bowl fever spikes, you may be wondering: How do professional athletes keep their head in the game? After all, with the pressure on, their mental toughness has to equal their physical prowess in order to emerge victorious on the gridiron.
Well, here at LearnVest, we like to take a money angle on everything, even the biggest sporting event of the year. So we asked several sports psychologists to talk about the mental techniques that trained athletes use to stay focused on the big win—and then talked to a money pro to see how these strategies can be applied to your finances.
1. Use Your 'Muscle Memory'
Turns out the mantra "practice makes perfect" isn't really what athletes should strive for—"practice makes automatic" is more apropos, according to Scott Goldman, director of performance psychology for the University of Michigan's athletic department.
How It Helps Athletes: The more a competitor practices a goal-winning move through repetition, the more those actions become engrained in their muscle memory. "You stop thinking about it, and it becomes routine," he says. With enough time, the body automatically knows what to do—your job is simply not to get in its way, Goldman tells his athletes.
How It Could Work for Your Money: Making some of your financial decisions automatic as well can help get you across the goal line. Whether it's a contribution to a 401(k) plan that comes out of your paycheck, automated transfers to an emergency fund or monthly deposits toward a big savings goal, you're helping to build your savings "muscle."


text:
- Avalon,
I recently attended my first event too, so I know what
you are going through. To be honest, I got told that
the garb I sewed was so nice everyone assumed we were
veterans, because we weren't wearing T-tunics and
sweatpants. And trust me, I am NOT a particularly
good seamstress. I had worked refaires, so I was
expecting people to really be picky about being
perfectly period and staying in persona every minute.
It wasn't like that at all, a lot more fun than the
renfaires in my opinon and MUCH more laid back. Don't
stress about your clothes or your persona for your
first event. Pick a first name, then go from there.
The first name, you will probably get stuck with
pretty quickly because that's how people will get to
know you. I went to a SCA101 class and the Duke that
taught it suggested that you start with just a first
name, then take your time to choose the rest of your
persona and garb.
That being said, if you have time, do a little
research into what you want to do. I especially
reccomend the site
if you have any sewing ability at all. It's easy and
something to help you get going. I found it really
helpful. BUt people were really nice at our event,
and really wiling ot help and office suggestions and
advice, so just go and have fun, tell people you are
new, look at what is there, and get ideas before you
jump in. Remember that you are trying to make a
reasonable effort to be period. That means you don't
have to look perfect to start, but you should still do
your best.
Remember that I am new too, and YMMV, but that is what
I found. Good luck!
--- Avalon Santana Zakazakina
<sugarcrow69@...> wrote:
> Help!
> I will be attending my first SCA event locally and I
> do not want to
> make a complete flub of it. I have only a "wench"
> outfit that I
> purchased at a Ren Faire to wear. Will that be "ok"
> until I can nail
> down a time period and start sewing a real outfit?
> Also, I know my name will be "Isabella" something,
> can I introduce
> myself simply as Isabella or Isabella the Midwife?
> I want to start
> out correctly and not pick a surname until I am sure
> it is
> historically correct. And does the "de" part of a
> name mean from,
> like Isabella de Suffolk?
> Thanks so much and I'm sure I will have more
> questions!
> Avalon
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com - Quoth "johnr_econ":
> What about variations or uses of "eagle" "wolf" or "bear"? These are
In English - Reaney & Wilson s.n. has <Egle> 1230 and <le Egle> 1297,
> my presonal, line, and clan totems, respectfully, and I woud like to
> use somehow.
both nicknames from the bird. S.n. Bear there is <Vrs'> 1130, <le
Bere> 1166, <Bere> 1177, <le Urs> 1219, <le Beer> 1296 - <urs> is
the Old French word for for 'bear'. S.n. Wolf there is <le Wolf>
1279, and the entry also says "<Wolf> as a surname is very seldom
without the article <le> in the 13th and 14th centuries." So,
any of these would be appropriate English surnames for the 12th-
14th C.
> Also where could I find that dictionary mentioned
Most libraries will have a copy, probably in the reference
> herein?
department. It's also available pretty cheaply through
> Or possibly scandinavian or germanic versions?
For Old Norse bynames, you can take a look at
"Viking Bynames found in the Landn��mab��k"
The German word for 'eagle' is <adler>. Academy of S.
Gabriel Report #2668 (www.s-gabriel.org/2668) says:
"In late medieval and renaissance Germany, it was common for the urban
wealthy to decorate their houses with distinctive symbols, often
animals, to identify them. These marks served much the same purpose
as modern street addresses, and the houses were often refered to
simply by the symbol, e.g. "the ship", "the lion", "the rose". The
German surname <Adler> originally derived from such a house name; a
person living at or near a house known "The Eagle" might have been
described as <ze dem adelar> or <zem Adelar> "at the Eagle" or <der
adeler> "the Eagle-man". We find this surname in several similar
forms throughout the 14th century [6, 11]. <Adler> appears on its own
as a surname in 1392, 1395, and 1414 [7]."
The same holds for <ba"r> 'bear' (where a" represents an a-umlaut).
Bahlow's _Dictionary of German Names_ s.n. Ba"r notes <Drewes to
dem beren> 1435.
There are also examples of <Wolf> or <Wolff> being used as a
surname in later-period Germany (see "German Names from Kulmbach,
1495" http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/german/kulmbach1495.html
and "German Names from N��rnberg, 1497"
http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/german/nurnberg1497.html), but
in these cases, it's hard to tell whether this is from the word for
'wolf', or a nickname from a name like <Wolfgang>.
Hope this helps!
vita sine literis mors est


text:
Mount students engage in our popular athletics programs through intercollegiate sports, intramurals, and our well-equipped recreation center and complex.
Twenty-one intercollegiate varsity teams and twenty intramural activities encourage teamwork, discipline, social interaction, and competition among students at Mount Saint Mary College. The Department of Athletics and Recreation aims to cultivate personal and physical health, enrich academic learning, and foster a sense of community on campus.
The Elaine and William Kaplan Recreation Center is the hub of athletics on campus. The Kaplan Center features a 1,200 seat basketball facility, a 25-yard swimming pool, a strength and conditioning center, an aerobics room, an athletic training room, and offices for athletics administrators and coaches.
Use of the Kaplan Center is restricted to current students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The hours of operation for the building can be located here.
Mount Saint Mary College also provides a vibrant intramural program for current students. Intramural sports include: basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, ping pong, dodge ball, wiffle ball, and kick ball. Health and fitness classes include: yoga, cardio kickboxing, aerobics, and self-defense.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & FieldWomen's Sports: Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Volleyball
Share this page
Valleyscapes Art Show Mar 28 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM More
Let's Talk Politics Mar 30 4:00 PM More
So You Want to Be a Writing Center Tutor? Mar 30 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM More
Future Unknown: The American Family Business Mar 30 6:00 PM More
Arts-Based Literacy Apr 01 1:00 AM 24th Annual Conference on Literacy More
Not God's Type: From Atheism to Catholicism Apr 04 7:00 PM Sponsored by CDI More
Real World Connections in the Hudson Valley Apr 05 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM More
Volleyball Showdown Apr 06 7:30 PM More
Main Phone 845-569-3362


text:
Gabe Martin has a simple life plan: get into the NHL and win the Stanley Cup. It doesn't include being the first out hockey player or, worse, getting involved with one of his teammates. But things change.
Dante Baltierra is Gabe's polar opposite-careless, reckless... shameless. But his dedication to the sport is impressive, and Gabe can overlook a lot of young-and-stupid in the name of great hockey. And Dante has a superlative ass in a sport filled with superlative asses.
Before Gabe can figure out how to deal, a tabloid throws him out of his comfortable closet into a brand-new world. Amid the emotional turmoil of invasive questions, nasty speculation, and on- and off-ice homophobia, his game suffers.
Surprisingly, it's Dante who drags him out of it-and then drags him into something else. Nothing good can come of secretly sleeping with a teammate, especially one Gabe has feelings for. But with their captain out with an injury, a rookie in perpetual need of a hug, and the race to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995, Gabe has a lot on his plate.
He can't be blamed for forgetting that nothing stays secret forever.
To view this DRM protected ebook on your desktop or laptop you will need to have Adobe Digital Editions installed. It is a free software. We also strongly recommend that you sign up for an AdobeID at the Adobe website. For more details please see FAQ 1&2. To view this ebook on an iPhone, iPad or Android mobile device you will need the Adobe Digital Editions app, or BlueFire Reader or Txtr app. These are free, too. For more details see this article.
Preview Ebook
If you find anything wrong with this product listing, perhaps the description is wrong, the author is incorrect, or it is listed in the wrong category, then please contact us. We will promptly address your feedback.


text:
: : Florida : Central/disney : Ocala
HOME/VILLA w/ pool located on a corner lot and built for relaxation, comfort and affordable.
Villa luxury Home is 0.6 miles from championship golf course. Heated Pool, ready for you to enjoy! Recently built 3 bedrooms 2car garage with air-conditioning and heat, 3 telephones, 2 satellite dish


text:
Skip to main content
Detoxophane is a purified extract of Swiss garden cress sprouts. Sprouts have the highest concentration of phytonutrients, the compounds in plants known for their health promoting properties. Detoxophane contains sulforaphane, a well known activator of phase II detoxification enzymes. Detoxophane enhances the resistance of skin cells against environmental pollutants and intrinsic reactive molecules. Thus, Detoxophane cleans off and protects our skin cells against dangerous molecules. It is an effective anti-aging ingredient for all skin care products.
Short introduction. Detoxophane - activating the skin's detoxification system
19 May 2014
We use cookies to operate this website and to improve its usability. Full details of what cookies are, why we use them and how you can manage them can be found by reading our Privacy & Cookies page. Please note that by using this site you are consenting to the use of cookies.


text:
Archive for the 'people of color' Category
On Writing Poetry and Populating Epic Fantasy with All of Humanity: Author Interview with Gerald L. Coleman
Posted by: Michele Tracy Berger on: September 24, 2016
One of the writing highlights of the year for me was traveling to the State of Black Science Fiction Conference in June. The SOBSFC brought together creators from different mediums (e.g. filmmakers, comic book artists, writers, producers, scholars, etc.,) to converge, discuss and share about the world of sci-fi and the Black experience over the past two centuries. There were panels on everything from Afrofuturism in Arts and Culture to Black Southern Folklore in Horror Literature. It was a mind-blowing experience.
I got a chance to hear and meet new authors. One of these authors was Gerald L. Coleman. I first saw him on the panel, 'The Pinnacles and Pitfalls of Self/Small Publishing' talking about being a poet and speculative fiction writer. He also spoke about how important it was for writers of color to value their work and find audiences for their work outside of (or in addition to) what mainstream publishers are willing to publish.
I was intrigued by his ability to write both poetry and speculative fiction, so I spoke with him the next day, at his table. After an engaging conversation, I knew I wanted to invite him to the blog to inspire us and share his writing wisdom.
Gerald Coleman is a philosopher, theologian, poet and author. His most recent poetry appears in, Pluck! The Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture Issue 13 (University of Kentucky Press), the anthology Drawn to Marvel: Poems From The Comic Books (Minor Arcana Press), and Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel Journal Vol. 18. He is also the author of the epic fantasy novel When Night Falls: Book One of The Three Gifts and poetry collections, the road is long and falling to earth. He is a co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets.
I'm delighted to welcome Gerald L. Coleman to The Practice of Creativity.
-Tell us about your recent book, When Night Falls. Why did you want to write this book?
When Night Falls, in fact the entire Three Gifts Series, is my homage to the genre I love the most. Fantasy, and specifically Epic Fantasy, has been my favorite source of reading material since I left comic books and entered the world of literature. Now, I enjoy philosophy and theology immensely, seeing as how those were my main areas of interest in undergrad and graduate school. But there is nothing quite like epic fantasy. I first read Tolkein at the age of twelve and never turned back. Swords, magic, dragons, and heroes on an epic quest have entertained me for hours and hours. While other people were reading Pride and Prejudice, I was reading Elric of Melniboné. While they were reading To Kill a Mockingbird, I was reading Dragonriders or Pern. While my friends were deeply entrenched in A Tale of Two Cities, I was flipping the pages of The Faded Sun Trilogy. Now, don't get me wrong, as an English and Philosophy double-major at the University of Kentucky, I had to read all that English and American Lit too. But I always made time to read Science Fiction and Fantasy. I knew by high school that I wanted to write. By college I knew I wanted to write in my favorite genre. But what made me want to write this particular epic fantasy series, with these characters, is all about what was missing while I was reading all that SF&F from the time I was a kid. And do you know what was missing in Middle Earth, Melniboné, Kutath, and every other SF&F setting? I was. Now, I don't mean me specifically. I mean characters who looked like me. African Americans were, generally, non-existent in science fiction and fantasy. We weren't in the ancient past, the far flung future, or the speculative imaginations of the writers and readers of the genre. It was as if we had never existed. While I thoroughly enjoyed what I was reading I was also, always, painfully aware of the added intellectual leap I had to make as a reader to identify with the heroes and villains in the stories I was consuming. So it was abundantly clear in my mind that when I sat down to write my epic fantasy series that my characters would be a real reflection of the actual world. You know, a world filled with black and brown people, as well as white, Asian, Indian, and others. The world I am writing is filled with beautiful, strong, intelligent, and heroic people of color and women. It had to be. I want readers to have what I never did. So, When Night Falls has all the elements you look for in great epic fantasy. There are swords, fantastical creatures, magic, heroes, villains, but with a real representation cast of characters that should make it fun for any person who picks it up.
-How did you get bitten by the 'writing bug'? Did you always wish to become an author?
I knew by high school. Having read so much, and been so impacted – so entertained – by what I had read, it became increasingly clear to me that writing was something I really wanted to do. There are few things in the world like sitting down with a book and being transported to all kinds of wonderful, strange, and magical places. Having experienced that, it began to dawn on me that I wanted to do that for others.
– You've written two poetry collections and are a co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets. Poetry is clearly one of your loves. What keeps you coming back to the form of poetry for self-expression?
Poetry was my entrée into writing. In high school, I began by writing love poems to girls I liked. By the time I reached college it evolved. As a freshman, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X and that was a real sea change for me. It really began the process of my search for an understanding of what being an African American man meant and was going to mean for me. After that I consumed W. E. B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, Carter G. Woodson, Marcus Garvey, and every black intellectual I could get my hands on. I was already reading all the other stuff, by way of my university studies. Everyone from Plato, Aristotle, to Sartre and Derrida. But these other intellectuals, often left out the curriculum, were the real compass for me and my writing. My poetry changed and developed drastically. I still write about love. In fact, my latest poetry collection, falling to earth, is all about love, in all its forms. But the core heuristics of my poetry are about African American identity. And every time a black person is killed by police, or a black church is attacked or burned down, or the Supreme Court rules on issues like affirmative action, I am always brought back to poetry as a primary form of expression. I have also come to find that writing poetry and then speculative fiction, and then turning back to poetry, is a great way for me to stay sharp and keep the creative juices flowing.
-You have a graduate degree in theology. Do you feel that training shapes the kinds of themes you take up in your creative work?
I do find that my expertise in philosophy and theology helps to shape and inform my writing. I think it's one of the things that makes my writing unique. I avoid it being heavy-handed or showing up explicitly in my writing. I think that would be terrible for the story. But in elegant and efficient ways, it's there, grounding the story, and making the narrative stronger, and denser. I think it works best if it's there without you really seeing it.
-What excites you right now about writing in the genre of speculative fiction?
I think the fact that I, and other African American writers like myself, are creating a library of speculative work that cures what has always ailed the genre at large for so long. How can you truly have great science fiction and fantasy when you leave out most of the human race in your story? That we are writing entertaining and powerful stories where readers can actually see themselves as heroes and villains is, for me, the most exciting thing about the enterprise we have embarked upon. The ability to give tweens, teens, young adults, and adults, the kind of stories we used to comb the bookshelves for in book stores is both rewarding and exciting. I hope the SF&F reading community can see how exciting this time is in the genre.
– What's your best writing tip that you'd like to share?
Trust yourself. If you have a strong story and well-developed characters, then you can trust yourself to develop a story worth reading. Take chances with your story and write yourself in corners. Once you get there, then trust yourself to be able to write yourself out. I am working on book two in The Three Gifts Series right now (hopefully finishing in the next few months) and while I have the overarching narrative arc in mind I can't allow myself to get caught up in all the intricacies of what I have yet to write. I have to focus on one chapter at a time and trust that I will be able to solve all the problems I create as I write. I think that makes for the most compelling stories. You can't be afraid to create a difficult problem for your characters or your plot because you are worried you won't be able to write a good resolution. Time and time again, I have trusted myself to think my way through those things and it always works out. The mind is an amazing tool and instrument. If you have fed it well it will always produce the results you need.
As an addendum, let me say this as well. Don't rush. The worst thing you can do is let a deadline push you to write past some great writing. A chapter needs to marinate sometimes. And when you allow the story to develop at its own pace you will sometimes surprise yourself with what you are able create.
Finally, let me say thank you Michele for asking me to do this. It's been great fun and I hope worthy of your interest and the interest of your readers!
Gerald L. Coleman writes both poetry and speculative fiction. He resides in Atlanta. Born and raised in Lexington, he did his undergraduate work in Philosophy and English at the University of Kentucky before completing a Master's degree in Theology at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.
He is a lover of espresso, Radical Orthodoxy, Wittgenstein, early mornings on the golf course, and Lexington in the fall. He is a co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets.
Visit him here.
Magical Realism, A Shanghai Family Saga and Finding One's Readers: Author Interview with Audrey Mei
Posted by: Michele Tracy Berger on: August 22, 2016
I am so happy to participate in the blog tour of new author, Audrey Mei. I'm grateful to Quanie Miller, a wonderful writer and blogger who helped bring us together. Given Audrey's amazingly diverse creative practices that run the gamut of music, writing, health and science, I knew she would be a great person to interview. In our correspondence, we've discovered that we have many overlapping interests.
Audrey Mei grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area before studying cello and biological psychology/pre-med in Boston (New England Conservatory of Music/Tufts University). Following graduation, she received a Fulbright Grant for graduate studies in cello performance at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland.
Since 2006, Audrey has been dedicated to writing prose and poetry and has been published in Gangway Literary Magazine and Glimmer Train among others, as well as participating for several years in the Berlin English language literary scene. She is a world traveler at heart.
I'm delighted to welcome Audrey Mei to The Practice of Creativity.
-Tell us about your recent book, Trixi Pudong and the Greater World. Why did you want to write this book?
Trixi Pudong and the Greater World is a family saga that follows a Shanghai family through four generations, beginning in 1937. Alongside the family's history of war, revolution, addiction, and migration, there is a twist of magical: a fairy, a fortune-telling goatman, and two brothers who never step off a rusty container ship.
The inspiration for this book came as I was researching my dad's family history for fun. At the time, I was also living as a dirt-poor writer in Berlin. The ironic juxtaposition of everything my Chinese family had survived and the "privileged"-yet-poor artist life I was living in modern, cushy Germany gave me the impetus to write a book about how unpredictable the waves of history can be.
Also, my father is a natural storytelling genius. I felt that integrating his tales from Shanghai into a work of historical magical fiction would be a way for me to remember his stories as well as a way for them to potentially reach a wider audience.
-You have explored many wonderful professions in addition to writing including, being a classical cellist, a holistic healer, and a scientist. How have these other creative and intellectual pursuits contributed to your writing?
The single most important thing I've gained is the discipline of being a classical musician. Someone recently pointed out to me that classical music is the one artistic field which requires the highest investment in time, energy, and money for the least return in today's economy. Where else do little kids practice hours a day, take expensive music lessons, take the "audition of their lives" to study at pricey conservatories, and spend five figures on an antique instrument… just for the slim chance at earning all that back in the vanishing classical music profession? It turns out that many music school graduates have taken their skills to innovative non-music jobs. A surprising number of tech workers in Silicon Valley, for example, are actually classical musicians.
Discipline is the greatest gift. I can't say enough about it. Yet it is the one area where the most people fall short. Discipline is required to write, solve problems, continually improve, and mentally deal with the pain of critical feedback. Discipline is required to keep the mind free from destructive thoughts and to keep yourself focused on the highest level of quality you can manage.
The second skill I've gained through my experience is emotional awareness from working in holistic therapy for sixteen years. I listen to people's stories, traumas, insecurities, and griefs. I follow their healing and their growth. I can't be judgmental and I can't be afraid of deep emotions otherwise my clients would stop seeing me. Therapeutic experience has also given me the "roadmap" of human motivations. Writing-wise, this helps me to create a stories that interweave motives and relationships that are rooted in true human psychology.
-Your book is being marketed as multicultural fiction. Can you share what this term means to you and why that's an important distinction for this book?
It didn't dawn on me that the term "multicultural" would be important in any way until I researched agents and realized, Wait, these agents would never, ever in a million years represent me. They all claimed to be interested in all genres of literary fiction, but early on, I got a strong gut feeling when I browsed agents' client list and saw only your garden-variety white male (or female). And the only non-white authors being represented were invariably prison-camp survivors, Nobel laureates, or writers on "What it means to be [fill in ethnicity/disadvantaged class] in America." The next stage of this realization came as I read agent interviews where they unabashedly declared their risk aversion to selling to an audience that they couldn't relate to. In other words, there was a near-zero chance for a person like myself who is just telling a story.
But, as my writing teacher always emphasizes: The readers are out there. Unfortunately, as the traditional publishing industry has changed, world literature has fallen victim to the budgeting ax. It remains a question of reaching the right audience, but at the indie book level. Hence I saw how critical it is to designate a book properly to attract my target readers.
-What's been the biggest surprise thus far in being published?
I'm astounded at how supportive other indie authors are. I'm also floored by how impossible it is for anyone with kids to write, publish, and market a book with no child care. I started writing Trixi Pudong in 2009, pre-parenthood. My daughter was born in 2014, and my writing screeched to a complete standstill. Without my mother-in-law donating 20 hours a week of babysitting, I simply wouldn't have a book out. Period.
– What do you say to yourself on days when the writing feels especially difficult?
Just wait. What goes down must come up again.
I'm very strict about this, to not put pressure on myself. I don't work well under pressure. I would just produce garbage. But when inspiration comes on its own, it really flows and the process is nearly effortless. It's therefore more important for me to find ways to let the inspiration flow. A meditation practice — being able to empty my mind to allow for ideas to emerge, aka "listen to your heart" lol — has been my best resource.
– What's your best writing tip that you'd like to share?
This is going somewhere, I promise: My dad is a retired professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. For a while decades ago, UCB topped even Harvard as the country's best university, and this was because of his department. So he's a pretty esteemed individual in his field (just don't ask me anything about it!). At conferences and events, fellow professors and former students flock around him. I'll never forget what some of his former grad students related to us at his 80th birthday celebration. According to these students, my dad always told them that, in the face of doubt:
Never compare yourself to anyone else.
Remember that no one else can do what you are doing.
Thank you to Michele for giving me the honor of guest-posting on your blog! You can find the rest of my blog tour schedule here.
Writing Genre Bending Fiction and Publishing Intersectional Realities: Author Interview with Pavarti Tyler
Posted by: Michele Tracy Berger on: July 16, 2016
Pavarti Tyler is an adored writer and publisher. Under the moniker P.K. Tyler, she writes speculative fiction and other genre bending fiction. She's published works as Pavarti K. Tyler and had projects appear on the USA TODAY Bestseller's List. She also created Fighting Monkey Press.
IndieReader has said this about Pavarti: "Tyler is essentially the indie scene's Margaret Atwood; she incorporates sci-fi elements into her novels, which deal with topics such as spirituality, gender, sexuality and power dynamics."
I know Pavarti because I'm one of the 22 authors in her recent Uncommon Origins: A Collection of Gods, Monsters, Nature and Science anthology published through Fighting Monkey Press. This is the second UnCommon anthology that she has published, beginning with UnCommon Bodies. She is currently reviewing manuscripts for UnCommon Minds.
Not only was I delighted to have my work accepted for UnCommon Origins, I was thrilled to become part of Pavarti's community of writers. Leading up to the launch for UnCommon Origins, Pavarti mentored and supported us in learning about marketing, branding, and finding audiences that would love our work. I learned so much! I also got to interact with authors involved in UnCommon Origins and authors from UnCommon Bodies and other projects that Pavarti has brought to fruition. She's nurtured a group of writers who are incredibly generous and supportive of each other. As I noted in an earlier post, the launch for UnCommon Origins was incredibly successful and continues to trend on Amazon. Pavarti knows both art and the marketplace.
I recently discovered one of her other series: Mosaics: A Collection of Independent Women. This collection is ambitious in scope and features a diverse group of self-identified women writing about intersectionality (e.g. how social categories of race, class, sexuality, nationality, etc. come together simultaneously to shape both privilege and power). Pavarti has recently released the second Mosiacs collection with its multi-faceted look at the history and culture surrounding femininity: "If gender is a construct, this anthology is the house it built. Look through its many rooms, some bright and airy, some terrifying– with monsters lurking in the shadows." This work offers readers poetry, essays and fiction, showcasing voices that don't often get represented.
Profits from both collections are donated to the Pixel Project to end Violence Against Women.
I've written about intersectional theory, practice and methods as a scholar, so I was especially interested in this project. Mosaics is timely given the ongoing VIDA: Women in Literary Arts conversations about gender equity and the We Need Diverse Books movement.
I wanted to know more about Mosaics and Pavarti's writing career. I'm delighted to welcome Pavarti Tyler to The Practice of Creativity.
-Tell us about the Mosaics collections. What inspired them?
Mosaics was a project conceived by Kim Wells. We decided to work together because our politics and philosophies are so in line. Both books were filled with stories the two of us hand selected for inclusion and that we believed brought something special not only to the literary world, but also contributed to the conversation about sex and gender. There has been so much controversy and misunderstanding about feminism and equality lately, we felt it was important to give voice to a wide variety of women and experiences on how gender intersects with issues of race, sex, and ability. In the end, we had so many amazing submissions we weren't able to put together just one collection and had to expand the scope to two books. It was a tremendous amount of work, but work I'm exceptionally proud of as both an author and publisher.
– You've edited several anthologies over the past few years. What do you enjoy about being an editor? How was editing Mosaics different than your other anthologies (i.e. UnCommon Bodies)?
I'm actually not an editor. I'm lucky I'm able to spell my own name right most days. In all these projects I've worked as curator, coordinator, and publisher (and often marketer). I love the chance to bring together new voices and curate selections that stand up as individual works, but which also add something to the greater whole when seen in context of the collection.
-You manage to pack a lot into your day! You are a blogger, writer, editor and publisher. How do these activities feed each other and you?
I'm not sure if this question makes me want to laugh or cry. I do pack a lot into my days and I'm exhausted most of the time, but everything I do is done out of love and passion. A passion for language, for story, for the fundamental belief that it's essential to the human condition to share experiences. Of everything, blogging is the one thing I don't do consistently, only when something strikes my fancy or inspiration, but I do try to put up something every few weeks. While it's not my primary passion, it's a great way for me to connect with readers in a direct and personal way.
-Is there a story behind the name of your publishing imprint—Fighting Monkey Press?
Yes. My husband and our friends were ridiculous creatures when we met. I called the group of them my monkeys because of their penchant for climbing walls and jumping over things on rollerblades. They were also all on the fencing team. So when it came time to name my company, Fighting Monkey just made sense.
-Do you consider yourself a discovery writer (also known as a pantser) or outliner? Or do those categories not apply?
I plot, but I'm not a micro plotter. I use a 5 act structure and outline the basics of where I'm going and then beat plot a few chapters ahead of where I am before writing. The essential part of this for me though is the willingness to just delete it all if the characters take me in another direction. They usually know the story better than I do so I follow their lead. So I'm a plotter who sometimes gets swept away by my pants.
-What's your best writing tip that you'd like to share?
Shut up. I know that sounds harsh, but there are only 2 rules for writing: 1 – Shut Up 2 – Write. If you can get past the first one, I believe everyone has a story to tell. So silence your inner critic, stop talking about the things you want to do, stop posting on Facebook about writing, just shut up and write.
Pavarti Tyler attended Smith College and graduated with a degree in Theatre. She lived in New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off-Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry for several international law firms. Now located in Baltimore Maryland, she lives with her husband, two daughters and two terrible dogs. When not penning science fiction books and other speculative fiction novels, she twists her mind by writing horror and erotica. Find out more about her here.
Launch Week: UnCommon Origins, Video, Reviewer Request and News!
Posted by: Michele Tracy Berger on: June 19, 2016
Woo-hoo! A few weeks ago I did a cover reveal about my story that is in UnCommon Origins.
It's now really here. The UnCommon Origins anthology launched this week and I am thrilled! Get it here!
UnCommon Origins: A Collection of Gods, Monsters, Nature, and Science
UnCommon Origins presents 22 depictions of moments on the precipice, beginnings both beautiful and tragic. Fantastical stories of Creation, Feral Children, Gods and Goddesses (both holy and horrific), and possibilities you never dared imagine come to life.
Including stories from some of the most talented Speculative Fiction and Magical Realism authors around, UnCommon Origins will revisit the oldest questions in the universe:
Where did we come from?
What comes next?
We even have our own book trailer!
My story, 'The Curl of Emma Jean' is about two sisters, race, fairies and the God Faunus. What more could you ask for?
My writing buddy, Fraser Sherman gave a thoughtful (and positive) review of the collection on his excellent blog. We already have over 50 reviews on Amazon! It's also trending in the horror anthology Amazon category.
For three months, our publisher P.K. Tyler has been working on promotion and also teaching myself and the other 21 authors about how to launch a book. I've learned so much and I can't wait to share some of my insights with you in another post.
If you like speculative fiction, you'll enjoy this collection. It's got something for everyone. Get it here.
Also, if you're willing to provide an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads or your blog, within the next two weeks, contact me about getting a complimentary copy.
In other news, last weekend I attended the historic State of Black Science Fiction Convention in Atlanta. It was a mind-blowing experience. SOBSFC brought together creators from different mediums (e.g. filmmakers, comic book artists, writers, producers, scholars, etc.,) to converge, discuss and share about the world of sci-fi and the Black experience over the past two centuries. There were panels on everything from Afrofuturism in Arts and Culture to Black Southern Folklore in Horror Literature.
I even dipped my toe into SteamFunk cosplay for the first time ever. Loved it!
I plan on writing a blog post about attending this transformative con.
June is my birthday month and with this book launch and conference, it's been a fantastic one so far. I hope your June has been offering you writerly goodness.
Science Fiction Adventure for a New Generation, Black People, Psychic Whales and More: Author Interview with Zig Zag Claybourne
Posted by: Michele Tracy Berger on: June 8, 2016
I first heard about Zig Zag Claybourne from an interview on The Dead Robots' Society podcast. On the show, he talked about his latest novel, The Brothers Jetsream: Leviathan. It is a science fiction adventure that centers around two African-American brothers out to save the world. There are psychic whales, explosions, warrior angels, Atlanteans, and corporate conspiracies. I immediately thought, Whoa—way cool and original! Zig Zag was witty and offered great insights about building a writing life over a number of years. After his appearance on DRS, I knew I wanted to help spread the word about his work.
Prominent writer Dave Eggers has said about Zig Zag, "This is a truly original writer. He sounds like no one else, plays by no rules, and creates wildly entertaining books that create an indelible stamp on the mind."
I'm looking forward to meeting Zig Zag, in person, at the upcoming State of Black Science Fiction Convention. In the meantime, I'm delighted that he agreed to appear here at The Practice of Creativity.
Tell us about your recent novel, The Brothers Jetstream: Leviathan. What inspired it?
The Brothers Jetstream: Leviathan came from me wanting to highlight a book where black folks do what they've always done: save the world one way or another but get zero credit for it. I describe the book as Buckaroo Banzai by way of Ralph Ellison. It's an adventure with heart, humor, and the coolest crew since Sulu and Uhura. The characters have been with me a long time. So has their battle against the False Prophet Buford. If you have two black brothers named Milo and Ramses Jetstream, there is absolutely no way they are not going to wage war against the status quo.
How did you get bitten by the 'writing bug'? Did you always wish to become an author?
I took up writing before puberty. I loved reading, not just science fiction, everything. I was the kid who got excited when the teacher assigned Hamlet. One day my mama said I read so much I could probably write a story. That was the Pearly Gates opening moment for me! I wrote my first terrible short story (about aliens using humans as hunting dogs against other humans) and have been going ever since.
How do stories usually come to you? Do you start with a character? Setting? An image?
I usually start off with a feeling or a mood then dig deep to find characters and a situation to bring that mood to life. Jetstream, for example, was the feeling of the world being utterly ridiculous when you actually stopped to think about 99% of what we accept as daily life.
What's the less glamorous side of a published writer's life that aspiring writers often don't see?
That makes me laugh! I haven't found a glamorous bit yet! I don't think aspiring writers realize that just because a writer gets to "the End" means the book is done. There are rewrites on top of rewrites, then there's the marketing/publicity push which, for most authors (seeing as we're generally solitary, quiet people – HA!) is as glamorous as a root canal. There's still this feeling out there that folks get to write a book, dust their hands of it, and watch as the angels waft it heavenward. To quote Lana Kane from Archer: "Nooooooope."
What's on your bookshelf, next to your bed (or in your e-reader)? What are you reading right now?
There's nothing better for me than finding a new author to love, so my bookshelf is a workhorse; I'm always adding way more than the max carrying load to it. Right now I'm reading a sword & soul epic called Woman of the Woods by Milton Davis, a YA fantasy called Basajaun by Rosemary Van Deuren, and am about to jump into the macabre with Victor LaValle's The Ballad of Black Tom.
What's your best writing tip that you'd like to share?
The best tip ever is care about what you're doing. All else flows from that. If you don't care, the readers won't care, and if you're writing under the assumption that your book is "good enough" you've already failed. For me the process of taking a book from idea to completed drafts is a lot smoother if I operate under the hope that a reader will feel what I've given them and appreciate the respect for them.
Zig Zag Claybourne (also known as Clarence Young) wishes he'd grown up with the powers of either Gary Mitchell or Charlie X but without the Kirk confrontations. (Anybody not getting that Star Trek reference gets their sci-fi cred docked 3 points.) The author of Neon Lights, Historical Inaccuracies, and By All Our Violent Guides (the last under C.E. Young), he believes a writer can be like an actor, inhabiting a delightful variety of roles and genres. As such, his work takes you where you've never been, but makes sure you have fun getting there.
Find out more about him here.


text:
ASH Coordinator
ASTICOM Technology Inc.
Dagupan, Philippines · Full time
- Dagupan, Philippines
- Full time
Posted 8 months ago and deadline of application is on 4 Aug
Recruiter was hiring 6 hours ago
Job Description
1. Completion of EF Masterfile
- Includes checking of allocations vs. bridge released by NTMG
- Ensures complete details are provided by the TSH & CDH before submission to TMMCs & TMMs
- Adjusts EF Masterfile based on approved extension requests
2. SIM allocation request, follow through on LOP and delivery to TD warehouses
3. Projects Modification (Retag / Untag / Change Duration / Change Details)
- Receives, consolidates project modification requests and follows through on approval from TMM & RSH
- Monitors implementation of requested modifications
4. Receives, checks and monitors liquidation packs from sales.
- Ensure liquidation packs are complete BEFORE routing for approval.
- Incomplete documents SHOULD NOT BE routed to Manila.
- All documents should be logged BEFORE routing to Manila.
- Ensures ACCRUAL LINE ITEM for the specific project is attached to the said liquidation packs.
- For items for ACTUAL POSTING, a print-out of the approved email should be attached to the liquidation pack.
- Updates EF monitoring with actual expenses.
5. Monitors replenishment of TDRF
- DAILY checking of TDRF portal, send update to ASH on status of liquidation packs
- Daily follow-up of liquidation submission and disallowance resolution from TD(BDO/TL) & ASH/TSH/CDH
- Daily follow-up of replenishment and portal updating from Accounting
6. Consolidates ALL TD closure reports from TSHs & CDHs
- Submits to TMM & TMMC
7. Facilitates request for retagging of retailer SIMS
- Consolidates lists from DSPs
- Submits to affected ASHs for discussion and agreement on retagging
- Follows through on retagging, provides feedback to DSPs as needed
- The ASH coordinator is merely an additional manpower to support administrative requirements.
- The ASH will still be accountable for the accuracy of ALL documents submitted.
- Training of ASH coordinators will be the joint responsibility of the TMM and the ASH.
Minimum Qualifications
- Open for fresh graduate
- Skills with MS Office and MS Excel
Jobs Summary
- Job level
- Fresh Grad / Entry Level
- Job category
- Administration and Coordination
- Educational requirement
- Graduated from college
- Recruiter response to application
- Once in a while
- Office Address
- 4th Floor, Globe Telecom Plaza Tower 1, Pioneer, Dagupan, Ilocos Region, Philippines
Feel secure when applying: look for the verified icon and always do your research on a company. Avoid and report situations when employers require payment or work without compensation as part of their application process.
About ASTICOM Technology Inc.
ASTICOM TECHNOLOGY INC. (ASTICOM) is an HR solutions company established in March 2015. Previously part of the Ayala Group of Companies, its services includes Recruitment Services, Payroll Administration and Management, and Outsourcing. We provide talents in the following talent segments: Sales, Marketing, Finance and Administration.
Payroll Administration and Management
Project Employees Deployed to Clients
Outsourcing / Shared Service Model
To provide all out clients with end to end client and employee engagement.
To provide dedicated account managers for our clients and dedicated area managers for our employees.
To provide services that will support the overall efficiency and cost targets of the company.
To align with our client's values and service principles through on boarding and training
To provide the flexibility to manage operations through ASTICOM.
We have dozens of job openings for people who are interested in working with technology and IT. Start your careers in ASTICOM Technology Inc. today!