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Interview with illustrator Mike Bukowski
It's interesting to watch someone grow as an artist right before your eyes. I have been friends with Philadelphia illustrator Mike Bukowski for about a decade now, and I can honestly say I've seen just that. From doing fliers for local shows, to record covers for international bands, to having his own solo shows, the progression has been obvious. We sat down at his South Philadelphia home to talk about "Roll for Damage", his new show in which we see his interpretations of classic Dungeon & Dragons creatures.
Denis: You have a show coming up and it's based solely on Dungeons & Dragons creatures, why?
Mike: I'm really into monsters. Bestiaries in general are kind of a thing I've been getting into lately. I think just about every show I've done in Philadelphia has been some sort of bestiary, either real animals or monsters of some sort. I was actually on the way home from Benna's [coffee shop/art space in South Philadelphia] one day and there was a flea market right outside your old house and some guy was selling the 2nd edition Monster Manual and the Fiend Folio [Dungeons & Dragons Publications]. I bought them from him because I thought the illustrations were…"badly neat", if that makes any sense. It's not the term, but you know. I thought it would be cool to reinterpret those drawings even though I know a million people have since in subsequent Monster Manuals. I thought, much like the H.P. Lovecraft drawings that I've done, there is almost what seem like impossible combinations of monsters and elements of animals together. Like a brain with tentacles and a bird beak doesn't make any sense, so it's kind of cool to take that idea and try to actually make it come to life and not look stupid, which I don't know if I did.
Denis: I think anyone who is familiar with those Monster Manuals knows exactly what you mean by "badly neat", which is why I think some people might have a problem with you reinterpreting them because that was a lot of the allure to those images…they were so crappy but awesome at the same.
Mike: They are really crappy. The Hook Horror specifically it's just this, it kind of looks like a skeksi [creatures from "The Dark Crystal"] with armor and two giant hooks where its hands would be, and I was thinking how if this were any sort of real life world, how evolutionarily there would be no benefits to that at all. You wouldn't be able to do anything with your hands besides claw warriors.
Denis: I thought maybe F. Gary Gygax…Is that his first initial? Is it F? [Ed.Note: It's E]
Mike: I think it's just Gary Gygax. Right?
Denis: [Mike searches through the Monster Manual to get the proper name of the man that created Dungeons & Dragons]
Mike: I'm sure everyone reading this is waiting on the edge of their seat.
Denis: I don't think you can read moments.
Mike: It just says Gary Gygax in this one.
Denis: Well, I'm sure Gary Gygax was just trying to come up with the most ridiculous monstrosities that he could in the beginning.
Mike: Some of them are monstrosities but some of them are just stupid. Like one of them was a gorilla bear which is just a gorilla with the arms of a bear. So it's not that much different than a gorilla.
Denis: Have you ever played Dungeons & Dragons?
Mike: I've actually never played Dungeons & Dragons.
Denis: You'll find that a lot of them are just absurd, and ridiculous and not worth anything. So, you have no idea if you're lawful good or chaotic neutral?
Mike: No, I have no idea actually. That is actually one of the things that always deterred me from it. It seemed very complicated.
Denis: I'm lawful good, if you were wondering.
Mike: Oh are you? What would you say I am?
Denis: Oh you're chaotic neutral.
Mike: I don't know what that means.
Denis: Exactly.
Mike: No, I've played Call of Cthulhu with you. I've played Shadowrun. I was really into Vampire: The Masquerade in high school.
Denis: Wow, you're going to admit that?
Mike: I'll admit it. Whatever.
Denis: How did you enjoy the Crow for the 20th time?
Mike: It can't rain all the time.
Denis: What number show is this for you?
Mike: Solo show or including group shows?
Denis: Solo show.
Mike: I'm not being cocky I just don't remember most things. I want to say around 6.
Denis: What is the challenge of doing a solo show? Do you just say "I'm gonna do a solo show next year" and then come up with an idea or do you have the idea first, start working on it and then put a date for a show?
Mike: It's a little weird because it kind of evolved into something different than what it started as. The first show I did was a show in Belgium, which set the bar way too high. They flew me out, it was kind of a retrospective of all the work I had done up until that point and like maybe four new pieces. That gave me a very skewed perspective on what doing non-commissioned art shows would be like. Since then all of the shows I've done have been personal projects I've been working on. It's gotten to the point where people are asking me before I have time to organically make the work. I can't just say "I'll draw just monsters." It has to come from somewhere and seeing that guy at the flea market with the Monster Manual was when it happened. Unfortunately it was kind of later in the game than when I would have liked to start it. I think the animal show that I did at Benna's, I started that a year before it actually went up. This one I started maybe four months ahead of time.
Denis: How do you see that your work has changed from strictly doing show fliers and work for R.A.M.B.O. [Philadelphia hardcore band 1999-2007] years ago to now doing records for international bands and doing your own solo shows? And how does it feel for you to go back and do fliers for shows or maybe humorous shirts or record covers for bands?
Mike: I think part of it is not taking myself too seriously, not getting too wrapped up in it. I'll always do covers for bands. Honestly, I've never heard most of the bands I do covers for because a lot of them are new and from other countries so I haven't gotten a chance to see them. I don't know if I'm answering this question right but I love doing it so I'm not going to stop. So I'll basically kind of always do whatever anyone asks me to as long as it fits the criteria that I've laid out which is no sexist, racist or homophobic stuff.
Denis: That brings me to my next question. Have you turned down things that you didn't agree with?
Mike: I have. I don't think I've told many people this but Michale Graves' [former singer for The Misfits] publicist approached me once via email and asked me if I would do something for a Michale Graves record. I don't know if I said "no" but I think I asked for $22,000 and I was very cocky in the email, like it was obvious I was being a dick to him. Even if he did offer me the $22,000 I wouldn't have done it, or if I did it would have just been a drawing of him as a dick and that would have been it.
Denis: Do you want to explain why you would turn Michale Graves down?
Mike: Michale Graves is, what's the website he runs? Punk Republican or something? Conservative Punk? He's a douche bag.
Denis: You know conservative politics and punk music go real well together. [sarcasm]
Mike: There was also a compilation that I did a record cover for. The person that contacted me was really nice and obviously knew the kind of stuff that I did, and I'd heard of most of the bands. There were a few bands I had never heard of before. When I got it in the mail one of the bands had really fucked up, misogynist lyrics. There was nothing I could do at that point. It was different because it was a compilation so I didn't have the one on one contact with every person in the band. The only thing I could think to do was write a letter to MRR [Maximum Rock and Roll – a punk magazine] and apologize for it.
Denis: Has there been something that you have done that has been widely accepted or that you were surprised at the reception?
Mike: The Rock Against Bush cover, which I'm also not very happy with but it was a while ago so I'll let that go. At some point, I think I was still doing stuff with R.A.M.B.O. and Andy Wheeler [R.A.M.B.O. guitarist] called me up and told me I should go the Starlight because Anti-Flag was there and my drawing was plastered on their bus. It wasn't a van, it was an actual tour bus and all four sides of it had this giant 5ft tall George Bush head on it that I drew. It was really weird. And one of the funny things was, one of the execs at Fat Wreck Chords was talking with me and joking "oh, we don't owe you any extra money for this? " and it was like "ha-ha, kind of you do." I understand what it was for and I agreed with it at the time, but I think that I got paid very little for it. It might sound like a contradiction to talk about how much I love doing this and how I'd never stop but then also talk about how I need to get paid for it. I don't make a lot off of it so when I am deserving payment for the thing that I did, I would really like to get it and would really like a large label like Fat Wreck Chords to not joke with me about how they're not paying me for it.
Denis: Because at this point in time it's not really a hobby anymore.
Mike: No it's not.
Denis: I'm sure you love doing it but it does supplement your income.
Mike: Yeah.
Denis: You've done a lot of record covers and t-shirts for bands across the world. How does that happen?
Mike: I think a lot of it was from when I first started with Shark Attack, R.A.M.B.O., Down in Flames and Tear It Up Records. I think for all of those the combined payment was maybe $100 and a dinner. And my only stipulation was that my website and email address be in every single record. I guess a lot of those records were popular at the time. They got bootlegged and legitimately distributed in Southeast Asia and Central America, so people got those records with my information on them and the internet is free and accessible to everyone. That's mostly how it happened I think. Just word of mouth from having my website and email on record covers. Being on tour with R.A.M.B.O. helped a lot because I would meet people, we would start talking, they would figure out who I was and then ask me if I would be interested in doing a demo cover for their band. And then other people in the Czech Republic would see that and other people in Australia would see the other thing that I did. The Australia thing definitively snowballed. It's ridiculous; a lot of the work I do is for Australian bands and clothing companies.
Denis: Do you want to publicly thank the Internet right now?
Mike: I would like to publicly thank the Internet. I hear it weighs nothing.
Denis: What?
Mike: I hear it weighs nothing.
Denis: It's true….
Mike: It's really light.
Denis: It weighs nothing? I don't get it. [Apparently Mike was referencing a TV show]
Mike: [laughs]
Denis: The Internet has played a huge part in how you have gotten your name out there. Do you think the Internet has made you lazier as an artist or has it made you try harder?
Mike: I definitely think the exact opposite of that. I don't think that's the case at all. It's probably made it easier to do some things. It makes it easier to accomplish certain things. It doesn't make me personally take it easier because, like I said, I'll accept almost any job that anyone asks me to do. I've been basically working for 10 years straight, doing this because of the Internet. I haven't really taken any time off except to go on tour or go on vacation for a little while, but there has never been that long of a lull. (knocks on his desk)
Denis: Knock on wood.
Mike: Knock on my desk.
Denis: You know that's not wood right?
Mike: Yeah. But it's also kind of driven me because I can see other people that are doing the same thing as me very easily. I can do a Google search, or looking at other record covers I can see other people that are making record cover art and be like "oh fuck that guy is awesome, I better step up my game". It pushes me. It definitely doesn't make me lazier. It's weird, because I think that it's definitely a completely different time from when people like Mad Marc Rude or Pushead were doing things through mail and through zines and stuff. I would not have gotten the amount of recognition that I have now. It would have taken me a lot longer. And also the amount of work I've done for bands would have been a lot less. I probably would have done the same amount of work for myself.
Denis: Your art definitely has a focus on horror, macabre, sci-fi, scary monsters…that sort of thing. Are you trying to work something out? Maybe by drawing monsters are you trying to protect yourself from them?
Mike: Whoa deep!
Denis: Yeah, I go to college now.
Mike: No, I really don't think so. I've never really been that scared of monsters. I've never really had anything super-traumatic happen to me so it's not like I'm retreating into my art to get away from it. Maybe I am just not thinking about it hard enough, but most of it is that since I was a little kid I thought monsters were cool! I would always gravitate towards "Tales From The Crypt" instead of Superman comics. Now I'll read Hellboy instead of X-Men. I've just always gravitated towards more macabre stuff. Actually, I think my aunt has the first drawing I could remember making which is a crayon drawing of the shark from Jaws being stabbed by 20 harpoons with a lot of blood all over the place. And that was before even the minor fucked up things happened in my life. It's just something I've always been interested in.
Denis: You went to art school?
Mike: Yes, I went to University of the Arts.
Denis: Do you want to give art students the message to stay in school? Is schooling for art helpful?
Mike: Yes I would say that. It was helpful to me. I viewed it as a technical school, as a place to hone your skill. They had me on a strict regimen of practicing and learning anatomy and looking at the human figure and meeting deadlines, learning how to use color. It's stuff that I wouldn't have thought of or I would have thought of it way later in the game, so it was good to have that kind of guidance and focus. I do think grad school for art is a big waste of time. At a certain point you just have to go out on your own and learn it, and exist as an artist in the real world.
Denis: Interesting.
Mike: Controversial?
Denis: Controversial!
Denis: Let's talk about your process. How does something go from an idea to a finished piece that we see on the wall or on a record?
Mike: It usually starts with an absurd primitive thumbnail sketch that looks like a bunch of squiggles. You can probably pick out a skull and that's about it. From there I'll usually take reference photos, which are hysterical, of me or my friends in various poses.
Denis: Or one of your best friends in a cemetery in the middle of Old City?
Mike: Yes, that's happened.
Mike: From the photo, I'll gather other internet references of a place or a building. Then I do a pencil drawing, and then I'll ink that. The pencil drawing takes a day or two, to ink it takes another day. Then I'll scan it, import it into Photoshop, then add the color and render it. The whole process, for a record cover, start to finish…if I can work on it intensely, takes about a week and a half. I don't know if I've gotten better, but I've gotten faster.
Denis: How many hours a day is that?
Mike: I'd rather not talk about it, makes me sad. It's a lot of hours.
Denis: But how much of that is paying attention to watching Phantasm II?
Mike: I actually don't pay attention to it! That's the one good thing about director's commentaries on DVD, I usually just put them on to listen to them, and I don't look up. Unless it's "Dawn of the Dead", then I'll stop to watch the guy's head explode in the beginning. Netflix Instant is also great for that…I think I watched all of Fawlty Towers this weekend while drawing. It doesn't need to be great, it just needs to be there so I'm not bored out of my mind listening to the same record over and over.
Denis: And for the record, what DVD has the best commentary?
Mike: "The Reanimator" DVD is really good, because it's just a bunch of the people from the movie joking around.
Denis: And what has the most ridiculous commentary?
Mike: Probably "Trapped in the Closet". Actually "The Happiness of the Karikuris" has actors doing the commentary since the director does not speak a word of English…I thought that was weird.
Denis: What happens after the Benna's show?
Mike: After the Benna's show, I have two record covers lined up, and a shirt design for Philly band The Claw. The description for the one band I'm doing a cover was pretty amazing, let me find it. [5 minutes go by] The band is from England, I think. The guy says, "I'm in a thrash/grind/ska/metal band." And their idea was something with chainsaw trombones.
Denis: Ha! So naturally they came to you!
Mike: Yeah! I'm excited to do it!
Denis: Any other shows coming up?
Mike: Yes, I'm doing a show in March at Part-Time Studios with Jeanne D'Angelo.
Denis: Is it weird doing a show with your "life partner"?
Mike: No, I'm excited about it! I think it will be cool. Even though we work in very different mediums and approach art technically in different ways, our styles are very similar (flat color with minimal gradations, very graphic).
Denis: Ooo, gradations. Do you find that you inspire each other, or is it a little competitive? Not in an "I have to do better then you" way, but maybe in an "Oh man, Jeanne's doing this, I better step up my game".
Mike: Yes, it's definitely like that. She's really good. I'm not trying to show her up, but I see that she's doing an awesome thing and it makes me want to do something just as awesome. But that also goes for friends of mine, like Justin Gray and Alicia Neal. Both of them, when I see their work, it's the same thing.
Denis: What other artists are you blown away by these days?
Mike: Um…
Denis: Just Pushead?
Mike: Yes, just Pushead. I've only been accused once of borrowing from Pushead.
Denis: Oh, I don't think your stuff looks like Pushead.
Mike: I didn't think so either. I think the only reason is that there was a horse skull in that piece.
Denis: Skulls are so hot right now!
Denis: So what artists are you into? Any medium. Any video artists you're into these days?
Mike: Knox Harrington? Geoff Darrow (Hard Boiled, Shaolin Cowboy), Charles Burns (Black Hole), D'Israeli (Scarlet Traces), Junji Ito (Uzumaki), Seth Fisher (Willworld), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D. Antonia Prohias (Spy Vs. Spy), Eric Powell (The Goon), Wayne Barlowe (Guide to Extraterrestrials), Ed Repka (Megadeth-Rust In Peace), Shawn Kerri (Circle Jerks), Screamin Mad George (The Mad), Zbigniew M. Belak (Watain-Lawless Darkness), Derek Riggs (Iron Maiden), Michael Whelan (Sepultura), Gee Vaucher (Crass), James Groman (Madball designer). One of the first artists that made me want to get into drawing record covers was Dan Seagrave. When I was in high school I was really into Death Metal and would specifically buy record covers that had his art on it. I remember the Suffocation "Effigy of the Forgotten" record and the Dismember "Like an Ever-Flowing Stream" record because he paints landscapes that make me want to go to those places. It probably wouldn't be the best idea to go to those places, but they created such an environment and made me like the records. It helped me understand at a very young age what kind of power a record cover has in relation to the actual music.
Denis: So while other young kids that were getting into metal were buying records with "hot chicks" on the cover, you were buying records because they had "scary places" on the cover? I see where your focus is.
Mike: Yes!
Denis: You love traveling, what is up with that?
Mike: Ha! Well, there's these things called places, and you can go to them.
Denis: There's adventure right around the corner, why take a cruise to Antarctica?
Mike: Well, I've been to almost every state.
Denis: How many continents?
Mike: All of them.
Denis: That's amazing. How many countries?
Mike: 37
Denis: You still have a lot to go, aren't there like 250 and something?
Mike: I don't know. There's some Adventurer's Club where you have to have gone to 100 countries to be in it.
Denis: Not even close bro.
Mike: I was thinking about it. I've done a lot of traveling, but only 37 countries.
Denis: So you've been to 37 countries, 7 continents, countless states…
Mike: Not countless, it's very countable.
Denis: Fine…countable states. You've publicly already thanked the internet, would you publicly like to say that the United States of America is the best country in the world?
Mike: Mmmmm…I mean, it's pretty cool. I don't know about the US government, but it's a pretty cool country. I've been back and forth across it a bunch of times, with you, and we've seen some really beautiful and amazing things.
Denis: Remember when that coyote scared you?
Mike: I remember when you almost peed because the coyote was outside the tent.
Denis: I didn't almost pee, you didn't tell me until the morning!
The opening reception for Mike's newest show, "Roll for Damage", is Friday, October 8th at Benna's Cafe, 8th & Wharton St in Philadelphia.
Mike has a blog of drawings inspired by H.P. Lovecraft here: Yog-Blogsoth
Mike also has a blog about Madballs, his new obsession. Check it out here: Blarghhhspot
Transcribed by Jaime Morgan. Thanks!


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Crash Karma's Mike Turner: Les Paul 'Was a Genius'
Mike Turner, the former guitarist in Toronto's Our Lady Peace and now a member of Crash Karma, is also a record producer and owns The Pocket Studios. The death of Les Paul, the solid-body electric guitar pioneer and developer of overdubs and multi-track recording, hit him hard.
"Les Paul was a titan," Turner says. "Modern music would not be the same without him. It goes without saying that the guitar that bears his name worn low and played loud is the wellspring of all things rock. Even though some of the pantheon of guitar heroes rose to fame playing other guitars, there wouldn't even be a solid-body guitar without Les Paul. Without him there wouldn't have been a 'Pet Sounds;' there wouldn't have been a 'Sgt. Pepper.' Everything about the modern studio began with Les Paul so that everything that is a product of that environment owes its existence to him. When overdubbing was thought of as the most innovative use of the studio, it was old news to Les Paul. He used overdubbing and tape speed manipulation on songs like 'How High The Moon' that he recorded with his wife, Mary Ford, long before -- 15 years -- the Beatles and the Beach Boys released their multi-track masterpieces. The man was a genius; he will be missed.
"Personally, I own two Les Pauls, a Special and a Studio, both from around 1980. And I love them both," he adds, referring to the guitars in the photo. "There's something that is undeniable about those guitars. Put one on and plug it straight into any good amp and you're likely to lose an hour or two to what the Les Paul is - a great variety of tones, the feeling that playing it just feels right. Add a bit of overdrive and a pedal or two and the day is gone. I'll spend a yet another day like that in his memory."

subset: commoncrawl


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Originally a collection of Tyrol museum, which is also called Ferdinandeum, created by gifts and donations. A few years after the opening of the museum works of art were unsubscribed museum near Wills - so in the museum appeared outstanding works of Italian and Dutch masters. To visit the museum, you need to book a cheap hotel in Innsbruck.
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The United States Trustee has reviewed only the provider's instructional course. The United States Trustee has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the provider provides to debtors.
PFG LLC is owned by attorney Peter Francis Geraci, who is also an attorney with Geraci Law L.L.C. However, PFG LLC is not a law firm, does not engage in the practice of law, and does not stand in a lawyer-client relationship with its students. Any law-related services that PFG LLC provides are not legal services and the protections of the client-lawyer relationship do not apply to any debtor education course you may take, or to PFG LLC's services, which are non-lawyer debtor education activities. You may take your "after filing" debtor education course with any provider you want, whether you are a client of Geraci Law LLC or not. Professional Financial Guidance L.L.C. has been approved by the Executive Office of the United States Trustee to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider's services.
A debtor will only receive a certificate if the debtor completes an instructional course.
By taking the course you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agreed
to these statements.


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Positive vs Normative questions
- Positive: Describe and explain causal mechanisms: "Is" and "How"
- Normative: Value judgments, desire, obligation: "Ought"
- Science asks positive questions
What's science?
- NOT a body of factual knowledge
- NOT a privileged elite group, more entitled to rule
- A process, method, to advance positive knowledge
How does it work?
- Method: guesses (hypotheses), implications for what you should see (testable), then look
- Mechanisms: Peer review (anonymous), replication of results – public, collective, impersonal
- Norms: Rules of argument, presumed motives (truth, not winning) – yours and others
- Strong presumption against novel claims – high standard of demonstration
- Powerful method to advance knowledge, exploit beneficial applications
- No certainty, no proof: all results provisional. Science never proves anything
- Still, we accept many points as "settled fact" – and reasonably so
Do social/political factors influence? Sure, to some extent
- Paradigms pretty strong – shape what's "interesting", "plausible", give stability to disciplines
- But strong "social construction" claims hard to support for content of scientific knowledge
There are more permissive rules of argument in policy compared to science
What science CAN do
1. Answer positive questions about the world:
- When these are (for whatever reason) deemed policy‐relevant
- And scientific knowledge is well‐established
2. Describe, project consequences of proposed actions
- In terms people care about …
- On which cost and benefit estimates can be formed (by whom?)
- But science doesn't do the valuation
3. Describe current knowledge, uncertainty, controversy
- Even when knowledge not fully settled
- To support risk‐management, decisions under uncertainty
- And help identify priorities for decision‐relevant research
4. Ideal: Cleanly separate risk assessment, risk management
5. Map onto basic Benefit‐cost framework: Science can help …
- Step 1: Identify available choices (a little)
- Step 2: Identify and describe consequences (more)
Science informing policy:
Plenty of difficulties (even without politics)
1. Scientific uncertainty …
- Comes as divergent results and disagreements, not probability distributions
- Describing in decision‐relevant terms: hard, contentious (both how to do it, and whether it's permissible to do it!)
- E.g., What's the probability distribution of climate sensitivity, or the carcinogenicity of dioxin?
2. What makes a "policy‐relevant" scientific question?
- Science (alone) can't say
- Policy‐makers' questions may be ill‐posed, normative, tendentious
- Need close interaction even to define useful questions
3. Ignorance and "trans‐science"
- Scientifically posed questions that science cannot answer (Weinberg)
- Now, in time for needed decision, or maybe ever …
- E.g., precise projections of climate‐change harms to my district
Scientific assessment processes: Examples
1. Some assessment bodies address specific questions under existing legal authorities: May be empowered to recommend decisions
- Endangered Species Act: endangerment determinations, critical habitat
- Carcinogenicity determinations
- Fishery allowable catches …
2. Many long for a clean science/policy boundary, but it's not possible
- Can't define criteria precisely enough to avoid giving science bodies policy influence, constructive authority
3. Scientific assumptions, methods of inference, treatment of uncertainty:
- E.g., definition of "endangerment"; low‐dose extrapolation from observed exposures; setting "sustainable" catch under uncertainty; etc.
- Unavoidably confounded with normative judgments, attitudes to risk, policy preferences
- AND therefore disputed, based on foreseeable effects on policy
4. Successful bodies: Continually (and implicitly) negotiate workable boundary between authority of "scientific" and subsequent "decision‐making" bodies


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Tips to make your intern abroad experience more authentic
1) Eat at little hole in the wall restaurants
Food is a central part of any culture. A great way to get to know what dishes bring locals together is to go to smaller, popular restaurants with perhaps a more humble appearance. You might even ask a local what their favorite restaurant is for authentic local plates. These restaurants may be less welcoming to tourists, but that's because they aren't for tourists. The food will be more authentic, less expensive and likely more delicious.
2) Buy produce at the local farmers' market instead of the grocery store
Getting to know your city's local farmers' market will give you the chance to see which produce actually grows locally and then buy it. You'll also have the opportunity to interact with local producers instead of supermarket employees who have less of a connection with the society's food culture.
3) Play a local sport
Whether through pick-up games or organized athletics, playing a local sport is a great way to meet and interact with locals. Sports can join together many people with different backgrounds for a common goal. You could even convince your intern friends to take some sort of dance or exercise class with you at a local studio or gym.
4) Learn the language
Speaking the local language is the best way to connect to the people in a foreign country. Depending on English will put limitations on the type of person you can meet in a foreign country. A good way to practice language skills is asking your intern friends to speak only in the local language when you guys go out.
5) Take a cooking class
Considering food's importance to culture, a cooking class is an excellent way to connect to your abroad country. Plus once you learn how to cook a local dish, you'll be able to recreate it for your friends and family back home. The abroad experience will live on through your cooking!
6) Go to screenings of local films
Local universities and museums often have free screenings of local films at their institutions. Bring some of your intern abroad friends to a screening and try to strike up a conversation when the movie is over with some other audience members. Not only will the movie lend some insight into the local culture, but so will the conversations you have with the screening attendees.
7) Join a local organization or club
If you have a certain hobby or passion, why not take it with you abroad? You'll be able to share your interests with locals and learn a little about how clubs and organizations work in a different country.
8) Volunteer
If you have time while doing your internship abroad, a great way to meet locals and contribute to local society is to volunteer. You'll be helping others while also learning about social issues in the country. Volunteering is also an excellent way to meet charitable people from a variety of backgrounds.
Photo 1. based on Chiu Fat restaurant Kwloon Hong Kong, by Adam Singer, CC-by-2.0
Photo 2. based on Colombia: Pick-Up Soccer in Puerto Nariño, by Eli Duke, CC-by-2.0
Photo 3. based on Celebrity Shorts 1 Screening 12, by Canadian Film Centre, CC-by-2.0
The International Internships Blog is a collaboration by The Intern Group staff, alumni and current participants to give you career advice & tips, program information, & so much more!
To learn how to apply to our internship programs, click here.


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Questions or Suggestions? Contact Us
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Help us in our efforts to produce a PSA
Operation Rainfall is not a boycott, nor do we support boycotting.
Operation Rainfall does not support piracy, hombrew or modding
while we respect your right to import, Operation Rainfall's goal is to get an NTSC release for these titles
Operation Rainfall urges it's followers/fans/peeps to be civil and polite in all dealings with Nintendo
In order to fight the spread of misinformation we have decided to make a PSA that will dispel rumors, educate new members, correct misinformation, and hopefully be quite entertaining
as Operation Rainfall is a fan-driven movement we require input and services to be provided by the followers who make us what we are...
for full details on how you can help, visit the official thread in our official forums
for now we are working on the script for the PSA and all contributions are welcome, later we will request pictures and videos to be made for inclusion in the video
this video is for us, people like us, and peopel who cover us... it is not directed at Nintendo
lets make the best PSA we can
9 comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
This is fast becoming so pointless and absurd, it makes me even HOPE that the games never come out.ReplyDelete
The starting campaign was good. Handled well. But, this is just fucking stupid.
Now, Operation Rainfall is going from persistent, to just plain obnoxious.
Also, just noticed this:ReplyDelete
Total members 235
...Rofl. And you want Nintendo to take you seriously?
perhaps you missed our over 7000 on facebook, people just don't bother registering for the blogReplyDelete
a psa.....ReplyDelete
sounds like OP is starting to care about OP and not the games...
Focus on the games, I don't think a psa is the way to go. Good luck though.
^--Instead of working on a PSA, just make some general youtube videos. Controlling a movement like this is an uphill battle that you will NEVER win. Trying to fight crap like this just diverts resources better spent elsewhere.ReplyDelete
The goal of Operation Rainfall is to get Nintendo to license those three games, right? Any action or effort not taken to further that goal is WASTED.
the PSA is necessary because there is false information being spread about us that is dissuading current and potential rainfall members, but it goes beyond that, this is meant to be funny, and by being as such hopefully it will go viral, and if it does it could drastically increase awareness of our goals which is a good thing, a very good thing... allot of people think we are over, and this acts as a means of saying "no, we are still here"... we already planned out our next mail-in campaign and will post new details over time... and we are attempting to promote xenoblade in europe as well.. there is little else we can do with a big impact.. especially when people think we are overReplyDelete
...This is pointless.ReplyDelete
This operation is headed by morons.
@JC, obvious troll is obvious. If you weren't some child looking to get a rise out of us, you wouldn't be coming to this blog to comment on it if all your comments are just going to be "HURPDURR THIS IS POINTLESS LOOK AT ME I'M LOUD." I'd like to see you run a campaign well enough to actually get any official response from a company as big as Nintendo, or start an operation with so many followers. Your "235 members" comment has no real meaning, as what matters is the many thousands of signatures on the petition, as well as the thousands of facebook fans and twitter followers.ReplyDelete
Also, Nintendo would be gaining a ton of money by releasing these titles in North America, if half a decade of sales data is to be believed. It would really help them what with that 82% cut in the profit forecast. If anything Operation Rainfall is a movement that is HELPING Nintendo, not HURTING them.


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Have any questions comment or funny travel related stories? Email us.
May 9, 2010
Hello there,
I just wanted to send some appreciation your way for your article on how to get fired from cruise ships. I have been working on cruise ships 3.5 years in entertainment, for two companies (on the first one, unfortunately, I was found guilty of #1, 2, and 6 on your list) and loving it. I am currently sitting in the JFK airport waiting for my flight that is still six hours away, because when I debarked the ship this morning they told me I could take the 11am free crew shuttle or pay a million dollars for my taxi from the dock. So here I am very bored and waiting for my flight, and I found your article and it made me laugh out loud and remember some good times. Thanks for that!
~ Jen R. of the dam ships :-)
Awesome, I love it. Thanks for reading and keep up the good work! Those ships are fun... and sometimes too fun.
I am a world traveller and I am quite impressed with the info and resources provided on your website. I shared this with friends and family here in the US to encourage them to get off their butts and see the world, sans excuses!!
Best Regards,
Hi Greg, You found us because are awesome. Please, stay awesome and never change. Tell your freinds about travel droppings too.
If you have any questions comments or funny stories about a travel job, please send us an email. We would love to hear it.


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If a tree falls...
We've all heard the old question, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" In today's fiercely competitive business climate, organizations must instead ask: "If a company has an exceptional product or service, but there is no engaged, receptive audience to hear about it, can they still be successful?"
The fact is that there is simply too much competition for prospective customers nowadays, making it extremely difficult to attract new business without first building relationships and establishing a solid reputation. To give themselves the necessary edge, companies must start by using content marketing to deliver real value to their potential customers – in the form of relevant information, insight, opinions, and recommendations – before trying to sell anything. By providing useful content and demonstrating deep expertise, organizations develop an engaged, trusting audience which, when the right moment arrives, will be much more inclined to consider their offerings.
WriteGroove works with you to assess and fulfill your content marketing needs based on your target audience, products and business objectives. We can help position your company and brand as an authority, and get you on the radar of key prospects and influencers in your industry, using these channels:
News and views on content marketing, writing and strategy from WriteGroove Solutions.
- Blogging
- Email campaigns
- Articles, white papers, case studies and ebooks
- Social media posts and discussions
- Industry news aggregation, curation and commenting
Our content marketing solutions range from one-off tactical pieces, to custom-designed campaigns that integrate all your key touchpoints.
Having a great product is great … but it's no longer enough. You need to build a loyal following that understands the value you provide. Are you ready to be heard? Contact us and we'll help you make sure the right people are listening.


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Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa, a small sac located between a bone and muscle, skin, or tendon. The bursa allows smooth gliding between these structures. Below are some of the specific types of bursitis. Subacromial bursitis The subacromial bursa lies just above the rotator cuff. Bursitis often develops due to injury, impingement (pinching), overuse of the shoulder, or calcium deposits. Symptoms include pain in the upper shoulder or upper third of the arm, and severe pain upon moving the shoulder.
Feet are extremely resilient and are designed to stand up to the pressures of day-to-day living. In some cases, though, foot structures may break down when subjected to chronic stress associated with long periods of weight-bearing activity on concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces (especially when footwear does not allow for proper weight distribution). Foot problems, including infracalcaneal bursitis, are often made worse by poorly designed footwear, and pressure, impact, and shear forces can damage the feet over time. Bursal sacs are intended to minimize this damage, but sometimes the bursa itself becomes inflamed. A rapid increase in physical activity levels or thinning of the heel?s protective fat pad are factors that may contribute to infracalcaneal bursitis. Other possible causes of infracalcaneal bursitis include blunt force trauma. Arthritic conditions. Acute or chronic infection. The following factors may increase a person?s risk of bursitis, including infracalcaneal bursitis. Poor conditioning. Exposure to cold weather. Participating in contact sports. Having a previous history of bursitis in any joint. Heel striking when running, especially in conventional running shoes with heel elevation.
The main symptom of heel bursitis is pain. You may experience pain in your heel when you walk or run. There may also be pain if the area is touched or if you stand on your tiptoes. In addition to pain, the area may appear red and warm, which are both signs of inflammation. Even if you have these symptoms, only a doctor can determine if you have bursitis of the heel. Your doctor will use these symptoms along with a general exam to determine if you are suffering from bursitis of the heel.
Like all other forms of bursitis, initially the physician will take down the history of symptoms experienced by the patient, this will be followed by a detailed physical examination which involves checking for inflammation signs like pain, redness, and warmth of the heel area. The physician might examine further by moving the ankle a little to determine the exact location of pain. Further diagnostic tests including x-ray, bone scans, and MRI scan might be suggested if required.
Non Surgical Treatment
Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with retrocalcaneal bursitis do not improve adequately. When this occurs the treating physiotherapist or doctor can advise on the best course of management. This may include further investigations such as an ultrasound, X-Ray, MRI or CT scan, pharmaceutical intervention, corticosteroid and anaesthetic injection into the retrocalcaneal bursa, draining of the bursa, or review by a specialist or podiatrist who can advise on any treatment that may be appropriate to improve the condition.
Because many soft tissue conditions are caused by overuse, the best treatment is prevention. It is important to avoid or modify the activities that cause problems. Underlying conditions such as leg length differences, improper position or poor technique in sports or work must be corrected. Be aware of potential overuse or injury in your daily activities and change your lifestyle to prevent problems. Otherwise, problems may persist or occur repeatedly. Following are some ways you can avoid future problems. Wear walking or jogging shoes that provide good support. High-top shoes provide support for people with ankle problems. Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly. Wear heel cups or other shoe inserts as recommended by your doctor. Exercise on level, graded surfaces.


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Devotional Societies
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PARISH participate in a number of Anglican devotional societies. For information about these societies and their role in parish life, please call 202.347.8161.
Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament
The oldest devotional society in the Anglican Communion, the confraternity promotes the honor due the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood. It also promotes the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament for communion and devotion.
The Ascension and Saint Agnes Chapter of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament holds devotions on a periodic basis. These devotions includethe Blessed Sacrament Beads and the Litany of the Blessed Sacrament. The Parish Chapter always meets for these devotions during Lent and Advent, the Feast of Corpus Christi, and the Feast of the Precious Blood as well as other times of the year. We also encourage everyone to spend time with the Blessed Sacrament during the Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the watch at the Altar of Repose on Maundy Thursday.
Ecumenical Society
Society of Mary
Founded as an Anglican society to love and honor Mary, the society is dedicated to the glory of God in "honor of the Holy Incarnation under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians." Originally founded in England, the society's membership is world wide. Its autonomous American Region has over 1,100 cells and wards throughout North America. Members pray for departed associates of the society and offer rosary devotion on Sundays and principal feasts of Our Lady.
The Parish Ward of the Society of Mary meets for devotions immediately following the High Solemn Mass on the first Sunday of every month. These devotions include the Dominican Rosary, the Scriptural Rosary, the Rosary of the Seven Joys (The Franciscan Crown), and the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows (The Servite Crown). The Parish Ward also sponsors annual pilgrimages to the Washington National Cathedral, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception also in Washington, and All Saints Convent in Catonsville, Maryland.
Order of St. Vincent
The Order exists to emphasize a world-wide fellowship of lay ministers associated with sanctuary service. We hold a common Rule of Life based on prayer and the Sacraments. We encourage knowledge, understanding and preservation of traditional rituals and proper liturgics. We promote mentorship among members of all ages to build a sound foundation of adult churchmanship. We pray that all lay ministers will consider their work a holy vocation. In order to accomplish these goals, we strive to promote holy living among our members and to promote loyalty, cooperation and support for our ecclesiastical leaders. We teach the complete Sacramental Faith of the Church. We encourage each other to regular attendance at the Holy Eucharist, and more careful preparation for Its reception. We promote unity and friendship among all lay ministers.
Society of King Charles the Martyr
Founded in England in 1894, the society witnesses to the "powerful intercession of the Royal Martyr Charles" and asks each member to honor the society's purpose to pray for the Anglican Communion, that it may continue devotion and honor to St. Charles, whose martyrdom occurred on 30 January 1649.


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Playboy Enterprises, the media company behind the magazine, this morning announced a web-based subscription service that gives users the opportunity to read, search and explore every single Playboy issue.
It's a web app so point your browser to an iPad-optimized site at i.playboy.com to choose one of the available subscription offerings, $8 per month, $60 per year and $100 for two years. Regardless of your chosen plan, you'll get access to both current issues and every single back issue of Playboy. These are all full-blown and uncensored digital variants of their dead tree editions rather than watered-down versions of the real thing. If you ask me, by adding some class to the situation Playboy is doing for iOS what it did for print in the 1950s.
Beware: link to "iPlayboy" above is potentially NSFW, depending on where you W.
From the inaugural issue with Marilyn Monroe to the current issue with rock heiress Lizzy Jagger on the cover, iPlayboy features every pictorial, interview, Centerfold, investigative reporting piece, story, advertisement and image that ever appeared in the magazine, more than 130,000 pages in total.
Readers can search for a groundbreaking interview they read years ago, find classic fiction, or read about the most-recent celebrity cover model, all in one place.
The site will be updated with each monthly issue so that it includes current content as well as archival features and pictorials.


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You can say it louder but not clearer. Here there are some of our satisfied and vicious customer reviews of their Al Pomodoro experience in Trip Advisor. We love to share them with everyone. Thank you for renewing our Certificate of Excellence one more time and being positioned as the number 1 Italian Restaurant in Valencia.
"The food was sensational. English menu's and the service was exceptional"
"Lovely pizzas and buzzing restaurant. Great young feel to the place."
"Impressive Italian restaurant in the heart of Valencia"
"Would recommend this place ot anybody and will definitely return if we are in Valencia again"
"Best Pizza in ages"
"I've been here several times and always look forward to going back. They're outstanding"
"Excellent stop from nearby monuments. A cool and relaxed space."
"All in all this restaurant is one of the best at what they do, friendly, great food, good pricing."
Valencia Guy
Online Reservations


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Mars is a masculine planet. It's passionate, forceful, and gets directly to the heart of the matter. This is why, as a Mercury-Mars person, you probably aren't too delicate in speech, which is something that might get you into trouble, at times. People can be taken back by the utter directness and force of your words. Mars is all about a mission. Hooked up with Mercury, the mission becomes to express thoughts and opinions. So, with this aspect, you have a take-no-prisoners approach to your conversations. You probably don't hold back and in our society, that's so conditioned toward niceties and manners, this can be rather startling to some people. Some might find it refreshing but others might find themselves offended by what they deem your lack of tact or civility.
Those kinds of reactions can make a Mercury-Mars person crawl into their shell, so to speak. This is especially because you usually don't mean to offend people and can be just as surprised by their responses to you. So, you might go through a phase where you end up just biting your tongue, not wanting to piss people off or be misunderstood. However, you'll regret living this way. Whenever our Mars energy is repressed, we become depressed. Mars is our sense of purpose, it's what gives us drive. So, not expressing your Mars sign and aspects will make you feel deeply unhappy and empty. Not speaking your mind freely and boldly, therefore, is just depressing to you. It can get to the point where it makes you either distinctly unsociable or painfully awkward and self-conscious in social situations, as you're either too afraid to "go there" or you're so disconnected from this desire that you don't see the point of socializing anymore.
But, we must give our Mars full expression (as well as our Mercury, obviously). Fully acting on our Mars is what gives us courage, passion, and the feeling like we can conquer the world. So, as a Mercury-Mars individual, you're meant to communicate with vigor and unpretentious candor. This is really how you find your courage in life. So many people are so afraid to speak their mind but you're in the position to develop an admirable fearlessness in regards to simply "telling it like it is." Everyone else in the room will be hemming and hawing, beating around the bush about what they really think, and you can amazingly sweep right in and just call that spade a spade. You're a fast talker, as well, who knows how to tell the most animated stories. You really get into it, allowing the people around you to be riveted and entertained. You'd make a dynamic public speaker. You're most likely a firecracker: fascinating, feisty, anything but dull.
You're even more admirable in the fact that, as this level of expression, you don't back down from what you believe or think. Mars is independent and does its own thing. So, you're the kind of person to truly think (Mercury) for yourself (Mars). Not only are you fiercely independent-minded but you're capable of acting as a shining example for others to be the same. This is the mode of operating that gets your juices flowing and makes you feel alive. In fact, many people with this position fully enjoy being the one person who thinks differently than everyone else. You don't flinch in the face of a certain amount of mental opposition from others. It's only an opportunity to show them that you've got your own mind and that they can't control the way that you think. You can come up with wonderfully original ideas, insights, and observations because of this. You're not scared to mentally go out on a limb.
Your Mercury sign is fired-up by its aspect to Mars. If you happen to have the conjunction, square, or opposition, then there's a particularly intense charge to the way your brain operates. There's just no stopping it. Your internal monologue could rival the characters in a Shakespeare play. Thoughts are constantly bouncing around in your head and you have a knack for following these intellectual currents wherever they take you. This, after all, is where a great deal of your drive comes from. Mercury-Mars has the potential to be a true intellectual, just so long as you develop the patience for those studies. But, you really get off on absorbing information. Anything that challenges your intellect is bound to be an avid hobby. Reading and writing are obvious choices, but you can also really love things like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and the most random trivia (usually in a specialized area).
Yet, because your thoughts are so infused with passion, you can end up burning people with words if you're not careful. Some Mercury-Mars people, especially those with the conjunction, can appear to be angry when they're not or can make people angry when they were just joking around or stating their opinions. Having Mercury in aspect to Mars can give you a confrontational edge. If you don't openly express this, then you can just obsessively have inner dialogues with the person that you haven't found the courage to stand up to yet. People with these aspects are often either one or the other: terrified of confrontation or so unflinching toward confrontation that it might intimidate others. The latter are total masters at telling people off, with a remarkable ability to put someone in their place, shutting them down completely. The other person won't even be able to defend themselves against such an aggressive verbal smack-down. Most men with this aspect, in particular, can effectively fight back and defend themselves solely through words, not needing to lift a finger to firmly deal with that obnoxious guy in the bar.
The key thing to watch for, however, with a Mercury-Mars aspect is being the kind of person to pick these verbal fights on a regular basis. You might do this to test the person you're with, to dominate or bully them, or simply out of sheer boredom. This is the dark side of this aspect that needs to be controlled. If not, you can display a certain brutality in conversations that can border on verbal abuse. When angry, you're apt to hit the offender with a devastating insult, sometimes without even intending to. Mercury-Mars people can verbalize their thoughts so readily and powerfully that they end up saying something cruel and hurtful before they realize it. You might also have to watch for a distinct tendency to ride roughshod over people in conversations. Most people with these aspects don't have patience for those who they feel can't keep up with them intellectually and verbally. So, you might grab the reins of the discourse and not let go, either not allowing the other person to get a word in edgewise or discarding the importance of what they have to say. Learning the art of truly listening may be your challenge.
At the end of the day, you've got a ferocious intelligence that people should not underestimate. Mars is an expression of our masculine side. So, men and women with these aspects can assert their masculinity by not only letting everyone know that they've got a brain but by not holding back their intelligence, due to fear that it might be intimidating or threatening to others. Some females, in particular, with Mercury-Mars aspects might have to frequently remind themselves of this, due to cultural conditioning that tells them to dumb themselves down, in some way. The healthiest, strongest expression of a Mercury-Mars is something who refuses to dilute the expression of their intelligence, even if they get called snobbish or nerdy for it. This is quite an act of social courage in and of itself, as our society's fear of intelligent people goes all the way back to grade school. If you're a Mercury-Mars person and were called a nerd growing up, it might be more difficult for you to fully own and express this part of yourself, without fear. But, doing so will allow you to find a true source of inner strength and confidence.
With this placement, intelligence is a big dynamic in the bedroom, as well, as Mars represents how we have sex. So, you're driven wild with passion by someone who's definitely got a brain in there and who knows how to connect with yours. The ideal sexual partner for Mercury-Mars is not only someone with a sharp, original mind but someone who's amazingly witty, as well. This is apt to rile you up in bed way more than that conventionally attractive person with the so-called perfect body. It's a cliché but people you find really funny and interesting are much sexier to you in the long run, significantly more than the next person. You're probably the kind of sexual partner who's very flexible and up for anything as well as one who loves all of the mental foreplay leading up to it as much as the actual act. You'll be especially hooked on someone who can nail the fine art of talking during sex. It's like the icing on the cake for you. As sex is never far from your highly active mind, you're probably quite skilled at this yourself.
Mercury conjunct Mars: With the conjunction, you're probably the ballsiest talker of the bunch. Your say-anything style packs a powerful punch, either making you a controversial presence or an endearingly blunt personality. Even if you polish yourself up some, with maturity and self-awareness, you're still not going to be an overly refined communicator. You don't want to censor yourself too much and, at the end of the day, you shouldn't. Your mind is as quick as a fox's and you have a knack for "getting it" almost instantly, often two steps ahead of the others.
Mercury square or opposite Mars: Having the square and the opposition means that you have the hardest time toning down whatever's coming out of your mouth. In fact, the more people try and get you to soften your tone, the more aggressive and offensive you might become. But, this can be a chipped-shoulder attitude of them being against you when you don't realize you're the one picking the fight. Finding a balance between being honest and being rude is what makes you more palatable, allowing others to truly understand your passion and directness.
Mercury sextile or trine Mars: The sextile or the trine gives you the ability to learn the fine balance between candor and rudeness more easily than those with the conjunction, square, or opposition. You are more aware of how your words are affecting others and have better control over your speech. But, you are always going to be honest and you still display that lack of patience for social fakery and pretense. You're just able to charm others with your brash tongue, for the most part, but you might skate by on this too often and expect to always get away with it.


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The Story Behind the Fro.zen Trolley
After completing both undergraduate and masters degrees, Gina decided that the corporate life wasn't for her. She asked herself, "If I had to choose right now, what would I want to spend my day doing?". And like most normal 20-something, educated females, Froyo immediately popped into her head. An avid visitor of frozen yogurt shops, she thought that she could bring something unique to the market. As someone with mild food intolerances, she found that the self-serve frozen yogurt stores didn't cater to her dietary needs. When they actually offered something that wasn't milk based, it was a super sweet, fruit based sorbet. Not the best option if you are craving something chocolate!
From the initial conception, she knew she needed to have a better selection of dairy-free options for those milk- intolerant people with a sweet tooth – which is why a minimum of 2 out of 6 flavours will always be dairy-free (and won't be limited to fruit sorbets). Another love of Gina's – portable food carts – also came up while brainstorming business ideas. I mean, who wouldn't want a frozen yogurt trailer parked outside their place of work, or on the beach, or at the next wedding they attend? (Heck, Gina was even in awe of the possibility of having a frozen yogurt trailer parked right outside her home!).