text:
One day in early 2013, two seatmates in the Louisiana House — Reps. John Bel Edwards and Sam Jones — were discussing a familiar topic: their belief that Gov. Bobby Jindal was leading the state in the wrong direction.
Edwards looked intently at his friend.
"Sam, I've had enough of fighting with this guy," Edwards said. "It's time to go big or go home because I can't do much in the Legislature."
Edwards paused. "I'm running for governor," he said.
Jones took a deep breath.
"Are you serious?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm serious," Edwards replied.
So began a remarkable campaign, one that nearly three years later would pull off an improbable landslide — and in the process not only defeat the prohibitive favorite, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, but apparently end his political career as well.
Edwards, 49, began as the longest of long shots, an obscure Democrat running in a state where Republicans had won the last 15 statewide races. An untested campaigner, he fumbled his campaign announcement and labored for much of the campaign with little money or name recognition, while Vitter was awash in both.
So deep were the doubts about his chances that three months before the primary, two leading Democrats — former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson — privately asked him to step aside and run for attorney general instead.
But Edwards persevered and stuck to his game plan, drawing on a resolve forged as the seventh of eight children born to a small-town sheriff and charity hospital nurse and honed during training at West Point. Throughout, he believed his military background would serve as a compelling narrative to counter Republican attacks. He also believed Louisiana would want a new direction after eight years of Jindal.
But Edwards needed some luck. Lots of luck, in fact. To make the runoff, he had to be the only Democratic candidate. That happened: Bigger names passed up the race because they thought it was unwinnable.
And he needed Vitter to emerge from the primary wounded. That happened, too, thanks to a savage war among the Republican candidates, initiated by Vitter, and attacks from an anti-Vitter group.
Unbloodied, Edwards was left free to make his case to voters.
"We had to thread a thousand needles," Jones said.
The seeds of Edwards' campaign were sown in 2011.
Republicans had taken control of the Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction, and they were seeking to expand their advantage in the state House with the same playbook Vitter had used in winning re-election to the U.S. Senate a year earlier. Republicans planned to portray 10 conservative Democratic incumbents as Barack Obama-style liberals.
Edwards was in charge of the counterattack.
He recruited Jim Kitchens, a Florida-based pollster who had worked in Louisiana for years, and New Orleans media consultant Ray Teddlie, who is now deceased. The trio devised a strategy to "radically localize the elections," as Kitchens put it. Each Democrat would emphasize what he had done for his community and try to avoid getting drawn into debates involving Obama.
It worked. The incumbents won all their races, and the Democrats even picked up a couple of seats.
"That gave me hope that the people of Louisiana, when we have good candidates who run smart campaigns, can distinguish between what is going on in Washington and what is happening in Louisiana, and they will still vote for Louisiana Democrats," Edwards said later.
In January 2013, he decided to forgo an easy re-election bid for a third and final term in the House and run for governor instead. He would announce his bid with balloons and bunting after the legislative session.
But a month later, Baton Rouge talk-radio host Jim Engster asked him during a live broadcast, "So, are you going to run for governor?"
"Jim, that's an interesting question," a clearly surprised Edwards answered. "I do intend to run in 2015. I just know from my six years in the Legislature that I believe we're heading in the wrong direction, and we're getting there in a hurry."
Lonely start
Among those listening to the Feb. 20 broadcast was Mary-Patricia Wray, a 27-year-old staffer for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers union who was also a key unpaid adviser to Edwards.
A wave of panic swept over her as she heard Edwards' answer. This was definitely not the way to announce a campaign, she thought. Indeed, the state's major newspapers buried the news. By depriving himself of the boost from a traditional announcement, Edwards made a difficult race nearly impossible.
To seed his campaign, Edwards raised money from friends and family in Tangipahoa Parish and from lawyer friends.
He knew his only chance was to build a grass-roots campaign. So he would speak before any group that would hear him. He hired his first campaign employee, Chris Binder, 25, who began driving Edwards all over the state in the candidate's white GMC truck, with Edwards' beloved old-school country music playing on Willie's Roadhouse, a satellite radio station.
In August 2013, Edwards attended the Democrats' biggest annual confab, the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Binder sat outside the hotel ballroom at a table handing out a free DVD biography of Edwards. Some 500 people filed into the ballroom. Perhaps 20 took a DVD.
Still, there were glimmers of hope.
One came in October 2013, at the annual charity raffle sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in New Orleans. Dan Foley, the former clerk of Orleans Parish Civil District Court, now a trial attorney, introduced Edwards around and was struck by how many people thanked him for his service as an Army Ranger.
"That's a real door-opener for him," Foley told his wife as they left the event.
But 2014 brought more storm clouds.
Landrieu, then the only remaining Democrat in statewide office, was sucking up all of the state party's political oxygen. Edwards was such an afterthought that he was initially not given a speaking spot for the Jefferson-Jackson dinner.
Then, former Gov. Kathleen Blanco had to cancel a planned $5,000-per-person fundraiser that October.
"There's not enough interest," she had to tell Edwards.
In December, Landrieu was trounced by Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy, who whacked her again and again as an Obama lackey. Despite spending $20 million, Landrieu won just 44 percent of the vote.
The lesson seemed plain: Democrats couldn't win statewide.
The next day, Edwards and his wife, Donna, attended the reopening of Whitney Plantation in St. John the Baptist Parish, hosted by the plantation's owner, the politically active New Orleans trial lawyer John Cummings. Nobody paid attention to the couple. The star attraction was New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who gave a stirring speech.
Edwards and the mayor met the next day. With his sister's loss, Mitch Landrieu was the state's most prominent Democrat. He had twice been elected lieutenant governor before becoming mayor. If he entered the governor's race, Edwards would become an afterthought. Landrieu told Edwards he didn't think he would run, but he wouldn't give a definitive answer.
Edwards, who studied military tactics at West Point, decided to outflank Landrieu. He traveled from parish to parish, quietly meeting with key Democrats and asking them to endorse him as the party's official candidate.
The state party announced its endorsement of him in March, several months before it usually gives its nod. He also won endorsements from the state AFL-CIO and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
The next month, Landrieu spoke to the Press Club of Baton Rouge and said he would not be a candidate for governor. Pointedly, however, he declined to endorse his fellow Democrat.
Few believed he could win
The results of Kitchens' first major poll, conducted in January, were encouraging. Vitter led with 30 percent, but Edwards trailed by only 3 points. Moreover, voters liked Edwards' military background and his opposition to abortion.
Vitter's support, meanwhile, was tenuous. For every Vitter supporter, there was another voter who said they'd never vote for him. And the poll found that voters were still bothered by Vitter's 2007 prostitution scandal, in which the senator was linked to the so-called D.C. Madam and admitted a "very serious sin."
Kitchens called Edwards the next day.
"We can beat this guy if we can raise enough money to make it into the runoff against him," Kitchens said.
"Good," Edwards replied. "Maybe this will help me raise money."
But few people gave the poll much credence. Jared Arsement, the campaign's media consultant, learned that painfully.
"Jared, do you really think John Bel can win this thing?" a prominent Democrat asked him at the Washington Mardi Gras.
"He has a very specific path to victory," Arsement replied. "It's narrow. But there is absolutely a path."
The man just laughed. "You're crazy if you believe that," he said.
Edwards got more bad news in May from an unexpected source: Robert Mann, Louisiana's pre-eminent liberal political pundit and a former aide to Blanco. In a May opinion column, Mann noted that an independent poll showed Vitter with a 38-25 lead over Edwards.
Mann wrote that he had consulted a dozen political insiders and "not one of them believes Edwards stands a chance against Vitter."
Mann added, "Democrats must face facts. This is a GOP state, not just in national elections, but statewide contests, too."
Mann's conclusion: "Democrats have a clear choice: Send Edwards into a runoff that he almost certainly cannot win — or back a moderate Republican, who could defeat Vitter."
If enough Democrats listened to this argument, Edwards wouldn't make the runoff.
In July, Edwards hit his nadir.
At the Airport Hilton in Kenner, he met with two people he would describe only as "very, very influential and powerful people in Louisiana and Democratic politics" — but whom others identified as Mary Landrieu and party Chairwoman Peterson. The two repeated much of Mann's argument: that Edwards couldn't win and ought to bow out, in hopes of helping a moderate Republican beat Vitter. They urged him to run instead for attorney general.
"The only way I don't run is if I'm dead between now and when I qualify," Edwards told them.
Peterson acknowledged attending the meeting but wouldn't say whether she had pressed Edwards to get out.
Landrieu confirmed via text that she sought Edwards' exit. She said she had told him "that as much as our state needed his leadership that I honestly did not think he could beat Sen. Vitter." And, she added, "I have never been so happy to be wrong."
Edwards faced other private requests that he step aside for John Georges, a 2007 candidate for governor who, with his wife, owns The Advocate. Georges publicly flirted with running this year, and Edwards' advisers feared that Georges' entry would split the Democratic vote and keep Edwards from the runoff. But Georges stayed out.
That meant the field was limited to Edwards, Vitter and two other high-profile Republicans: Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle.
Ironically, while Edwards wanted to face Vitter in the runoff, Vitter also wanted Edwards rather than either of his fellow Republicans.
So two weeks after qualifying, Vitter began to carpet-bomb his GOP rivals, starting with Angelle, who had formerly overseen the state agency that regulated the oil industry.
An outside super PAC allied with Vitter produced an ad that showed images of a tree disappearing into the Bayou Corne sinkhole and blamed Angelle for not preventing the disaster. The spot made it seem that Angelle's resignation five days later was an attempt to shirk responsibility.
Angelle's numbers, which had been rising, stalled.
Then Vitter turned to Dardenne, who had served 28 unblemished years in public office.
A Vitter ad portrayed a Dardenne trip to Europe to promote Louisiana tourism as a taxpayer-funded birthday bash for Dardenne, his wife and their friends.
Dardenne's numbers also cratered.
But Vitter would soon be on the receiving end.
A super PAC formed by a Baton Rouge firm of trial attorneys revived the 2007 prostitution scandal with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. In one ad, a woman looked directly into the camera and said of Vitter: "How can we trust him? Louisiana can't have a governor with so many dark secrets."
As the primary drew closer, Angelle — and to a lesser extent Dardenne — began using the prostitution issue to question Vitter's character.
"We have a stench that is getting ready to come over Louisiana, if we elect David Vitter as governor," Angelle said in one televised debate.
Powerful commercials
Arsement, a 31-year-old protégé of the late New Orleans media consultant Teddlie, barely knew Edwards when he was hired by the campaign in early 2013 to produce the candidate's videography. So Arsement drove to Amite to spend the day with him.
When Edwards discussed his adherence to West Point's honor code, Arsement immediately saw a campaign commercial. He envisioned another one on public education when he learned that Donna Edwards was a schoolteacher.
And then Edwards told him about the time his wife was 20 weeks pregnant with the couple's daughter Samantha and doctors urged an abortion because the girl would be born with spina bifida. Edwards and Donna refused.
"What do you think?" Edwards asked. "Is that a story people would respond to?"
"John Bel," replied Arsement, "if you lose this election and we don't tell this story, Ray Teddlie will rise from the dead and strangle me."
The spot began airing shortly before the primary election. In it, Donna Edwards said her husband "never flinched" when doctors suggested an abortion. "He just said, 'No. We're going to love this baby no matter what,' " she recalled. The ad ended with a shot of Samantha and her fiancé holding hands.
The ad helped rocket Edwards to a 9-point advantage, according to an internal poll.
The day before the Oct. 24 primary, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was at his morning coffee klatch at the Royal Blend on Metairie Road when he noticed a young man secretly filming the group. The sheriff confronted him, and the man beat a hasty retreat. Deputies caught him hiding behind an air-conditioning unit in a neighbor's yard.
The Advocate published a story about the episode that evening. In it, Vitter confirmed that the man, Robert Frenzel, had been spying for his campaign. Fallout from the clumsy espionage helped keep public attention focused on Vitter's character.
Edwards led the primary with 40 percent. Vitter was a distant second, with 23 percent. Angelle and Dardenne were out.
Campaign's haymaker
Vitter wasted no time in hitting Edwards. Two days after the primary, he aired an ad that tied Edwards to Obama and accused him of wanting to free 5,500 "dangerous thugs" from prison.
Edwards neatly defused the attack. He rolled out an endorsement from the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and then aired his own ad in which a popular sheriff called Vitter's attacks "false" and "irresponsible."
Meanwhile, Gumbo PAC, another anti-Vitter political action committee, launched an ad that pointedly reminded Dardenne and Angelle supporters why they hadn't voted for the senator. It featured video clips of the two men accusing Vitter of lying about their records.
Then Dardenne took the unusual step of crossing party lines to endorse Edwards. "He knows that fear, intimidation and vindictiveness are the enemies of building a coalition to move Louisiana forward," the lieutenant governor told reporters.
The Edwards campaign now readied a haymaker.
Nearly a year earlier, Arsement had asked Wray, the teachers union staffer, to match the dates of Vitter's phone calls from the D.C. Madam with the House of Representatives' activities on those days. Wray put it off until a sleepless night in January.
She curled up on a couch in her Baton Rouge home with her computer and found a news article that listed the days and times of the five phone calls. Then she reviewed what the House had done each day. The day of the fifth and last call — on Feb. 27, 2001 — produced pay dirt. That day, the House voted to honor 28 soldiers killed by an Iraqi missile in Operation Desert Storm.
At 5:30 a.m., Wray sent an exuberant email to Arsement and Edwards: "VITTER WAS ABSENT!!!!" she wrote.
For months, Wray's discovery was a closely kept secret. In August, she couldn't help but tell a reporter that the campaign had what it considered a kill-shot, but she said it wouldn't be fired until the runoff.
Arsement's ad debuted Nov. 7, during the highly anticipated LSU-Alabama game. It juxtaposed Edwards' military service with Vitter getting a phone call from a madam minutes after missing the vote to honor the slain soldiers.
"David Vitter chose prostitutes over patriots," intoned the female narrator.
The senator, whose numbers had been rising when the ad aired, quickly fell from 37 percent to 30 percent, according to Kitchens.
By now, Mann had admitted his mistake, that Edwards could win, and Peterson and Mitch and Mary Landrieu were helping Edwards raise big dollars. Edwards was raising $250,000 a shot at fundraisers. He and Rep. Jones laughed: Just months earlier, Edwards would drive across the state to collect $5,000.
Five days before the Nov. 21 runoff, after the deadly bombing in Paris, Vitter made a last-ditch effort to nationalize the campaign. He aired an ad that charged Edwards with supporting an Obama plan to bring more Syrian refugees into Louisiana. Vitter's numbers began to rise again. But Edwards countered with an ad saying he wanted a halt to the immigration.
Election day, at last
Final polls forecast an Edwards victory. But rain on election day prompted fears among advisers that some of his voters might stay home. Indeed, turnout was below expectations by midafternoon, especially among African-Americans, the Democrats' most reliable bloc.
The Edwards campaign had a final trump card: a robocall secretly recorded by President Obama urging African-American households to vote for him. The Edwards campaign had to trigger the robocall early enough to be effective but late enough to prevent the Vitter campaign from making hay from it. The call went out at 5:30 p.m.
At that moment, Edwards was attending Mass at St. Louis Cathedral. When it ended, he and Donna walked to the front of the church and said a prayer.
Afterward, Edwards stood by the confessional and recalled the parade of doubters he faced through the primary. His sense of duty, he said, kept him going.
"I have never backed out of any commitment I've ever made in my life," he said. "I have never failed at anything that I set to accomplish, either."
Edwards elaborated as he walked to a waiting State Police SUV. He had made a commitment to people throughout Louisiana, he said, to "people who had been hurting, schoolteachers, middle-class people, poor people. There are a lot of people out there who have been left behind over the last eight years." He paused. "I had accepted that I might lose. But I would be able to go home and look at my children and tell them that I had done my best. When you quit, you have not done your best."
While he admitted being nervous, he said, "I don't think I'm as nervous as he is right now," referring to Vitter. It was 6 p.m.
At 9:02 p.m., WWL-TV called the race for the Democrat. Surrounded by family and friends in Suite 1450 at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, Edwards embraced Donna. She became teary.
Bedlam erupted in La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom on the second floor. Moments later, the Most Wanted Brass Band burst into the room and serenaded the packed house with "When the Saints Go Marching In" and an ad-libbed chant: "Who dat say they gonna beat John Bel?"
Normand was two blocks away, at Galatoire's restaurant, where he was joined by about 75 Edwards supporters. The sheriff stood on a chair, lofted a glass of red wine and asked everyone to join him in a toast.
The final result: Edwards 56.11 percent, Vitter 43.89 percent.
At 9:27 p.m., Vitter appeared on the huge TV screens spread throughout the Monteleone ballroom. No one could hear his words, but everyone could see that he was conceding. The crowd gasped when the news flashed on the screen that Vitter also had announced he would not seek re-election to the Senate in 2016.
At 9:38 p.m., Edwards and his family appeared on the stage from a back entrance. "I did not create this breeze of hope that's rolling across our beautiful and blessed state," he told the jubilant crowd. "But I did catch it."
At midnight, the believers who had been with Edwards throughout — Jones, Arsement, Wray, Kitchens, the Blancos — posed for photos in the now-deserted ballroom.
On the 14th floor, friends and family streamed past the troopers guarding Edwards' suite. Edwards, jacket off, collected hugs and handshakes. About 12:30 a.m., he bit into a hamburger someone fetched from Deuce McAllister's Ole Saint restaurant.
The governor-elect was ready for bed at 3 a.m. But three West Point classmates recalled a promise: that he'd smoke a victory cigar with them if he won. Duty called again. The foursome took an elevator to the roof and lit up their stogies.
At one point, Edwards walked to the roof's edge. He looked down. Some people were going home; others were going to work. "This is a tremendous responsibility," he thought to himself, "a sacred responsibility."
He and his buddies called it a night at 4 a.m. Edwards was up at 7:30 a.m. to get started.
Follow Tyler Bridges on Twitter, @TegBridges. For more coverage of the governor's race, follow Louisiana Politics at http://blogs.the advocate.com/politicsblog/.


text:
Welcome to the University of Latbi Tbessi, Laboratory of Mathematics, Informatics and Systems (LAMIS). The Laboratory was established in 2012. It is an organization within the Department of Mathematics, and Computer Science, Faculty of exact sciences, life and natural sciences at the University of Laarbi Tbessi, Tebessa, Algeria. Professor Mohamed Ridda Laouar is the director of the laboratory.
At the LAMIS lab we have a strong team of people with diverse expertise, talents and interest areas. LAMIS is a community of mathematical and computer scientists. The Laboratory undertakes research in a broad range of subjects within the disciplines of Computer Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics. Current research areas include computer architecture, computer vision, distributed systems, Image and signal processing, logic and semantics, natural language processing, networking and wireless communication, operating systems and virtualization, and sustainable computing.
The laboratory is divided into four teams with clearly identified research themes. At present there are about fourty six (46) members. A further 23 postgraduates are engaged in research for the PhD. It is thanks to the efforts of all of our committed team members that we are able to conduct such successful research studies.
|Engineering of Information and Imaging Systems
|Mohamed Ridda Laouar
|Distributed and Intelligent Systems
|Hakim Bendjenna
|Analyse and Applied Mathematics
|Kamel haouam
|Dynamic, elliptical and chaotic Systems
|Rebiai Belgacem
The LAMIS is housed in the old building of Laarbi Tbessi university, search block, 4th floor. Contact details and instructions for how to get to the Laboratory can be found on contacts page.
The LAMIS receives continuing support from the Ministry of higher education and scientific research.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I'm in the mood for one of those generic, anniversary-free posts today, so here's a general chat about ordinary automobiles during the First World War, specifically those in military use. It's a subject largely ignored outside the petrolhead bubble, it touches on several debates as yet unresolved, and it's another small light on the differences between reality and the heritage history.
Arguments are still in progress about the First World War's role in the rapid development of automobile technology, and about its part in the establishment of mass production. Because they are based on individual interpretations of the same inconclusive information, the arguments will never be resolved, but here's a skim through the majority view that works for me.
While the demands of war gave an undeniable boost to automobile research and development, the fundamentals were already in place by 1914 and wartime efforts were understandably focused on refining existing design than inventing anything new. Mass production of motors was also getting started on both sides of the Atlantic before 1914, and plans were already in place for its expansion, but it grew on steroids in response to mushrooming demand and the increasing willingness of governments to provide massive levels of support.
By the end of the War this had created a huge industry with enormous production capacity. Manufacturers everywhere, especially in the United States (and above all Ford), had already geared up for mass supply of a 1919 campaigning season that never happened, and European arms manufacturers like Citroen and BMW were converting themselves into automobile companies as means of finding something profitable to do with all those newly obsolete factories. Both the refinement of existing automobile design and the sector's forced growth into mass marketing laid the ground for a post-War sales surge that saw cars become humanity's favourite toy, a situation the planet is still struggling to survive.
A third debate still in progress concerns the extent to which motor vehicles took over wartime military transport, communications and other auxiliary roles hitherto carried out by horses. The question didn't interest anyone much at the time (better things to be doing), so a lack of basic information means any answer will always be a matter of extrapolation and speculation, rendered uncertain by the vagaries of individual choice in a world still divided on the relative merits of horse and car. But some relevant stats are available, along with plenty of more or less reliable memoir, and between them they tell a tale of horses over horsepower.
By the end of the War, modern armies were using plenty of motorised vehicles that weren't armoured cars or tanks, in numbers that reflected their wartime economic status. The British armed services led the way, as befitted the biggest industrialised nation with four years of war behind it and no blockade to beat. At the Armistice, they employed 66,352 trucks, 48,175 motorbikes, 43,187 cars (including ambulances), 6,121 tractors and miscellaneous other vehicles, and (of course) 1,293 steam-powered wagons. France is thought to have been in roughly the same league, while Italy mustered about 25,000 trucks and perhaps 12,000 other vehicles. By that time United States armed forces had brought about 20,000 vehicles to Europe, but had a quarter of a million more ready for shipment if needed in 1919. As for the Russian Empire, nobody knows.
On the receiving end of the Allied naval blockade mass production of automobiles was undoubtedly more difficult, but the figures to prove it are hard to find. It seems safe to assume that German armed forces had access to and used more motorised transport than any of their allies, but the German Army's vehicular roster at the end of the War was relatively paltry, amounting to some 16,000 tractors, 25,000 trucks, 12,000 cars, 3,200 ambulances and 5,400 motorbikes.
Austria-Hungary did have a fairly successful pre-War automobile industry, with centres in Bohemia and Hungary, but expansion was hampered by material shortages and the refusal of some manufacturers to expand output beyond levels sustainable after the War. No figures are available, but anecdotal evidence backs up the assumption that, although Imperial forces certainly used some trucks, cars and motorcycles, they were few and far between. Most, if not all motorised vehicles used by wartime Ottoman and Bulgarian forces – generally trucks – were supplied by Germany or Austria-Hungary.
So the Allies held a growing advantage over the Central Powers in vehicle numbers as the economic world war progressed, a situation destined to be repeated for a different set of alliances during the Second World War. At first glance the numbers look big and important, but they shrink in the context of millions mobilised (the British figures, for instance, take in every service all over the world), and they are only as important as the vehicles were useful. In some circumstances and conditions they were immensely valuable, bringing increased speed, efficiency and capacity to a variety of transport, haulage and communications tasks. In many more situations and for many reasons, they were either unused or useless.
The use of staff cars to whisk field commanders from place to place provides a good example of the differences between theory and practice in this branch of mechanised warfare. Early in the War, many officers in the major western European armies remained suspicious of the new technology and preferred to get around on horseback, a prejudice that was eroded but never eliminated by wartime experience, and that persisted throughout the conflict in many of the less advanced forces. Plenty more military men everywhere were automobile enthusiasts, but the most car-friendly officer with the most state-of-the-art vehicle might still have trouble putting it to good use.
Fast, reliable automobiles were readily available by 1914, but they were still fragile by modern standards, so that the broken terrain around a battlefront – which was anyway difficult for an ordinary wheeled vehicle – frequently caused breakdowns and damage, as did the extremes of climate found in most theatres. Cars of the period were also relatively difficult to maintain, and commanders in all the main armies complained of a shortage of mechanics. Fuel and oil were often in short supply, particularly for German and Austro-Hungarian forces, but the Vienna administration's failure to plan for any other supply needs in 1914 left many of its vehicles crippled during the War's first months and highlighted another major issue, because large numbers of spare parts were also absolutely vital to field operations. Another limitation on automobile use, for staff officers or anyone else, was a chronic shortage of qualified drivers in an age when driving was a relatively complex task and hardly a popular pastime.
All these obstacles served to limit the practical impact of all the other wartime applications for motorised vehicles except motorbikes, which were simpler, more rugged machines capable of delivering one man and a message (and later in the War, a radio) across most terrain. None of them made any difference to the motor vehicle's symbolic impact on perceptions about the First World War, then and ever since.
Automobiles of every kind were propaganda stars for every armed force in every belligerent country, and senior commanders used some of the finest models to add swagger to their profiles, particularly when photographs were involved. The epitome of this tendency was a man who knew a thing or two about swagger and symbolism, General Joffre, French Army c-in-c for the first half of the war, who plucked famed racing driver Georges Boillot from the air service in 1914 to speed him up and down the Western Front – on good roads behind the lines, of course.
Boillot soon escaped his c-in-c's clutches and took to the sky, becoming a much-decorated 'air ace' (in French terms, any pilot with five or more confirmed victories) before his death during a dogfight in 1916, but he'd done his bit for the conflict's image as a modern, mechanised enterprise. It's an image that has refused to go away, and is still used by the heritage industry to give its mindless carnage thesis an unlikely sheen of glamour.
So the technology wasn't fundamentally changed during the conflict, mass production was hastened but was coming anyway, and four-legged friends were still the basis for most military transportation – but at least the automobile's four-year military adventure can claim to have permanently warped our view of the First World War.


text:
There is an aspect of real-world string theory in physics that makes the idea of parallel universes, and therefore parallel Earths, plausible to some degree or another. But despite any stuffy science or math proving this or that, the multiverse has been a huge part of comics, and more popularly, Marvel and DC since, well, since forever. There's a storied history that involve Spider-Men of the 2099 variety, Earth 2, 3, 4, and so on, and all sorts of convoluted similarly new characters, places, things, and events, but more recently it's been all about Multiversal Incursions, The Multiversity and more, and a new round of the endless boxing match between Marvel and DC.
The Background
There's been two very different approaches taken by each of the Big 2 publishers when it comes to their respective multiverses, and over at Marvel things have been mostly handled by Jonathan Hickman, and his duo of Avengers books, New Avengers and Avengers-proper. Things get a bit more complex, although quite a bit deeper, over at DC, and while Grant Morrison's Multiversity series of books is meant to anchor DC's entire mishmash of Earth's, Earth 3's invasion during Forever Evil, and Earth's 2 ongoing monthly titles and upcoming monthly series gives DC a big leg up on allowing readers to explore more corners of their parallel universes. Up to now, unfortunately, DC hasn't quite kept up with quality storytelling involving their multiverse.
DC's Approach
While it's been really fun to see the Earth 2 characters do their thing in both World's Finest and Earth 2-proper, these haven't really focused much on any impact these universes have on each other, which is an integral part of making these other-Earths relevant. The Earth 3 invasion in Forever Evil added some much need importance on the multiverse as a whole, and did so using one of DC's most interesting, if not most popular, alternate versions of their Earth, but the aftermath of that event has been anything but stellar, and DC is certainly dragging its feet. Multiversity #1 was a great start to something, but DC has some catching up to do.
Marvel's Approach
Although Marvel has been dealing with their multiverse in pretty much only two books, the story being told in those titles has become an amazing morality tale of multiversal proportions, and it's done so without hanging its hat on knockoff copies of wildly popular characters. Although there have been hints in other Marvel titles that suggest problems with the multiverse do in fact exist, and Hickman has debuted characters from alternate Marvel Earths to his overall story, they are by no means the center of the story. The separate universes of the Marvel multiverse are smashing into each other with Earth at the focal point of the destruction, and either one Earth dies, saving both universes and the other Earth in the process, or both universes die. The morality roller-coaster that Hickman has taken readers on has been a much better use of the multiverse idea in storytelling than anything DC has done in recent memory, but can it last?
Marvel's Multiversal Future
Despite being better up to this point, Marvel's future in the context of the multiverse has already been, somewhat, established, although it's still a big secret. The upcoming Time Runs Out Avengers event will surely have a major impact on current story-lines, including the Multiversal Incursions one currently taking place. But beyond that, we really have no other information. Hickman has come out and said that his massive, decade-spanning story arc for the Avengers that began in Infinity, will take these characters to places they have never been before, and there's still a lot of mileage left in that promise. Additionally, the rumored Marvel reboot coming after this Avengers-event takes imaginations in all new directions, and not all of them are good. Not knowing is almost as bad as knowing, but the lack of an all-around investment in the multiverse does not bode well for its future use at Marvel, at least as a primary story focus. Not so over at DC.
DC's Multiversal Future
DC has always put a lot of investment stock into their multiverse, and it's paid off for them. They have a winner with Multiversity, their weekly strategy seems to be paying off, and the Earth 2 weekly that's on the way, coupled with the large part Earth 2's characters are playing in Futures End shows an ongoing dedication by the publisher to the whole idea of their multiverse. There may not be an immediate payoff every month or two when it comes to DC's multiverse-centric titles, but there's so damned many of them that it's impossible not to find a worthy moment almost weekly. DC is going to continue to give readers more and more of their 52 universe full multiverse, but it'll be awhile before we know if quantity can outpace quality.
The Verdict
I didn't mean for this article to be a multiveral summary, or even a review of the DC and Marvel approaches, but it's turned out to be that, and I'm not quite sure how to score my rankings. There's the recent past, the present, and the future of these diverse and very different multiverses, so I guess that's a good place to judge these two distinct approaches. Since Hickman has has his hands on Marvel's Multiversal Incursion story, there's simply no doubt that Marvel has won the past. Despite having multiple monthlies, a huge event, and a partial weekly, DC has not been able to tell a story that's even close to the quality of Hickman's epic morality tale. Presently, Marvel has it again, but just barely over their competition. Events in latest issues of Avengers and New Avengers have a lot of solid potential, and while DC's current state-of-affairs with their Multiverse have recently moved up more than a few pegs with Multiversity, Marvel edges DC out. But the future belongs totally to DC, and the potential for the future at DC's multiverse is nothing short of amazing. Marvel's future isn't too shabby either, but with DC throwing so much at so many titles involving the multiverse, it's hard to discount them despite past shortcomings.
The Past – Winner: Marvel
The Present – Winner: Marvel
The Future – Winner: DC
Overall – Winner: Marvel (By just hair)


text:
web design, premium hosting and search engine optimisation for your local business.
Website Design
Your website is a vital tool for attracting and engaging with new customers. It's a way to showcase your products or services, provide visitors with an easy way to learn more about you, your unique brand, and how to connect.
Search Engine Optimisation
SEO offers visibility and search presence leading to a considerable increase in sales, profitability, and cost efficiency for your clients.
Premium Hosting
Our clean and optimised server, or host, enables lightning-fast clicks, speedy updates, and high security.
Get in touch with US!
Helping you grow your business is what we love to do.
Get in touch so we can work with you to reach your digital marketing goals.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Steps To Success
Make A Beautiful Website
"Thanks for delivering a beautiful site that finally works on mobiles."
Thanks for delivering a beautiful site for us that finally works on mobiles. The process was a pleasure and all completed with minimal fuss while I focused on running my business. Now that it is all taken care of the feedback from my customers has been overwhelmingly positive! Thanks again.


text:
Wednesday 11th November 2015
Private landlords in England must ensure there are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in properties let in certain circumstances, under new laws in force from 1 October 2015.
Private landlords, which includes landlords letting property under assured shorthold tenancies, must ensure there is a smoke alarm on every storey, if a room there is used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
They must also ensure there is a carbon monoxide alarm in any room which is used wholly or partly as living accommodation, if it contains a solid fuel appliance.
They (or their agent) must check that each alarm is working at the start of every new tenancy (although this does not include renewals or an existing tenancy, or statutory periodic tenancies that arise automatically because an existing fixed term tenancy has expired).
Various notices must be served on the landlord by the local authority first before they can be punished but, if the landlord fails to comply, there is a potential fine of up to £5,000.
Operative date
Atom Content Marketing 2015
Author: Paul Ridehalgh
See more news from 2015.
Thank you. Transaction on the Ssle was smooth and quick. Will use you again - Karma Beauty
Stay in touch and up to date with our new focus newsletter
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
Marsden Rawsthorn Solicitors Ltd trading as Marsden Rawsthorn | T&Cs | Sitemap | firstname.lastname@example.com
Reg. Address Faraday Court, Faraday Drive, Fulwood Preston, PR2 9NB | VAT Number 154 1096 28
Authorised and Regulated by The Solicitors Regulation Authority. Authority number 591294.
For details of the professional rules governing the conduct of solicitors go to https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/
Powered by Thule Media.


text:
Traffic patterns at the landfill are clearly marked. Contractors and clients have different entrances and ways of accessing the landfill. Customers will proceed, up the hill, to the scale house. Each vehicle is weighed upon entering the landfill. Depending on the type of waste that is being brought in will determine which way each vehicle goes. It is imperative that all vehicles obey the posted signs and landfill personnel at all times.
For visitors going to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, the turn to go to the Facility is before the scale house.
Ada County Landfill
(208) 577-4725
[email protected]


text:
Boys U13 make Darien history as CT Cup Champs
Recommended Video:
The Darien U13 boys' team won the CT Cup in Simsbury recently, making it the first time that a boys' team from Darien has held the title.
Darien came out strong against the extremely tough East Hartford competition.
The first 20 minutes of the game was dominated by Darien with the midfield of Anson Sikora, Owen Comey and Kai Sparks holding the East Hartford Hornets in their defensive zone.
Applying pressure, Axel Tabaschek, James Kennedy and Matthew Kennedy each had strong opportunities on net with the ball just skimming the outside and upward posts.
In the 17th minute of the game, Darien was awarded a penalty kick due to a hand ball in the box as a Hornet player tried to defend the Darien corner kick.
Anson Sikora bulleted the ball into the lower left hand corner of the net to give Darien a one goal lead.
The Darien defense lead by Kyle Baiera, Sebastian Raz-Guzman, Caleb Seiden and Brenton Dolan came alive in the second half and played outstandingly, holding off a pressing East Hartford team.
Tommy Branca defended the net with several big saves keeping Darien's clean sheet.
Scrappy tough defensive play continued to be shown by James Collins, Jack Peattie, Matthew Mancini, Charlie Kroll and Kalev Viirand as they helped ward off the Hornet advances.
Offensively Monty Hahn, Mitch Davis and Lee Krotee pressured the Hornet defense, drawing fouls and numerous scoring opportunities leaving the Hornets scoreless after 70 minutes.
In Simsbury, both the Girls U15 blue team and the Boys U13 blue team represented Darien in the finals of the CT CUP.
The CT Cup is a statewide tournament held every fall where youth teams from all soccer organizations compete.
This is the second time in the history of the DSA that a boys team or a girls team has made it this far.
It has been 23 years since a boys team has made it the finals of the CT Cup.
The last and only other appearance from a girls team was in 2007 under coach Jon Bradley.
The U15 girls went into the finals undefeated in league play and as the Champions of the FAST tournament, while the U13 Boys team emerged from a pool of 46 teams all across Conn. winning all games in regulation play.


text:
I scoured the internet to find a good nonfiction piece to do my presentation on. At first, I picked a piece about the guy who hacked OKCupid to find his fiancee, an article which combined all of my main interests: computer hacking, romance, sketchy morals, and really smart people. The article itself, however, wasn't "of literary merit," so I moved on. The title "Selling Indulgence in Corporate Japan" [by Andy Couturier] felt intellectual, so I went for that after the OKCupid disappointment. It was the first creativenonfiction.com piece that didn't feel so extra. By that I mean it wasn't overly lyrical or overly sentimental, and, best of all, I didn't really like the narrator on the first reading. I also dug the writing a lot. More on that later.
Alright, so this is a pretty interesting piece. It's about the narrator's time teaching English in Japan, and basically the whole thing investigates cultural differences between American and Japan, most significantly this idea of each person in Japan living in two different worlds. In the piece, he describes these two worlds as the world of work and the world of sweetness. That is, one part of a person's life would be dedicated to contributing to the world's second largest economy, and this would be a world of intense structure and formality, and is kind of this overwhelming, ruledriven world of work and corporations. And the other side is the world of sweetness, where places of "indulgence" are written into society to counteract this intense working world on the other side. This side of sweetness, the narrator says, is the side that allows for Japanese manga and "comfort women" and receptionists and even the narrator's own job. Throughout the piece, the narrator struggles with his role in Japanese society, including his own perception of himself versus how he is being perceived by others. In the end, he determines that he, like the receptionists at the corporation where he works, is just another example of these "indulgences" that are necessarily to Japanese society. He realizes that his role isn't as much to teach English as it is to create a space of acceptance, lightheartedness, and even fun for these corporate workers.
Throughout the piece, the narrator especially emphasizes the differences between Japanese culture and his own through the use of language. This is natural, as the narrator's an English teacher. He talks about the difference between American and Japanese phrases, in particular the phrases in Japanese that denote humility, different levels of respect, politeness, etc. He shows these examples of customs that must be followed in Japan: humbling phrases that must be spoken at the end of conversations, and verbal exchanges of apologies and selfdeprecation. In contrast, his English classroom is revealed as a place where these formalities are no longer necessary, as they are not present in the English language. Thus, his classroom becomes a place of indulgence, free from these rules. It's a fascinating comparison and an effective motif.
The interesting thing is, the first time I read the piece, I didn't particularly like the narrator. I feel differently now, but let me just analyze this real quick. On the first read, he felt very Piper Chapmanesque. He's the American foreigner attempting to judge a culture based on his halfway knowledge of Japanese history. Every new observation he receives working as an English teacher at a Japanese corporation immediately becomes a cultural truism: an immediate reference point that he can continue to build cultural knowledge on top of, without regard for the accuracy of the new statement. When a man in his class mentions cherry blossoms, he immediately draws a conclusion about Japanese masculinity and sticks to it. Obviously, there's his misguided attempt to teach one of the receptionists about feminism, informing her that she is oppressed. I think after several reads, though, I realized it doesn't matter. Of course he's not the authority on Japanese culture. This is his story, his creative nonfiction. It's about his observations and his exploration of himself. And so with that view in mind, I could turn to the piece again. It turns out the piece is really this weird journey of empathy, where he was able to put himself in the shoes of all these different people he's interacting with, and he can try to understand their culture. As a premise, that's really, really interesting. This concept of finding one's place in a foreign culture, reevaluating the things once seen as human truths, is incredibly gripping. That must be why I was so drawn to it as to email it to Rolater before I even finished it.
It's a really great piece. It presents fascinating observations on Japanese culture from the point of view of an outsider, while also evaluating, in a way, American culture. By figuring out what parts of himself were cultural, he could better understand just base humans, I think. That's what gives the piece that universal appeal that all pieces of writing strive for. And the narrator's journey in selfperception was incredibly compelling, absolutely relatable. We all want to think of ourselves one way, and we see the things that we were raised with as true, so that struggle to empathize and understand while those understandings are being thrown away is powerful.


text:
To the Editor:
Re "Miles of Algae Covering Lake Erie" (news article, Oct. 4):
In Congress, I represent Lake Erie's southern coast and western basin, where algae blooms forced 500,000 citizens off water systems for three days in 2014.
You acknowledge that excess nutrients are the fuel that ignites yearly algae blooms. The State of Ohio and others estimate that 60 to 80 percent of those nutrients come from agricultural runoff. Land use changes to accommodate increasing human and livestock populations, along with shifting agricultural drainage patterns and weather conditions, all contribute.
The water-food-energy nexus leaves downstream ecosystems drastically out of balance. To meet the demands of 400 million Americans by 2050, we must recognize the incomparable value of fresh water and adapt to protect it.
Forthcoming infrastructure legislation, farm bill reauthorization and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative can help undergird a federal strategy. Ultimately, a coordinated response that identifies sources, enforces standards and fosters innovation must save our Great Lakes, the largest body of fresh water on Earth.
The writer, a Democrat, is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force.
To the Editor:
This is the time of year when the three million of us who live along the southwest shore of Lake Erie begin to worry about the safety of our drinking water.
Algae, nourished by fertilizer runoff from croplands, bloom in the lake, affecting the taste of the water and, worse, produce microcystin-containing algae.
As a neurologist who studied the effects of liver disease on brain function, I am well aware of the threats to the liver and the nervous system posed by these toxins.
The Clean Water Act and associated Clean Water Rule are intended to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to fulfill its mission. This rule, like too many others, is under assault by the very agency whose work is to make this a healthier, safer world for us, our children and the most vulnerable members of our society.
A failure to support this rule is the equivalent of medical malpractice.
The writer, emeritus professor of neurology at the University at Buffalo, is a senior scientist at Physicians for Social Responsibility.


text:
NPR Features Sneak Peak of Tim McGraw's Emotional Traffic.
Curb Records has teamed up with NPR to help promote the release of Tim McGraw's upcoming Emotional Traffic. A special preview of the album will be featured on NPR.com, NPR stations and NPR mobile between January 16th and the album's release date, Tuesday, January 24th during the First Listen series. Fans will have to opportunity to listen to the whole album.
Click here to check it out.
Find the most current Tim McGraw tour dates from our partners at Country Music On Tour, your trusted country concert ticket source!


text:
Desert Darlings perform in Santa Fe!
October 15, 2012 § 2 Comments
Hello lovely readers! I know I have been quiet lately, but I haven't forgotten about you! I have been incredibly busy in life and in dance! The nice thing about being too busy to write as much is that I have been dancing and performing quite a bit! Don't worry, I will be back soon with stories, thoughts and insights! In the meantime, here is a video from one of Desert Darlings' most recent performances. We performed in Santa Fe at "Raq-Us Illumination," a show featuring Unmata! If you feel so inclined, you can check out other performances from that night on youtube. It was a great show!
Belly Dance, Hooping, and Fusion
August 23, 2012 § Leave a comment
It has been a busy summer, but I have been able to find more time for hooping! It is a great full-body work out, invigorating and most importantly, fun! Being at the "blossoming beginner" stage of a hobby is very rewarding. I now have enough experience with the hoop that I am able to learn new tricks more quickly (courtesy of homeofpoi.com's "learn" page) and there is so much to look forward to learning. I like to enjoy every stage of a hobby, but this is an especially fun one.
When I first tried hooping, it was in a workshop with a teacher who also taught belly dance. Most of the students in the workshop were belly dance students, and we started the class by repeating several times, "hooping is not belly dance!" The teacher wanted to make sure we weren't inserting unnecessary movement into the hooping because of our belly dance muscle memory. The two art forms use some of the same muscle groups in different ways. That being said, there are some types of isolations used in belly dance that are useful with certain hoop moves. For example, being able to move the chest independently from the hips helps with chest hooping.
Hula hooping is a good cross-training choice for belly dancers. It's low impact like belly dance, but is very cardiovascular, while belly dance is sometimes not. Not only does hooping aid in muscle strengthening and toning, it can balance the fitness routine. It is gaining popularity among belly dancers, especially in the tribal community. This, of course, leads to fusion! I am nowhere near being to a point where I could fuse together hooping and belly dance, but I sometimes come across videos of this. This is one of my favorites. It is artfully executed and reflective of the music. Enjoy!
Isis Wings and Imagery
June 3, 2012 § 3 Comments
Isis Wings! They are fun, flowing and flashy!
It is difficult to find information on the origin of Isis Wings. The Dancers of the Desert write on their website "in doing research on Wings of Isis I found that there is no specific history on Isis wings. They started in Las Vegas [as] a prop used by show girls, and I am assuming, because of their similarity to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of love, fertility (She is depicted usually as a kneeling lady with wings), got their name…It is an American prop and does not fall into traditional Middle Eastern dance, but was developed with so many other props, into the middle Eastern art of belly dancing."
There is this video on YouTube circa 1895 which was the first hand-painted movie. The props used are not Isis Wings, the description says they are veils (obviously attached to sticks), but the effect is rather Isis Wings-esque.
No matter where Isis Wings came from, they certainly awe audiences and capture the imagination. Sometimes they remind people of other, often-whimsical things.
One person told me this prop reminds them of the artificial swallowtail butterfly developed by researches to study how these beautiful and oddly proportioned insects stay in flight:
A spectator at one of Lumani's shows saw these…
…and thought them reminiscent of this popular caped crusader:
Personally, Isis Wings make me think of this:
Less whimsical, but this deadly Jurassic Park dino comes to mind every time.
Like everything, Isis Wings get reinvented with new technology. Behold! Some really cool LED Isis Wings!
After seeing this video, Princess Farhana said on twitter "WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that was better than being a kid at Disneyland's Electric parade!!!!"
Do Isis Wings remind you of anything?
How to Choreograph
April 20, 2012 § 1 Comment
I don't usually choreograph my solos. I "tried" many times over the years, but was unsuccessful. I tried choreographing by dancing through a song, but couldn't remember what I'd done. Or I came up with a set of moves for one phrase, but couldn't come up with anything for the rest. Or I listened to a song and imagined how I would dance, but these images didn't translate easily to reality.
Honestly, I think I lacked patience and confidence in my choices. I wasn't ready to choreograph. Creating something definite was too much pressure. If I improvised, I didn't have to worry about forgetting my choreography. Sometimes I worried about not knowing what was next, but I had no choice but to commit and keep dancing. It seemed less stressful. I love the freedom of improvisation. It's so honest and genuine. However, both improvisation and choreography are important skills and lend themselves well to different circumstances.
A couple months ago, I signed up for a 3-5 minute solo at Amaya's Oriental Potpourri. I wanted to challenge myself with an Oriental belly dance choreography. I picked a piece of music that seemed like it would be challenging to improvise to. After working on it obsessively, I am pleased with how it turned out.
Here is the process I went through:
1) I listened to the song over and over and over again. I wrote notes about the sections. How are they different? What is their feel? Should that section be fast? Staccato? Melodic? Traveling? In place?
2) I broke down the song by section and count. I wrote things like "Intro-32 counts" and "Call and Answer-16 counts." Then I wrote general notes about what I saw for each section, such as "traveling," "undulations," "layering," "shimmies."
3) I listened to one section at a time, and then one phrase at a time. I visualized dancing. I kept listening until I had an idea I really liked, then I wrote it down. If I couldn't get an idea for something, I skipped it and came back to it later with the question, "what does the dance still need?" As the dance developed, I made sure there was enough variation in floor patterns, traveling, staying still, leveling, etc. I didn't want my dance to look stagnant and I wanted it to reflect the changes in the music. I also made sure there was some repetition so the dance was cohesive.
4) Once I had a combo written down, I tried it. I sang each part to myself as I slowly went through the moves. Some things worked and some didn't. Some phrases needed a little refinement while some had to be entirely reworked. It was a process. Once I had something solid, I tried it with the music.
5) When I finished choreographing, it was time for memorization. I kept my notes nearby and practiced transitioning from one section to the next. This took awhile. It was the same process as learning someone else's choreography.
6) Once it was memorized, I focused on musical expression. I listened to the music very closely and adjusted moves to reflect the sound. I tried to really dance it.
7) Practice, practice, practice.
This is the process that worked for me. I put together my 3-and-a -half minute solo in about a week and a half. I worked on it everywhere I could; every free second I got. At home, at school, at work, at the laundry mat…Once I started, it was hard to stop. It was a labor of love.
Here is the finished product:
What is your choreography process? Do you have any tips to share?
New Troupe and Oriental Potpourri!
March 14, 2012 § 3 Comments
I have re-immersed myself in dancing. It was really easy. I love how it seems no matter where I go, there is a flourishing and welcoming belly dance community. I went to a Farfesha student show and started taking classes at their studio shortly after. I signed up for an eight-week course with some American Tribal Style dancers who got their start at the same Santa Fe studio I did. I introduced myself after the first class and we talked a bit. After the second class, they invited me to join their troupe, The Desert Darlings! So how about that; I thought I would be stepping back from the tribal community, something I have thought before, yet it always seems to find a place for me. I guess it's meant to be. And the Desert Darlings are, well, darling! I am still pursuing Oriental belly dance in my self-practice and will soon be seeking a weekly class.
Last month, I attended Oriental Potpourri, an annual event put on by Amaya. It was wonderful! The guest teacher was Karim Nagi of Turbo Tabla who is amazing! I took a Drum Solo and a Raks Assaya (cane) workshop. It was educational and inspiring! If you ever have the chance to take workshops with Karim, do it! If I had the means, I might travel all over the world taking his workshops. I would learn so much! He has published some DVDs and sells them at a discount to his workshop students. I haven't gotten to watch mine yet, but I will post about them when I do.
Karim's workshops got me thinking about some things. First of all, I now realize how important it is to call the traditional dances by their proper names to credit the Egyptians. Going forward, when doing these styles I will do my best to honor them with their true names. I will still call tribal style "belly dance" because it is so Americanized, and I will use "belly dance" as a catchall phrase since I don't strictly do classical styles.
Second, I now know that I love Raks Assaya! I had never danced with a cane before, and it was so much fun! I already knew that the women's style of dance came from playfully teasing the men who do Tahtib (an ancient martial art form using a large stick, an assaya), but hearing Karim's description made it so much more fun! I want to buy a cane, but I have to do some research first because I don't yet know what I'm looking for in this prop. If anyone has any pointers, they would be much appreciated!
I also learned some very valuable tips for drum solos, like separating the location of accents in the body to reflect different sounds on the drum, and I performed in a show for friends and family of Oriental Potpourri participants. I did my first ever, completely choreographed, non-Tribal solo. It was really fun and a great experience. I will post a video soon.
Dancing Out Loud
February 17, 2012 § 4 Comments
I dance constantly. My hips have a mind of their own. There are times I have found myself thinking about a song or a performance and come to a sudden realization (sometimes prompted by people giving me strange looks) that my hips are moving. Dancing out loud, if you will.
This happened to me once when I was working at a mall kiosk. I was casually pacing while thinking about a performance I had done and how it could be revamped when I noticed that some guys who worked at a nearby store were staring at me. I then realized that my hips were reacting to my thoughts of dancing. I proceeded to casually pace my way over to my cash wrap and start doing some paperwork. "Who me? Dancing? I don't know what you're talking about…"
A more recent incident occurred last month while I was visiting my family in Portland, OR. We decided to go to Jam, a popular brunch spot. There was a bit of a wait–45 minutes or so–and no sitting room in the waiting area. So we hung out on the rain drenched street, huddled under the awning, engaging in conversation in front of Jam's window along with other waiting, rain-soaked people. I was standing with my back against the window, and my hips started doing an alternating hip lift with a double lift every third one. (My hips often start creating patterns when I am waiting for something, especially if I'm cold.) I did this for a few minutes without paying it much attention. I glanced back into the restaurant to realize there was a table right behind me, about eye level with my behind. There I was, shaking my butt in these people's faces while they were trying to enjoy their blueberry pancakes! Oops.
Similarly, I often break into dance while I am brushing my teeth, cooking , trying to get ready for work… Sometimes, I just can't hold it in any longer!
Sometimes, like the urge to dance, inspiration comes at inconvenient times. Ideas for blog posts often come to me in the middle of a hectic work deadline and I have to quickly find a pen and paper and frantically try to get it down on paper while it's fresh. Or sometimes when I'm driving, I'll suddenly have amazing visions of choreographies and have to frantically jot them down as soon as I stop somewhere. If I wait and try to recall it later when it's stale and I'm tired, it just never blossoms the same as when the inspiration is fresh.
Belly dance, it's an addiction.
*This post was inspired in part by Leyla Najma's post, A Choreography State of Mind. If you've never been to her blog, you should check it out. Her posts are insightful, honest and thought-provoking.
Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14, 2012 § Leave a comment
For the romantics:
For the cynics:


text:
Links of London celeste rose gold wrap ring n
Links of London big rock white topaz ring charm silver
Links of London
Big Rock Diamond Ring Charm in silver with white topaz gemstone.
Links of London Charm's collection has a complete selection of charms, in the shapes of animals, fashion accessories and food for create an indivual and unique look.
Ref: 5030.0345
Gender: Women
Age Group: adult
Colour: White
Please sign in first.Sign in
Create a free account to use wishlists.Sign in


text:
Sixth Form Open Event
Ormiston Forge Academy Sixth Form in Cradley Heath is throwing open its doors in December to prospective post sixteen students at its annual open event on Thursday 7th December.
Students who are due to start post 16 studies in September 2018 are invited to visit Forge to gain a taster of life at the academy sixth form. The academy achieved record-breaking A level results this summer as well as an outstanding record of 100% of leavers going to university, work or apprenticeships.
The doors will be open from 5.00pm–7.00pm on Thursday 7th December.
Visitors will be able to see the enormous variety and quality of courses Forge has to offer students for life after year 11. Also in attendance will be a number of universities, The Access Project who help students improve their grades even more and support their applications to top universities and our groundbreaking football scholarship programme where students play, train and study with us.
Darren Grimes, Assistant Principal for KS5, said: "2017 has been a very good year so far, we achieved another set of excellent A level results in the summer. We're graded Good by OFSTED and we're a National Support School. We're very much looking forward to prospective parents and students coming to visit us. Each and every student is important to us and we hope to enable them on the next stage of their journey."
The event, on Thursday 7th December, is open to current students at Forge as well as external candidates. Please contact Mrs Yvonne Siviter on 01384 566 598 or email email@example.com if you have any questions.
You can find our sixth form admissions page here: www.ormistonforgeacademy.co.uk/admissions/6th-form


text:
"And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth'" (Exod. 34:6 NKJ).
Grace has a spiritual anatomy, or structural makeup! This is so important if we are to have a complete picture of what the Bible calls "grace." The word "grace" in itself is used in the scriptures in different ways, and sometimes is not associated with the grace of our salvation. However, even when it refers to the saving grace, the term is used to refer to different aspects of the operations of grace.
The scripture above teaches us that our God is merciful and gracious. Grace and truth is used to describe the fullness of God that dwelt in Christ (John 1:14; Col. 2:9). Grace is God's very nature expressing itself in bountifulness and favor. This is the first anatomic part of grace. The second sequential dimension of grace is the revelation, or the coming of grace to humanity. Jesus is God's grace revealed. He does not only bring grace, but is the fullness of the grace of God. Grace is the Person of Jesus Christ, and the cross is the grace of God in manifestation. The third anatomic component of grace is the operation of God in our lives with its visible effects. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace, and comes to operate in us to make us completely what God has made us to be by grace. Grace is the power of God operating in us, with manifestations such as joy, freedom, healing, or ministry gifts such as prophecy. The fourth dimension of grace is the human response. Grace is our offering of praise and thanksgiving to God in response to the amazing grace He has bestowed upon us. In fact, the Greek word translated as "grace" (charis) can also be translated as "thanks" or "thanksgiving." God wants you to live in the entire anatomic framework of grace!
Think on the four dimensions of grace, and examine which are fully functional in your life.
Praise is an expression of grace, which is your response to God for His wonderful favor. Why don't you spend this day just praising and thanking God for the gift of grace in your life?
Ask the Lord to help you experience the full measure of the grace of God in your life.
Recommended Read: How to grow in grace
Must Read!: What is a Daily Devotional?


text:
Northfield Common has a rich and diverse history. Located next to the towpath of the Erie Canal,
the Common captures the aura of one of the
oldest communities in Monroe County; the
well-established Pittsford Village.
The shops at Northfield Common have their own individual
characteristics and history. Several were remodeled from the
original lumber sheds and is well worth a visit.
Beads 'N Things
Dolce Cupcakery
Evolution Pilates
French Press
Her Home Referrals, LLC
Jth Agency
Label 7
Lularoe - Lisa Jones
The Map Shop
Miguel Creative
Northfield Music
Olive's Greek Taverna
Pittsford Lumber
The Recovery Caboose
Rosolino's Tailors
See Spot Think!
Top Notch Monogramming
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11am - 6pm
Wednesday: 11am - 6pm
Thursday: 11am - 6pm
Friday: 11am - 5pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. D, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-586-7230
Website: beadsnthings-ny.com
We stock a unique and inspiring selection of quality beads from across the USA and around the world. In addition to our bead assortment, we carry all of the tools and supplies needed for your beading projects along with a wide array of instructional books and magazines.
Do you have jewelry in need of repair? Feel free to bring in your pieces and we will provide a free evaluation. We'll also supply you with the tools to fix them yourself, or you can opt to have them repaired in-house by our experienced and quality-focused restringing/repair service.
Our cupcakes are handmade of the finest and freshest ingredients available on the market. All Cupcakes are made daily and held to the highest of standards. Custom orders are always welcome. Mix and match your favorite cake flavor, filling option and icing flavor to create a delicious dolce cupcake
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am - 6pm
Wednesday: 10am - 6pm
Thursday: 10am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sun: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. R, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-383-0200
Website: dolcecupcake.com
An incredible group of instructors who are not only Pilates certified, but highly trained fitness professionals with advanced degrees in exercise science, dance, and physical therapy, and who bring years of experience to their teaching. We work as a team to set our clients on a path to achieving their personal fitness goals through the Pilates Method and physical therapy.
Monday: 7am – 9pm
Tuesday: 7am – 9pm
Wednesday: 7am – 9pm
Thursday: 7am – 9pm
Friday: 7am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 3pm
Sunday: 9am – 3pm
50 State Street Bldg M. Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-381-2640
Website: rocpilates.com
evolution pilates
French Press specializes in letterpress wedding invitations, custom wedding invitations, and letterpress stationery. Our staff also offers boutique design services that will get your business noticed.
50 State Street Bldg. J, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-381-2640
Website: frenchpressonline.com
Monday: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 10am – 4pm
Wednesday: 10am – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 4pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: Appointment only
Sunday: Closed
HER HOME referRals, LLC
For a busy family, there is no end to the list of to-do's needing to be accomplished. HerHome Referrals LLC is a place to turn for answers to the questions. We have built, and continue to build, a network of vetted service professionals to help you get the tasks handled. Tell us what you need, if we don't have the answers, we know who to ask.
50 State Street Bldg. R, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-623-3979
Specialty food and gift items.
Care Packages & Gift Baskets
Dressings, Sauces & Marinades
For the Grill
For your Bar
Hostess Gifts
Salts & Spices
Tea Towels
Tote Bags
And More!
50 State Street Bldg. H, Pittsford, NY 14534585- 245-8368
Website: honeygirlgourmet.com
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11am – 5pm
Wednesday: 11am – 5pm
Thursday: 11am – 5pm
Friday: 11am – 5pm
Saturday: 11am – 5pm
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Jth agency
JTH Agency, a gentlemen's sporting arms and apparel store in Pittsford
(Rochester New York area) featuring Beretta, Perazzi, Kolar, Dakota, Rizzini, Americase, Briley and Sako
50 State Street Bldg. L, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-381-3511
Monday: 3pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday: 3pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday: 3pm - 7:30pm
Thursday: 3pm - 7:30pm
Friday: 3pm - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed
Located on the Erie Canal in Pittsford, NY, Label 7 offers locally sourced,
New-Age American fare, craft cocktails, beer and a vast array of wine, served by people who truly believe in our mission to support our friends' and neighbors' small businesses.
50 State Street Bldg.I, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-267-7500
Monday: 10am - 11:00pm
Tuesday: 10am - 11:00pm
Wednesday: 10am - 11:00pm
Thursday: 10am - 11:00pm
Friday: 11am - 11:00pm
Saturday: 11am - 11:00pm
Sunday: Open for Private
Events Only
Lularoe - Lisa Jones
Amazing clothing in unique fabrics at reasonable prices! Clothing for women sizes xxs (00-0) To 3xl (26-28) and girls sizes 2-14. Leggings, tops, Skirts and Dresses in unique fabrics!
50 State Street Bldg. F, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: (585) 256-3688
Monday: Appt. Only
Tuesday: Appt. Only
Wednesday: Appt. Only
Thursday: Appt. Only
Friday: Appt. Only
Saturday: Appt. Only
Sunday: Closed
THe map shop
We carry a standard supply of national and international maps, globes of all sizes and flags for any occasion. We act as an "informal travel agent" for customers shopping for maps of their vacation destination as well as providing flags and other information for all occasions. One of the most recent additions to The Map Shop has been atomic clocks and among the other interesting items are cannons that fire, model rockets that carry eggs and maps that are more than three centuries old.
50 State Street Bldg. F, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 800-210-5330 585-385-5850
Website: 1-800flags.com
Monday: 10am-5pm
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-4pm
Sunday: Closed
A small Creative Studio providing advertising, design and marketing needs for local and national businesses.
50 State Street Bldg. J Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 650-222-8727
Monday: 9am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 9am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9am - 5:00pm
Saturday: By appointment
Sunday: Closed
Northfield Music, established 1975 has taught thousands of students how to enjoy making music on guitar, electric bass, piano and drums. We have 15 professional music instructors on staff teaching all styles of music. We offer guitar and bass rentals to the first time student and also sell a wide variety of acoustic and electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, music books, effects and accessories.
Monday: 1pm - 8pm
Tuesday: 1pm - 8pm
Wednesday: 1pm - 8pm
Thursday: 1pm - 8pm
Friday: 1pm - 5pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. D, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-586-4662
oLIVES GREEK TAVERN
We are a casual Greek Taverna, family owned and operated with a menu that reflects traditional Greek items and recipes.
Monday: 11am - 8pm
Tuesday: 11am - 8pm
Wednesday: 11am - 8pm
Thurday: 11am - 8pm
Friday: 11am - 8pm
Saturday: 11am - 8pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. L, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-381-3990
A unique woodshop specializing in kiln dried hardwoods and woodworking supplies for woodworkers, artists woods, and craftspeople. We stock over 40 species of domestic and imported hardwoods, including figured lumber and certified tropical woods, hardwood plywoods, marine plywoods, West system epoxies, and dye stains. We have European, Japanese and vintage hand tools, woodturning tools, carving tools and a great book selection. Our full service millwork shop offers small custom cutting services as well as larger jobs.
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. E, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-586-1877
We offer quality fabrics and furniture for your home; all at a 10 - 40% discount! We have thousands of yards of fabrics in stock and we can special order most fabrics we don't stock.
We offer furniture by Taylor King, King's Road, McKinley Leather and various shabby chic and simple furniture and accessory lines for lamps. Once the fabrics and styles are chosen, our workshop staff can create your custom window treatments, furniture slipcovers, and bedding. We even have skilled installation available if needed.
We're proud to be your one stop Home Décor source and we're known for our excellent customer service with a personal touch.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am - 6pm
Wednesday: 10am - 6pm
Thursday: 10am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. B, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-385-3832
rosolino's custom tailors
Master Tailor, Yasar Otunctemur specializes in alterations for men and women and quality dry cleaning.
Monday: 9am - 6pm
Tuesday: 9am - 6pm
Wednesday: 9am - 6pm
Thursday: 9am - 6pm
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. J, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-586-1322
Frustrated with your dog? We can help. Need guidance building the blocks for
a solid training foundation? Simply looking to have fun with your pup? We've got you covered. We work with you to determine the best plan of action. Whether
it's through group training classes, individual training, puppy socialization, playgroups, or a combo we haven't yet thought of. We want you to enjoy
your dog.
see spot think!
Monday: 6:00pm–8:30pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 6:00pm–8:30pm
Thursday: 10:00am–1:00pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 10:00am–1:00pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. A, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-359-2341
Website: seespotthink.net
We are a T shirt and monogramming shop.Our services include: Photo Transfers, Screen printing, Pre printed tees (grateful dead, reggae, environmental), Iron-on lettering and transfers, In house embroidery, Hats, Jackets, Sweatshirts, Towels, Tackle Twill.
No minimums!
Monday: 11am - 7pm
Tuesday: 11am - 7pm
Wednesday: 11am - 7pm
Thursday: 11am - 7pm
Friday: 11am - 6pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
50 State Street Bldg. J, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: 585-248-2650
Website: topnotchmonogramming.com


text:
A controversial 2-hour minimum parking charge in Southend has contributed heavily to a £3.1million deficit for the council.
The unpopular charge, implemented in 2018 under the previous administration and scrapped earlier this year, has resulted in falling revenue for the highways department.
The charge meant motorists had to pay for two hours even if they only popped into to town for 30-minutes after a one-hour minimum was scrapped. The resultant falling numbers of visitors in town also left traffic wardens issuing fewer penalty charge notices.
Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, which is currently looking at devising a new parking strategy for the borough, said: "We have a £3.1million lack of income in the highways department. Income from parking charges and penalty notices is down and there also been some increased expenditure on pot holes.
"It is a combination of things, including a lack of people in the town centre using cars because of the two-hour parking that was put in place. It had a very negative impact, absolutely awful.
"There is a £3.1million overall cost pressure that is from overspending and lack of revenue from parking and parking tickets.
"Its up to me to being in a policy that will address that and make if fairer for residents."
The council is currently looking at a scheme to bring in parking permits for residents living in the Southend Borough and in surrounding areas of south Essex. These would have a fee of approximately £7 month and would give three hours free parking anywhere in the borough at any time of day. Motorists could then pay a top up charge or move to another spot in town for another three hours free parking.
Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island said: "I do not know where Cllr Woodley gets his numbers from?
Parking revenue for the seafront car parks increased yet again year on year. The High Street might have taken a hit with the damaging two hour minimum charging but taking it back now is a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted.
"The damage has been done. Small family businesses have left Southend centre never to return."


text:
Another tragic and costly reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the pathetic silence of commuters on the country's roads…. An accident sent some 16 muddied persons for immediate medical treatment. Our cameramen Rashleigh Fraser, Ryan Horne and Keith Hall captured the scenes. No one died on the spot, but some of the scenes we are about to show you may not be suitable for all audiences.
Travis Chase


text:
This year, SSU won a prize for its efforts toward reunification. Truce has been more than 60 years, which is not a peace treaty, so the country is in the state of war, legally. Reunification has been dealt seriously in politics, education, economy and in various fields and it is one of the major issues our society is facing. ST introduces about the regime of the North Korea, people crossing boarders and the efforts SSU is making toward education on reunification. .........................................Ed
Have you ever imagined people being taken to prison in front of your house? They have just taken pictures in front of your house. The soldiers said that it was illegal and took them away. Do you know where this is? Have you ever heard of an American citizen incarcerated due to a political propaganda poster? He allegedly stole the propaganda sign from a staff-only area in the hotel during his travel. As a result, he has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years. Do you know where this is? Have you ever heard of ' Kotjebi '? It is a North Korean slang for homeless North Korean children. This place is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is also called North Korea. There are many affairs in North Korea that we find difficult to understand.
The Economic Aspects of North Korea
North Korea is a socialist country. They have maintained a partially closed and centralized economy since the 1940s. Since what is called "Great famine", North Koreans have formed a large informal economy, which is called Jangmadang. It is a North Korean version of farmer's markets and local markets. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened in North Korea due to the Jangmadang . The appearance of Pyongyang and that of other regions are very different. Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea with large buildings, wide paved roads, and a large stadium. The North Korean government constructed a fifty-threestory apartment in Pyongyang . They are proud of this high-rise apartment and broadcast its grandiosity. On the other hand, every other region in North Korea, except perhaps the cities, lives in poverty. Furthermore, there are still impoverished areas in the cities. The North Korean defectors tell us that thebetter areas to live in are the coast and the boundary area between North Korea and China. There is a facilitated area wherein the movement of the capital is faster than the other regions. There are many 'Kotjebi'. These abandoned children bolt down their food because they are always worried that someone else may take their meal.
Education of North Korea
How could North Korea last the dictatorship for three generations? The answer is brainwashing education. The government internalizes Kim Il-sung, Kim Jongil, and Kim Jong-un as their sacred heroes. The people are brainwashed starting from when they are 5 years old. The moment students enter school, they are educated on the biographies of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un. In addition, the people are required to join certain organizations. Everybody should join the Boy Scouts during their childhood and the Kim Il-sung Young Socialists Alliance during adolescence. Later on, they receive their education by joining the female union, Agricultural Workers Union, and so on. All North Koreans are brainwashed throughout their entire life. Brainwashing education is still prevalent. The government brainwash their people even when they are at home. The law requires the people to put pictures of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un in their house. In addition, the government also places these pictures in every public location, which means that the people are brainwashed wherever they go. During the 90s, the government oppressed every religion except for its own, and after the 90s, the government announced that they were allowing more religions, but it appeared that it could only be applied to the Pyongyang citizens. The government still suppresses people for treason if they own a Bible.
The Story of the North Korean Defectors
How would you feel if one of your family members was going to pass away, and no matter how hard you tried, you could not do anything but wait? This is a common story among the North Korean defectors. Even when they entered South Korea or another foreign country, they live with their scars. The movie 'Crossing' tell us the story of a North Korean family. Here is the story of the movie 'Crossing'. There was a family of three, namely, Yong-soo (father), Yonghwa (mother), and Joon (son). Yong-soo used to be a representative soccer player of Hamkyeong-namdo, North Korea. However, he led a life of poverty for many years, and the family lived in a small coal town in Hamkyeong-nam-do. One day, Yong-hwa fell ill because of tuberculosis and pregnancy. Due to their condition, they could not afford to buy an anti-tuberculosis drug. As a result, Yong-soo decided to illegally enter China to buy medicine for his wife. However, once he crossed over to China, he found himself working as an illegal immigrant under the constant threat of being captured by the Chinese authorities and deported back to North Korea. There was also a moment when he was almost captured, wherein he lost his money. One day, he went to South Korea for an interview because someone told him that if he does, he could earn money. He did not want to go to South Korea, but he had to because he was already labeled as a traitor in North Korea. Meanwhile, his wife had already passed away, thereby leaving their son homeless and wandering around trying to find his father. As soon as he arrived in Korea, Yongsoo tried to find his son. He finally came into contact with his son through a broker, and he tried to get Joon to South Korea. However, Joon got lost on the way to his father and, eventually, he died. The movie 'Crossing' is inspired by a real story of a North Korean defector, and this kind of story is actually happening in the country. In addition, 'Crossing' is not the story of just one family, but all of the North Korean defectors. For example, the women who escaped from North Korea to South Korea were interviewed on the air in the famous talk show, 'Now, Time to See You Again'. One of them talked about her son whom she left behind. She lost him when she crossed over the Tumen River, which is located in a North Korean border with China. At the Tumen River, she and her son were kidnapped for human trafficking. After that, she passed out for a while and then she lost her son until now. She revealed that she did not know if her son was still alive. As a result of the trauma, she cried all night long even today. She could not help but think about her son. In light of this, even if the defectors escaped from North Korea, their grief and suffering is far from being over. In other words, most of the North Korean defectors are still suffering from these traumas, and they even find it difficult to adjust to a foreign country. 'Crossing' is still happening. According to the Ministry of Unification, 1,276 North Korean defectors entered South Korea in 2015. In addition, a cumulative number of 25,663 defectors entered South Korea from 2003 to 2015. The Soongsilians are approximately 16,778; therefore, the number of defectors is far from being small. In South Korea, there are plenty of policies for the defectors, such as the early resettlement funds, employment service, education service, and so on. However, these cannot be considered as a solution for their emotional scars. Perhaps the real medicine for these people is the reunification of Korea.
The Idea behind the SSU; Reunification program
SSU is a reunification-oriented university with a number of unification programs. One of the most renowned programs is the "Peace and Reunification in Korean Peninsula". The Soongsilians are obligated to go to the "Soongsil Unification Leadership Camp", where they receive an education on Soongsil Unification Leadership Training Institute for four days. ST had an interview with Professor Cho Eun-sik, who is a theology professor in SSU. ST: Why does SSU aim for reunification? Prof. Cho: SSU is currently located at Sangdodong, Seoul. However, SSU was originally located in Pyongyang. SSU fosters many national leaders and Christian leaders. It is the only university that opposed the pressure of visiting a Japanese shrine, and the school was voluntarily closed down in order to guard the faith and spirit of our people. Due to the Korean War, the university was rebuilt in Seoul. Nevertheless, we are proud of being a national university in the North Korean land. Therefore, I think it is natural that SSU is known for being a unification-oriented university.
ST: In what way do you think SSU is contributing to the reunification? Prof. Cho: I think SSU does not have to argue on the reunification topics, gradual reunification and absorbing reunification. SSU just aims for a peaceful reunification. The goal of SSU's reunification education is to train qualified personnel for the reunification and reconciliation of the north and south leaders. For this reason, SSU requires the first years to take reunification classes and receive the unification education in the Mungyeong SSU Unification Training Institute. The reunification should be arranged by everyone, and not just by the politicians or the military.
ST: What is SSU's plan after the reunification of Korea? Prof. Cho: As you can see in the case of the reunification of Germany, they prepared the reunification minutely, but they suffered from unexpected difficulties. The most important factor for a successful reunification is brotherly harmony. SSU will have to embrace the North Korean people, with brotherly love without making them feel alienated. Moreover, we should help the North Koreans understand the new politics and economic system. We should help them overcome the difficulty of adapting to a new system. And if possible, we should take back the Pyongyang Soongsil.
Park Chan-ju (Photo Editor) email@example.com
Seo Jung-hyun (ST Reporter) email@example.com


text:
>On the 9th day of Christmas (January 2) my true love gave to me… my first essay published in the new decade. For those who read my blog regularly, you've probably already read the "blog post" version of this essay, "The Glasses," here.
If you really want to catch up, links to several more posts about my mother are here:
Pushing the Right Buttons January 2009. At the end of this post you can find links to the following essays:
Bingo December 2008
Long Distance Caregiving November 2008
The Purse November 2008
If Mama Ain't Happy November 2008
HER Mother's Keeper October 2008
My Mother's Keeper October 2008
Unhappy Chairs September 2008
The Good Granddaughter August 2008
The Good Daughter Part II July 2008
The Good Daughter Part I June 2008
The Glasses (within the post, "The Treasure Hunt") April 2008
She Can't Possibly Be Eighty February 2008
Piece of Mind November 2007
Back in September, I met the editors of the Southern Women's Review at the Southern Womens Writers Conference at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. They encouraged me to submit an essay for their creative nonfiction section, which I did. I'm thrilled to see it in the first issue of the new year. Click on the link to the current issue and scroll down to page 36 to read "The Glasses," which is a reflection on one of my many visits with my mother in the early stages of Alzheimer's. This story took place when she was still in an assisted living facility, about six months before she fell, broke her hip, and had to be moved to a nursing home.
I'm honored to be in such good company in this issue, with Ellen Ann Fentress, whose essays have appeared in The New York Times and the oxford g Writer prize from the ninth biennial Southern Women Writers conference. An MFA graduate of Bennington college, the Mississippi delta native writes on Southern culture and politics as a journalist and also teaches creative nonfiction at Millsaps college in Jackson. She is completing a memoir, hopefully a wry exploration of loss and revised hopes, entitled Mighty Forces of nature." (this was her bio in the SWR) I met Ellen Ann at the Southern Women Writers, where we were both presenters. But Ellen Ann beat me out in the emerging writers contest! Her essay, "Oyster Anxiety," appears on page 50 of the SWR.
Just this morning a friend send me an email with a link to this NPR story, "How E-Books Will Change Reading and Writing," by Lynn Neary. She quotes Nicholas Carr as saying that the new technology (ebooks) will cause "a retreat from the sophistication and eloquence that characterized the printed page."
She goes on to say that Time magazine book reviewer Lev Grossman says:
"It will be incumbent on novelists to hook readers right away. You won't be allowed to do a kind of tone poem overture, you're going to want to have blood on the wall by the end of the second paragraph. And I think that's something writers will have to adapt to, and the challenge will be to use this powerfully narrative form, this pulpy kind of mode, to say important things."
I hope they are both wrong. Not because I think I am personally capable of writing with sophistication and eloquence, but I am trying to write powerful narrative, and I hope there will still be an audience for it if I ever finish my memoir. It's not that I'm opposed to blood on the wall by the end of the second paragraph, and I know I can do pulpy, but I'm aiming for literary prose, and if my readers want to ingest it on their Kindles, I won't be opposed to that.
But I like to picture them enjoying the book cover, smelling the ink, stroking the pages, and letting their eyes—and minds—rest on certain words and phrases for a while before moving on.
Until then, I hope you enjoy "The Glasses," even though you have to read it online. (It might also appear in a print journal later, but I don't know that yet. I'll keep you posted.)
I hope you (and your 9 ladies) are dancing today! Go, Rebs! (watching the Cotton Bowl)


text:
Friday, April 6, 2018
CH-53E crash victims IDd
Four Marines killed when a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed April 3 near El Centro, Calif., during training have been identified as Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, First Lt. Samuel D. Phillips, Gunnery Sgt. Derik R. Holley, and Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Conrad, all with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Three have Gulf Coast ties. Schultz, 28, of Huntington Valley, Pa., and Phillips, 27, of Pinehurst, N.C., were pilots who had previously served at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Conrad, 24, the helicopter crew chief, is from Baton Rouge, La. The crew was conducting training for "aircraft landings in unimproved zones," according to the Marines. (Source: USNI News, 04/05/18)