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So, the new fifth generation Toyota RAV4 SUV shocked the internet when news broke that it is priced from RM196,436, making it the most expensive model in its segment.
Bad, condescending remarks were flying from left, right, and centre all over social media and the internet, about how only stupid people will buy it, and how UMW Toyota have lost their minds, and this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Well, to be frank, even we were a bit surprised with the price, but not to the point of having to senselessly condemn it before even seeing it in the flesh, let alone driving it – which is always the case with most "car guys" you see on car website social media comment sections.
Look at the CH-R for instance – the same amount noise was made when it was released, and guess what? People still bought it, lots of it! It may not be the best-seller in its segment but there are still thousands of units on the road out there, and the owners are happy and have absolutely no regrets.
So, the moral of the story here is that, you say lah what you want to say; those who can afford it will still quietly go and buy it because it is actually a very decent product.
Coming back to the all-new Toyota RAV4 – we were given the opportunity to sample the range-topping 2.5-litre variant (RM215,665 minus SST) when it was launched, just to get a first-hand experience, and frankly speaking, it was not bad at all.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let us answer the magic question first – Why is the RAV4 more expensive than the top-spec versions of the Honda CR-V (RM175,900) and the Mazda CX-5 (RM181,660)?
Simple – While the CR-V and CX-5 are assembled locally, the Toyota RAV4 is fully imported from Japan. So, since the duties, taxes, incentives, and what not are different for both, imported vehicles have always been more expensive than CKD units. That's all.
"Will the RAV4 ever be assembled locally?"
We did ask the folks at UMWT during the launch, and the answer was, well… "We don't know yet…" as many factors have to be taken into consideration, and many processes need to take place between the manufacturer and the government before a vehicle can be assembled locally, so let us keep our fingers and toes crossed, hoping that the RAV4 will be assembled here and sold at a more competitive price in the near future, shall we?
Now, the second most important question – What exactly do you get for RM215,665?
Besides the different engine and gearbox (which we will get to shortly), both the 2.0 and 2.5 versions of the RAV4 get the same list of features on the exterior, interior, as well as safety, which includes:
- LED Headlights & Tail lamps
- LED DRLs
- Automatic wipers
- 18-inch wheels
- Powered tailgate with Kick sensor (first in class)
- 580-litres of boot space (biggest in class)
- Keyless entry
- Optitron meter panel
- 7-inch touch screen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Dual zone air-conditioning
- Combination leather seats
- 8-way powered driver's seat
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Wireless charger for mobile devices
- 3D Panoramic View Monitor
- Digital View Monitor
- Waterproof boot floor board
- Pre-Collision System (PCS)
- Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
- Auto High Beam
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
- Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film
- Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
- 7 Airbags
- Vehicle Telematics System
Sharing the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as the latest Camry, the RAV4 2.5 we're looking at here is powered by a new naturally aspirated Dynamic Force engine, which is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends power exclusively to the front wheels. Sorry guys, no AWD here.
As far as Toyota models in Malaysia are concerned, this is the first time this powertrain package is being offered here. Please inform your friends who like to take a swipe at Toyota for "always using old engine".
Offered in 6 colours (Dark Blue Mica, Red Mica, White Pearl CS, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black), the all-new Toyota RAV4 is offered with a 5 years/ unlimited mileage warranty.
Driving it
While the RAV4's key rivals like the high-spec Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 Turbo are turbocharged, the Toyota is naturally aspirated. So, it doesn't really pounce off the line when you put the accelerator pedal to the floor.
However, the RAV4 is anything but slow. Even though it takes slightly longer than its turbocharged rivals to get up to speed, power delivery is pretty seamless, and before you know it, you're way past the speed limit. Since it's naturally aspirated, there is no escaping from the engine noise when you accelerate as well, but it wasn't THAT loud.
Thanks to the Dynamic Force engine and gearbox that are made from a lot of lightweight material, the TNGA platform, and the fantastically sorted suspension, what we have here is one of, if not the best handling SUV in the segment.
For a vehicle its size, the RAV4 actually feels very light and agile. It also responds to steering input very sharply. Body-roll, weight-transfer, and things along that line that are typical of a top-heavy SUV, are barely noticeable, which makes the RAV4 quite an enjoyable SUV to drive versus models like the CR-V which can behave like a boat around corners.
While the driver is guaranteed a fun time, the occupants are also entitled to an enjoyable experience in the RAV4, thanks to the comfortable leather seats that provide decent support for occupants of all shapes and sizes.
Further adding to the whole experience is a generous list of features which you can check out above, and a spacious cabin which offers generous amount of head and leg space both in front and in the rear.
So, in a nutshell, while the RAV4 is slower than its turbocharged rivals, it is certainly among the best handling models in its class, and also one of the more spacious ones. Design wise, there is nothing much to shout about.
In terms of features, both 2.0L and 2.5L variants get the exact same things besides the engine and gearbox.
So, if power is not on top of your priority list, you can opt for the lower displacement variant and still enjoy all the equipment. Just that it's the most expensive model in class lah.
Is it worth it? Well, if you have the budget, absolutely. Otherwise, you can always look at its rivals that are more affordable.


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Instagram Video Category
in duplicate and triplicate } they dance to andrew bird
Posted on August 4, 2014 2 Comments
Yesterday I posted a video to Instagram which I felt needed to be longer, because I am momentarily in love with Andrew Bird's song Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left. So I am posting the song here, along with a slideshow of more Duplicate and Triplicate drawings.
Posted on August 28, 2013 Leave a Comment
As you know I get these surges of playfulness which grip me for a few hours and result in something that ultimately gets posted here. This time it was different, because my whimsy was a catalyst for something that would come after. It inspired my son, and consequently me, to play with some water and […]
the flower in her stomach
Posted on August 23, 2013 1 Comment
This was quite a production, from putting on the dress, laying out the black curtains and attaching my phone to a beam above. I was also a little distracted by my yearning for a loved one and a book that brought back memories of bygone days. The song is 'Flirting With You All My Life' […]
eve in a bottle
Posted on August 4, 2013 2 Comments
Today is cleaning day. But I can't be bothered to clean. I'm feeling particularly downhearted and extremely weak. So I resorted to what I do best to console my spirit.
block print #2 } lino face
Posted on August 2, 2013 Leave a Comment
I've found the technique I'm comfortable with and I've just started to refine it. I love the serendipitous moments I get with these prints. Any time you have results that you are not totally in control of but which are interesting is a bonus!
because i have to stop thinking
Posted on July 26, 2013 Leave a Comment
Have you ever thought so much it drove you insane? I think I just reached that point; the point where I no longer want things to make sense because they're just not going to. Ever. Not as long as I'm thinking about them. I feel I've reached a level of madness where I just want […]
Posted on July 12, 2013 Leave a Comment
And below, some of the scans I saved from my playtime.
precious bait
Posted on July 8, 2013 2 Comments
Posted on July 8, 2013 Leave a Comment
A few days last summer I got very obsessed with the act of writing. I just wanted to write and write without having to think. So I dedicated one of my notebooks to what I felt was the writer's version of drawing from life. So I wrote whatever I heard on TV. It was so […]
Posted on July 7, 2013 Leave a Comment
pick up lines
Posted on July 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
more instagram videos
Posted on June 22, 2013 Leave a Comment
Don't worry. I'll get tired of it soon enough.

subset: commoncrawl


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Researching your ancestors and family history? Want to locate or learn more about a specific burial site? There are more than 5,500 graves at the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, and the Preservation Committee researches and maintains a roster of the known burials. They can provide location and some genealogical data, where it is available.
The Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery's Memorial Program allows individuals or families to install a memorial stone and plaque to honor those whose burial site is elsewhere or unknown. Memorial stones are permanently mounted in the Rose Garden. For more information, click here.
On June 1, 2021, an extensively revised and updated Rural Cemetery Burial Listings book was released for purchase. Sandy Frary and Raymond Owen with the Rural Cemetery Preservation Committee spent over 13-years researching and compiling the information for the updated book that lists burials at the historic Rural Cemetery dating back to 1854. All book proceeds benefit the outstanding work of the Rural Cemetery Preservation Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers working with the City to maintain, preserve and share the history of the Rural Cemetery with our community. To learn about the research that went into the book and for a preview of some of the interesting stories, read this Press Democrat Feature Article.
The Burial Listing book is sold out, but you can buy a slightly flawed book at a discount price ($35):
Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery1600 Franklin AvenueSanta Rosa, CA 95404
707-543-3279[email protected]
Parks Maintenance707-543-3770[email protected]


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Fat-Me Not: Weight Loss Diet of the Future
by Myo M. Nwe, M.D. and Sandeep Grewal, M.D. —
Current weight loss techniques and products reflect the knowledge and research of the 1960s but, since then, the science of obesity and weight loss has progressed in leaps and bounds, although no one tells you about it.
And it is this knowledge you really need in order to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off.
The authors have finally connected the advances in weight-loss science and brought that knowledge from the annals of research journals to your doorstep in a simplified and easy-to-read way.
This research, stuck in scientific journals until now, can make it easier, simpler and safer for you to shed those pounds.
In this book, you will learn how bacteria in the gut can hack into your nervous system and change what you crave and eat; how your body regulates your weight and how you can use it to your advantage; why you gain back even more pounds than before and how to break this cycle; why today's diets do not sustain weight loss and why the diet of the future works.
The scientific studies are presented in fun-to-read "rat stories" in which you will learn about the challenges and success of their patients as you learn how you can achieve your goal.
$39 — Ace Innovation Group, 744 Arden Lane, Ste. 100, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 2, April/May 2015.


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3623Hudson Valley, Upstate NY
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Drop us a line and we'll help you find the ideal location for your email@example.com (+1) 212 463 7218


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SPLI Summer Courses run-through the months of July & August, while House Churches are on break.
We want to provide an opportunity for our people to go deeper in their learning.
This year's courses are:
- Beginner Guitar | Pastor Nate Chung
- Go Deeper with Art | Kaitlyn Tse
- The Wonderful Word | Matthew Pine & Jacky Lam
- Hearing God | James Tan
Some of our past courses include:
- Intro to Old Testament
- Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts & Having a Personal Encounter with Holy Spirit
- Leading Indicators of a Successful Marriage
- Spiritual Warfare
- Eschatology (The End Times)
- Luke/Acts
- Israel and the Middle East


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Doctors treating high blood pressure rely on the wrong methods to measure blood pressure, a Belgian study has discovered.
The study, from the University of Leuven, Belgium, was a meta analysis of major blood pressure studies and found that doctors can misjudge a patient's need for antihypertensive therapy as well as the risk of fatal and non fatal complications because they focus almost exclusively on diastolic blood pressure measurements those measuring the pressure of blood returning to the heart.
To examine the importance of diastolic, systolic and mean BP measurements on the risk of fatal and non fatal coronary and vascular events, the Belgian team carried out a meta analysis of eight trials involving 15,693 patients aged 60 years or more. The study included patients with systolic hypertension (a systolic BP of 160 mmHg or greater and a diastolic BP less than 95 mmHg), who were followed up for an average of 3.8 years.
Overall, the Belgian researchers found that, in untreated patients, systolic blood pressure was a more accurate predictor of fatal and non fatal complications than diastolic blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that a 10-mmHg increase in systolic BP was significantly linked with increases of nearly 10 per cent in the risk of all fatal and non fatal complications, except coronary events.
In contrast, lower diastolic BP measurements were associated with an increase in total and cardiovascular mortality. Nevertheless, diastolic BP did not prove to have a significant influence on deaths from all causes.
What was significant, say the authors, was the pulse pressure in each of the patients. This proved to be useful in targeting those who might benefit from antihypertensive treatment. A pulse pressure of 90 mmHg or more proved protective.
If only those with a lower pulse pressure were treated, the number of patients needed to be treated in order to prevent one cardiovascular death would be reduced by nearly half.
Across all the trials reviewed, antihypertensive therapy was less effective than many would imagine. Overall, drugs only reduced fatal and non fatal events by 26 per cent for all cardiovascular complications, 30 per cent for stroke and 23 per cent for coronary events.
The meta analysis concluded that those most likely to benefit from antihypertensive therapy were men, older patients and those with previous cardiovascular complications (Lancet, 2000; 355: 865-72).


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I am meeting my summer floral fantasy today.
This is a low back-cut A-line floral dress. Really easy to wear with white sneakers, pumps, flats or any casual summer shoes. It's more than simple to match it by my denim Chanel Boy and open-toe pumps. Never forget to top it up with a big smile!
Photographed by Robert Yu
Big Thank You to Robert for amazing work in the heat of 110℉
Leave a Reply.
Chris Han
a fashion, beauty and lifestyle influencer, photographer, female rights advocate, entrepreneur and friend.


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Earlier this week a fundraising appeal for Sange, a 19-year-old Sherpa who suffered severe frostbite on Everest this year, reached its ambitious target of $42,000.Read more
Robert Kay
A long overdue, heroic story of rescue high on Everest
We hear many stories of blame on Everest, but rarely stories of heroism. This isn't because they don't exist, but because the media prefer to focus on the negative. In this week's post I do my bit to rectify this with the help of an old friend.Read more


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Trigger Scale: (0/5) [rate 0]
Choosing a therapist will most likely be one of the most important decision that I make in moving my life in a more permanently positive direction. This time I did not make the choice lightly. In this series of posts I will fully describe the process that I used to find my therapist, and explain why I think it might work for you too.
You can read the other parts of this post first, if you haven't already:
- Part 1 – Outlines the different treatment options for PTSD and general research resources to assist in finding a good therapist or counselor.
- Part 2 – A list of factors to consider when choosing your therapist.
My Monster's Step-by-Step Guide to Finding an Awesome Therapist
After doing a good amount of research and reading a lot of articles on how to find a good therapist, I have gathered up a good amount of notes from my main research resources. I have taken these notes and organized them into a cohesive step-by-step action plan that you can use to attempt to find an awesome therapist, because let's be honest – "good" just isn't good enough here.
- Treatment Type – Decide on the main issue(s) you are seeking treatment for – try to keep the list to three main issues or less. For me it was simple – PTSD.
- Ask for References – Seek out family and friends who have sought treatment for a similar condition and treat them as a great resource. Ask them if they have any recommendations of specific counselors you can research further. You might also consider asking them if they are comfortable answering any questions that you may have about the process.
- Decide on a Provider Type – If you haven't already, start to get a general sense of what type of provider you are looking for, just as a starting point. I wouldn't be too strict on this — really you are looking for a person who has experience with your issues and that you feel has potential, regardless of their title. Read How to Find a Therapist from WebMD from the first post in this series for a full explanation of each title. There are many types of service providers, such as:
- Social workers
- Counselors and Therapists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- And a slew of alternative providers that can be used in conjunction with the above, such as: acupuncturists, chiropractors, fitness instructors, herbalists, homeopathic practitioners, hypnotists, life coaches, massage therapists, physicians, and yoga instructors.
- Create a Potentials List – To compile this list, here are a few ideas:
- On the top of the list put any referrals you may have received from family and friends.
- Research available therapists in your area using a search engine, such as Google, or your local telephone book. I prefer the Internet because there are usually more details available. Use keywords for your search: "My Issue" + Treatment/Therapists/Counselors + "My City and State" would make a great starting place. So examples that you could input into your search engine: "PTSD Treatment in My City", "PTSD Therapists in My City", or "PTSD Counselors in My City", you get the gist.
- Psychology Today's Find a Therapist tool – This is an invaluable resource that I personally relied on heavily to locate my current therapist. I highly recommend using it. It can help you find a provider in your area based on: issues, sexuality, age, religion, gender and insurance accepted. Try not to be influenced by the photos. Other similar tools to the one above that I have not personally used:
- At this step in the process you are not trying to assess the therapists that you find. You are only creating a simple list of providers who have experience treating your specific issue and are within about 60 miles.
- Have a goal of narrowing your list down to about 5-10 strong prospects that look "good on paper". If you are in a more isolated area, you may have fewer choices and that's fine – they are still choices.
- Your goal is to further narrow down your list to at most 5 potential providers.
- Make notes about each conversation and the providers answers so you can reference it later. Also make note of anything your gut tells you during the call.
- Some providers will not be open to a quick telephone interview so you will have to set an initial appointment with these providers instead. Many offer a free 30 minute introductory session if you ask and explain you are conducting interviews to find a potential therapist.
In the next post I will detail how to interview potential providers and share my personal interview questionnaire that you can use during interviews. Also lots of tips about what I learned about PTSD therapy options during my own process.


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There's just something magical about the fall: The weather, the change in season, that feeling that Halloween is almost here, and for some, crunchy leaves, sweaters and bonfires.
And I think we can all agree: No matter what climate you live in, autumn goes hand-in-hand with comfort food, does it not?
I rounded up the following recipes that our family will most certainly be making this fall. Most of them are tried-and-true, as in, we've cooked them previously and will do so time and time again.
Without further ado ...
1. These Swedish meatballs
I found this recipe probably about a year ago, simply by typing into Google "best-ever Swedish meatballs." This was one of the first results listed, and WOW, did the dish ever impress. I made these for a friends dinner, and not only did everyone love them, but they came together really quickly. I wanted to choose a recipe that I wouldn't be stuck in the kitchen assembling for long, and these were perfect. The only change I made involved using half beef, half ground pork, rather than the all-beef that the original recipe calls for. We served our meatballs over egg noodles with a salad on the side, and it was justttt the comfort food we needed.
2. This chili
You can't even think about fall food without considering chili. It's the quintessential autumn meal, but the problem is, there are just SO many variations. (In related news, this is also what makes chili an incredible dish to serve if you're having lots of people over. Once, for a family party, I did a chili bar, with three different types -- beef, chicken and bean, if I'm remembering correctly -- and all the toppings you could possibly think of. Cheese, sour cream, avocado, green onions, tater tots ... like I said, you name the topping and we offered it). But ANYWAY, sometimes I just want a traditional chili. Not a buffalo chicken chili, not a lentil chili, just chili in a way that feels traditional, at least in my life. Regional differences might kick in, I do realize. All of this has been a long-winded way of saying, John Legend's chili is so perfectly basic in the most delicious way. It's balanced, it's not overly spicy (meaning, the kids can eat it!), it's easy to make; my husband and I find ourselves going back for this recipe time and time again, even though we can't put our finger on exactly what makes it so magical. BTW, I'm not sure where this was first printed, but I found it online here.
3. This fall-inspired salad
How Sweet Eats is one of my favorite food blogs of all time (and her cookbooks are incredible, too), but it was only recently that I came across this salad recipe that the blogger, Jessica, published in 2017. I'm not sure how I missed it the first time around, but tell me these elements don't sound incredible: smoked honey pepita clusters? Sweet and spicy toasted pecans? Cinnamon-shallot vinaigrette? With honeycrisp apples? I didn't used to be a fruit-in-your-salad kind of girl, but I've since evolved. I'm swapping out the cheese and making this -- if all goes well, THIS weekend. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
4. This salmon recipe
So, you've heard of beef Wellington, right?
This is salmon Wellington. And it's ridiculously simple. You just heat up a little spinach-breadcrumbs-parmesan mixture (I've used leftover pesto in a pinch, although I do realize it turns out different -- all delicious nonetheless), smear it on your fish, fold up the salmon in some puff pastry, pop her in the oven and you'll be all ready to eat in about 20-25 minutes. This is one of those dishes that looks impressive, as in, your friends will be all, "you made WHAT?" But believe me when I say, it's even easier than it looks to prepare. Don't thank me. Thank whoever makes that frozen puff pastry.
This dinner feels like a hug on a plate.
5. A classic spaghetti
Here's another tried-and-true favorite: EatLiveRun's spaghetti with meat sauce. Oh my gosh, does this ever take boring old meat sauce to new heights. I'm not sure if it's the wine, the garlic salt, again, the beef-ground pork combo, the cheese baked into the sauce, or what -- but it's just so tangy and decadent and excellent. I probably prepare this once every 4-6 months (it makes a HUGE batch; prepare to freeze half, or just half the recipe from the start), but the people in my life go equally crazy for it. Don't be shy when you're adding the wine, it all cooks down, and makes for the best flavor. And don't let the mushrooms turn you off, either. It's true that there are quite a few involved, but I just stick mine in the food processor, and they almost have a meaty quality to them. The sauce isn't overly mushroomy-tasting, so give this one a chance! Serve with plenty of garlic bread for dipping and a nice Caesar.
6. This cozy curry
I realize I haven't strayed much from the classics, and I also haven't included much up until now for the vegans and vegetarians in the crowd. (Sorry, guys!)
But this one is for you: It's a basil chickpea curry, and it packs a tonnnn of flavor. My husband and I loved this when we made it last fall. Even the recipe author herself writes online, "It's warming, comforting, so ridiculously easy, super flavorful and comes together very fast." We love to hear it.
Serve this with some naan and rice, use up any remaining basil from your garden, and you'll be glad you did.
7. My all-time favorite pasta
While we're outside the box, let's stay for a minute and chat about Chrissy Teigen's spicy miso pasta. I couldn't rave about this more if I tried -- I recommend it to friends, family, strangers; anyone who will listen. It's carbonara-like, but with a Thai twist. Yes, this is a bit of a cheat-night/special occasion meal, at least, calorically speaking, I'm sure, but one time, I was grumpy around lunchtime and it occurred to me that I had all the ingredients on hand, and could probably whip it up in less than a half hour. So it's not a challenging meal. You really can't mess this one up, so long as you don't scramble your eggs when you're adding them back to the hot noodles. This is just so creamy and dreamy and spicy and crunchy and HEAVENLY. One of my best quarantine finds.
8. An incredible chicken noodle soup
We follow this New York Times recipe pretty closely, with just one exception: We never have, or bother with, the creme fraiche.
And I do realize you can buy the canned stuff, or the boxed stuff, or maybe there's a frozen version, too. Blah. You don't want that. You're reading this, allegedly because you're after "cozy-sounding fall recipes *you need in your life.*" This homemade chicken noodle soup fits the bill, every time.
9. While we're at it, these cookies.
I've written about them previously. I was a guest on my colleague's podcast to chat about them. They're the best of the best, and you can throw every other chocolate chip cookie recipe out the window once you try these. Is it the cornstarch, that helps keep them fluffy inside, but still nice and crispy on the edges? Is it chilling the dough, or using room temperature eggs, or browning the butter? (I added that step on my own). We might never know. But this is the recipe that started it all for me, and I just cannot get enough.
10. These short ribs
These are on my list for the coming weeks, and I really put a lot of faith in The Pioneer Woman when it comes to this recipe. The pictures are awe-inspiring. The meat looks fall-off-the-bone tender. I can't think of anything I'd rather pair with mashed potatoes, another classic fall staple. And short ribs are divine. Let's do this.
11. These chicken and dumplings
OK, my third and final recipe from How Sweet Eats: These are SO tasty, and I had no idea it was that simple to make your own dumplings. You just whip together the flour mixture, drop your dough on top of the simmering Dutch oven concoction, and somehow, the culinary gods just bring it all together for you. My only pro tip here is, take Jessica's advice and use chicken thighs. I had some leftover chicken breast that I improvised with once, but it wasn't nearly as flavorful or rich.
OK, now that we're all hungry, please tell me in the comments: What are you making first?


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Taylor Benefits has been one of the leading independent health insurance brokers in Central and Northern California for more than two decades. With our experience, we help businesses determine the best options for providing employer-sponsored health plans, retirement benefits, and automatic employer contribution.
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Less Absenteeism – In addition the employee engagement and higher job satisfaction, companies that offer excellent group benefits also experience less absenteeism in the workplace. One way this is achieved is through wellness plans and preventive care benefits. Preventive benefits cover things like immunizations and health screenings to ensure that your eligible employees have access to treatments and services before they get sick. Wellness programs like paid leave, paid holidays, paid vacation, and sick leave incentivize employees to stay healthy through programs that emphasize education, and awareness, and encourage employees to take an active role in their personal health.
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We're ready to help! Call today: 800-903-6066


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Chocolate is not just easy on your taste buds; it may help keep you sharp mentally, too. Researchers in Italy have found that the flavanols in cocoa may improve mild cognitive impairment, the memory loss that often precedes dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Study participants drinking cocoa drinks with higher concentrations of flavanols had significantly higher overall cognitive scores compared to those whose drinks had a lower flavanol concentration.
The researchers didn't hand out candy bars. They assigned 90 older persons with mild cognitive impairment to drink 990 (high), 520 (intermediate), or 45 (low) milligrams of a dairy-based cocoa flavanol drink every day for 8 weeks. During the study, participants did not consume other sources of flavanols. The investigators used standard neuropsychological tests to evaluate cognitive function.
Scores significantly improved in the ability to relate visual stimuli to motor responses, working memory, task-switching, and verbal memory among those drinking the high- and intermediate-concentration flavanol drinks. Study participants drinking cocoa drinks with higher concentrations of flavanols had significantly higher overall cognitive scores compared to those whose drinks had a lower flavanol concentration. .
"I was somewhat surprised because it was a relatively small sample and, using well-established psychological tests. They found some pretty strong evidence that flavanols improve cognitive functioning," Rachel Johnson, the Robert L. Bickford, Jr. Green and Gold Professor of Nutrition and a professor of medicine at the University of Vermont, told TheDoctor.
Johnson, who was not involved in the current study, says that she thinks the next step is repeating this study with larger samples and more diverse populations, and trying to determine just how flavanols work.
The Italian team suggest that flavanols may protect brain cells from injury, improving their metabolism, and their interaction with the molecular structure responsible for memory. Flavanols may also act indirectly by improving blood flow in the brain.
Foods that are rich in flavanols, such as tea, grapes, and red wine in moderation, are healthy foods. "I think it is certainly worth a try to fit these foods into a healthy diet," says Johnson.
The study was published in the journal Hypertension.


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August 2018
'The electronic care planning system had been embedded at the service. Care staff were confident in recording information about all aspects of a person's care on a hand-held devise at the point of delivery. This gave a clear picture of the care that had been provided to each person, at what times and by which member of staff. Staff said this helped them to organise and prioritise how they supported people.'
'Senior care staff and nurses accessed this information on a daily basis to ensure people's care needs were met such as ensuring people had received sufficient food and fluids and to identify any increases or decreases in their weight. They said the information gave them a good overview of people's changing needs and they were alerted to any tasks or checks that had not been completed so that they could be addressed. Care records were updated as changes occurred so that there was an accurate record of people's care and treatment.'


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GP Elite
Chua Su Ann
- Raffles Institution Alumni
- Pursuing Law at SMU
As a previous student enrolled in the General Paper (GP) course with Creative Campus, I benefitted greatly from the short time I was there. Even though I only joined the class mid-way through the year, I was still able to gain a holistic view of GP as a subject, and was aided in thoroughly understanding the objectives to work towards when I was studying for it.
Ms Geraldine Chew was central in ameliorating my standard of writing – she was astute in identifying my areas for improvement, and worked patiently with me to address the problem areas comprehensively. She was also very invested in each individual student as well, taking extra time to stay back after the lessons to help anyone with any questions they might have had, and would even print extra resources for those interested in subjects that were touched on briefly during the lessons. Undoubtedly, Ms Chew was a big driving force behind the subsequent improvement in my GP grades.
I really appreciated the approach that was taken in discussing and exploring the various viewpoints on issues raised, rather than being spoon-fed facts to regurgitate in my essays. The class was never boring, and we would often be engaged in lively discussions. Despite having a long day before the GP lesson, I would never fall asleep as I truly found lessons to be both engaging and challenging; we were constantly encouraged to push the envelope when answering and not just state the obvious.
I also rather appreciate the structure of how we would cover the various examinable components, whereby we would do a different component every week. This created a more dynamic classroom environment where we would get to go through and learn more about the various components without having to rush through the various components – learning was not compromised in the interest of mindlessly squeezing in more practice. This is not to say that we did not have much to do during the lessons however; I truly learnt how to portion my time during the examinations as we were well-trained in finishing our papers in slightly less than the stipulated timing.
Essentially, the following is what i found to be the Key Tenets to Acing GP
1. Personalised Feedback
What was incredibly useful was how, from the get-go, Ms Chew was able to help me effectively by going through my previous examination papers and practices before I started. Being extremely experienced, she was able to instantly pinpoint areas for improvement and I was able to work on these areas from the very first lesson. Subsequently, as my strengths and weaknesses shifted, Ms Chew would also pick up on new areas for me to work on and there was always a learning point to take home.
2. Stimulating Discussions
I really appreciated how we would engage in discussions regarding the topic at hand – by seeking out alternative viewpoints on the topics, I was well-trained in casting my net wider when it came to generating content points to discuss in the essay. The discussions also helped me to formulate better counterpoints and antitheses.
3. Wide Scope of Topics
As someone who rarely reads the newspaper, it was of great help to me that we would always start the lesson with a short section on interesting and educational videos. It was a refreshing way to kick-start the lesson while also receiving snippets of facts and data that I could use in my writing. In addition, we covered a wide range of topics such as society and culture, technology and the rat race and so on. I felt that the range paved the way for more stimulating discussions and truly gave us more space to innovate, rather than simply being made to memorise facts about science and technology.
4. Focused Time-trials
Being tasked to complete marked time-trials really helped to prepare me for the examinations as I did not receive much practice in school, and barely had much time out of lessons to practice on my own. Doing the practices in class helped immensely in honing my speed and sharpness of thinking. I used to waffle more when writing, and often ended up speeding through my points at the end when I realised that I was running out of time, leading to inconsistent essays. Thus, the practices in GP lessons really helped me learn how to monitor and allot my time more efficiently. I also benefitted greatly from how Ms Chew taught us to plan our essays beforehand as I often took too long to plan and decide on the question.


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Small changes with a huge effect! The use of furnishing fabrics can have a considerable impact on a room setting. You can create relaxing spaces to retreat or friendly surroundings for happy and enjoyable get togethers – Feel Home! Indes Fuggerhaus textiles can transform a house into a comfortable home. A wide range of furnishing fabrics is reaching from trendy to classical. In any case quality is an issue:
Decoration fabrics for the domestic and public use, up-to-date and timeless with a high level of creativity – the feel good line!


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The Beatles Return to Miami
Well, not quite. But on an evening with a major NASCAR race and Miami Heat game, it was nice to see a sold-out crowd at the Arsht Center for the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO). Energetic Conductor Eduardo Marturet unveiled the world premiere of several major Beatles-inspired commissions, based on the 50-year anniversary of the iconic group's arrival in Miami. It was a brilliant choice, the concert was wonderful. MISO also presented special appearances by former American Idol Ruben Studdard and 13-year-old phenom-vocalist Havan Star, along with The David Anderson (choral) Ensemble. Featured artists on violin and piano rounded out the two-hour program. MISO had a checkered track-record some years back, but has re-built the orchestra with an eye towards a very public-friendly repertoire, excellent musicians and well-rounded selections.
Check them out: www.themiso.org
2 Comments on "The Beatles Return to Miami"
soundes great… beautiful building Millie Fuson email@example.com


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America was horrified by the story that erupted in the national news that Rutgers college freshman Tyler Clementi threw himself off a bridge because his new roommate used a webcam to tape a homosexual encounter in which he'd engaged. Media outlets quickly dispatched their cavalry to find the experts to explain why America is a land of incessant bullying.
The if is no longer debatable. We're on to the why.
This could have been a moment of national unity. Almost everyone can tell a story of being the target of bullying or mean-spirited ridicule about being too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, too dumb, too smart, you name it. But others found this tragedy offered too rich a rhetorical opportunity. It was not a suicide to them. It was a murder.
CNN's "Larry King Live" brought on the antonym of human dignity, Kathy Griffin, who quickly inflamed the Clementi moment by charging "the blood's on their hands" of our "so-called leaders." She insisted, "I think that the way that we had trickle-down economics in the '80s, this is trickle-down homophobia. And I really want people to connect the dots. And that's why I believe there's a connection between Prop. 8; Don't Ask, Don't Tell; and now the string of teen suicides."
Holy smokes. So Ronald Reagan killed him.
Let's put aside that ridiculous "connecting the dots" charge for a second. Larry King should have been asked: Given that Griffin regularly takes to the stage and television to viciously attack other people, is she really the kind of personality that can plausibly pose as the guardian of empathy and the role model for anti-bullying behavior? This year, she made the rounds of talk shows laughing up the controversy she created when she said Sen. Scott Brown's daughters were "prostitutes." One daughter, Arianna, is a freshman at Syracuse University -- the same age as the boy who took his own life. Griffin's even wished violence on people. She recently told a Playgirl magazine writer, "I'd like to push Sarah Palin down the stairs." Now she's CNN's anti-bullying poster child.
But Griffin wasn't alone. Sitting right next to her was lesbian comic Wanda Sykes, who chimed in with her own love taps. "In the laws and everything else that's out here, in the churches that they preach that homophobia (sic) is wrong. You pretty much have given kids permission to disrespect and, you know, and to cause harm to the gay and lesbian community." This is the same "comedian" who "joked" in front of the president that she hoped Rush Limbaugh's kidneys failed and he died. Now, she's on CNN lecturing on bullying.
Then there's Sarah Silverman, another comedian who thrives on shocking and insulting comments. Silverman went on YouTube to lecture the country: "Dear America, When you tell gay Americans that you can't serve their country openly or marry the person that they love, you're telling that to kids, too. So don't be f---ing shocked, wondering where all these bullies are coming from who are torturing young kids and driving them to kill themselves because they're different. They learned it from watching you."
Once again, putting aside the downright stupid accusation that opposing gay marriage is a bullying-and-suicide platform, is Silverman a role model against bullying? At almost the same time her accusatory video piled up more than 200,000 views, Silverman was vomiting this sex "joke" on Twitter: "9/11 widows give the best (sex act)." Can you say cognitive dissonance? She's now lecturing on bullying.
The left has no shame. None. On her satellite radio show, Rosie O'Donnell joined in the same party-line smear: "Well, if the society sanctions bigotry against gay people, how can you expect the children of this society not to ... internalize that? Whether it's Don't Ask, Don't Tell; whether it's gay marriage; (it's) being told by your country that you are not as valuable as your neighbor who's straight." O'Donnell denouncing bullying is akin to Michael Vick denouncing dog fighting.
Perhaps the least famous but most ridiculous scold on this issue is Hollywood gossip Perez Hilton, who CNN also sought out for advice and hailed his anti-suicide activism. Hilton's most famous for being a judge in the Miss USA contest and demanding during the final question-and-answer period that Miss California Carrie Prejean endorse gay marriage. When she refused, he did a round of interviews calling her a "dumb (B-word)." Then on a picture of her holding a microphone, he drew in a penis on his website. He's done that and worse sexual smears to celebrity pictures for years.
Now he's featured on CNN in an ongoing parade of guests denouncing conservatives for bullying.


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The year 2019 is crucial for Europe's future. The EU will not only see a departure from one of its member states but also will be held in May 2019 European Parliament election in which the stakes are unusually high. It is, among other things, due to rising support for the anti-European parties. Simultaneously, to carry on the EU has to work on indispensable eurozone reform that will lead to the creation of an architecture that's aligned with its respective economies and capable of better protecting the European economy.
In order to encourage more interest among the general public in understanding the processes taking place in Brussels, GLOBSEC with the support of the European Commission Jean Monnet Activities of the EU Programme Erasmus+ will organize a public debate in Banská Bystrica. This event forms a part of a bigger international project DIFF GOV: European Governance: Potential of Differentiated Cooperation.
This activity will have two legs:
The European Parliament elections in May will be the most important in the legislative body's history. The opinion polls suggest that the anti-European parties are poised to win more than a third of the assembly's seats. What does it mean for the EU institutions? Will the European project be strengthened or weakened? Is it possible that fragmentation of the European political parties more the strong voice of the MEP with anti-European sentiment will make the EU dysfunctional? and therefore the Member States will decide to favour sovereigntist approach or increase to do the minimum or create inner circles of integration? What impact will it have on the European governance, and unfinished reforms of the eurozone? Will the eurozone' institutional flaws be fixed in the new Parliament term to ensure the euro's long-term viability?
Former Research Fellow, Future of Europe
Associate Fellow, Centre for Global Europe
Head of GLOBSEC Academy Centre
The debate will be held in English and is also part of the subject "Aktuálne otázky" at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Matej Bel University. Upon invitation only.
While some Europeans regard the euro as a success story that has contributed to the creation of a single European identity, others view it as "the cause of all evils" including austerity, stagnation and unemployment. In recent years, Eurosceptics have blamed the single currency for increasing the price of a baguette, lowering export capabilities, and causing the most severe financial crisis since 1929. But the findings show that the Slovaks do not necessarily view the currency as an economically flawed initiative. An 80% of Slovaks are in favour of single currency according to Parlemeter 2018 survey. And with good reason, that euro adoption gave further impetus to institutional convergence and allowed Slovakia to anchor its macroeconomic institutions in a stronger European framework. What are the lessons learnt for Slovakia as regards the adoption of the single currency? How to keep a momentum of the good image of the euro in Slovakia? How can Slovakia contribute to fixing the eurozone' institutional flaws and thus ensuring the euro's long-term viability?
Analyst, Co-Founder, INESS, Institute of Economic and Social Studies
Head of Future of Europe Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Slovakia
Professor in Finance at the Faculty of Economics, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica
Faculty of Economics, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica
The debate will be held in Slovak and is part of the subject "Aktuálne otázky" at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Matej Bel University. For the general public. Please visit the Facebook page of the FACEBOOK EVENT.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, and to a certain extent, amplified, the political, economic and social vulnerabilities of
At this year's Tatra Summit, we staged a series of focus groups that first discussed and then offered practical recommendations for the most
We are delighted to provide you with a transcript of Peter Pavel's acceptance speech for his Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Award, as delivered at the G...
Date: 11 April 2019
Location: University of Economics, Bratislava, Slovakia
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3-bedroom Kiev apartment #064
Spacious (140 square meters) Kiev apartment at 21A Lesy Ukrayinky Bvrd. for a group of 5-6. Close to the Khreschatyk (10 min walk to Mandarin Plaza) or just 1 min walk to Pecherska metro station and 2-3 min ride to Khreschatyk or Kiev Exhibition center. 2-3 min walk to the nearest McDonald's …More Information»
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #042
Nice & cozy open-concept 1-bedroom Kiev apartment located at 6 Liuteranska Str - one minute walk to Khreschatyk, the main street of the capital of Ukraine. Surroundings: Independance Square, Khreshchatyk Street,"Ukrayina" Cinema, I.Franko Theatre, restaurants and shops. 3rd floor with elevator. Yard window view. Queen-size bed & double sofa in the living room. …More Information»
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #041
Spacious and pleasant 2-room Kiev apartment at 12 Franko Str. located at the central part of the "Gold triangle" (5-10 minutes walk to the nearest metro stations Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gates) or Universytet (University), 10 minutes walk to Khreschatyk) very close to the Golden Gates historical sight, Kiev Opera House, restaurants, …More Information»
2-bedroom Kiev apartment #040
Luxury 2-bedroom apartment in Kiev downtown at 2 Shevchenko boulevard couple minutes walk to Khreschatyk Str and Arena entertainment and shopping center. 5th floor with elevator. Coded building entrance. Great view on Khreschatyk.
Two private bedrooms with two Queen-size beds and a drawing room with a sofa. Two Air conditioners, Satellite TV, …
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #039
Luxury classical style 1-bedroom Kiev apartment located in a beautiful renovated house of the 19th century in the very heart of the ancient capital of Ukraine on 32 Saksahanskogo Street with it's numerous restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs and many beautiful works of architecture. It is located on the 4th floor (with elevator and Coded lock …More Information»
1-room Kiev apartment #049
Fully equipped and furnished 1-room Kiev apartment at 10 Bazhana Str. Located on the left bank of the Dnipro river on the way from Kiev Boryspol Airport, just 2 minutes walk from Osokorki Subway station. Secured entrance to the building, concierge. 18th floor with elevator. Great river view!
Air-conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator, …
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #028
Fully equipped Kiev 1-bedroom apartment at the very heart of the capital of Ukraine at 24A Mikhaylovskaya Str. Very close to the famous Independence square and such Kiev sightseeing places as St.Sophia and St.Mykhail Cathedrals (great view from the balcony - see photo below). Located on the 5th floor (with elevator) in …More Information»
2-bedroom Kiev apartment #038
Luxury 2-level 2-bedroom Kiev apartment. Located at 32 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho in Kiev center at so-called "Gold triangle" (Zoloti Vorota, Universytet, Teatralna metro stations) 5 minutes walk to the nearest metro station, 10 min walk to Khreschatyk). 3rd floor, no elevator.
Sleeping places for 5 people (2 King-size beds and an extra bed …
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #027
1-bedroom Kiev Apartment in Ukraine Recently renovated and tastefully decorated 2-room Kiev apartment. Located at the 5th floor of 9-storey building with elevator in the very heart of Kiev at 13 Rohnidynska Street within 5 minutes walk to the well-known Mandarin Plaza and entertainment area. Minutes walk to downtown bars, pubs, and night-clubs …More Information»
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #015
Modern 1st class 1-bedroom Kiev apartment located on the 4th floor (no elevator) at 15 Malaya Zhitomirskaya Street. Historical building with unique wood front staircase conserved to the present time. Coded lock porch entrance. Quiet yard view. Prime downtown location near the central Independence Sqr., 3 min walk to Mykhaylovskiy & …More Information»
1-room Kiev apartment #010
Standard 1 room Kiev apartment located at 54 Velyka Vasylkivska Str. (former Chervonoarmiyska Str.) close to the Republican Stadium, Metro station "Palats Sportu", Bessarabsky market and Khreschatyk. 9th floor with elevator. Queen-size bed and transforming sofa, coffee-table, wardrobe. Phone, washing machine, refrigerator, kettle, microwave oven, ironing facilities, hair-drier.
Spacious room with a …
1-bedroom Kiev apartment #034
Standard 1-bedroom apartment at 3b Gorkogo Str. in Kiev downtown near "Lva Tolstogo" metro station. Coded Entrance Lock. Parking nearby. Yard view. Queen-size bed, double sofa, Cable TV, audio system. Washing machine, ironing facilities, electric kettle, Microwave. Fully-equipped kitchen with all amenities included...
Rental price for this Kiev apartment is 75-85 USD/night …


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Partner with firstname.lastname@example.com
Work with email@example.com
Join email@example.com
Creitive Singapore Pte Ltd
71 Robinson Road, 14-145
Creitive Digital Agency FZ-LLC
Dubai Media City, Building 10
Creitive FonSoft d.o.o.
Generala Anrija 13
Think out-of-the box, challenge status quo, and come up with a high volume of ideas around a specific business area to solve a highly impactful problem.
You have discovered the right problem to hone in on, but you may be struggling to catalyze creative ideas. You are frustarted with 'brainstorming' meetings that are not actionable, and you are finding it difficult to get people engaged. You need to move fast but bureaucracy is slowing you down. You need an innovative approach to problem solving that will empower your team's creativity and expertise to produce a high volume of creative ideas and discover new opportunities for growth.
We help you bring the best ideas out of your team, in an engaging and structured way. We use carefully crafted exercises to help your team imagine what is possible. We use our experience with digital products to inspire new ways of thinking about the solutions you can bring in to play. We don't leave you with half-baked ideas or a vision - we work on detailed concept solutions that can be put into action.
You will get a well-studied and diverse array of solution concepts that will propel your business forward. These solution concepts will be tied to the problems we have discovered together, and will be linked to tangible benefits for the personas they are directed towards.
Does your team need help unleashing their creativity and generating new ideas for growth? Reach out to have a chat.
Peerfect is a real-time human-powered decision-making platform that aids people in making the optimal decisions! The cure for overthinking is here in the form of an app that would shape your social media popularity with the help of a worldwide community.
Audi produces, markets and distributes luxury vehicles worldwide and are growing their digital footprint in the automotive industry, and we have partnered with CreITive to conceptualize, design, build and provide an ever scaling digital platform for Audi Pre-Owned cars.
"Their proposals were high-quality and resulted in excellent deliverables, with the team developing a scalable and sustainable solution. Feedback around the UX was positive, while future iterations are currently in progress. The team worked smoothly, managing the project effectively at all times."
Zoltan Kovacs, Founder of Governance Compass
"Even before release, the software solutions have won awards and sparked interest among potential clients. CreaITive understands complex requirements and adapts to suit prevailing cultural norms. The agency's innovative ideas and collaborative approach have built a trusting partnership."
Omar Ajjoui, Founder of Huqooq
"All participants have been engaged and responsive in the workshops, leading to implementation in other markets. CreITive has been mindful of all requests and incorporates them well into original content. All deliverables were high quality and on schedule."
Borko Kovacevic, Microsoft
"Good understanding of the challenges we face in Innovation – particularly at a corporate engagement level. Team are personable and knowledgeable. Preparation for workshops has been good. Output and feedback has been timely and insightful and can be put to use."
Neil Ford, Innovation Lead at Al Futtaim Group
"Creitive's team exhibited all the qualities that are important to me. They were professional and very human-oriented. Their adaptability to our changing situations was impressive. They were very well organized throughout the engagement and were extremely clear and crisp with their communication. Most of all, they are amazing collaborators, with the ability to manage all our stakeholders' expectations and were very trusted by all the different teams involved in our project."
Devid Jegerson, Head of Customer Experience at NBF
"A digital partner like Creitive is what every fluid organization needs. Our company is growing extremely fast and we needed someone to match our pace, and be able to pivot with us to address market opportunities. Their attitude to adapt and deliver quickly is exactly what we needed. Above all, the quality of their work and the strength of their digital knowledge has been a game changer for us. They didn't not compromise on the details under tight deadlines and were extremely strong on the ongoing communication with us."
Mazen Srage, Digital Marketing Manager at Modon
You're an enterprise executive that wants to create new avenues of growth with technology?
You are an early stage startup that wants end-to-end solution for a validated business idea?
You're a product owner that wants to increase user engagement or improve product design workflows?
You are interested to know more about our work, and you would like to come by and have a coffee with us?


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My favorite balloons to twist
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Happy 2020! Wishing you all the best in this new decade.
Here's a look back at 2019 in balloons. I enjoyed being a part of different celebrations, and being able to bring some balloon art! I also started making giant balloons for the first time this past year. I look forward to more balloon twisting, big and small, in the coming year/decade!
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5 Star Review
"Lovely place and great staff that will push and support you. I have been there for a month now and I can see a tremendous transformation. It might be a bit tough for first timers but absolutely worth it. Training at Boost is a challenging experience that will ultimately make you stronger"


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Many people in this country tell me I do not belong here. I do.
They tell me to go back outside the imaginary border they set over my people, and they tell me that I should not come over here. They say they will build a wall, and that they will criminalize my existence if I live here as a free human.
I say they are wrong about this. They say that their fear of terrorism and crime justifies their wall, a wall that will keep me and other worthy humans out. I say their fear is not reason enough. Why? First, because their wall, as their border, is already a way to divide my people, to keep the poor poor, and to justify violence over the people. It has been the case ever since the conquerors divided the land by violence, rape, and enforced poverty. The borders currently existing did not evolve from the natural growth of communities. They were imposed through inhumane violence, and maintained by institutional violence.
The reason I had to come to the United States was directly because of the violence of the Reagan administration against me and my people. This is no political discourse, I demonstrated this in a US court, and it was determined that it would be a violation of human rights to expel me. I came here illegally, when all I wanted was to live in my land. But I had the right to live, so I came, I crossed the border illegally, because my right to exist and live free takes precedence over the right of the United States to draw a border.
Living here, does not make me a criminal, as many are wont to say. Living here without permission is only a misdemeanor, not even a crime according to the laws here. But the wall is designed to keep many worthy people out, like me and most people I know. It is designed, moreover, to cast a shadow over my people, to stigmatize me as illegal, as dangerous, as criminal.
Looking at today's messages on Facebook, in just one day I have personally been called criminal, brown, ignorant, dangerous, illegal, and terrorist in the walls of at least 5 friends. All because these people commenting want to find a reason to build a wall. The wall won't protect them against crime. Crime has always been part of the human condition. It won't protect people from terror, for terror is executed first by those who build walls and define borders. It is meant to protect people's prejudices and inhumane acts against the marginalized, the free, and the outsider.
I say, that all people are free to live on this earth, as it was for all our ancestors, as long as they do not thwart the rights of others.
I am a free born human being. My freedom and humanity takes precedence over any immigration law, any racist ideology, all artificial borders, and the economic interests of any nation, class, corporation, or crime syndicate.
I am a human being.
I am here.
Freedom is my home.


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For me, placing pups is one of the hardest aspects of being a breeder. Choosing who will be the lifelong family and caretakers of the dogs born here is an undertaking not taken lightly. It is a task second only to the responsibility of preserving and following the breed standards of the Borzoi and Silken Windhound breeds that we love. Dogs born here are a commitment for their lifetime - those who have dogs from us become members of our "extended family."
Of course - placing pups and older dogs can bring the greatest of rewards as well! We greatly enjoy hearing stories about the dogs living all over the U.S. and even abroad in countries such as Belgium, Germany and Sweden. Also cherished are the pictures sent to us of the dogs in their new homes, interacting with other family members and sometimes hitting the show ring or field.
Below are pics of some of the Borzoi that we have placed with other families. Some have links to either their owners' personal websites, or to another page on this website featuring more pictures.
Litter: Party pups
Billi lives with the Jurist family (and auntie Molli) in MD
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Party On
Litter: Party pups
Muzhik is a specialty winner. We would have liked to provide pictures of that win as well as candids, but his owner has neglected to send us any. She later broke our verbal contract by not sending us a puppy we had a right to. Never mind that we gave her this sweet boy as well as another. Breeders beware - use written contracts - or people that you thought were good friends will betray you in the end.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Ascendio
Litter: Spells
Azchyl lives with the Selmans (and Tasha and Sunni)
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Over the Mountain
Litter: OZZlings
Tethys now lives in OK with the Schatzingers and uncle Merlyn and her cousins.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Waiting for Darkness, JC
Litter: OZZlings
Shayde lives with our friend Tim Conroy in north Texas
Ch. Gryffyn's Aeyrie Revelation
Litter: OZZlings
Vlad lives in AR with our friend Rebecca Neal (Afanasii Borzoi). His record includes : Specialty Best Puppy in Sweepstakes, Specialty Best Opp Puppy, Specialty RWD, and Specialty Best of Winners. He is a lovely and masculine version of his mother Duri.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Tatooed Dancer
Diva lives in Alaska with Danielle and two Silkens (one of them is our Raiden)
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Expecto Patronum
Litter: HP Spells
Nikolay is living it up in Salt Lake City with the Olsen family
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Simply Irresistible
Litter: Sexy Songs
Kenny lives with the Lockard family (and Peanut) in CO
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Do Ya Think I'm Sexy
Litter: Sexy Songs
Degas lives with daddy Glaze and Amy Sorbie at Kyrov Borzoi
Gryffyn Peskipiksi Pesternomi
Litter: HP Spells
Pest lives with M.Lucia in Alvin TX. Unfortunately she was not taken out and socialized after her placement, so can be quite shy. Later she escaped her yard and was hit by a motorcycle, badly fracturing her front leg and causing devastating damage to her bite as well. So she never saw the show ring. Despite being GIVEN to her owner with a "puppy back agreement," her owner broke the contract and denied us a puppy after listening to malicious gossip from someone who had NEVER even been to our home. Because of these actions, we are sticklers for written contracts, even between what we consider good friends - as she obviously was not.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Sonorus
Litter: HP Spells
Sasha lives with Sylvia (Wolf Creek Borzoi) in CO. He was won Best Opposite in Sweepstakes at two specialties and a Specialty Reserve Winners Dog.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Lumos
Litter: HP Spells
Cognac now lives in OR with the Stern family.
Gryffyn's Specialis Revelio
Litter: HP Spells
Andres lives with Nanya in MO.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Accio
Litter: HP Spells
Niko (formerly called "Smudge") lives with the McLaughlin family in Allen, TX. It will be refreshing to have one of our pups living so close by!
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Let's Dance
Litter: Boogie Babies (80s Dance Songs)
Axl is with the Sisks in Cypress, TX and is a beloved part of their family.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Smalltown Boy
Litter: Boogie Babies (80s Dance Songs)
Peanut lives with the Lockard family (and Kenny) in CO and will be training in obedience and agility within the local 4-H program.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Enter Sandman
Litter: Metallica Songs
Zander has moved to the "Great White North" and is now a member of the Reid family in B.C., Canada
Ch. Gryffyn-Wyvern's Devil's Delight
Stella went to live with her co-breeder Margaret Lucia, Wyvern Borzoi, in Alvin and produced a litter for another co-breeder, Sara Whittington, Chataqua Borzoi. Sadly, she passed away from bloat during a severly hot and humid Texas summer while living outside.
Gryffyn-Wyvern's Devil May Care
Rosy (pictured on the right) lives in Oklahoma with Kaye Hayes.
Gryffyn-Wyvern's Devil's Impressario
Rohan (pictured with his Silken buddy) lived in Alaska with Danielle. Brrrrr! Sadly lost to bloat while being kenneled.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Run to the Lord
Litter: "Run"aways
Oksana lives with Jen Boswell in Alabama.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Midnight Run
Litter: "Run"aways
We called this handsome fellow Junior when he was here, since he was marked so similarly to daddy Arthur. He is now known as Bailey and lives in Colorado!
Gryffyn's Still Waters Run Deep
Gryffyn's Run Like the Wind
Litter: "Run"aways
Molli and Zoe live with the Jurist family. Zoe was lost to cancer in 2012.
more pictures of Molli and Zoe >>>
Ch. Chataqua's Sensation at Gryffyn's Aeyrie, SC FCh
Rocki lives with Terri Pyper in Texas and has several cutie Akita girls to flirt with (once he figured out that prick-eared dogs are 'ok') as well as new bud Wally (pictured) .
Gryffyn's Aeyrie La Nouba
Litter: Cirquelets
Hess (now known as Tasha) lives with uncle Lance, several Greyhounds and the Selman family in Mesquite. Such a beautiful girl, but her tail was a bit short (right to the hock). She is the princess of the household, and Lance dotes on her as much as her new human parents. She also has a new Iggy friend. We are so happy to have both of these sweethearts in such a loving home!
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Mystere
Litter: Cirquelets
Tere is now known as Arioch and lives with the Teasdales where he has an Irish Setter as a playmate. They are a rowdy pair!
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Quidam
Litter: Cirquelets
Quiqo is now known as Sasha and moved to Canada. He passed away in 2012.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Durandal
Litter: Swords
Randi lives in Belgium and has his own little girl to call his own - he also has 2 Borzoi friends, Troika and Tisha.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Durindana
Litter: Swords
Donya now lives in cool Colorado with Patricia Thompson. Her housemate is paternal half-sibling Rane. She gets to do quite a bit of traveling now! Named for Durandana - reputed to be the Sword of Hector of Troy, later wielded by Count Roland (AKA Orlando) of the Legends of Charlemagne.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Arondight
Litter: Swords
Beautiful Aron now lives with the Snedekers in San Antonio, TX. He has a new galpal - Toscana the greyhound - and when not lounging indoors is running laps in the yard.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Stormbringer
Litter: Swords
Iago now lives in Sweden (after spending a few months in Spain), where he is much loved by Camilla.
Ch. Gryffyn's In T'Shadow of T'Oak King
Litter: Arthurian Literature
Merlyn is spoilt by the Schatzinger's in OK. He gets to go on informal hunting trips in the woods surrounding or near their home and enjoys an occasional dip in a creek or river as well as the occasional flirtation with their she-wolf Foxy. He has also sired a litter of pups for them our of their girl Dani.
Gryffyn's A Dream of Eagles
Litter: Arthurian Literature
Lance is a hunky boy, and reminded me quite a bit of his half-brother Freddi. A sweet grinner, he was adopted by the Selmans. A couple months after his arrival there, his niece Hess (now Tasha) came to live there as well. Lance was ever watchful of little Tasha, and I was thrilled to find this wonderful home where he was cherished every day! Lance passed away in April 2011 at the age of 13.
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Idylls of the Queen
Litter: Arthurian Literature
Gwyn was adopted by Steve and Kathy Updegraff. She passed away in the spring of 2010 at the age of 12.
Gryphon's Chernoble Czar, JC CGC
Noble lived with the Sisk family in Cypress, Texas and has performed in the Junior's and Agility rings.
Sadly, Noble passed away in the summer of 2006 after spending over 11 years being an active family member and helping to raise the kids. He is missed greatly.
Ginger Snaps n' Smirnoff
Ginger lived with Joe and Connie Dinapoli in Wallis, TX.
Gryffyn's Bardic Wind
Kodi spent many wonderful years with Richard Olenick of Irving, Texas. He got to go on sabbatical with Richard and the Borzoi girls he shared his home with - in Colorado! He passed away at over 12 years of age.
Valkyrie of Gryffyn's Aeyrie
Kyrie, her name changed to Brandy, lived with Wayne and Joyce Hargraves. She passed quietly in her sleep at the age of 10 years.


text:
By Gerard Gianoli, M.D., F.A.C.S. – http://www.EarAndBalance.net/
Shopping around is something we do to get the best quality and the best price for our needs. Without price transparency and the ability to shop there is no free market. Imagine if you were limited to one store and didn't know how much something would cost until after you had purchased it. You would be stuck with whatever price the seller decided on. What kind of customer service would you expect? Poor at best, since shopping elsewhere would not be an option. In essence, there would be no real freedom of choice. Prices would be higher, and quality would be lower.
Although it's hard to imagine this happening in our country for most things, it is already a reality for medical care.
Simple experiment: Next time you go to the doctor's office or hospital, ask about the price for treatment. The stunning discovery is that almost no one will be able to give you a price. Not only that, the office may not find it out until several months later.
Why? Hospitals, medical facilities, and physicians are contracted with insurers to provide given services at a set fixed price (usually based on the Medicare fixed price). However, that price is different for every physician and for every hospital or facility. Not only that, a patient with one type of insurance policy will be charged a different price than a patient with another type of policy from the same insurance company. There are so many different prices that neither the hospitals nor the doctors can give you a price in advance. The only exception to this is third party free physicians, like me, who have rejected insurance contracts and opted out of Medicare/Medicaid.
Furthermore, "charged prices" are set ridiculously high in order to negotiate more favorable fees from insurance companies. If you are ever unlucky enough to get stuck with the "charged prices," the term "sticker shock" would be a gross understatement. The insurers negotiate from these "charged prices" to get a "discount" so they can show you, their customer, that they provided some value to you. The reality is that the "discounted price" is still significantly higher than the prices you can get if you pay cash in advance and negotiate on your own. The insurers don't care about getting the best price. They only care that the premiums you pay cover the negotiated price plus their profit. So, if the price is higher, they just raise your premium. Consider many large insurance companies plan to raise premiums 25-50% for 2016.
Currently, the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or ObamaCare) requires everyone to have health insurance. This has institutionalized the problems of restricted choice and price opaqueness, which will lead to higher costs and reduced quality. Health insurance (and Medicare/Medicaid) limits your options to hospitals and physicians that are on your insurance panel, i.e. in-network. Although you can go "out of network," you are cajoled and intimidated to use in-network facilities and physicians. So, the current health care market restricts your choice of doctors and hospitals and prevents you from knowing the price you will pay until after you receive the services.
In contrast, a true free market—as in cosmetic surgery and refractive eye surgery—drives prices down while quality has steadily improved. Third-party-free physicians have significantly better prices and access than physicians still contracted with the insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid.
Consider mammography. The "regular" charges for annual screening are in the range of $300-400. With insurance "discounts," the cost to most individuals is $150-250. Medicare pays about $130. However, the cash price, paid in advance, is as low as $40.
While ACA only worsens the pre-existing problem of reliance on third-party payment, none of the Republican candidates are addressing this issue. They leave the middle man ("insurer") entrenched. Although their proposals to broaden choices a little are better than going further down the road to a single-payer (government) system, a free-market proponent should be opposed to contracts between physicians/hospitals and the insurance cartel. Patients should pay doctors for their care and be reimbursed by their insurer.
The government and the insurers are saying, "Trust us, we'll do what's best for you." Believe this at your own risk, but my momma told me, "You better shop around."
Gerard Gianoli, M.D., F.A.C.S. specializes in Neuro-otology and Skull Base Surgery. He is in private practice at The Ear and Balance Institute, located in Covington, but is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine. He pioneered treatments for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence and other vestibular disorders. His private practice has a worldwide reach, with patient referrals coming from all over the United States and from around the world.
Dr. Gianoli opted out of Medicare in 2001 and has had a 100% third-party-free practice since 2005. He's lectured and written extensively (as well as had numerous media interviews) on third party free medical practices and free market medicine. His editorials have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investor's Business Daily, The Hill and other popular periodicals.
He has received numerous awards, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Honor Award, and has been named in America's Top Doctors and America's Top Physicians every year since their inception in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Dr. Gianoli practices all aspects of neuro-otology but has a special interest in vestibular (balance) disorders. He has researched, lectured and published extensively on the topic of vestibular disorders.


text:
US soldiers took to Iraq not only war and pain, or peace and freedom, as you prefer to conceive the situation, but also their cultures. Graffiti as art or vandalism is natural part of contemporary US lifestyle.
Different kind of inscriptions colour, vandalize and communicate on walls, tanks, jeeps, rocks.
Graffiti writing
An example of soldier cultivating the hobby of graffiti writing can be spotted in "Shef" of "BK" crew. Here some of its throw-ups and tags.
Another soldier having fun with colleagues:
Gangs members tag around representing proudly their affiliation.
The Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings and Vice Lords were born decades ago in Chicago's most violent neighborhoods. Now, their gang graffiti is showing up 6,400 miles away in one of the world's most dangerous neighborhoods — Iraq.
Armored vehicles, concrete barricades and bathroom walls all have served as canvasses for their spray-painted gang art. At Camp Cedar II, about 185 miles southeast of Baghdad, a guard shack was recently defaced with "GDN" for Gangster Disciple Nation, along with the gang's six-pointed star and the word "Chitown," a soldier who photographed it said.
The graffiti, captured on film by an Army Reservist and provided to the Chicago Sun-Times, highlights increasing gang activity in the Army in the United States and overseas, some experts say.
Jeffrey Stoleson, an Army Reserve sergeant in Iraq, is seen in front of a barricade tagged with gang graffiti in March in Iraq. Stoleson, who has been in Iraq for almost a year, says he has taken hundreds of photos of gang graffiti there.
Military and civilian police investigators familiar with three major Army bases in the United States — Fort Lewis, Fort Hood and Fort Bragg — said they have been focusing recently on soldiers with gang affiliations. These bases ship out many of the soldiers fighting in Iraq.
"I have identified 320 soldiers as gang members from April 2002 to present," said Scott Barfield, a Defense Department gang detective at Fort Lewis in Washington state. "I think that's the tip of the iceberg."
Of paramount concern is whether gang-affiliated soldiers' training will make them deadly urban warriors when they return to civilian life and if some are using their access to military equipment to supply gangs at home, said Barfield and other experts.
They don't try to hide it
Jeffrey Stoleson, an Army Reserve sergeant in Iraq for almost a year, said he has taken hundreds of photos of gang graffiti there.
In a storage yard in Taji, about 18 miles north of Baghdad, dozens of tanks were vandalized with painted gang symbols, Stoleson said in a phone interview from Iraq. He said he also took pictures of graffiti at Camp Scania, about 108 miles southeast of Baghdad, and Camp Anaconda, about 40 miles north of Baghdad. Much of the graffiti was by Chicago-based gangs, he said.
In civilian life, Stoleson is a correctional officer and co-founder of the gang interdiction team at a Wisconsin maximum-security prison. Now he is a truck commander for security escorts in Iraq. He said he watched two fellow soldiers in the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry, die Sept. 26 when a roadside bomb exploded. Five of Stoleson's friends have been wounded.
Because of the extreme danger of his mission in Iraq, Stoleson said he does not relish the idea of working alongside gang members, whom he does not trust. Stoleson said he once reported to a supervisor that he suspected a company of soldiers in Iraq was rife with gang members.
"My E-8 [supervising sergeant] told me not to ruffle their feathers because they were doing a good job," he said.
Stoleson said he has spotted soldiers in Iraq with tattoos signifying their allegiance to the Vice Lords and the Simon City Royals, another street gang spawned in Chicago.
"They don't try to hide it," Stoleson said.
Army doesn't see significant trend
Christopher Grey, spokesman for the Army's Criminal Investigation Command, did not deny the existence of gang members in the military, but he disputed that the problem is rampant — or even significant.
In the last year, the Criminal Investigation Command has looked into 10 cases in which there was credible evidence of gang-related criminal activity in the Army, Grey said. He would not discuss specific cases.
"We recently conducted an Army-wide study, and we don't see a significant trend in this kind of activity, especially when you compare this with a million-man Army," Grey said.
'Lowering our standards'
"Sometimes there is a definition issue here on what constitutes gang activity. If someone wears baggy pants and a scarf, that does not make them a gang member unless there is evidence to show that person is involved in violent or criminal activity," Grey said.
Barfield said Army recruiters eager to meet their goals have been overlooking applicants' gang tattoos and getting waivers for criminal backgrounds.
"We're lowering our standards," Barfield said.
"A friend of mine is a recruiter," he said. "They are being told less than five tattoos is not an issue. More than five, you do a waiver saying it's not gang-related. You'll see soldiers with a six-pointed star with GD [Gangster Disciples] on the right forearm."
Fort Lewis offers free tattoo removal, but few if any soldiers with gang tattoos have taken advantage of the service, Barfield said.
In interviews with the almost 320 soldiers who admitted they were gang members, only two said they wanted out of gangs, Barfield said.
None has been arrested for a gang-related felony on the base, Barfield said. But some are suspected of criminal activity off base, he said.
"They're not here for the red, white and blue. They're here for the black and gold," he said, referring to the gang colors of the Latin Kings.
Barfield said most of the gang members he has identified are black and Latino. He has linked white soldiers to racist groups such as the Aryan Nations.
Barfield acknowledged that the soldiers he pegged as gang members represent a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands of soldiers based at Fort Lewis in the period he reviewed. But he stressed that he only investigates a fraction of the soldiers on base.
Barfield said he normally identifies gang members during barracks inspections requested by unit commanders. He interviews them about possible gang affiliation when he sees gang graffiti in their rooms, photos of a soldier flashing gang hand signals or a soldier with gang tattoos.
Learning urban warfare
"I know there is a lot more going on here," he said. "I don't inspect off-base housing or married soldiers' housing."
The Gangster Disciples are the most worrisome street gang at Fort Lewis because they are the most organized, Barfield said.
Barfield said gangs are encouraging their members to join the military to learn urban warfare techniques they can teach when they go back to their neighborhoods.
"Gang members are telling us in the interviews that their gang is putting them in," he said.
Joe Sparks, a retired Chicago Police gang specialist and the Midwest adviser to the International Latino Gang Investigators Association, said he is concerned about the military know-how that gang-affiliated soldiers might bring back to the streets here.
"Even though they are 'bangers, they are still fighting for America, so I have to give them that," Sparks said. "The sound of enemy gunfire is nothing new to them. I'm sure in battle it's a truce — GDs and P Stones are fighting a common enemy. But when they get home, forget about it."
Barfield said he knows of an Army private who fought valiantly in Iraq but still maintained his gang affiliation when he returned home.
The private, a Florencia 13 gang member from Southern California, spoke to Barfield of battling a 38th Street Gang member when they were civilians.
Then the 38th Street Gang member became a sergeant in the Army and the Florencia 13 member became a private. They served in Iraq together, Barfield said.
"They had exchanged blows in Inglewood [a city near Los Angeles], but in the Army, they did get the mission done," he said. "The private is a decorated war veteran with a Purple Heart."
The private still has his gang tattoos and identifies himself as a Florencia 13, Barfield said.
Marine killed cop in California
Barfield said a big concern is what such gang members trained in urban warfare will do when they return home.
He pointed to Marine Lance Cpl. Andres Raya, a suspected Norteno gang member who shot two officers with a rifle outside a liquor store in Ceres, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2005, before police returned fire and killed him. One officer died, and the other was wounded by the 19-year-old Raya, who was high on cocaine. Raya had spent seven months in Iraq before returning to Camp Pendleton near San Diego.
Photos of Raya wearing the gang's red colors and making gang hand signs were reportedly found in a safe in his room.
Hunter Glass, a Fayetteville, N.C., police detective, said he has seen an increase in gang activity involving soldiers from nearby Fort Bragg. A Fort Bragg soldier — a member of the Insane Gangster Crips — is charged with a gang-related robbery in Fayetteville that ended in the slaying of a Korean store owner in November, said Glass, a veteran of the elite 82nd Airborne based at Fort Bragg.
He estimated that hundreds of gang members are stationed at the base as soldiers.
"I have talked to guys who say 'I'm a SUR 13 [gang member], but I am a soldier,' " Glass said. "Although I see the [gang] problem as a threat, I do believe the majority of the military are good people and that many of those [military officials] that I have made aware of the situation have expressed concern in dealing with it. It is safe to say that I am less worried about a gang war in the sand box [Iraq] but more about the one on our streets upon its end."
Glass has given presentations to military leaders in Washington, D.C., about gang members in the military.
Sending flak jackets home
A law enforcement source in Chicago said police see some evidence of soldiers working with gangs here. Police recently stopped a vehicle and found 10 military flak jackets inside. A gang member in the vehicle told investigators his brother was a Marine and sent the jackets home, the source said.
Barfield said he knows of civilian gang members in the Seattle area who also have been caught with flak jackets that he suspects were stolen from Fort Lewis.
Barfield said he has documented gang-affiliated soldiers' involvement in drug dealing, gunrunning and other criminal activity off base. More than a year ago, a soldier tied to a white supremacy group was caught trying to ship an assault rifle from Iraq to the United States in pieces, he said.
In Texas, the FBI is bracing for the transfer of gang-connected soldiers from Fort Hood in central Texas to Fort Bliss near El Paso as part of the nation's base realignments. FBI Special Agent Andrea Simmons said gang-affiliated soldiers from Fort Hood could clash with civilian gang members in El Paso.
"We understand that [some] soldiers and dependents at Fort Hood tend to be under the Folk Nation umbrella, including the Gangster Disciples and Crips," Simmons said. "In El Paso, the predominant gang, without much competition, is the Barrio Azteca. We could see some kind of turf war between the Barrio Aztecas and the Folk Nation."
FBI agents have visited Fort Hood to learn about the gang activity on the base, Simmons said.
"We found most of the police departments say they do see gang activity due to the military — soldiers and dependents," she said. "Our agents also have been in contact with Fort Bliss to discuss the issue."
Simmons said investigators may conduct background checks on soldiers relocating from Fort Hood to Fort Bliss to assess the level of the potential gang problem.
Barfield said he welcomes the FBI's scrutiny of gang members in the Army.
"Investigators as a whole across the military aren't getting the support to remove gang members from the ranks," he said.
But Grey, the spokesman for the Criminal Investigation Command, said the unit is open to any tips about gang activity in the Army.
"If anyone has any information, we strongly recommend they bring it to our attention," he said.
Graffiti & War is a dated connection, US maries used to tag and draw on walls and vehicles. The most famous inscription was "Kilroy was here".
Kilroy was here is an American popular culture expression, often seen in graffiti. Its origins are open to speculation, but recognition of it and the distinctive doodle of "Kilroy" peeking over a wall is almost ubiquitous among U.S. residents who lived during World War II through the Korean War.
The same doodle also appears in other cultures, but the character peeping over the wall is not named Kilroy but Foo, i.e. Foo was here. In the United Kingdom, such graffiti are known as "chads". In Chile, the graphic is known as a "sapo" [toad]; this may refer to the character's peeping, an activity associated with frogs because of their protruding eyes.
The phrase appears to have originated through United States servicemen, who would draw the doodle and the text "Kilroy Was Here" on the walls or elsewhere they were stationed, encamped, or visited. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable notes that it was particularly associated with the Air Transport Command, at least when observed in the United Kingdom.
One theory identifies James J. Kilroy, an American shipyard inspector, as the man behind the signature. During World War II he worked at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, where he claimed to have used the phrase to mark rivets he had checked. The builders, whose rivets J. J. Kilroy was counting, were paid depending on the number of rivets they put in. A riveter would make a chalk mark at the end of his or her shift to show where they had left off and the next riveter had started. Unscrupulous riveters discovered that, if they started work before the inspector arrived, they could receive extra pay by erasing the previous worker's chalk mark and chalking a mark farther back on the same seam, giving themselves credit for some of the previous riveter's work. J.J. Kilroy stopped this practice by writing "Kilroy was here" at the site of each chalk mark. At the time, ships were being sent out before they had been painted, so when sealed areas were opened for maintenance, soldiers found an unexplained name scrawled. Thousands of servicemen may have potentially seen his slogan on the outgoing ships and Kilroy's omnipresence and inscrutability sparked the legend. Afterwards, servicemen could have begun placing the slogan on different places and especially in new captured areas or landings. At some later point, the graffiti and slogan (Kilroy was here) must have merged.
The New York Times reported this as the origin in 1946, with the addition that Kilroy had marked the ships themselves as they were being built—so, at a later date, the phrase would be found chalked in places that no graffiti-artist could have reached (inside sealed hull spaces, for example), which then fed the mythical significance of the phrase—after all, if Kilroy could leave his mark there, who knew what else he could do?
Author Charles Panati says, "The mischievous face and the phrase became a national joke." He continued to say, "The outrageousness of the graffiti was not so much what it said, but where it turned up."
Kilroy is still known and used today by US Servicemen. He has been seen scribbled on barriers on Main Supply Routes (MSRs) in Iraq and on warehouses in Taji, Iraq.
There are many legends attached to the Kilroy graffiti. One states that Adolf Hitler believed that Kilroy was some kind of American super spy because the graffiti kept turning up in secure Nazi installations, presumably having been actually brought on captured Allied military equipment. Another states that Stalin was the first to enter an outhouse especially built for the leaders at the Potsdam conference. Upon exiting, Stalin asked an aide, "Who is this Kilroy?" Another legend states that a German officer, having seen frequent "Kilroys" posted in different cities, told all of his men that if they happened to come across a "Kilroy" he wanted to question him personally. Another one states the entire gag was started by a soldier in the Army who was sick of the Air Force bragging that they were always the first on the scene; the little man and phrase then began appearing in ludicrous places to indicate that someone had, in fact, arrived prior to the Air Force.
The graffiti is supposedly located on various significant and/or difficult-to-reach places such as on the torch of the Statue of Liberty, on the Marco Polo Bridge in China, in huts in Polynesia, on a high girder on the George Washington Bridge in New York, at the peak of Mt. Everest, on the underside of the Arc de Triomphe, scribbled in the dust on the moon, in WWII pillboxes scattered around Germany, around the sewers of Paris, and, in tribute to its origin, engraved in the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.
The Transit Company of America held a competition in 1946 offering a real trolley car to the man who could verify he was the "real Kilroy". J. J. Kilroy brought his co-workers with him to prove that he was undeniably the true Kilroy. The other forty or so men who showed up were not able to establish they were the "real" Kilroy. Kilroy gave his prize to his nine children to play with in their front yard.
In conclusion, graffiti peacefully coexist with army but they are void. I firmly prefer graffiti dedicated to war instead of graffiti in war.
Gangs claim their turf in Iraq, Chicago Sun-Times, May 1, 2006
Military-Trained Gang Members Worry Police, ABC News, May 3, 2006
US troops lose their morale, sanity in Iraq and live on antidepressants, Pravda, May 16, 2006
Once forbidden, graffiti flowers in Baghdad, Christian Science Monitor, February 8, 2004