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Getting to enjoy Highland Park 21 and 25 both in the same evening was a wonderful experience. No, I really cannot afford a full bottle of either one (between $150 and $200 for the 21 and $250 to $300 for the 25) but we did manage to get a mini of each to sample. My daughter bought both of these on her recent trip to Scotland and we shared the tasting last weekend. We started with the 21 and followed Highland Park's Global Brand Ambassador, Gerry Tosh's recommendation for observing tears and legs and nosing. We agreed that the aroma of orange peel and toffee were there for us but as smelling whisky is not our long suit we were eager to get on with the drinking. We both enjoyed it and both reported a sharp bite on the tip of the tongue that lasted a few seconds. The taste was pleasant enough and enjoyable with that trademark little wisp of peat smoke at the end of the finish. It started strong and then mellowed out from there. I guess a good comparison might be the very first drop on an old fashioned roller coaster like the Beast at King's Island in Cincinnati Ohio, the first drop is a heart stopper then you really enjoy the rest of the ride and it is quite thrilling all the way to the end. That, to me, best describes the tasting of the Highland Park 21.
Now on to the 25 to sample its wares! Apparently there are several varieties of both the 21 and 25 and our sample was just a little over 107 Proof. Other proofs were bottled and distributed and various online liquor stores carry these assorted "flavors".
Even the little box that the 25 came in had a full color picture on it compared to the 21 which was in black and white. The color was very nice and as one might expect a bit darker than the 21 but as Gerry Tosh says, color really means nothing. The legs and tears were almost exactly like those we found in the 21. Thus ended the similarities. This nosing of the 25 was unusual for us in that we actually did pick up whiffs of chocolate (as in 90% cacao chocolate) just like when you first open up a big bar of semi-sweet chocolate and you get that blast of chocolate smell that hits you. Not as strong in the whisky of course but it really seems to be there. I say that because usually I cannot smell anything but whisky with the occasional bit of spun sugar and of course sherry aroma from those whiskies aged in sherry casks. This one was different. We both really enjoyed the taste and once again a thousand pipers played as a host of angels sang praises to the distiller's art. I'm sure one or two dead Scottish Kings rose up and marched about a bit in harmonious celebration with us but no I did not really see them, just sensed they were there smiling ear to ear. The 25 was absolutely wonderful and makes me sad that I am not financially well off enough to buy a case of it (or a bottle for that matter). But at least I (we) got to taste it once and that was sheer pleasure. My daughter said that even though Dalwhinnie was her favorite, she believed she had finally found a new favorite scotch in the Highland Park 25. Regrettably she is no better off financially than I am so we will have to start a savings account for a future purchase of a full bottle of the Highland Park 25. We liked the 21 but loved the 25. Eventually we would like to try the Highland Park 30 and that is next on the agenda.
Whatever you drink please enjoy yourself and savor every moment this life has to give.
The Whisky Warrior.


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Keep your passwords safe with KeePassX
Why passwords security is important We use many different services on a daily basis and much more from time to time. Some of them are not much important, but some are vital. You definitely don't want lose your money because Continue reading Keep your passwords safe with KeePassX

subset: commoncrawl


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Given the historical significance of the Great War and the fact that we are currently, and for the next three and a half years, commemorating its centenary I feel ashamed to say that I had some glaringly huge gaps in my reading. Yes, I have read Goodbye To All That and the war poets when I was at school: I've ticked off some of the recent WW1 novels like Wake, The Lie and My Dear I Wanted to Tell You – but I was missing some of the classics. And I am still not completely up to speed – I've still not tackled All Quiet on the Western Front or the Regeneration trilogy – but I have filled in a couple of blanks in the last few weeks.
Both books are ones that many people have described to me as their 'favourite read ever' (so, no pressure…) but my own experience could be described as 'mixed'. Firstly, Birdsong – a powerful and moving novel focussing on one man's life both before and during the Great War. I could appreciate the beauty and power of Faulk's writing but, overall, I was not particularly moved. Oddly, I almost found the parts written from the point of view of Wraysford's granddaughter more interesting than the wartime sections. Maybe I could understand them better, since they occurred in my lifetime, or maybe I was just recalling how I had taken against the main character in the recent tv adaptation. Whichever it was I am sure the fault is with me rather than with Birdsong itself. There were plenty of descriptive passages highlighting the horrors of trench warfare – but nothing which crystallizes the whole thing better for me than the closing scenes of Blackadder Goes Forth – and (to my eternal shame) I just found the recurring imagery of birdsong annoying by the end.
After this experience it was with some trepidation that I started reading Testament of Youth for our in-store reading group. In this case, however, I shouldn't have worried as I ended up really enjoying the whole book immensely. Again the book is, basically, one person's experience of the period but, somehow, it was one I warmed to. Maybe Vera Brittain's experience spoke to me more as a woman – I would never have been fighting in the trenches myself – or maybe it is her political stance I found myself in agreement with but I was far more absorbed by her story than that of any soldier.
This is not to say that Testament of Youth is an easy read. It starts very slowly, outlining Brittain's privileged and sheltered upbringing in the Peak District and goes into a fair amount of detail of her struggle to be allowed to attend University. For me, despite the fact that it needed a fair amount of concentration to read, this was hugely interesting – it is, in effect, the development of an early C20th feminist. In fact it is, for me, primarily a story of how an Edwardian girl becomes a very modern woman.
The war, her awful experiences as a voluntary nurse and her terrific losses are, of course, a huge part of the book. These, however, are all things she looks back on. The most positive aspects of the whole book, for me, is the future she is moving towards by the end. One where the awful experiences the world had been through help those who survived to try to make sure things are better in the future. Obviously, with the benefit of hindsight, we know that more horrors were still to come but at least the book is able to end positively.


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Non-solicitor and barrister advocates who insinuate they are lawyers and are permitted to appear in the Employment Court are of great concern and must be reined in, say several lawyers
A new bill will allow a person to be tried and convicted of a criminal offence without seeing all the information relied on by the Crown and without the right to be present, the NZ Law Society says.
Fantastic work CT! Broadening and deepening pro bono work is a key rung in the access to justice ladder.


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Home Office statistics published today on the UK's use of animals in scientific procedures in 2016 [1] have been blasted by Humane Society International/UK as exposing the government's failure to use its regulatory and research funding powers to curb uncontrolled breeding activities.
According to the Home Office stats, in 2016 the UK completed a shocking 3.94 million procedures on living animals, of which nearly half (49 per cent) are associated with the production of genetically altered animals, which is notorious for wasteful overbreeding. Surplus animals from continuous breeding programmes are not used for any specific testing or research purpose, but are simply bred, caged and killed without any biomedical or scientific gain. HSI is calling on the government to adopt routine cryopreservation, the freezing of sperm or embryos, to immediately curb the breeding-killing cycle and respect their commitment to reduce the use of animals in labs.
Troy Seidle, HSI senior director for research & toxicology, said: "Ultimately the best outcome for both science and animals is for our research effort to shift to cutting-edge humane alternatives, but in the meantime it's galling to know that the number one opportunity to curb the explosive growth in UK animal procedures is being all but disregarded year after year. We've witnessed this trend toward out-of-control breeding of genetically modified animals developing for more than a decade, and have repeatedly called on the Home Office to take action. Yet despite all assurances of the UK government's commitment to reducing the use of animals in labs, the numbers keep going up, rendering the government's current strategy a qualified failure. As the department responsible for authorising animal experiments, the Home Office has all the authority it needs to require universities and other institutions to adopt more efficient strategies such as cryopreservation to minimise the over-production of genetically modified animals — all that's missing is the motivation to act."
Cryopreservation represents a practical, near-term alternative to continuous breeding for existing transgenic lines. The Medical Research Council's frozen embryo and sperm archive in Harwell, and a number of animal supply companies, already offer this service [2], with facilities that can accommodate millions of cryopreserved embryos from hundreds of different strains for a small fraction of the cost of maintaining a live colony.
- Despite the ever-increase growth in animal procedures, there is no corresponding increase in human therapeutics making it to the clinic, with both the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration approving lowest number of new drugs in 2016 [3].
- Some genetic mutations cause catastrophic defects, such as mice born with shortened limbs, with no limbs, with the front of their head missing [4]. If the mice survive birth, they could have significant developmental defects affecting their limbs, eyes, brain or hair; they may be predisposed to tumour formation, or they could be subjected to deliberate, repeated and ultimately fatal infections to assess the impact of the mutation on their response [5].
- Advances in gene sequencing and phenotypic analysis in humans is ushering in the era of precision medicine, are may be more likely to provide the new treatments [6].
Contact: Dr Lindsay Marshall, 07719 531 675, email@example.com
1. 2016 Home Office statistics are available here.
2. The Jackson Laboratory (2009), available here.
3. Mullard, A. (2017). EMA drug approval recommendations. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 16;77. doi:10.1038/nrd.2017.17
4. Turgeon B, Meloche S (2009). Interpreting neonatal lethal phenotypes in mouse mutants: insights into gene function and human diseases. Physiol Rev. Jan;89(1):1-26. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2007
5. Holtzclaw JD, et al. (2004). Enhanced pulmonary and systemic response to endotoxin in transgenic sickle mice. AJRCCM. 169(6)2004.
6. Aronson SJ, Rehm, HL (2015). Building the foundation for genomics in precision medicine. Nature. 526: 336-342. doi:10.1038/nature15816


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Voluntarily lived homeless for a week, in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. I plan to continue to raise homelessness awareness by living homeless for a period of time within hopefully all 50 states.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Get Robbed...Not Today!
I have a small knot on the back of my head from being hit, nothing I can't walk off.
Although this situation was somewhat scary it was a real experience that these individuals have to deal with on a regular.
The main thing that was mind boggling...this happened at about 2:40pm smh in the daytime..I expected at least at night.
S/O to K I'm have to give him my dessert at dinner to show him my appreciation for his great timing.
10 comments:
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Can't no one tell me God dnt show up and show out at the RIGHT time! I thank God that he sent those men as your shield of protection.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 4:18 PM
Please be careful and stay safe!!! Praying for you!!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 4:40 PM
You know I will come get you at anytime dr.tReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Not the backpack bro! lol glad everything is ok, GOD is definitely on your side.ReplyDelete
Stay Strong! AyA
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 6:00 PM
DARIUS!! Please be careful! -Tiffany LeschkeReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 7:05 PM
WTF!!!! SH7P! IF THAT HAPPENS AGAIN MAN IM COMING TO GET YOU!!!! NO DISCUSSION!!!!! BE CAREFUL!!! '06ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 9:29 PM
D b careful love aunt lisaReplyDelete
- John PoshepnyMarch 29, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Stay Safe!ReplyDelete
First I would like to say what you're doing is EXTREMELY admirable. I remember us having a discussion about what we eventually wanted to do. Here you are a step closer. I'm glad you went out there with an open mind and open heart. You also went out there wearing the armor or God. He watches his servants backs. Keep on working toward your goal, YOU WILL GET THERE.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 2, 2013 at 12:11 AM


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Lovely Roxy is a 4 year spayed bitch.
Roxy is ok with older children but unknown with young children. Roxy tends to ignore other dogs but will be defensive if she feels the need so would benefit from some more socialisation. No to cats as she chases. She is fine with people coming into her home and does not get over excited as some dogs do.
Roxy has good basic commands and recall. Roxy's owners have had her for about 18 months and are now having to work full time meaning poor Roxy is being left for 8 hours a day.
This lovely, quiet lass would be a great addition to most homes. She does bond with her family very strongly. Can you help Roxy please?
Roxy has found her new home through another rescue.


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Oct 20, 2016|
Carrington is joined by the Superintendent of the Kansas City Missouri Public School District Dr. Mark Bedell to discuss education in the inner city, the quality of the school district and his plans going forward.
Related Audio:
Carrington is joined by Lexi Sutter from Action 41 News to discuss her start in the business, what made her choose TV, and her time in Kansas City.
Carrington is joined by up and coming rapper Rory Fresco to talk about him being signed to Epic, how he was discovered, and his creative process. Afterwards, he's joined by his 3 friends to discuss how important your spouse's relationship history should be and other shenanigans.
Carrington is joined by Megan Armstrong who discusses her bouts with mental health, her suicide attempt and her relationship with NFL WR Brandon Marshall
Carrington is joined by Ray, the creator of @stopviolencekc to discuss what they do for the community and crime in the inner city.
Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)
They should they just stuck to sports. Eads the stick to sports club dancing with Kerry did Harrison from the drive. Church yeah. Did you join on the stick to sports by cast by the superintendent of the Kansas City, Missouri school district doctor Martin Adele I appreciate your initial placement. Thank you appreciate you have. News. What are these media things important Shia urge on the ice X five you've done a lot of these other things. The most I would say superintendents are in front and I would say friendly to the media what makes this important. What is is about transparency and I remember going to the process of interviewing. With the Kansas City public school system and they constantly talked about communication. Needing to improve we need to do a better job as a school system love. You know providing imposing our narrative as to where we are in and really have some control over it. And so it was wanted to things that I knew coming in that I needed to make sure that I was going to get owl. In front of it to be visible to be transparent. And do most importantly just promote my school being in a positive advocate for our students that we serve in the city. Tell us that the key to allow it to be more than an hour solicit skates last try to do these I try to make him auto biographical because not many people might not know who you want him I know your title with they don't know. How you are. I would like to spark probe as a kid. Where would you put the importance of education from your parents like it obviously was instilled achieved at at a very young age the importance of it for you now to to this point. I was today. Absolutely not it wasn't because my mom dropped out of high school my stepfather was also minimize stepfather dropped album my real father was also a drop while. So it was not one of those situations weird it was really being implicit promoted in my house so. I tell people that it should be number two in on this scale of ten. That education is the number one priority in the most important thing is you'd be pushed. Two youngsters but that wasn't the case grownup for me. So much a breakthrough. I would tell you that I I was very fortunate. As the its food and I've got off to a rough start. Dropped out of school in the second grade because the teacher told me I was down we wouldn't amount to anything in. I edges. Stop going to school there really was no accountability system in place but then eventually. We became ward of the states and they moved me in in my younger brother and I leave within on. Who was they would get us back into school and give me back on track. So I believe that during that phase in my life. That was wanted to turning points was really being separated from my biological mom and I was living with different relatives that took care of us for seven years. Because obviously as an educator you understand some of the challenges that these kids have to go through it seems like you're one of those kids that was. I hate the term at risk which you seem like you were on the cusp of really going either way it. Drop it on the second grade I don't think maybe people can relate to that kind of operating because I would imagine. Or someone to drop out of school really at any point I to second grade in point to then become a doctor. You are 81 and a million comic case. Yeah I'll tell you that. It is true. IE would tell people when you look at the variables the variables. Tended to old most people that youngster like me who've picked experience that type of adversity and how bringing shouldn't be here. And like I say they were good people who came into my life at different points when I really need it mulls. And that's part of the reason why I'm here having this conversation we use today as is that some positive influences and sometimes. A lot of our keys that may go to situations that I've gone through don't get those positive adult advocates in their lives. That can really help them stay on track and let them know that. There are much there's much more to life in just the situation it's year currently. Are going through. But at this point secure do you think you hated education because I think so much of that is. Repairs greeting to your parents being active in your learning process doesn't sound like a lease early you'll and you didn't have this was it just eight I hate school I don't wanna go. No it wasn't at all it woods I actually enjoyed school but I truly would tell you that when you are. Going through some. Dramatized seen situations and things that you're seen as happening. As part of your upbringing you tend to bring some and at the school. In what happens then is it causes a lot of our students to have some social and emotional deficits. That dean can also become very yours too you really flourishing academically. Not enjoy going to school in one Angelo I have breakfast and lunch. And the other reason why I enjoy going to school was because there was some consistency there was structure so growing up and not necessarily being in a structured in my army. Where does not much accountability. You in your kind of doomed when you whatever you want to do I truly believe it's an -- this is the least yesterday when I spoke on itself these high school. Com to the entire student body that they are many kids in nets who. That dare planning in charge of their own lives. And what is causing those gays become the school is the same thing that caused me to go to school is is there somebody here that's going to tell me. Like there's more to life that fears that they're gonna help me believe that I can do more than without seeing or went up leave the room. And really ultimately is there hope and that was what really kind of kept me in school. Was that I knew that I want I didn't want to eventually grow up. And see some of the things that I was seen with relatives. In some of my family members in terms of dropping out of school in and it is like that. Looking great for them as the aged. As you shift to your job now. Is that. Ali of the biggest challenge that you have is it's hard I would say for kids to be motivated about education into solar wind their whole life is in such shambles. And that is that the hardest thing you think that that the school district has to try to overcome. That's a heavy lift for us this heavy lift for Lotto superintendent who work in urban school districts and it is a reality mean Ayers gangs in the years. Absent. Parenting the years we you may have Keyes who are. Having to take care of their siblings getting them dressed in making sure that they are fading make asserted they get to school. And in this cause in the older sibling to be late I mean there that that's up to Israel and so. I know as a superintendent. Is a variable that we have to figure out how to we'd do a better job of supporting our students. That you have to be adults a lot sooner than they issued. Yet this is one thing that I think I've understood a lot more as I've gotten older we're here with the superintendent of the Kansas City school district mark Dell one thing that I have understood more as an adult and a seven frenzy just come from different walks of life I was really fortunate Amman sacrificed a lot for me put me really good situations but then help me go to college health week in and get the job that a war. But that the poverty cycle keeps some cues slowed down day. It's hard for them to see the value of education wind as you say they don't eat consistently every single day and they're struggling in that capacity is at another one of those challenges that like the poverty cycle is in Seoul Brad. That it becomes. I guess the barrier seem something that are really hard to overcome yeah. And in it is but it's a mindset to. Mine and I think as educators our job is getting here in crackdown that fixed mindset. You know that's the one thing I talked to kids about don't allow mainstream media don't allow social media don't allow people. Who have not advanced as far as you have in your journey as a learner. To tell you that you are not intelligent to tell you that you don't have the ability to do whatever you wanna do. In always talk to people and I say this I always acts this one. Question. What happens to okay its net at one point during those. Adolescent years there knows pre operational years. When our key aides feel like they can do anything you know two year old they think they can beat to every race they think they can be any thing in the world. In the and as we educate them they begin to lose that more more more they start to lose this belief. And it becomes a fix mine says but it's because it was BofA to them is what they see on TV is what they hear on the news what they hear in the media outlets. That really give them this mindset that. You know as a key coming from a tough background. You're not supposed to make. And so for me my job is to tell him absolutely not you are brilliant. You are a superstar. And your effort the work. Having their resiliency and agree. To persevere. Told that at things that you know I wanna instill in my indicates that everybody can living in in in having a wonderful life. In this country if you put more effort. Hello every step to men as wild where they want to do this there's one thing you can correct me if I'm wrong on this. I think a lot we talk about especially in the news lately about the police have we retaliate those kind of things and disadvantages that you have to live in the inner city. In my opinion veep pick is his advantage I think we see among black kids don't like it is I think this is a fundamental truth Greg about world. If you grow up wants he said at the prospect. You're going to get it for worst education and if you live on a 130 that the magnet so for the first eighteen years or alive you righted significant disadvantage because that you go to blue valley school. You get more opportunities you it is just a better school district a better environment that you live in. That is gives you so much a head start so how can you being catch up if for the first eighteen years your life you were at such a disadvantage is very true thing to belief. I would tell you that. When you look at things from an equity standpoint. And you look at the resource has been to us a look at the gaps that exist prior to a student in Iranian to our schools. That's that's that's a very valid statement as a very valid statement you said earlier that it nobody's at home reading. If you are in a school system we're. Over the years. Gears is negative perception has been pain it. And main blue valley has the opportunity to have highly qualified teachers. KC PS is in the situation we're. We are fighting to gain as many teachers that we can possibly get to want to even. Have an attempt to leave work in our school district. Right so teacher quality matters principle quality matters. Any and making sure that the resource is of the year. Off from a support standpoint because yeah. I can tell you as a parent I'm my wife is an attorney anomalous on the superintendent. You know my keys have all of the same resource is that the key is that only about and who value of those goals of families out the year with that. Where you look at incoming you look at visit call. That is a determine. Our mom my job is to say to our community and into into ours supporters out here. That if we are come together and we become a community. Just like there's community out in the suburban school districts we too can do the same for arcades. When you say resources is this state money is this just the community give me back I just. I object to a final resources aren't. I always tell people that is not always about money. Right is I I look at it as you wanna give them a much bigger return on supporting us step up and help us mentor. Step up and come meaning conduct some lectures and help expose our keys to some things that they just may not be familiar with. You know be visible in terms of the Yankees know that. I've come through this vein situations that you've come through and here's what I have to offer to you I'm a product of this school system look at what I'm doing now. You too can do the same thing so sometimes k.s need to have people in front of them. Who've actually experienced. Some of what they have lived through what they're living through now because I think he gives you an automatic connection. I can go to a school. And I can go to a southeast high school or I can go to C in true so be a lot easier for me is stenographer and McCain's and have some credibility. Right because of what I have experienced. And what I tell people to is arcade is no we artists. And if your heart is right. You live to what I've lived through war somebody who's on Taiwanese have their prospect leave through. If your heart is right right and you genuinely care these kids will feel that. And he gives them hope it gives them an opportunity. To believe that this school system can and will work for them. Who was ordered breakthrough with the students are the parents talk about the parent involvement and it's so important being your kid's life retooled helpful with his homework and those kind of thing. For the actual student. I started to break too with the payments. I've seen that in my days as a principal. I had a school of 1000 students. On student here did not say. Because I can't get more into when he payers to show up to a PTA meeting and now remember. And he told me we can be held accountable for you can be held accountable for how many players you get to show up to a PTO mean he can be held accountable for. What you do with the key is that you have during the time that you responsible for the at that point it forced me to say. Let me focus on what I can control. And that's what happens what key it's windier in my school environment. How I shape the culture and climate of musk who in the message that I conveyed to students that this building is for you. And when you regain your your protected and you nurtured but they are high expectations for you to learn. So we get to a point where Rhys as always we got to work apparent robbery and parent involvement. Unfortunately. A lot of people wore parents of my students right now. We're victims of this who of the they don't have trust of the school system because the school system that failed them back in the eighties. You know and he's at thirty or forty year old individuals now they have keys in and ask being passed down to our kids and my job as the coming year in and tell them. We got to move on from what happened yes to years yesterday. And thus focus on how we can come together and now because we want your child to have a much better experience in which you have gone through. It seems like a lot of it is because I'll listen to copy other interviews it seems like a lot of it is perception problem I was to a single and I was on there the accreditation guys just got a provisional. Then no clue that was the case like I feel like I should know that I feel like I should read bill that now I should read a newspaper as it is thought it somewhere. I didn't know that because I want to economics McCain's you schoolteacher until I was in seventh grade. What they lost their credit markets like you know going there anymore. I've read you've got to figure something out in that part that I feel like a lot of their right now in terms of the perception is. You talk about it doesn't do a lot of really good things I don't feel like people know that's what's happening do you feel like a lot of the August missed education from the public it is a simple perception issue right now. I his perception issue but I also would tell you that it's also what people want to belief. I've no matter how much we do with communication and we don't want a whole lot of it. They are going to be people who is in their mind was say this school system would never be good enough for Mikey it's. And there's nothing that I can do about that and I can tell people that. If you look at how this school district has performed since 2009 in. When that data comes out Allen on November 7 you will see that you know school district is continuously make him progress however. I'll be the first to tell everybody I'm not satisfied where where we are. Right if we're not at or above state average on all these accountability measures and we have a lot of work to do but I also don't wanna disregard. In disrespect the work that's been done they give us to where we are given the different variables that we have to deal with it. That you don't have to deal with out in blue springs. It's like a lot of it is just the take the chance point because you came from Baltimore assumption reviewed a single wire are familiar with the wired vary then Clark Teddy get a conversation or sit down there have Nolan Wada people moved to the suburbs. Crime in schools the like it is the I don't want my kid around crime which is a very valid reason I also want my kids to have a better education. That so much of this perception issue just comes to that. Inner city schools is ours go to summer school so my goal is to write Mikey gets all not to go to school when he to move as far away from the inner cities possible and make sure Mikey can go to one of these suburb schools. And we will what I would tell you is as a parent. Mike gates attended the Houston Independent School District I believe in public education. Mike he's actually attended a suburban school when I lived in Maryland as we lived out in and around the county county. But and marquis is now are attending Kansas City public schools I live in the city I believe in the Kansas City public school system. I try to tell people that. We have schools that are really good schools we have people who have graduated they left our schools engineers. Doctors. Lawyers and professionals. You know I have a board member you know Matt he hopes he has an engineering degree from from his University of Missouri came out of the say. So I tell people that we have schools that have produced. So home sensational. People that are adding value to this society. And yet do we have schools that right now we have a lot of work to do absolutely. Absolutely but. Don't eat the whole school district. As a school district that does not have anything offer because we have a lot to offer so we started a campaign. That we're tweeting now now and it's com. I just looked at and it's week not to long ago. Which is talking about exposing people to do you know. These programs exist. In the Kansas City public schools so we'd do one and now we're putting out information around here at things that we have in our school district that we have to offer. To our community. Here's sitting here with a super it's an advocated sitting users school district doctor mark Bedell so you take the job. July 1 2016. What's the first thing that you saw always all right this has been fixed with the school district like I've studied it from afar I'm sure you do your research before you took the job this have to change what was that. First paying for me was. Just how we were on a message. Things about our school system. The first day that I had an interview with some time during November of 2015. And I got out of mark Carr and I just start walking around now as walking around on eighteen combined. And I was asking people about the school system and you know I was interview footage tomorrow as an educational researcher. Tell me about the cancer to public schools. Army don't want that you keys in in this school system you this. Is this is a mess and all this stuff. So what I heard that is sort of their perception that people have of the school system is that everything is approached. From a deficit lanes so when I say it was. As I did my research. There is good in this school system and there's actually a lot of good so I don't like come in as a superintendent and start approaching things from resiliency lanes. Around what we've done the progress we've made. And the work that we are steel. Embarking upon as we strive to become a fully accredited school system so for me it was really about the messaging. How to write in here at the new superintendent. Give everybody pumped out get out and be very visible in the community be accessible to the media and and don't have any fear to tell you that. No we are we are where we need to be absolutely not but. Here's what I can share with you and why you why we want you to trust us we your children. And one I'll put my three k's in his school system some lead by example. If you. A lot of pride in that. From the Syrian talk about it it seemed like you take a lot of pride in I believe the public school education and I think you'd be easy for you to say Arnold my cue to go to charter school miked go to a private school. And face minimal criticism for it but isn't like you take a point of pride of I'm going to be the leader so let me show the community that I believe in this school system dom essentially trying to sell TU. I am. A public school graduate. In wanted to worst cities in the country. Rochester New York. Back in 2010 only graduated 9% African American males. With that coal or. Two years ago graduation rate was 46 and a half percent. And I can tell you that part of the reason why I made it. Was because the teachers. There are was in the right place. And maybe I was fortunate that our reigning to a few good teachers who told me that you want to teach one day. And I told him on that point to India in the Wichita different but. Freely every unit every inner city black area me a man I was IMO who dream guy I just believed in it and and I wasn't I didn't fall out fell short of it just my little bit because I got invited to NBA camps coming out of college but. You know for me. I just know that. I got a good education I got the foundation and I need about it from the voter colleagues to do well. I was able to do well my eyes eighties. And eventually. You know they would give a doctorate degree and particularly to my profession. At a young age and and I just believe in it but I also know that. It's all about heaven right human capital in place heaven right personnel. I believe a school like Vinocur with people say he is a very difficult school. We put leaking grand and he's only twenty years ago and we truly believe that. He's going to do something in nets who hasn't been done along time but he's also from that community he grew up in that community. So is this connection and is this sense of compassion. And pride that he has for that school would put those two it's. That sometimes putting somebody in the main and the any understanding of that world can offer. We have a conversation earlier about the generational and go back today and it just told about walking up eighteen than bondage is asking people about it. For a lot of things about you are very steadfast on the I wanna be here for a long time to other superintendent the kind of jumped around here but I'm here for the long haul. In a realistic timeframe. How long do you think it takes to change that perception about the school district is a five year plan is it a ten year plan or how long do you think it. Takes it going to take it while I don't think it can be done in three years. I think I can do in three years. What people want me to do which is to really continue to keep people popped up in the shown at the school districts making growth. And in the gay people to say hey where are on board we will we 100%. Believe in this guy he's demonstrated to us. That he's committed and that this school system is going to continue to advance but honestly. I I've told people that. Whether I'm here at three years five years a teen years the work that I'm trying to do right now I mean never see. The foo I may not even see your fruits of this flavor right because I'm trying to set a foundation. That's going to transform his district. And we may not see you into these keys were in kindergarten. Now will eventually become seniors twelve years down the line and we know when you look at statistics of a superintendent and urban school system. Research says 3.2 years I truly believe that. The previous superintendent left and now made it this is in the lead with steel be here and he would be in year six. So I know that there is an opportunity. For me to be here longer in three years right cross on the that I have to perform. But I think that. With dean. Like you say at a team year period. Maybe we could have changed mines may be. It charter schools that we are sponsoring netware sponsor for. Is doing with some phenomenal things and now we're fully accredited school system because it worked that we down with our current schools but this charter school now is. Helping us to increase role in Romanian offering a different instructional programming. That we don't since we have the ability offer right now and our schools and maybe all that's coming together in a momentum and community in the mentoring. And we're flipping this district completely around as you begin to change the perception. Is it but it has to start off. Small bits and pieces I can't coming here and say I'm gonna do ten things in your war. This year is about this and Ernie in next year there may be a focus on two or three things that we noted if we become good at that. That's gonna help in aggregate of how our school performance. Rolls. In each year small initiatives but makes it there intentional and make sure it Dierker strategic in how we're gonna add value to student achievement. When you say defining. Growth how would you define it are we defining that as test scores are redefined adding kids that are graduating how would you define of from year one to your three main target of mine that. We're growing its its ports. The we've moved way PR points up high enough that we use our eight fully accredited school system that's number one. Number two as we think about graduation rates are we moving to win here we are approaching. What the national averages are graduation rate right now is 65%. National average is 83 point five. My job is to say hey wait a month and one closed the gap. At the end of these three years with the Popovich a system that's that we're putting in place. Is that making a difference we go from 6568. To 68 to 71. We have a more keys to a graduating out of our price who would complete your. A complete year to me is having some type of certificate. Or some type a certification. In her career. A technical program we you have a skill set so I look at it from that standpoint coming your marquis is our. Passing near AP exam I. How many of our key it's from a behavioral standpoint do we reduce our suspension rates. And not just reducing it by saying I'm just not going to suspend you would truly transforming a way to our kids interact with each other. So it's a lot of different variables outside of just the academic indicators. That we have to look at you know are more kids coming to school because we've change change that the culture and climate we increase in our that the syndicated to attending schools. 90%. 90% of our students attend schools 9% of the time. I I can tell you lost the wire because what you just say they're you can stats I know all about that but a lot of this stuff otherwise you got a liberal I had a lot of series at home yeah one thing was that we were going on the sport what they have a large season four and few would argue that's the best season. It's about the school system and eight seats the entire time teaching towards the test do you think that's a handicap right now of education because I think it showed the did you to the test but those kids I would say war socially ready and in the other spare me it was socializing those kids. I would argue they were actually learning is that a handicap right now and education. God our hallways so people around that I don't believe in teaching today attests I think you have to teach the whole child in in teach an old child that's. Making sure that these keys again you know well rounded curriculum that we're going deep into the curriculum I mean that was part of the reason why people would say. You noted this folks were common core was not to teach as much but to go a lot deeper will lesbian talk. Of course some states have opted out of that come for me. As a high school principal and I took over a low performing school I knew that I had standard that I had to follow so we we call them. The essential knowledge and skills that every kid is expected to alarm. But you can teach that they still teach a world around a curriculum every state has standards. So even if you during comic Cora your follow in the Missouri State standards. You can still teach that in what I'm trying to do in working with my principles that they give them the innovation to be innovative in the economy. To let their teachers be creative in making sure that we are delivering. What needs to be taught in a way that really teaches the whole child. And so we know that a lot of that's going extremely well what are Montessori school. And but we also know that. Yelled to me. We gotta be with we have to be able to really allow our teachers to be. Facilitators. In our students really own the learning as how that's what worked well for me as a student. You know going today a technical school understanding that. If I'm taking algebra two I have to take algebra two Apollo wanna move into this level of doing electrical construction in heaven that alignment. That show that by taking these rigorous courses where there was physics or chemistry or whatever it may be. You need those courses if you part of you know advance in this trade that you were participating in so. Outlaw marquis is to be well rounded but arsenal that we do have to follow the standards but I think you can be innovative in how you deliver those stairs to accuse. The innovative part. How much of it do you think is a life skills standpoint because what got my cousin. He's only four years old which we can see school went to college global will be dropped out wherever conversational money Wednesday. And it blew my mind what he says he said no one's ever taught me how to save money. It did at 325 next bite your like that it seems like such a very easy concept that I was to go myself what are taught me how to do belly I would so private school. The lights I'll get a Duval like that gorgeous is in taught I feel like education like a lot of very simple life things that you need to learn by experience about credit card debt. Lot of us had a figure that stuff out Emeril nobody ever taught us how do you ever thought about -- to innovate apart like 88 class that is solely with teaching life skills yes. I have in this very it's and you boring because our remember in my previous school district. We surveyed over 300 seniors. And the number one team that Mars was we need we need. Support week going out into the real world how we bow our taxes are we apply. Mean and mean that we apply for grants and write proposals. How we balance a checkbook. Those things came out and is wanted things that think as we go to our strategic planning process and we're talking about the development of adult child. Some that we have to take a strong look at the look at our career on the market. What happens in his senior year you know do we at the redesign a senior year to make you more meaningful because we know in this country. In most cases if you finish most year course work. Over the first three years as senior years yes many get in mind my to a three required classes and and only reported. Now some is a one inch internships. One worked in the you have others who were just like I'm done for the day. So is that in does that become part of our requirement as a school district. Every kid needs to take half a credit. Of course that's an elective course desperate you know that's the requirement for your graduate that really helps you to be prepared. To deal with society. Column in a way that we just simply prepared and some that we that they take a look at in our closest. Active. Now go and sign up right now if you wanna put me down for like a second period at one of these schools a life skills course America to work on more cheap forty. Org she put put me down for life skills some word life skills 101 at Lincoln signed me up for that absolutely I would tell you wanted to things that deed. Com. And one in my previous assignments supervised and high schools. Was we we did. Winning and made some adjustments and a master schedule I found it meet with the personal. We had a lot of wasted minutes during the day. So we did it was we built what we call ID six week we created success plan for every single still. And in his success I mean if you need it. Remediation and or if you needed to do credit recovery use you receive that if you were a senior you were working on apply and colleges. We've been offered you from 1105 to eleven feet the 45 minute period. You then would go with the college access coordinator and you get the support that you need. If you were a kid who had pretty much everything done and everything was together. And we puts you in itself skew class in this soft you class did exactly what you're talking about 445 minutes those keys re litigate. The the support that they needed. There was a teacher or record we brought Stewart in scene we brought people win like you win. Other people would come in and when election to our keys and would talk to them about. That things that you need to be able to do have balancing your life in. To be able to really have an accountability for you manage your money so financial literacy was wanted to be things that we did. We got a grant for state farm. To really promote financial literacy so. You know I know what needs to be done and I know a lot of cant happen overnight but it's a process. And I think as we are looking at how we. Allocate funds and our budget how we view our Massa schedules. These are things that are now part to do I just want to take time but we can do. What's other ideas that you have like I I think people like myself struggle with this very simple belief. Eventually one day I'll have a family and all I had to make a decision on. I'd love to Mikey do living Kansas City go to school in Kansas City all of I didn't wanna go to a private school but my parents like. It was what Google did have a choice like I went where they told me I had to go to school was Loper my kid to go there how could someone like me. Who works as a decent job how can I give back to McKinsey school district an impact changes some kind of way doesn't have a lot of money I'm sure you would just take a million dollar grant by his Davids are you don't have a million dollars give you I do got time. I say that to you earlier is not all about money. I I think said that earlier like it's about you giving your time your presents. My wife is. On an attorney and I just spoke her own arm on my way here. She went to center today. Because she's Darden and after school mentoring program that's in true that she's doing with since Cynthia new son who's with channel one news. Awesome ambitions I believe is what his car she was with two girls that they attend greater in the twelfth grader and see judges raved about. Just how awesome those two girls were now. That I can't pay her to do that any air maybe we have to go in our pocket a little bit. To pay for some of the things that we're trying to do whether it's food it would not. And that doesn't cost a lot of money he noted commie once a month or wants. Every two weeks and work would a couple of students who need a positive but don't advocate in their lives. And that's basically what we told that can mean here when I came to do the story with Danny boy. You wanna help us me understand people can point the finger and say can't see through this is this and that. Will be MB a part of a solution like what you're talking about right now. And come a step up you know we campus Leo it's a fine arts academy. They are a lot of these programs here at that school. Going nearing its indexer to marquis is talk to our key it's that them though that in and outs of the it's in. What you're dealing with now and that's much more than giving money to meet. Your presence is more than money. Talk. About listening a learning is that. Us old listening to administrators or is it. You sit down with students a guy talks about what they like and dislike about the district and you factor that into your evaluation and ideas going full. I'm doing that would everybody's so we don't listen and learning tour when all of the adults I believe we've completed six already and we have four more remaining. Column but then I'm doing what is caught a brown bag lunch with the superintendent. Which students. I'm going to every school and I'm meeting with six students we feed them. And this is all about them talking to me about their experiences thus far in this school system. And what is it would image ranging goals and how can we as a school system better serve them. And then on November 9 I'll be doing a town hall meeting where it's doing it's and we who have a students from middle and high school. He will be on scripted it will be streamed I guess the key is an opportunity. She just acts me whatever anyone actually in the and we gonna do a town Hamid what our teachers that afternoon. From 230 until five. Has it been this is that clear off the wall question optimize it. Have you talked to teachers about how to talk to students about what's been happen in the news and I'm sure students and kids are taught about what's been happen in the news obstacle in the bigger issues in the country. In a lot of the conversation is about kids in that kind of area do you talk some about that about me too presidential candidates have discussed black lives matter it's been a big talking point. Is that been something that you've directed them on what I. I haven't but what I would tell you is I do cover some of those areas in my weekly update us in a weekly update to the call at 2000 employees 2000 plus employees and we generally cover a lot of those different conversations from week to week on you know. Relationships with law enforcement those types that things sent an email out. To all of our principals telling them to. Really help our kids understand how to look at a ballot in what does that mean in you know how do you fill out a ballot in volt so. We I've been doing those types of things calm but my weekly update bassinet out every week to every single employee in the school district and try to cover. Somebody important things that like you and I are talking about or things that in terms accounts is that I have with the mirror anybody else. I got two final questions are you chatting and you got a busy schedule. First question what's next for the district. Was next what industry it is. We're gonna complete its 100 day plan and were working on and Mountain View reports of the board on my findings over the first 100 days. Recommendations that with us here for your findings over these first hundred days. Yes so that the board knows this it is here's what jobs aren't. Here at things that I think we can do right now in the immediate years things probably will have to work on as we move forward with the next phase. Some different Tennessee. Which is the start to strategic plan. To engage the community around. Our theory of action in that direction at the school this is going to be going in over the next four or five years. So that now becomes the next phase which released sometime in November. An article is old we have conclude sometime in April. So that we can in no way our goals and objectives our mission invasion it is. And ultimately. Where ours the it's true academic ball is now hand in his plane at forest to. The term in we have passed this school movement for and we want that the vehicle that process we want the community involved. Markets here superintendent. You're probably single in the air but he can't just be marked the details. As the via community. Last thing I want to ask you here I think it's sums up the conversation that we cuts us a little bit earlier. I have to close friends one album moved this kid up north because there about our school one of a move Piccadilly summit. I think they both would love to keep them in their with a lot of things that we talked about. For people like that some short someone is listening to have the jitters about to do it or would you tell them about why they should keep their keyed in in this city in in the school district. I tell them. Several reasons we do have really good schools right in now have an acts are always encourage people to do your research look at the difference who's that we have mean we have the foreign language academy we have Lincoln. We have hailed cook. We have the single which is one of our signature schools I mean we have schools that are on the rise I tell people. Gulbuddin northeast high school and take a look for yourself that was happening over the year. I so maybe at this stage. It's not a fully accredited school. But is headed in the right direction and is because that is the stability here with the principal. The student body is just awesome. And when you lost the data comes out and you begin a look at the progress is being made over here is this who's this is scooter said in the right direction. We have our. Arm. And I hate this without I don't wanna get it wrong but I know we have our school that response has a charter are urban neighborhood initiative academy. And it's a school that offers a whole different concept it doesn't offers them an offer stinging so you know your focus in on science technology. You know engineering arts and math in S new to our school district in Seoul. We have schools in our school districts that are heading in the right direction. And I just encourage people to take a look at those schools before you do is right off the entire school district because. The more people that we have stand here and taken advantage of the schools that we have. And the more it helps us to increase their roaming the more gives us an opportunity. Today and have more funding to offer a richer experience for arcades in terms of course offerings extra curriculars and things of that nature. Any and ultimately adds value to the school district but I got so people. My creaky it's all of them have been in preschool. Since the age of three. And they've gotten everything that they need those are three key is they're gonna add value to the school district. When is trying to take an assessment when it's time to be involved in extracurricular programs. They are going to be able to do that which ultimately adds value to the overall school district. We have a lot of appearance will move and now and I don't think that they've given us a fair shake in terms of look and that. All of our schools and with each of our schools have to offer. And so we want them with us and and it's my job to do everything in my power to make sure. That every single school. All of our neighborhood schools are phenomenal schools. Regardless of the zip code that you come from we need to be making sure that we build and our schools up to be great schools for arcades in the within those communities. I was superintendent doctor Martin Bedell I enjoyed the conversation not a talking for hours and you gotta go. And your hungry I'm hungry to those guys your home its version thank thank you.


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The Apple HomePod is a £319 speaker with Siri built-in. It plans to take on not only the much-cheaper Amazon Echo and Google Home but systems like Sonos too.
Apple wants to deliver not only a connected smart speaker but wants to address one of the biggest weaknesses among the current smart speaker pack: sound quality.
With better quality options now appearing from elsewhere with the £199 Sonos One and £399 Google Home Max does Apple have what it takes to challenge an already crowded market with the HomePod?
A stylish and simple design
- 172 x 143mm, barrel shaped, 2.5kg
- Mesh covered for 360-degree sound
- Flattened top with touch controls and Siri waveform
The cylindrical speaker covered in a mesh fabric - which Apple created specifically for the HomePod - promises to put music at the forefront of the experience. The 7-inch tall speaker comes in either white or space grey (pictured) and features an array of speakers to create a well-rounded balance of treble and bass regardless of where you place it in the room.
A single detachable power cable (although we wouldn't recommend you try and detach it) comes out just above the base, while a touch-sensitive display panel on the top shows volume controls when needed, as well as a glowing rainbow of lights when Siri is responding to your commands or questions - called the "Siri waveform".
- The best Apple HomePod tips and tricks
- What is Siri and how does Siri work?
- 65 funny things to ask Siri for a good giggle
Sadly, those Siri lights aren't always clear enough to be seen from various positions around the room. Amazon solved this problem with a clean light ring around the top of the Echo and Echo Plus, while Google angled the top of Google Home. Apple's approach? You can have an audible beep, very much like Alexa, to ensure you know that you are expected to give a command, but in the time we've been using it, Siri's voice response is so good not being able to see when it's listening probably isn't as important as other smart speakers.
There are resemblances to the company's cylindrical Mac Pro computer, although it's not as big or as shiny. Like Google Home and the Amazon Echo, this is a speaker that is designed to sit in any environment, be it the bedroom or the kitchen, and it's a design that works from all angles when it comes to the sound performance - but more on that in a bit.
Cautionary note: White marks on some surfaces
- #Ringgate: How to stop HomePod from leaving rings on wood surfaces
- Funniest internet reactions to Apple HomePod's white ring marks
The Apple HomePod speaker sits flat on any given surface creating a snug fit, presumably to help resonate and amplify the bass. It is this snug fit that could cause you problems however. For our tests we placed the speaker on a solid oak kitchen worktop treated with Danish oil.
Within 20 minutes the HomePod had caused a white discoloured ring to appear on the wood that some days later has faded, although still hasn't completely disappeared.
We subsequently tested the HomePod on other materials: the same wood that hadn't been treated with Danish oil and a regular lacquered desk and haven't seen the same issues.
When questioned, Apple told us it was "not unusual" for a speaker with a silicone base to leave a "mild mark" when placed on certain oil or wax based wood finished surfaces, suggesting the marks are caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface.
The company suggested it can improve over several days after the speaker is removed from the wood surface and if it doesn't self-correct, to try cleaning the surface with the manufacturer's suggested oiling method.
For us the mark hasn't disappeared and we have had to sand and then re-oil our worktop. It's certainly something to be careful of, especially if you're about to put it down on that rather nice worktop or quality piece of furniture. It's also now acknowledged as a singular issue with other reviewers and users reporting the same issue.
HomePod is a self-tuning speaker
- Sound adapts based on speaker placement
- 6 microphones
Turn the speaker on and it will automatically tune itself to maximise the performance based on its position in the room.
Unlike Sonos which requires you to wave your phone around to create a better "sound landscape" using its TruePlay technology, Apple says that the speaker sends out an array of sounds and then uses the six built-in microphones to hear how those sounds reverberate around the room.
When freestanding in a room, HomePod beams consistent 360-degree audio throughout the room. When against a wall or on a bookshelf, the included Apple A8 chip (the same chip that powers the iPhone 6) analyses the music and appropriately beams direct energy and centre vocals into the middle of the room, while reflecting the ambient reverb and backup vocals against the wall for dispersion into the room.
It means that you should have the "perfect sounding" speaker whatever room you're using it in and it won't matter if you place it on a table in the centre of the room or in a corner. The sound will be adapted to make sure you get the best results out of it.
During our testing we've listened to it in a number of different rooms around the house and it sounds great wherever we've put it. Up against the wall, in a corner, in the middle of the room all produce the same performance. Likewise, rooms with plenty of carpet and fabric faired equally well as rooms with lots of hard surfaces. Fascinatingly the speaker features an accelerometer that when sensing it's been picked up will go through the same re-tuning process all over again.
The only time the sound performance did change was when it was placed it on coaster to try to stop the white marks we mentioned above. That then caused a drop in the quality, presumably because it doesn't resonate as effectively.
Adding a second HomePod to create a stereo pair is equally as easy. Plug it in, find the pair via the Home app and Apple does the rest. The stereo pair works a charm, and isn't just about making things "louder". We tested it on a number of songs that play with a left and right channel and it immerses and engulfs you in sound. It's glorious.
How do you set-up Apple HomePod?
Like Apple's other recent products all you have to do to set-up the HomePod is turn it on and put your iPhone near it. A setup screen will appear, you say yes to a couple of questions and then moments later you're good to go having added the HomePod to your Wi-Fi, added all your HomeKit accessories, and logged you into Apple Music. It couldn't be easier.
The bottom line is it takes less than 2 minutes, which is a great start.
Apple Music at the heart of the experience
- Only supports Apple Music
- Radio is available but limited, and doesn't include the BBC
- Only supports AirPlay 2
As it stands, the HomePod can directly connect with Apple Music or play tracks you've "iTune Matched". While iTunes Match is an option (£21.99 in the UK), as is AirPlay, without an Apple Music subscription the HomePod is very limited when it comes to playing music.
There is no Bluetooth support. You can now access a number of radio stations through iTunes, like Capital FM or Apple's own Beats 1 you still can't access the BBCs large staple of stations. We suspect that's likely to be a deal breaker for many, given that connectivity to a wide range of services has very much been the theme of technology over the past few years. "Hey Siri, play me Radio 1" just isn't possible.
Yes, you can AirPlay the radio or Spotify from your iPhone or iPad, but that defeats the point. This is a voice-controlled speaker, but there's only really Apple Music to control. Sonos, Amazon, and Google all support TuneIn radio and plenty of other music services so we're slightly baffled as to why Apple doesn't even try to.
If you are an Apple Music subscriber, then all is good in the world of Apple and the HomePod. You can gleefully call on any one of the service's 40m+ tracks to play instantly, or have Siri create a band radio station just for you.
Then there are the numerous editorially-driven playlists, genre-based stations, mood-based stations or activity-based offerings. You can go further still, with commands like "Hey Siri, play some upbeat R&B" or "Hey Siri, play this year's Grammy Nominees", although these sorts of things aren't unique to Apple Music. In the 6+ months we've been using the HomePod we've found ourselves simply saying "Hey Siri, play some music" and sure enough a collection of varied tunes comes streaming back. If, as is sometimes the case were not in the mood for what Siri has suggested, you can simply say "Hey Siri, play something else" and the tempo and style quickly changes.
Apple Music has most tracks you'll want to play, unless your music tastes are incredibly niche, and for the most part the playlists and radio stations are very good. In the worst case you can always say "Hey Siri, skip" or if you want to improve things, actively tell Siri that you like what you're listening to - "Hey Siri, I like this track" and the service learns as you listen. Thankfully you can turn off "Use Listening History" if you suspect that your kids will destroy your refined music taste with Disney or The Greatest Showman", but then you do lose that personalisation feature for yourself.
Controlling the music without your voice is somewhat clumsy though. The problem seems to come about because Siri on your iPhone is also keen to play you music rather than just being a remote control for your HomePod. In fusing control of two devices, some of the clarity seems to have got lost.
To use your iPhone as a remote for the HomePod - or even to see what is playing - you need to go deep within the Apple Music app, not select the button that seems the most obvious choice, but select another almost hidden button (you can also access it via the Control Center via yet another hidden button). It's from here you can then control the music on your HomePod from your iPhone or iPad. The experience has been made easier thanks to the introduction of AirPlay 2 meaning you can stream music to your HomePod and still watch YouTube videos at the same time without that blurting over the house.
AirPlay 2 has also introduced multiroom and this is incredibly easy. In the app it's a case of simply ticking the box to add or remove more rooms. You can also do this via a voice command as well.
Hearing you from all corners of the room
One of the key things the Apple HomePod has going for it, is that it can hear you pretty much regardless of where you are in the room, or at any volume. Say "Hey, Siri" and the speaker jumps into life. We've yet to have it where the speaker hasn't flashed ready to hear our command, even when we've said "Hey, Siri" under our breath. That's something that can't be said for the Sonos One or Echo.
It might not get the answer right, or give you the answer you want, but those six microphones inside certainly do a great job listening out for what you've got to say.
Apple HomePod sound performance
- 4-inch up-firing central woofer
- 7 tweeters
- Adaptive software to reduce distortion
We've tested the HomePod alongside rivals from the Echo and Google Home family, as well as Sonos speakers and we'd say that the HomePod beats all of them in terms of sound performance, making this the best sounding speaker of its type.
It's coped admirably with every track we've thrown at it from Daft Punk to Cyndi Lauper, Hans Zimmer to Drake. Heck, it's even made the 1987 Bruce Willis album The Return of Bruno sound great. No easy feat.
Where the HomePod excels is in not only capably delivering a thumping bass line when needed, but also producing quality mid-tones and treble too. Artists like Gregory Porter and Norah Jones sound sublime, while pop tracks from Ed Sheeran or Demi Lovato arrive in a way that is a far cry from the Beats sound experience. Because of the design there's no "sweet spot": the music simply engulfs you wherever you are standing or sitting in the room. It's very clever, and very apparent, especially on acoustic live tracks.
While it's clear that the HomePod enjoys being played loud, remaining distortion-free as you turn it up, it still does a good job at low levels without losing the definition of what it's playing. Add a second and the stereo pair is equally more than the sum of its parts. It might have set you back £700, but it certainly sounds like it should be more.
It's not just the smaller smart speakers that the HomePod beats in terms of performance, but more expensive ones too. It's certainly comparable to the non-smart Sonos Play:5, a £500 speaker. Put simply, you're unlikely to be disappointed with the sound of the HomePod and this is a key strength.
HomePod as a smart speaker beyond music
- Siri able to handle contextual searches
- Full HomeKit integration
- Messages, calls and reminders
Beyond being a great speaker, Apple has used an A8 processor to manage a lot of the heavy lifting and power Siri. It means that, like the Echo and Google Home, the HomePod offers a personal assistant: Siri. Like other Apple devices, you can ask Siri questions, issue smart home commands and so on.
Beyond basic music controls, Siri can also handle advanced searches within the music library, so users can ask questions like "Hey Siri, what song is this?" to "Hey Siri, who's the drummer in this?"
But the smart speaker bar has been set high and the likes of Alexa and Google Assistant are slowly taking over all forms of connected devices and integrating with lots of services, so the offering beyond the music is a lot more important than it might once have been.
It also means Apple can push updates to the speaker. To update your HomePod to iOS 12 and benefit from the new multi-room and stereo pair features that come with Airplay 2, as well as making and receiving calls, mulitiple timers and finding out song lyrics, you have to go into the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. To check you've got the latest update once your iPhone or iPad has been updated, go to the Home app, then tap on the Location arrow in the upper right hand corner. From there, select Software Update if you're keen to make sure you're on the latest version.
HomePod and HomeKit
When you aren't asking about music you can control all the HomeKit-enabled devices in your home, turning on lights, creating scenes, and HomePod instantly has access to all your existing HomeKit-enabled devices, routines and scenes.
Within 3 minutes we had Siri controlling our Philips Hue lights and turning off an Elgato Eve Smart Plug. Like Apple TV, the HomePod can act as a home hub, providing remote access and home automation through the Home app on iPhone or iPad, meaning you can then control your devices from out of the house.
HomePod's HomeKit skills mirror the experience on an iPhone or iPad, but at times feels light years behind Amazon and Google's offering. While Amazon is busy adding Skills on a daily basis and getting others to do the same (there are 30,000 and counting), Apple offers virtually no third-party support aside from messaging apps.
Surprisingly, there is no support currently within HomeKit to get the HomePod to play a sound or music on a given instruction. There are plenty of reasons Apple should add this, for example, letting HomePod play a sound when a HomeKit enabled alarm goes off, or someone pressing a HomeKit enabled doorbell to play a sound, or even a HomeKit-enabled Scene that plays a tune as you walk in through the front door just like in Back To The Future 2. There's no support for this on Echo either - one for the developer wish list.
HomePod has at least fixed one problem from launch - multiple timers. As of iOS 12 that's now supported.
You can see a full breakdown of how the three systems compare in our comprehensive Apple HomePod vs Google Home vs Amazon Echo: What's the difference? feature.
Making calls, sends texts, and creating reminders
The HomePod is tied to a single Apple iCloud account and that allows you to send text messages, add or create Reminders, Lists, or Notes and hand off a call that you've started on your iPhone to the speaker. You can't have multiple users.
On the messaging front, Apple offers support for iMessage, SMS messaging, as well as third-party apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Skype, Linked In, and textPlus. On the Reminders/Lists front the HomePod supports Evernote, Things 3, Remember The Milk, Picniic, Streaks, and OmniFocus 2.
The integration is seamless on the messaging front. Although initially you couldn't make phone calls via HomePod, with iOS 12 you now can. The experience is simple and easy, although we've found the sound will only come through one speaker even if you are using a stereo pair. Because of the excellent mic, sound quality at the other end works perfectly, although you'll have to emotionally get used to talking to something across the room. Only you'll know if that's something you can do.
If giving anyone with a voice the ability to send messages or add things to your reminders lists sounds a little too dangerous in your home or office, you can turn the feature off. The settings are buried within the Home app.
Hey Siri, you might actually be the problem here
Let's cut to the chase: we said that the bar had been set high for smart speakers by the likes of Amazon and Google. Apple had time to perfect Siri and the HomePod experience, but sadly, that doesn't seem to have happened.
Siri, while sounding okay on the iPhone, doesn't sound like a native English speaker on HomePod. Compared to Alexa, Siri sounds horrid. Words are hacked together, things aren't pronounced correctly, and everything sounds abrupt. There's no fluidity or conversational flair. It's a talking computer without personality.
It's not that Siri can't turn off the lights, play a song or answer a simple question, it's just there doesn't seem to be the same magic, the same show-off moments. Ask Alexa to sing you happy birthday and it'll jump right to it, bringing a smile to your face, ask Siri and you get the excuse that it's just a speaker. Oh, maybe it is just a speaker?
It's this lack of intelligence that makes everything feel a little disjointed if you look at the HomePod as anything more than a streaming music speaker. It's as if HomePod exists as a singular entity within the Apple eco-system rather than the conduit for all Apple's devices. It feels like it has to be owned by your iPhone, in the same way you would a pair of AirPods, rather than being the heart of your home and music you've been waiting for. And that's a little disappointing. That's very different from the experience Amazon or Google are selling.
We suspect that much of what we don't like will be fixed and refined over the coming months if not years. Some nine months in and we've seen some updates; phone calls, multiple timers, lyric support, but no huge leaps in Siri's performance.
If we were grading the HomePod on its sound performance alone it would be a slam dunk. Apple has produced a small speaker that produces a sound way above its stature, in a way that is enjoyable to listen to whatever you music you're in to. It is a natural sound that's nicely balanced rather than one that is too tinny or too bass heavy, and the more we listen to it, the more we realise just how good it sounds given its size.
But we aren't grading it on just its sound quality and neither will anyone else - and that's where it all starts to disappoint. The HomePod is just not smart enough when pitched against the likes of the cheap little Amazon Echo or Google Home, Siri is not refined enough and even the experience between the iPhone and the HomePod feels confused.
We know that this will change and we know that Apple is great at creating and refining user experiences, but this doesn't feel like the £319 breakthrough speaker you might expect it to be once you look past the sound capabilities.
If you live in the Apple ecosystem for the most part you'll be fine, but even then you can be left wanting more. For now, it's just a speaker that sounds great, that isn't very smart.
Review first published in March 2018
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Alternatives to consider
Amazon Echo Plus with Echo Sub
Amazon's Echo dominates the smart speaker segment and if you're considering an alternative for the HomePod, it doesn't get smarter than the Echo Plus. The great thing about the Echo Plus is that you can buy a stereo pair with the Echo Sub for less than the price of a HomePod, giving you a smarter system with a 2.1 setup. The downside is that it won't natively play Apple Music (you'd have to use Bluetooth for that) and there's no AirPlay 2 support.
Sonos One
Sonos One has the advantage of not only being smart, but sitting as a gateway to a wider Sonos system. As such, not only does it offer Alexa voice control and great Sonos sound, but it can also be AirPlay 2 compatible and play Apple Music - so it's something of a device that covers all bases. It doesn't have the punch of the HomePod, but it's half the price.


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Notice of Renovation
Adding Yamachan™ Ramen and Bubble Tea to Sushi and Hibachi
Snap a Roll Mechanicsville will be temporarily closed for renovation.
We will add Yamachan™ Ramen, and Bubble Tea to our offerings as well as improve the process for better services. Yamachan is commonly recognized as the #1 Japanese brand for Ramen. In about 30 days, you will see more selections, faster service, and believe-it-or-not, lower prices!
In the past several months, we found that customers liked Sushi and Hibachi but were not very fond of the All-You-Can-Eat dining concept. Customers desire more selections and lower prices. Therefore, we will continue to offer a la cart Sushi and Hibachi in the future. We will renovate the restaurant to add Ramen and Bubble Tea. During the renovation period, we will also assemble a new management team and better train service staff. We expect the service process to be faster and more customer friendly. You will certainly feel the difference when you return in about 30 days!
Renovation effort will start immediately. Please call (804) 242-0888 or (804) 706-6600 to check for the latest status.


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This project is located at Al Barsha South, Dubai. Due to the area demand for mosque, Palace Engineering was nominated for design of a grand mosque as per client requirements. Project is ordered by "Dubai Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities department" and their regulations for design of Mosque projects in Dubai.
Several design concepts were submitted to client to choose final design in order to proceed with construction.
Project is under construction now.


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First day in Paris for Wojtek and Ilona, two young Poles in love. One of the world's most romantic cities awaits them -- the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysees all beckon. But first stop on their must-see list is the grimy underpass where Princess Diana met her death.
Nearly eight years after her fatal car crash, Diana's specter, enduring popularity and unproven suspicions she was murdered loom over the weekend wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
The prince, by all accounts, is finally marrying the woman he has loved for decades. For Diana admirers, that's the rub.
Disrespectful. Disgusting. The final betrayal. For Di-hard fans, hackles rise against Charles tying the knot with the old flame whom the princess blamed for the breakup of her marriage to the Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne.
Parker Bowles will, through the wedding, get a royal title, but Diana remains the people's princess for those who still flock -- some of out affection, many out of curiosity -- to the Diana crash site beside the River Seine.
A note left there with a single white rose this week summed it up. "In memory of the true Princess of Wales," it said, along with an "x" as a kiss.
"This is an important place," said Wojtek Nowak, the Pole who with his girlfriend Ilona Ciuk peered from the busy intersection above into the dim tunnel that will likely always be remembered for Diana.
In Paris, he said, "there are always a few places you want to visit. But this was on the top of our list."
Lovers can identify with the cruel irony of Diana meeting death just as she seemed, finally, to be finding love.
It was the night of Aug. 31, 1997, and Diana's new beau, Dodi Fayed, was beside her on the back seat of the speeding black Mercedes 280 driven by a drunk chauffeur, Henri Paul.
They had dined in the Imperial Suite of the Ritz Hotel, owned by Dodi's billionaire Egyptian-born father, Mohammed Al Fayed.
As they waited for their limousine after the meal, Dodi slipped his arm protectively around Diana's waist. They sat together in the back seat as Paris sped past the windows and when Paul lost control of the car that slammed into the 13th concrete pillar, running east-to-west, of the tunnel under the Place de l'Alma, within sight of the Eiffel Tower.
Dodi and Paul were killed immediately. Diana, taken to Paris' La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital, was declared dead about 3 1/2 hours later. Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was the only survivor -- and the only one wearing a seatbelt.
Polish TV cut into regular programming with live reports from Paris, Nowak and his girlfriend recalled.
Janine Gallagher, from Lancashire in northern England, still smarts over what she regarded as the slowness of Diana's former mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, to react to the princess' death.
"It changed the way we viewed the royals, because of the way the Queen treated her. It's unforgivable," said Gallagher, another pilgrim to the gilded flame sculpture above the tunnel that has become something of a shrine to Diana. This week, around its base and on chains that surround it were a dozen bunches of rotting flowers, an olive branch, ribbons, hairbands, and an empty perfume bottle.
"Nobody can take her place. In my opinion, that wedding should not be going ahead. It's disrespectful to Diana," Gallagher added. "The royals are supposed to set an example but they are worse than Joe Public."
A French investigation blamed Paul, saying he was inebriated, under the effects of drugs incompatible with alcohol, and driving too fast.
But graffiti, some fresh, that covers the balustrade above the tunnel echoes conspiracy theories that Diana's death was deliberate -- perhaps because her relationship with Dodi somehow disturbed the British establishment.
"May God Punish the Ones that Murdered You," says one scrawl signed "F.DL.C.B Miami March 2005."
"Diana, nobody forgets you (especially not the Arabs), thank you," "We Cubans Love You, Jose," and "Diana, you deserve a better homage than graffiti on a bridge," read others.
Fans remember Diana's charitable works, her campaign against land mines, her many kindnesses captured by photographers who followed her around. A faded photocopied picture taped to the base of the flame sculpture shows her cradling a baby, a British Red Cross sticker over her heart.
And while Diana was a fashion icon, Parker Bowles was recently savaged by British media for wearing an unflattering pair of denim jeans in public.
"The fashion world winced in pain," commented the Edinburgh Evening News.
Diana nicknamed Parker Bowles "the Rottweiler." Unfair, surely, but the bad image persists.
"She has no chance of beating Diana, ever, ever," said Nowak, the Pole.


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ESPN and Orbitz Team to Offer Sports Travel
Now there's a marriage made in heaven. ESPN and major travel booking site Orbitz have teamed to provide ESPN Sports Travel, a travel booking site catering to sports fans. Whether it's hockey, soccer, basketball, or golf, sports buffs can look up schedules and book trips without leaving the ESPN site.
In addition to sports news, schedules, and statistics, the new site offers a sports trip planner, with upcoming dates for all kinds of sports events. To help in researching your planned destination, ESPN has published 16 city guides, with plans in the works for another 34. The guides cover off local stadiums, arenas, golf courses, local sporting events, and more.
The site can be found at ESPN Sports Travel. For hundreds of other city guides and travel planning resources, see WebLens travel tools.


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Oman Shipping Signs Three-Year Deal with Shell International
Oman Shipping Company (OSC) today announced that its subsidiary, Oman Charter Company (OCC), has entered into a contract of affreightment (COA) agreement with Shell International Eastern Trading Company (Shell) for three years.
The contract grants Shell access to the Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) operated by OCC for Crude oil cargo transportation requirements and provides OCC with the cargo base it needs to support its commercial operations.
"We are pleased to associate ourselves once again with Shell," said Tarik Al-Junaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Shipping Company. "In addition to the 10 MR tankers that we have recently chartered to Shell, this COA demonstrates the ability of Oman Shipping Company and its subsidiaries to deliver top shipping solutions that meet the requirements of our esteemed clients. It is our endeavor to continuously provide our customers with reliable transportation services and to find mutual solutions that benefit both parties."
Mike Muller, Vice President for Trading and Supply Crude, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company, said: "For more than 50 years, Shell in Oman has been committed to meeting the country's growing energy demand in a socially and economically responsible manner. We look forward to strengthening this well-established relationship through this agreement with Oman Shipping Company (OSC). Shell's unique trading capabilities allow us to support OCC in building their commercial operations, and our hope is that this will boost Oman's position as a world player in the oil and gas industry."
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.