text:
Examination of Witnesses (Questions 520-539)
520. You set out a programme, and I have the dates here, on the first five milestones and four of them were to be completed in January 2002. Those have not been completed or were only completed this month, is that correct? I am talking about the connection process guide, the review of engineering recommendation P2/5, the identification of any short-term changes to price controls and the format for provision of information by distributors.
(Mr Neilson) We can go through those now if that would be of assistance to you. Connection charges is the first one, which I have already discussed. The third one was the P2/5 process, which is the first core task of one of these work groups. There is very active discussion about what changes are needed, and that discussion is well under way, it is not yet completed. There are no short-term changes to the price control per se but nevertheless the distribution companies have been willing to accept this change in connection charges to a shallow up-front payment instead of a deep one, which clearly has an impact.
521. What about format for provision of information by distributors?
(Mr Neilson) I already referred to that. John's team have already published detailed requirements about what in future will be required.
522. So we are a little behind there but work is proceeding?
(Mr Neilson) Some things were done some months ago, they have not all been done very recently.
523. You have referred in your memorandum to the DTI/Ofgem Distributed Generation Co-ordinating Group which exists to monitor progress.
(Mr Neilson) That is the one I co-chair.
524. Has that produced a report yet?
(Mr Neilson) It has had three meetings. The first meeting was last November, it is going to produce annual reports and that is the group that will have an active website which is going live in the next few weeks.
525. British Gas want to begin to produce domestic CHP by the autumn. Do you think we are going to get there?
(Mr Neilson) It is up to them to say what their timetable is. I do not think I quite understood their timetable was as rapid as that. That is what one of these work streams is about, all these arrangements, regulatory and technical and commercial which are required for micro-CHP to happen. Absolutely, the objective is a simple standardised arrangement for all these domestic CHPs, and there is a great deal of work which I think is consistent with the timescale of the manufacturers in terms of actually moving to a commercial basis. These things are already being piloted, there are already pilots of domestic plants in individual homes around the country, there are a couple of pilots already running. What is obviously important is whether commercially that is an attractive proposition for companies to spend millions on a major roll-out, and I think the companies are a little way off from making those final decisions, but it is certainly our objective to make sure they are in a position to make those commercial decisions.
Mr Jones
526. Mr Scott, can I take you back to an answer you gave to Mr Thomas. Could you send the Committee some sort of paper to explain the technical difficulties that Denmark have encountered, because I think it is extremely important for the report we will be preparing? As I understood the broad definition of technical difficulty, it was to do with the proportion of electrical generation which Denmark has now reached. At the present rate of progress, how many years will it take Britain to reach that sort of capacity level?
(Mr Scott) Can I respond in two parts. We would be pleased to send you a note. It is, of course, secondhand information.
527. Yes, but better than no information at all.
(Mr Scott) You are very welcome to that. It is conference material from the Danish Transmission Company. We will be happy to provide that. In terms of the amount of generation, the view that I have formed at the moment from hearing the opinions of different parties in the industry is that we do not as a sector see difficulties in achieving 10 per cent of renewables. At the 10 per cent level we are still well below the Danish threshold of approaching the minimum demand on the system. That might not look so straightforward at 20 per cent, which the PIU made reference to. I think that will need to be looked at most carefully.
528. So in answer to the amount of time, if we were to meet the Government's target, we are about 17 years away from getting to the difficulty that Denmark face?
(Mr Scott) For the total make-up, we will have to watch very carefully, even as we approach the 2010 target. The best information is that that should not be a difficulty operationally in the way Denmark is experiencing.
529. I see you are a cautious man, Mr Scott.
(Mr Scott) I will take that as a compliment!
530. Take it as you wish. Back to embedded generation. Your recent consultation document on embedded generation suggests that embedded generators might be able to spread charges over a number of years but they will still have both shallow and deep charges. Did you consider more radical options than that?
(Mr Neilson) Yes, we considered all the range of options in relation to connection charges and in particular we considered what was appropriate half way through a five year price control period for the distribution companies. This was a point that the Embedded Generation Working Group very much recognised in the report that they prepared last year. What we have come up with at the moment as the way forward is that there should be an option for distributed generators if they choose not to pay the deep connection charge up-front, which was the previous requirement, but an option instead only to pay the shallow charge up-front and then to pay the difference between the two on an annualised basis over the lifetime of the equipment. I think for many plants that will be, if they are small entities and struggling to find the requisite amount of capital finance at the beginning of the project, an important change which will facilitate more of these projects starting up.
531. When you tried to make those decisions about charging, I can understand quite a few conflicts but how do you balance the desire to be fair to all generators withand this may not be within your remitwhat at least we might consider ought to be in your remit the desire to promote and encourage new forms of generation?
(Mr McCarthy) What we try to do is to identify any barriers which we think are unreasonable barriers. What we do not try and do, and indeed would have some difficulty about doing, is to set out to tilt the playing field in one direction. What we are very concerned to do is ensure there is a level playing field. One of the things we are sometimes urged to do is to say, "You should do things which would favour renewables at the moment because renewables at the moment are so small it does not matter if they are favoured". I confess it is an argument we have resisted, I think correctly, because our concern is not to encourage an infant industry to develop on the wrong foot. If renewables are going to be a significant part of the British energy scene, as is the objective, it is important when it gets there they should be efficient and effective renewables.
532. But they will not get there, will they, if you do not help them, if we do not have a system which helps them?
(Mr McCarthy) There are things we can do to eliminate barriers which we work at very hard. There are other things which the Government can do which in relation to renewables is actually operating very successfully at the moment, because the renewables obligation means instead of the Ł30/MWh nominal amount people are at the moment receiving something around Ł45/MWh.
533. You can answer, as you answered Mr Francois earlier, that you should not tilt the balance towards one form of generation or another, but it is quite clear from the Government's statement and the Government's target and the PIU Report that is precisely what the Government intends to do. If you set yourself targets and the targets mean one form of generation must go up enormously, and therefore other forms of generation must go down, the Government clearly wants to tilt the balance.
(Mr McCarthy) Absolutely, and it is open to the Government to make those decisions and it is open to the Government to use the tax system and a whole range of other measures to achieve those. I said a moment ago how much I welcomed the fact that the Government in the Budget had actually given some direct assistance to CHP, because one of the problems about CHP up to then was the Government had a target for CHP and no actual mechanism for delivering it. I think it is entirely appropriate for the Government to make a decision that CHP or renewables should be favoured. The contribution that Ofgem can make is to ensure there are not artificial barriers to any particular objective and also to help identify how any particular environmental objective can be met at lowest cost, because it must be in everybody's interest that is done. That is what we try and do.
534. Can you confirm that major generators connecting to the transmission network only have to pay shallow connection charges?
(Mr McCarthy) I am terribly sorry, would you mind repeating the question to make sure we have it right.
535. Do major generators connecting to the transmission network only pay shallow connection charges?
(Mr Scott) I think that is correct.
(Mr McCarthy) Why?
536. That was my next question, you are anticipating me.
(Mr McCarthy) Can you explain that?
(Mr Scott) It may be because of what sometimes is called the lumpiness of transmission investment. There is a significant difference between the character of distribution and transmission. It is like motorways and minor roads. If you have to take a step to reinforce the deeper network on transmission it is equivalent to perhaps building an extra lane on a motorway, you are on a significant scale of investment which is shared across all the users at the moment.
537. I am afraid I am going to ask you for another paper on that.
(Mr Scott) That is fine.
538. On the face of it that looks like bias against the embedded generators, but we will read what you say. We understand that you are suggesting the possibility of some form of zonal charging in Scotland so that generators would pay more the further away they are from population centres. Is that right, and if so why?
(Mr McCarthy) We are proposing, and it is something which has been a proposal for a long time, that there should be some degree of locational pricing, initially in England and Wales. A proposal which we believe is an example of where both economic efficiency and environmental concerns go in the same direction. Indeed, I think it was a previous incarnation of this Committee which supported that proposal some years ago. At the moment on average two per cent of all the electrons that are generated are lost in transmission and it is neither economically efficient nor environmentally good that people should situate
539. The further electrons have to travel the more is lost, I am aware of that. I asked this question of proximity to the Minister last week. I understand the logic but what I do not understand is why it has not been applied in the past. Why did we not charge more for northern power generators transporting energy down south. Why?
(Mr McCarthy) Because Offer, which was the predecessor of Ofgem in this respect, tried to implement a proposal a number of years ago, was judicially reviewed and was prevented from doing so. It also was part of the rather sclerotic corporate governance of the Pool at the time that made it very difficult to make these changes. I think it is a source of regret that these changes were not made a number of years ago.


text: 8 Amazing Advancements That Will Fulfill Your Cyborg Fantasies by MATT SCHNEIDERMAN March 14, 2017 Matt Schneiderman Matt Schneiderman is a longtime New Yorker now based in San Francisco. His writings have appeared in various print and online publications including Runner's World, Popular Science, Maxim and Cosmopolitan. Slide 1 of 11 Photo Credit: Vladislav Ociacia/Adobe Stock Ever dream of being a RoboCop? Some of the recent advances in biotechnology and bioengineering are inching humans closer to that Hollywood fantasy of man merging with machine. And as robotic body parts become more and more human in their abilities and appearance, the prospect of using technology to augment and surpass the human body's natural limitations is no longer just science fiction. Case in point: The world's first cyborg Olympics will be held in Zurich in October 2016. But will robots become "human" ― think Terminator ― before we can become robotic? Have a look at some scientific advances that are paving the way for our future robotic upgrades. Photo Credit: Steeper Group Hand Billed as the world's most anatomically accurate artificial hand, the U.K.-based Steeper Group's BeBionic has 337 mechanical parts controlled via sensors that detect muscle movement in the wearer's arm. The hand is capable of 14 different precision grips and can hold up to 100 pounds. Not to be outdone, our own Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has demonstrated a prosthetic hand that not only can be controlled via thought — enabled via electrodes implanted in the user's brain — but that can actually sense touch as well.Related: Nicky Ashwell -- first UK bebionic small user tells her story Photo Credit: CBS News Leg The first thought-controlled bionic leg was developed at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and funded by the Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center with the hopes of making the technology available to 1,200 lower-body amputees who have served in the military. Redirected nerves instruct the muscles to contract as sensors on the user's leg detect tiny electrical signals from the muscles. A computer program analyzes these signals as well as data from sensors in the robotic leg, decodes the type of movement the user is trying to perform and then sends those commands to the robotic leg.Related: Zac Vawter's Story -- Software Engineer, Age 32, Seattle, WA Photo Credit: Vladislav Ociacia/Stock Photos Arm While other prostheses developers aspire to lifelike control and appearance, the U.K.-based Alternative Limb Project is giving the world its first glimpses of how far beyond flesh and bone artificial body parts can go. Based on the multipurpose artificial arm of Snake from the video game Metal Gear Solid V, the Phantom Limb (not pictured; seen at the link below) features a smartwatch, a USB port for phone charging and even a flyaway drone packed into the shoulder cavity. Though currently detachable, the arm's owner is planning on having it directly attached to the bone with titanium.Related: Phantom Limb at the Alternative Limb Project Photo Credit: jayzynism/Adobe Stock Eyes Forget 20/20. By 2017, the Ocumetics Bionic Lens (not pictured) will be giving users with the implant the ability to see three times better than that. Instead of working like a contact lens, the Bionic Lens acts similarly to cataract surgery, adhering to the eye's natural lens.Related: Ocumetics Bionic Lens could give you vision 3x better than 20/20 Photo Credit: Louis Public Radio Heart As an early beneficiary of man-meets-machine tech, the heart now has a new generation of pacemakers that uses an elastic membrane of electrodes that wraps around the organ. The membrane does more than just keep the heart's rhythm steady; it also uses electrical stimuli in the case of an attack.Related: Revolutionary membrane can keep your heart beating perfectly forever Photo Credit: École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Spinal Cord Swiss researchers have developed a material called e-Dura that can be applied directly to the spinal cord to conduct electrical impulses along stretches where nerve damage causes lack of movement, potentially helping paralysis sufferers to walk again.Related: Stretchy spinal implant presents new paralysis treatment Photo Credit: bestdesigns/iStock/Getty Images Skin From one of the same researchers who brought you the spinal implant, cyber skin (not pictured) is a product being developed for burn victims and those who have lost the use of a limb. The thousands of receptors in the skin make it the most important sensorial organ. The innovation would allow those who've lost feeling in part of their skin to once again sense temperature, pressure and pain.Related: A cyber skin that feels Photo Credit: Mopic/Adobe Stock Brain For now, brain implants are available for medical patients with specific conditions. For example, thousands of patients with Parkinson's disease have devices implanted in their brains to send electrical pulses to help with motor control. Recently, researchers from Ohio State University and Battelle Memorial Institute helped a paralyzed patient regain control of his right hand through a computer chip implanted into his brain (not pictured).Related: Chip, Implanted in Brain, Helps Paralyzed Man Regain Control of Hand Photo Credit: Shariff Che'Lah/Adobe Stock How Far Is Too Far? Allysa Seely, the 2015 paratriathlete world champion and a participant in the 2016 Paralympics in September, wears a prosthetic on her left leg, which was amputated below the knee. She told EPSN The Magazine that opponents believe she has an unfair advantage. "As soon as I started to get faster and I started to win races people's perspective on it changed. All of a sudden it went from, 'You're doing so great!' to 'This is not fair.'" A Pew Research Center poll found similar sentiments regarding technology-enhanced humans: The majority of U.S. adults greet the possibility of biomedical and technological breakthroughs — which could push the boundaries of human abilities — with more wariness and worry than enthusiasm and hope.Related: Public opinion on the future of use of brain implants Photo Credit: Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock What Do YOU Think? Are you excited about any of these new developments, or are you feeling more skeptical and worried? Do you think that the majority humans will eventually become cyborgs? Are you a cyborg? If not, would you become a one if you had the opportunity? Let us know in the comment section below! UP NEXT Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times Lose Weight. Feel Great! Change your life with MyPlate by LIVESTRONG.COM GOAL Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week GENDER Female Male AGE lbs. WEIGHT ft. in. HEIGHT GET MY CALORIE GOAL YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Overcoming Helplessness 5 Tips for Handling Insecurity Goal Setting in Relationships Developing Detachment and Forming a Healthy Self-Image Why Personal Responsibility Is Important for Life Success How to Tell the Size of Your Unborn Baby 10 Machine-to-Free-Weight Swaps to Improve Your Strength Gains How to Donate Skin After Bariatric Surgery The Woman's Meal Plan for Getting Lean 16 Things You Probably Don't Know About Birth Control The History of Soccer Teams in the Olympic Games The Speed of Human Swimming The Height Growth Limit of Women and Men How Does Technology Affect Family Communication? Turn Your Stairs Into a Fat-Burning Machine 9 Amazing Kickstarter Products Worth Investing in Right Now Comments

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Grilled Oysters with Black Truffle Butter
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Save and organize all of the stuff you love in one place.Got it!
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Click the heart, it's called favoriting. Favorite the stuff you like.Got it!
Author Notes: Truffle butter and Oysters? Ridiculous! So decadent! So unnecessary! Then when you are licking the last but of briny buttery funky goodness from the crease of the plates you will wonder if there still time to go out an get more oysters —Aliwaks
Serves: 1 or 2
fresh oysters, I used Darmiscotta oysters because I live in Maine and they were what the man at the Farmarket usually has
generous knobs of the best truffle butter you can get your hands on - I used lcoal butt from Casco Bay Butter- If I had fresh truffles I would use thier butter and shave in some real truffles
some chopped parsely
some great bread
a half a lemon
- heat your grill to high
- In a pan you don't care much about burning the bottom, arrange oysters so the rounded side is on the bottom ( I use an enamel pie tin which holds 6 oysters and a cast iron pie tin which also holds 6)
- place the cooking vessel of your choosing on the grill & shut it
- meanwhile mince some flat leaf parsley (don't leave it out it actually cuts the richness just a bit)
- Check grill to see if oysters shells have popped (about 8 minutes more or less)
- Using a dishtowel carefully pry the top shells off and place oysters in shells back in pan
- Add a bit of butter to each oyster
- put back on grill for a few minutes to let butter melt
- sprinkle with parsley, add a squeeze of lemon and tea right out off the dish you cooked in
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Appetizer to Share with Friends


text:
There are many different reasons why dogs have seizures, including eating poison, blood sugar issues, electrolyte issues, kidney or liver disease, head injuries and anemia, according to WebMD. Seizures in dogs can also be caused by encephalitis, strokes or even brain cancer, reports WebMD.Continue Reading
If a dog is having a seizure, it will typically exhibit symptoms such as jerking or twitching its muscles, chewing, drooling or foaming around the mouth. The dog may also have difficulty staying conscious and may make odd running motions after falling down, according to WebMD. Dogs with seizures often have a condition such as epilepsy, idiopathic epilepsy or symptomatic epilepsy, according to PetMD. Dogs who have had a seizure should be examined by a veterinarian.Learn more about Veterinary Health


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I am that which have become omnipotent, eternal, boundless. The mutible principle on which all speculation is possible. The transcending force of human conception. I become as beyond the reign and reach of thought, unthinkable and unspeakable. I become my own absolute reality, for I am all that shall ever be, and all that ever was.
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The Forbidden Path Across the Chasm of Self-Realization song meanings
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0General CommentThe words break the meditative nature of the other tracks of the 'Saurian Meditation' album which is a nice touch. Good to have another track after this one which is like a warm down after a physical workout. THere is an error in the 2nd last statement: should be 'range' instead of 'reign'.
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A lecture and workshop series focusing on faculty career development. This program is sponsored by the Campus Council of Faculty Life.
We're committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care.
We monitor diversity and inclusion with regular reports on campus efforts, campus climate, and campus progress.
We accomplish our work by serving as a central resource on campus for our internal and external community members highlighting news and programming that foster a collaborative culture.
The work of the Office of Diversity and Outreach advances diversity, equity and inclusion for the entire campus and health system.
The Office of Diversity and Outreach continues to maintain a commitment to building, nurturing and engaging diversity and inclusion across the campus.


text:
Making the Music
"Berkeley's songs seem to have been much more in the Yale
tradition. The first professors at [Berkeley] were Yalies
who hadn't made tenure there. They came out here and they
did awfully well. The Yale songs are terrific. But there is
no question that the Berkeley songs are superb the way the
Yale songs are and few other colleges are."
-Jon Elkus
Few universities can claim Cal's distinction of having one of the largest and most diverse collections of school songs. In fact, not many school songs are as long lived and well loved as the ones at Cal. The first songs played and sung by the university population were simply popular songs of the day such as "Vive L'amour" or "Auld Lang Syne." The lyrics of these songs naturally were altered to better fit the spirit of the University; for example, "It's a Way We Have At Old Berkeley" was adapted from "It's A Way We Have At Old Harvard."
Under the nurturing hands of enthusiastic faculty members, the student body began to develop its own unique traditions. Early on, it was common for every fraternity to have its own singing group, and sometimes even an orchestra; every house was well versed on the songs and yells of the day. Around the turn of the century, an annual contest was sponsored by the Daily Californian for an original school song. The contest lasted well into the late 1930s, producing such favorites as "Big C," "Palms of Victory," and "Stanford Jonah." Sources of inspiration for the writing of songs, besides the Daily Californian contest, include school rivalries, formal commissions for new music (for example, "Cal Band March"), and oral traditions of passing songs down and letting them evolve from one generation to the next (e.g., "California Drinking Song").
The Golden Bear
The oldest song currently in the Band's repertoire is "The Golden Bear," with lyrics written in 1895 by Charles Mills Gayley. In order to understand the origins of the song, it is important to consider Gayley's background and association with the University. Gayley was born in Shanghai in 1858, educated in England, and received his A.B. in 1878 at the University of Michigan. He became an assistant professor of Latin, and later Professor of English, at Michigan. While at Michigan, he displayed his flair for school songs by editing the songbook, "Songs of the Yellow and Blue." In 1889, Gayley moved to California, serving the University of California as a professor of English Language and Literature, research lecturer, and professor emeritus. Like many of his fellow professors at the new university, he encouraged the development of traditions that would foster school spirit and loyalty; his most lasting contributions to this development are his songs.
"The Golden Bear" itself has interesting, perhaps poetic origins. In 1895, Berkeley was still in its infancy. The University of California track team, underfunded and without a coach, decided to travel to the East in order to compete in the Eastern Track Meets, where they ran against Princeton, Yale, Pennsylvania, and Chicago. At each meet, the team displayed a blue banner with a golden bear upon it for good luck. The team won every meet; the local newspapers noticed the totem, claiming it was a jinx to the eastern schools. After the track meets, the team returned to Berkeley in the dead of night and was greeted by the faculty and students at the West Berkeley railroad station. As the team made their way off the train clutching their banner, the words to "The Golden Bear" came to Gayley in a sudden flash of inspiration. He soon set the words to a popular Air of the time, "The Pope." Because he was known and loved by the student body for his sincere and genuine concern for their welfare, it is fitting that Gayley's songs still remain a vital part of the California Spirit.
Sons of California
"I thought it was a great honor, to be allowed to make a
version of [a Cal Song]. I knew that that was an
extraordinarily important thing for the band, and I put
great care into making those arrangements. Much more so than
I would just a normal arrangement. So if they are still
played, I'm really pleased that they are."
-Larry Austin, Arranger
No history of Cal Songs could be complete without mentioning Clinton R. "Brick" Morse. Morse was not only an outstanding athlete, earning a big "C" for every major sport, but also a talented singer. He organized a glee club in 1893 known as the "De Koven Club," which became very popular, eventually rivaling the eastern Glee Clubs. Morse's group made twelve trips under his guidance to such places as Europe, Alaska, Canada, and Asia. In order to keep up with the demands of their popularity, Morse encouraged Glee Club members to write original compositions; his own contributions include "The Sons of California" and "Hail to California."
Unlike the inspired origin of Gayley's "The Golden Bear," Morse's "Sons of California" was "drummed out"- created-in 1905. Morse had the habit of improvising at the piano while making up words at the same time. He admitted that he "drummed out hundreds of [Cal Songs] and as promptly [forgot] them. It must have been an accident that [he] remembered 'Hail to California' and 'Sons of California' and wrote them out for the Glee Club to sing." "Sons of California" was always performed slowly and solemnly by the Glee Club. As a result, it was not terribly popular with the student body. During the late 1930s, the Band played a much faster and livelier arrangement, which prompted an interest from the student body. As a result, "Sons of California" is now one of the most well known and often played Cal Songs. "Sons of California" is traditionally the second song of the Cal Band's pregame show.
Fanfares of the Cal Band
Several fanfares have been composed specifically for the Cal Band. The oldest is the "Hail to California Fanfare," written by Charles Cushing in the late '30s. It was written to replace the rather generic fanfares and bugle calls that the Band had been using at the beginning of its pregame show. It also solidified Cushing's position as Director of the Band. His first years as Director were often difficult in that replacing Modeste Alloo meant dealing with people who had lingering memories of Alloo's way of doing things. Cushing responded by composing the "Hail to California Fanfare" which was vigorously embraced by the Band and took its place as the opener of the pregame show. It begins with a dramatic three-part trumpet soli and follows with the low brass and woodwinds quoting the first phrase from "Hail to California."
The "Golden Bear Fanfare" was composed by Jonathan Elkus (SD '52) in September of 1954. He was approached by the Executive Committee that year and asked to write a new fanfare using the then-current strengths of the Band, primarily the reeds and saxophones. It was becoming apparent that the brass section was having problems performing the "Hail to California Fanfare" and Bill Colescott (SM, '54) recalls that " the trumpets could not cut that in performance, so it always sounded wrong." The "Golden Bear Fanfare" also coincided with the introduction of the modern marching style and new uniforms, and was intentionally crafted to heighten the dramatic aspect of the Band's entrance onto the field.
The fanfare begins with open parallel fifths in the low brass and saxes followed by trumpets, horns, and euphoniums playing the opening phrase of "The Golden Bear." When used in pregame, Bill Ellsworth announced, during the drum roll at the end of the eighth measure, "And now, to lead the Band down the field, Drum Major so-and-so." The Drum Major would have his moment in the spotlight as he strutted out from North Tunnel to his position in front of the Band. This would be followed by a maestoso section and then a roll-off into "Big C". Concerning the roll-off, Elkus explained, "That idea, of course, was Charles Cushing's from the end of his 'Hail to California Fanfare' where the roll-off is with the end of the last chord. The only thing is that I actually wrote it down in notation."
Although not directly associated with the Cal Band, the "Alumni Band Fanfare" is an important part of the California repertoire. Also composed by Jon Elkus in 1954, this fanfare heralds the annual appearance of the Cal Alumni Band onto the turf of Memorial Stadium and combines three themes: "Happy Days are Here Again," "Old Gray Mare," and "Hail to California." When asked about the unusual blending of these three melodies, Elkus replied, "the obvious always occurs to me first."
"Big C"
"There can be no chance for any healthy relations between
our student bodies, and particularly our bands, if this
blatant appropriation without permission of a more than
fifty year old Berkeley song is allowed to go
-Letter from James Berdahl to Kelley James,
February 20, 1969
The "Big C" situated on the campus' "rugged eastern foothills."
"Big C" is traditionally the first song of the pregame to which the Band marches its signature Flying Wedge formation, and it is unquestionably the most famous and controversial Cal Song. "Big C" was written in 1913 by Harold P. Williams, with words by Norman Loyall McLaren. It was written to commemorate the large cement C built "on our rugged Eastern foothills" in 1905, and also as a result of the Daily Californian's annual song competition. In the Fall of 1913, the competition was stiff; but the Rally Committee managed to narrow the field down to two songs, "Big C" and "Stanford Jonah." "Big C" took the prize and "Jonah" won the next year.
Pat King Sokalski has been copying music for the Cal Band since 1968.
The controversy around the song has its roots in the "All University Weekend," an annual event which began around 1948 and lasted into the 1960s. This event was a double header football game that pitted Cal against UCLA and UC Davis against UC Santa Barbara. The games were played alternately in Berkeley one year and in Los Angeles the next year. Bands from all four of the schools would perform together in one giant, combined halftime show. In one of the last "All U Weekends," F. Kelley James, then Associate Director of the UCLA Band and alumnus of the Cal Band wrote an arrangement of "Big C" for the combined halftime show.
Afterwards, UCLA kept using his arrangement of "Big C," adding its own lyrics and renaming it "Sons of Westwood." The UCLA Band began playing it regularly as the new fight song. James Berdahl, then director of the Cal Band, was incensed over what he felt was a violation of the sanctity of Cal Songs. A bitter exchange ensued between Berdahl and James for the next several years concerning the legal and ethical grounds under which "Big C" was appropriated. The matter came to a head in February 18, 1969, when Irwin Coster, working on behalf of the UCLA cause, received official word from the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress that "Big C" had never been copyrighted, and thus it was in the Public Domain. Public Domain status meant that only adaptations and arrangements of the song could be copyrighted, so UCLA had every legal right to "steal" the song. Some regents and UCLA administrators thought it quite reasonable that this "little sister" of Cal maintain "Sons of Westwood" as an affirmation of the University of California's solidarity. However, ardent students and alumni at Cal were never happy with the situation, especially Berdahl, who continued to fight for the abolition of "Sons of Westwood" through the remainder of his tenure as director. Ironically, uninformed people recognize "Sons of Westwood" as UCLA's song due to their successful football program and exposure on televised games and wonder why Cal plays UCLA's fight song so much.
California Drinking Song
The "California Drinking Song" is one of Cal's most changing songs, surviving various additions and subtractions. Over the years, no less than five separate elements have been included in this song.
The core element of "California Drinking Song" is "Rambled," otherwise known as "California." The tune is based on the song "Oh, Didn't He Ramble," by Cole and Johnson (copyright 1906). The words were changed to what we know as "For California, for California, The hills send back the cry, We're out to do or die...," and first appeared in printed form in 1906; the author of the text is unknown. For a long time, the Band often played "Rambled" at football games, playing the chorus twice. This version was known as "Rambled Into."
In Rochelle Paul's thesis, "Song Traditions of the University of California at Berkeley," she mentions that "in 1939, the University Band and the Glee Club went down to Los Angeles for the UCLA vs. California football game. When they returned, both groups had joined additional verses of a whole new song to the old 'California' song. [Since then] even more verses have accumulated." The verses she refers to follow the "Rambled" part of "California Drinking Song." Titled "One More Drink for the Four of Us," this part of "California Drinking Song" is a traditional song of conviviality, sung throughout the United States (for example, Ohio State University has its own version of this song). The origins of other elements of "California Drinking Song" are more difficult to pinpoint. It is believed that the "Speaking Start" (The steward went below...,) is from a traditional Navy drinking song; the origins of the "Singing Start" (Oh, they had a little party down in Newport...,) are unclear.
The Stanford Jonah
"The Stanford Jonah" was written in 1913 by Ted E. Haley for the annual song contest, but the song unfortunately lost to Williams' and McLaren's "Big C." "The Stanford Jonah" got its break in 1914, however, when the Glee Club traveled to Europe. The Glee Club learned the song en route, and performed it during their tour. As a result, "The Stanford Jonah" became popular and won the annual song competition that year. It has since become one of the more popular Cal Songs, and it is particularly popular during Big Game week. [Georgia Tech has a fight song very similar to "The Stanford Jonah." It is unclear how Georgia Tech may have acquired it, since Cal and Georgia Tech have had very few interactions. One possible explanation may lie in the 1929 Rose Bowl in which Cal played Georgia Tech.]
Cal Band Instrumentation
by Bob Briggs
I've been involved with the Cal Band in one way or another since 1948, when I transferred to Cal from Modesto Junior College. Like most university marching bands, we have always used woodwinds, brass, and percussion in varying combinations (the Ohio State Band is a notable exception, being brass and percussion only).
When I joined the Band in 1948, the woodwinds consisted of piccolo, E-flat and B-flat soprano clarinets, and a complete family of saxophones including the baritone sax and two bass saxes. The brass included trumpets (a few cornets, like yours truly), E-flat alto horns-nicknamed peck horns- trombones, baritones, and sousaphones. Percussion included the standard snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and glockenspiel.
By the '60s, the woodwind section no longer included the baritone and bass saxes and by the late '70s or early '80s we no longer used the E-flat soprano clarinet. Our piccolo section had gotten large and E-flat clarinets were deemed unnecessary for a marching band.
In the brass family, the bell-front mellophonium replaced the E-flat alto horn in the late '70s, and then in the late '80s the bell-front (or marching) baritone horn replaced the upright baritone.
In the percussion section, the main addition has been the "quads"-four pitched drums that add rhythm and style to popular music.
Prior to the '50s, the Band's repertoire consisted primarily of marches and Cal songs. Since then, the Cal Band has continued this tradition but has added popular music as well as classical music to its outdoor repertoire. Our creative arrangers have been able to capture the original style and sound of a piece -whether it be the 1812 Overture, Broadway show music, a '40s swing tune, a Beatles song, the music of Queen, or other contemporary rock music.
Many current university marching bands have adopted the style and sound of drum-and-bugle corps with their emphasis on brass and percussion. The Cal Band, however, has not followed this trend. I personally like the variety of blends that can be achieved with various combinations of brass and woodwind. When we play a '40s piece, our arrangers can capture that sound with the correct combination of woodwinds (especially saxes) and brass. The same can be said for classical music and rock music-and how could you possibly capture the sound of a Sousa march without clarinets and piccolos?
Palms of Victory
"Palms of Victory," lyrics written in 1896 by Stuart L. Rawlings, has a very colorful history. "Palms" used to be called the "Football Song," and its melody was taken from "Springtime in Dixieland" (or "Happy Days in Dixieland"), a popular tune of the time. The story of its creation is best told by Brick Morse:
Bob Calonico (SD '75) conducts the Band at a football game.
"Rawlings, an extremely tall, lanky, mining engineer, certainly did not look like a poet. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and as was the custom, the boys would gather around a keg of beer at night and sing. Rawlings and the boys would hum a song and improvise some words. One night, one of the boys said to him, 'I see where The Daily Cal is offering $5.00 for a Cal song - Why don't you submit it?' He did and won the $5.00, which he took and quickly converted into another keg of beer. Each night they sat around singing, but no new song ever came to him." At first, "Palms of Victory" did not inspire much victory. Cal suffered crushing defeats at the hands of Stanford at the first two outings in which the song was played. However, the song survived and eventually became popular. But then, superstition began to follow the song wherever it went. In the 1930s, when the Band played the song during a game, Cal lost. As a result, the Band became superstitious and refused to play it for almost two years. Tradition eventually came to dictate that the song be played only after a Cal victory.
Superstition continues to surround "Palms of Victory." For example, the night before the 1992 Big Game, the Band played at several Alumni functions and was coaxed into playing "Palms of Victory." Many claim that as a result, Cal was overwhelmingly defeated in the Big Game. Just as band members in the 1930s blamed the playing of "Palms of Victory" for their loss, so did some members of the Band in 1992.
The Cal Band Drum Beat
"It has always inspired me inside, making chills go up and
down my back. I have never, ever heard a drum cadence like
we played in the forties and fifties. It's just so
thrilling, better than anybody else's, and I just love it. I
could listen to it all day long."
- Bud Barlow (DM '49)
"I think we always prided ourselves as being the quickest
band in terms of steps per minute. The military rate of 120
looked to us like it was absolutely crawling. And, I would
think in a parade it would be 155, 165, somewhere in there,
probably about 160. When we were on the field, we tried to
go at about 180, but if the other band tried to match us,
then we would move it up."
- Neil Lucas ('40)
"I could sing or hum or tap the cadence, it's so ingrained
in my soul."
- Cy Silver (DM '53)
The Cal Band drum beat was composed in the late '20s or early '30s by Charles Cushing. Although an exact date cannot be determined, there is reason to believe that Cushing composed it while he was a student. In any case, it was truly special for generations of Band members. "That drum section was really the foundation of the marching band. The Band always marched at a rate that was substantially faster than any band in northern California that I ever heard of- whether it was l40 or l60. I wouldn't like to try to analyze, but it was enough so that it was all you could do to play and move your feet and keep in time. Rapid beat was really a trademark of the Cal Band and everybody in it was proud to be doing it," according to Tom Simonson (DM '39). Bob Desky ('45) realized it, too. "The Cal Band drum beat was a very definite drum beat. It was ritualistic. All new drummers were taught the drum beat as it had been originated by Charles Cushing. It was the only drum beat that was allowed. No variances were tolerated."
For over thirty years, the Cal Band drum beat was the only cadence the Band used while parade and street marching. It was usually played considerably faster than the tempo used by many other bands. "Using the fast drum beat kind of gave us a special esprit de corps, and we were proud of our drum beat," recalled Bill Fay (SM '47). "If we were in a parade with other bands that used 120 cadence, we were glad to show them up, that we could go faster than they did and we played better than they did. There was a real feeling that the Cal Band was the best. We would go 160 or 180, and we were proud of this. If it confused the other bands, too bad for them." The Band took great delight in playing its cadence faster and better than the other marching units around them. "We'd go into the march rallying to our great Cal Band drum cadence," said Larry Anderson (SD '58), "which, being in the business all these years, [I feel] is still one of the best drum beats I've ever heard."
The drum beat became a central rallying point for the Band and the drummers played it with enthusiasm. Dan Cheatham, a drummer and later one of the Drum Majors during the Brussels Trip, recalls its effect on the Band while it was in Europe. "There were times when tempers got short or fatigue would set in with the very busy schedule that we were keeping. And whenever we lined up as a block band and those drums started playing that Cal Band drum cadence, all differences of opinion were forgotten and the chests would puff out and the body would stand erect and the feet would start moving and suddenly, we were The Cal Band. And I attribute that to the effect that this drum beat had on the members of the Band at the time."
In the mid-1960s, the percussion section expanded its repertoire to include other street-marching cadences besides the drum beat. Its name was changed to the high step cadence to distinguish it from the other, slower military-step cadences that were being introduced. Although the Cal Band drum beat is no longer the exclusive cadence, it is still a distinctive trademark of the Cal Band.
"I think the high step cadence has been treated with great respect over the years, and of course the tradition of high sticking and keeping it crisp is not changed. That has not changed one iota from when I was in the Band up to now," said drummer Bob Doud ('63).
Lights Out / Fight for California
"I had a lot of fun writing percussion parts, and I think I
did a pretty good job with them. They're extraordinarily
important for a marching band to bring that brilliance of
sound, to make it a thrilling experience. Cymbals crashing,
bass drums resounding. Extraordinarily important."
-Larry Austin
"It's hard to do a show when you're up to your knees in slimy green mud." A common sentiment during the Bicentennial Tour.
The march "Lights Out" was written in 1906 by Earl Elleson McCoy, a student at the University of Illinois. "Fight for California" is simply the trio and break strain of "Lights Out," with an added introduction written by Charles Cushing. Cal's most important school song is "Fight for California." In the grand tradition of Cal Songs, "Fight for California" was written by accident. Brick Morse tells the story of how "Fight for California" came to be written by Robert Fitch: "One day the Glee Club was fooling around with a tune called 'Lights Out.' 'Fine for a college song,' said Bob Fitch, 'believe I'll write some words to fit the music.'"
"Fight for California" is played whenever a Cal athletic team enters the field of play, after every Cal scoring play in football, and whenever the Straw Hat Band marches into a performance. "Fight for California" traditionally is the fourth song of the Cal Band's pregame, to which the Band marches from a block formation into the Script Cal. "Lights Out" is traditionally the last song of every Cal Band event. Performing "Lights Out," the Band sings the first verse of "Fight for California" (accompanied by a solo drummer and bass player) during the first time through the trio and then resumes playing. Words were written to the first two strains of "Lights Out" to commemorate the 1976 Bicentennial Tour and its various occurrences and pitfalls.
The Buddhas of Sound
by Dale McGowan (SD '84, Arranger)
An ancient bamboo ceiling fan, powered by an unseen spider monkey, revolves slowly in the dense tropical heat. Futile thing, thinks the man as he watches it turn. He imagines it watching him as well, thinking the same. Sweat streams down his temples as his fingers sift the limp remnants of his hair: "What would Ludwig do? What would Elvis do? What would-" A pause. "What would John Philip do?" A flash of insight streaks through the door, banks left, ricochets off the wall, startling the monkey off his treadmill, and enters The Arranger's head. His eyes move heavenward: F sharp. Of course. And in the mellophonium.
"Grazie, signore."
That is how Cal Band arrangers create. They are, quite simply, the heirs apparent to the crown of Beethoven, geniuses to be nurtured and revered-the very Buddhas of Sound. Those who accept this are asked to read no further- you have divined the Truth.
As for the rest of you, please don't tell the others, but a Cal Band arranger is very much like an interpreter at the United Nations-he translates. He doesn't create the original information; he simply puts it into another language and spews it forth. The original is never improved upon; the best the translator can hope for is to get it right. Excessive embellishment is rarely appropriate, but at least a creative UN translator can start a little boundary war or mess with world herring prices or something. The arranger can only create something that doesn't work as well as the original. In short, the procedure is this: Stunt Committee says, "Mick Jagger would like to speak to the crowd at Memorial Stadium, but they only speak 'Calband'." They give the arranger a tape, on which Mick says "I can't GET no!" The arranger has the trumpets say, "Doo dat DAT dahhh!" and the Memorialites comprende.
Well, it's a bit more than that, I suppose. Some pieces translate well for Band, others don't. It is the arranger's job to take a language usually spoken by three guitars and a voice and rewrite for woodwinds, brass, and percussion- played outdoors while moving. There is also the problem of the changing Band. The field charter can at least assume that every Band member every year will have two feet, but the arranger deals with a shifting landscape: one year the trombones are hot but saxes and mellos are a footnote at best; the next year, mellos are sixteen strong and a force to be reckoned with-and the trombones have all graduated.
This is vital information as the arranger decides, chord by chord, who is able to carry the melody, and, equally important, who can take the accompaniment without overwhelming. A knowledge of music theory is crucial so that the arranger can think vertically and horizontally in the sound. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of each instrument is essential-and not just the safe limits; playing it safe makes Muzak. Knowing what is barely possible-but possible nonetheless-makes excitement possible. And an understanding of how the Band likes to play (best earned through membership) makes the players happy, and that is kerosene on the fire.
Then there's the Cal Band Sound, which changes every year but keeps a certain "something." We could mystically leave it at that, but that something is actually quite easily identified: it is variety of programming, variety of instrumentation, range, and spirit. The Band plays everything from Aerosmith to "El Capitan" to "The Great Gate of Kiev," while a typical military band tends to overlook, for example, Aerosmith.
And the Cal Band uses not just brass and percussion (like a drum corps) but includes saxes, clarinets, and piccolos. Yes, I'm sorry, all you lip-puckering, valve-punching studmuffins: the woodwinds are basic to the Cal Band Sound. They give it variety, they give it brilliance, and they give it range. From the lowest tuba pitch to the highest piccolo, the Cal Band musters six and one-half octaves of range, just a few steps short of the full piano keyboard. A drum and bugle corps has to settle for less than five. The difference is one of sheer musical space, and the Cal Band has it in spades.
But more important than any of these is the spirit: the Cal Band sounds like the Cal Band because every blast of breath is jammed with pride of ownership. Like no other Band, this one belongs to the members, and that comes through like nobody's business.
All Hail Blue and Gold
The Straw Hat Band performs "Toast to California" in a traditional manner.
The University of California had no Alma Mater until "All Hail Blue and Gold" was written by Harold W. Bingham in 1905. Bingham is one of the most prolific composers of Cal Songs, also penning "The Blue and Gold," "California March," "A Toast to California," "Hurrah for California," and "California Indian Song." "All Hail Blue and Gold" was popularized by the Budweiser Quartet and the California Glee Club (both of which Bingham was a member), achieving the status of unofficial California Hymn. "All Hail Blue and Gold" is played at the end of all University events and athletic contests.
Hand Signals
Cal's large collection of school songs is a source of great pride and inspiration for every Band member. However, this repertoire forces the Band to keep on its toes during the course of an athletic event. The Band must be ready to play any one of a number of songs during a time out or after a successful play.
In order to facilitate communication, a collection of hand signals has been developed so that the conductor can quickly let the Band know what song is "up." These signals are taught and quickly memorized by the Band at FTP. The explanations behind some of these signals are often as interesting as the history of the songs themselves.
Following is a list of some of these hand signals.
|"Big C"-The conductor raises his right arm and makes a big "C" with his hand.
|"Fight for California"-The conductor raises his right arm with the hand in a clenched fist, a fighting symbol.
|"The Stanford Jonah"-Once intended as a lewd gesture, the thumb and index finger now represent the eye of the whale that swallowed the Biblical Jonah. The three extended fingers represent the spray emitting from the whale's spout.
|"California Indian Song"-The conductor raises his hand over his mouth and pantomimes an Indian War Cry.
|"Sons of California"-The conductor points directly to himself (on the head), since, being a Cal student, he is a "son" of California.
|"Lights Out"-The conductor reaches up and twists as if to remove an imaginary light bulb from its socket. In other words, it's "lights out."
|"Make Way for the Bear"-The conductor extends his right arm straight forward and places his palm into a "Stop!" position that warns others to "make way."
|"California Drinking Song"-The thumb and little finger are extended to represent a grasp around a beer stein. The hand is then repeatedly raised to the conductor's lips as if he is taking a drink.
|"Palms of Victory"-The conductor extends an open "palm" of victory. As the conductor's forearm is not extended, this signal is different from that for "Make Way for the Bear."
|"All Hail Blue and Gold"-The extended index and middle fingers are rapidly flipped up and down to make an "A" and an "H."
|"The Golden Bear"-The head and open mouth of a bear are represented by extending the palm and splitting the middle and index fingers. A "biting" effect is achieved by rapidly opening and closing the split.
Hail to California
"Hail to California" was written by Brick Morse while improvising at the piano in 1907. He was asked by University President Benjamin Ide Wheeler and Professor Gayley to write songs for the rooting section, and "Hail to California" resulted. Morse's sentiment was that "Sons of California" and "Hail to California" would be "nothing unless sung in harmony." The fraternities began to sing "Hail to California" (though not in harmony), and its popularity subsequently spread. In fact, "Hail to California" has often threatened to supplant "All Hail Blue and Gold" as the official Alma Mater of Berkeley. Indeed, "Hail to California" is used as the Alma Mater of UC Davis, UCLA, and of the UC system as a whole. The Cal Band traditionally sings "Hail to California" in harmony after playing the "Star Spangled Banner" at every home men's basketball game.
Cal Songs engender a deep sense of continuity and tradition, stirring great devotion and loyalty from both students and faculty. Their themes of the intangible qualities of spirit and love of the University and their evocative music make them indispensable to the University. Legendary Cal football coach Andy Smith once told Brick Morse, "Someday I wish you would lead 'Hail to California' just before game time. I shall throw open the doors of our quarters and tell the boys to listen. With the last note I shall say 'Now go.'"


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I'd apologize for being really late with my YA book birthday post this week, but I was on vacation and well... I'm not going to apologize for that. ;)
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it's to go to school or on a date, people don't venture out of their home. There's really no need. For the most part, Maddie's okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren't meant to be alone, he tells her.
Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.
Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi
In the spring of her senior year, Donna Parisi finds new life in an unexpected place: a coffin.
Since her father's death four years ago, Donna has gone through the motions of living: her friendships are empty, she's clueless about what to do after high school graduation, and her grief keeps her isolated, cut off even from the one parent she has left. That is until she's standing in front of the dead body of a classmate at Brighton Brothers' Funeral Home. At that moment, Donna realizes what might just give her life purpose is comforting others in death. That maybe who she really wants to be is a mortician.
This discovery sets in motion a life Donna never imagined was possible. She befriends a charismatic new student, Liz, notices a boy, Charlie, and realizes that maybe he's been noticing her, too, and finds herself trying things she hadn't dreamed of trying before. By taking risks, Donna comes into her own, diving into her mortuary studies with a passion and skill she didn't know she had in her. And she finally understands that moving forward doesn't mean forgetting someone you love.
To leave a comment, click on the header. You have to be "in" the post for the comments to appear. THANKS!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Belated YA Book Birthdays
at 8:10 AM
Labels: book birthdays
1 comments:
- salarsenッ said...
I just won a signed copy of Awaken!! I'm so excited. Thanks for highlighting it. :)
- May 27, 2011 at 8:44 AM
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British bride falls to her death from Dubai hotel window
A British bride has died after falling from a hotel window on her honeymoon in Dubai.
Abbie Emmett, 27, reportedly fell out of the window of the hotel where she was staying with her new husband, Sean Emmett, a MotoGP racer.
The Daily Mirror reports that police in Dubai are investigating the circumstances of the fall on Tuesday, just days after the couple arrived following their wedding in South Africa.
Devastated friends of the vicar's daughter said they were shocked by the news of her death.
One friend who did not want to be named said: 'Abbie was a lovely person. We have been friends for a number of years.
'I couldn't believe it when I heard what had happened. I heard she went through a window in their hotel while they were on honeymoon.
'They only married a few weeks ago, while they were in Cape Town.'
According to the Daily Mail, Abbie had been sharing a flat in Addlestone, Surrey, with Mr Emmett, a divorced father of three.
Neighbour Nicolene Turvey, 27, said: 'I feel so sad. She is such a young girl, the same age as me.
'It's devastating for everyone. She really wanted to have kids and she had that maternal instinct.'
A Foreign Office spokesman said it was providing consular assistance to the family at 'this difficult time'.
He said: 'We were made aware of the death of a British national in Dubai on 19 February.'
Sean has retired from racing and is a private instructor. He has won 19 Superbike races and clocked up 50 MotoGP appearances.
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This challenging trek takes you through ancient forests, breath taking valleys and beautiful meadows in southern Romania. Your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular mountain views of the Transylvanian Alps as well as an unforgettable visit to the medieval Dracula's Castle!
On the last day of the challenge you will have the chance to assist with a local project, which may be a visit to a local orphanage or helping to build a cottage – a fantastic opportunity to help the community!
Day 1
Fly from London to Bucharest
We meet at the airport in London for our journey to Romania! Upon arrival in Bucharest we will meet our local crew and transfer to our guesthouse for the evening in Bran Village where we'll enjoy a welcome dinner and trip briefing.
Dinner included. Overnight hotel.
Day 2:Bucegi National Park
Our first morning in Romania and first day trekking! Our route in the hilly area between Bucegi Natural Park and Piatra Craiului National Park passes some of the country's richest pastoral areas, dotted with shepherd's huts and wonderful views over two of the most spectacular massifs in the Southern Carpathians.
Approx. 5-7 hours walking.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 3:Bucegi National Park
After a short transfer up to Moieiu de Sus village we start climbing up through the forest towards the Bucegi Massif. We conquer the peak of Varful Batrana (2,189m) where our efforts are rewarded with stunning views over the huge open spaces of the Bucegi plateau and the nearby Transylvanian Alps.
Approx. 7-8 hours walking.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 4:Dracula's Castle
This morning we enjoy a visit to Dracula's Castle, a beautiful medieval castle built to protect the border between the two Romanian provinces of Transylvania and Wallachia. Following our visit we climb on foot toward Magura village a long a ridge that over looks the picturesque alpine villages of Magura and Pestera. Approx. 4-5 hours walking.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 5Piatra Craiului National Park
Today's trek is challenging but our previous days will have us well prepared. Piatra Craiului means The King's Rock and is a thin, rocky, high limestone ridge which is generally seen as one of the most beautiful mountain in Romania. Our route will be a circuit through the national park with some sections of scrambling with ropes to assist. The highest peak of the day is Piatra Micaat 1,800m after which we descend down to Zarnesti Gorges and onto our accommodation.
Approx. 7-8 hours walking.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 6Project Day
Today we will assist at a local project. Previous groups have helped rebuild village paths, helped a local association build a cottage and visited local orphanages. Final details of the project will be confirmed near departure.
This evening we will enjoy a celebration meal to toast our achievements this week.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight guesthouse.
Day 7Depart Bucharest for London
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Breakfast included
*All mileage is approximate and the itinerary is subject to change.
Come and explore the fascinating and awe-inspiring Transylvania with Skyline Overseas!
Got some questions? Head to our FAQ page or give us a call on 0207 424 5511
Skyline Events are acting as agents for the tour operator (ATOL number 10069)
30th September - 6th October 2018
7 days (6 nights)
In general, days will likely be warm and sunny (around 20C) though it is possible for rain and wind in the mountains so you should be prepared. The temperature will get a lot cooler overnight and in the early mornings.
Flights and internal travel, water, accommodation, all meals during trekking days, local guides, Skyline tour leader and UK Doctor.
Personal travel insurance, local tips, any additional excursions not included in the itinerary.
A valid ten-year passport is essential for travel to Romania and must be valid for the duration of your stay. A visa is not required for UK nationals; other nationalities should check with their nearest Embassy.
You should contact your GP or local travel clinic for the latest travel health advice. The NHS Fit For Travel website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk) is a useful tool for researching vaccination requirements and recommendations prior to visiting your travel health professional.
You'll enjoy hearty food throughout the challenge to keep you fuelled; breakfasts will be continental with toast, jams and eggs, lunches will be picnics en-route, and dinners will be soup to start followed by a main with vegetables and potatoes. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, please advise us at point of booking.
We'll stay in a comfortable hotel in Bucharest on arrival and guesthouse in Bran Village throughout the trek. Rooms will be allocated on a twin basis sharing with someone of the same gender and similar age.
Got some questions? Head to our FAQ page or give us a call on 0207 424 5511
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Brittney Spears Joins Other Celebrities on Tinder
As celebrities and everyday people are flocking to Tinder for dating, and playing the digital love game, it's no surprise that single Brittney Spears is thinking of looking for love online.
Tinder is now verifying celebrity profiles and Yahoo – Australia reports that Spears reports that at the debut of her lingerie collection in New York, said admits that finding love in cyberspace is possibly an option.
Later, Spears appeared on the 'Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon, where the late night talk host added her to the mobile app in a fun skit.
Before introducing Spears, Fallon described her as: "She's recently single, she sings good jingles, she loves her Pringles and she's ready to mingle."
He added, "Here at 'The Tonight Show,' we're all about making love connections, so before the show you did something cool. You let us sign you up for the dating app Tinder," Fallon continued, stating the profile is indeed real.
"I want to stress, Britney had nothing to do with this. This was our idea. But she has the password now and it is her profile. She can do whatever she wants with it…. If you guys are on Tinder and want to date Britney Spears, just look for her profile and swipe right. That means good." Spears responded with, "I'm thrilled!"
Celebrities with verified profiles are now swiping right and left on Tinder. Other celebs include Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Lilly Allen, Lindsay Lohan, Chelsea Handler, and Bravo's Andy Cohen, who have created profiles on the hottest mobile dating app.
Watch the video of the 'Tonight Show' segment here.
Other celebrities have joined a variety of online dating sites in the pre-Tinder days, including: Sinead O'Connor, Martha Stewart, Matthew Perry, Adele,, Jenny McCarthy, Charlie Sheen, Ricki Lake, Chase Crawford, Carrie Ann Inaba, Cheryl Cole, and the late great Joan Rivers.
At the end of the digital day, logging on for love in cyberspace or from the convenience of your mobile phone when you find yourself single is the easiest way to get back into the dating game.
Photo credit: Yahoo: Australia – Celebs We Wish Were on Tinder
Julie Spira is America's Top Online Dating Expert and Digital Matchmaker. She was an early adopter of the Internet having created her first profiles 20 years ago. Today, she helps singles on the dating scene with her Irresistible Profiles programs and to help them find love from the various mobile dating apps. Follow @JulieSpira on Twitter for more dating advice and sign up for the free Weekly Flirt newsletter.
3 Changes to Instantly Improve Your Online Dating Profile
At Cyber-Dating Expert Headquarters, we hear complaints from both men and women about how every profile seems to look the same after a while. Singles get frustrated too easily, because there are too many choices. As a result, the searching process becomes so blurry, that they often just turn off the computer and go out to hang out with their friends.
Think about it and let's compare it to selecting the perfect scoop of ice cream to sweeten your palate. If the choices were all vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, it might not be that inviting as compared to Pineapple Passion Fruit, Cinnamon Buns, or Karamel Sutra, just a few flavors I can't wait to try when I'm at Ben and Jerry's.
So without further digital ado and minus the calories, here are a few steps you can do to immediately have a more unique profile, without resorting to posting skydiving photos.
1. Dump the Cliches. Every girl dreams of taking a romantic beach walk or staring at the sunset for a dream date. Let's take a reality check and ask yourself, just how many beach walks are you going on? Maybe you'll do so with a date at some point, but it's oh so boring for them to read this over-and-over again. It goes hand-in-hand with saying you can dress from jeans to black-tie and want a man with a sense of humor. So if you're asking for a guy who works hard and plays hard, you're not one in a million. You're among the multi-million profiles with those same overused words.
Solution: Nix these cliches now and replace them with photos and actions and about what makes you the girl he wants to know more about. If you're stumped, ask a friend what makes you different and unique. He or she may remind you how you're the first one out at 6am to clean the bay or love the fact that you volunteer to feed the homeless in soup kitchens on Thanksgiving. Replace the blue jeans to black tie cliche with photos of you dressed in a variety of outfits. He'll get the picture and will want to see more.
2. Ask a Question. This is something that I believe is an absolute must on every profile. Remember that your profile shouldn't be a monologue or all about you. You need to start a two-way dialog with your profile as a brief introduction about yourself. ?Your dream date must be able to imagine his or her life with you, not just watching you from afar wondering if he'll fit it or not.
Solution: Name a few of your favorite vacation spots and ask if your date has ever been there before. List a local mountain you'd like to hike and ask if he's ever done that before. Mention a rock band that you've always wanted to see and ask if you're the only one who hasn't seen Lady Gaga in concert. Mention you'd like to take golf lessons and have clubs collecting dust in the garage and ask if anyone would like to go with you to the driving range. This makes it easier for someone to write to you with a specific solution and answer to your question. It will instantly increase the amount of emails that you'll be receiving.
3. Reduce the word count. Yes, describing your life story should be written in your personal journal and not be on your dating profile. Statistics show that writing a shorter profile will get more responses. Not everyone reads your entire profile and you'll be lucky if they read the first few sentences. If they scroll down and notice a long-winded profile, it's likely that they'll say, "Next!"
Solution: Leave the novel at home. Drop the long drawn out description and reduce your profile by at least a paragraph, if not more. Remember, dating is about getting to know you over time. Details of your relationship and family history and listing every vacation you've gone on won't leave room for imagination. It's a digital dance, so make it a sneak peek into your life.
Make some of these changes to your profile now and cyber love will just be a click away. Wishing you much love and joy in cyberspace, or wherever you may roam.
Julie Spira is an online dating expert and author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating. She creates irresistible profiles for singles on the dating scene.? For more online dating advice, sign up for the free Weekly Flirt and follow @JulieSpira on Twitter.
Photo credit: Maxim_Kazmin – Fotolia.com
Filter and flirt: How to find love online
Online dating is much like panning for gold ? often, there?s a lot to filter through before anything of value turns up. Key attributes of successful daters include having an open mind and a dedication to what can be a longer process than anticipated.
Passing the various milestones on the way to that special relationship can sometimes also require a little ingenuity and a lot of originality.
The ?delete? button can be quick and merciless, so it's important to think carefully before sending your initial email.
Our friends at eHarmony Canada offer Cyber Dating Expert readers these 6 tips to finding love online in this week's guest post.
1. Seek out the wheat.
Some in the online dating world complain that the only messages they receive are from undesirable people or those who are not within their search parameters. If this is the case, a simple remedy is to actively seeking out profiles which fit your criteria. Don?t be afraid to write the first message ? passivity is a big no-no in the Internet dating world. The competition is fierce and there?s little reward for those who are meek.
2. Take time to read profiles.
Showing that you?ve actually read through someone?s profile is always a good start. Well-respected dating sites such as eHarmony report that messages which include phrases such as ?good taste? and ?you mention? tend to get high response rates. This is because of the simple fact that they make the recipient feel interesting.
Try and mirror the way a person writes ? whether they?re wry, eccentric, earnest or intellectual. Don?t fake it though ? if you struggle to think like someone else, they?re probably not a very suitable match.
3. When and when not to compliment.
Compliments aren?t always good. One of the biggest mistakes made in online dating is to compliment someone on their physical appearance. People want to feel like they?re more than just their looks. Instead, compliment them on something that they?ve written or done
4. Keep it short and sweet.
Messages that are overly long can be difficult to reply to. Instead, send no more than three or four sentences while you get to know someone. One of these should ask the recipient a question to encourage a response.
5. No obligation to write back.
It?s important to remember that there are no obligations to reply to every email in online dating.? If an in-built sense of courtesy requires that you do write back, keep the message short and to the point. If you don?t want to receive further messages, say that and wish them the best of luck with their search. Trying to take the sting out of a rejection only confuses things.
6. Don?t take it personally
Even the most excellent communication can fall apart. If someone you thought you were building a relationship stops messaging you, don?t blame yourself. People drop out of online dating sites for any number of reasons. As is frequently said, online dating is a numbers game. You need to play to win.
Need a little help with your online dating profile? Online Dating Expert Julie Spira creates irresistible profiles for singles on the dating scene. She's the author of the bestseller, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. For more dating advice, sign up for the Weekly Flirt, follow @JulieSpira on Twitter, and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert.
Advice – 5 Reasons Your Online Dating Inbox is Empty
When singles initially sign up for an online dating site, they tend to think it will be smooth sailing. They expect to check their in-box the next day and see it full of messages from attractive, successful singles who are excited to meet them.? Unfortunately, it?s not always a perfect world. Some online daters spend hours perfecting their profiles and uploading their best photos; yet still feel disappointed at the lack of emails.
Here are five surprising reasons from our friends at We Love Dates, as to why you might not be getting enough email messages online.
1. Your profile is like a laundry list.
While it?s a good idea to be specific about what you're looking for, if you use your profile as a checklist of the qualities a date must absolutely have, you're likely to run the risk of appearing too picky.
Online dating is a two-way street. Rather than just stating what you?re looking for, let someone know what you can bring to the relationship. If you?re describing a perfect person who doesn?t exist, those reading your profile will assume they?ll fall short and will move on to another pretty face.
2. Your photos are inconsistent.
It's so important to upload photos that show how you look today, not those from the hot trend five years ago. Even if you think you looked better last decade, those photos are not an accurate reflection of how you appear today.? Singles will check out your Facebook profile to see if you dating profile resembles the real you. Looking different in each photo will cause confusion and he?ll be quick to hit ?next.
3. You?re too negative.
Dating can be extremely difficult, but your online dating profile isn't the place to air your grievances about your ex boyfriend or about not getting your spousal support check. Being negative in your profile shows that you're potentially not over past experiences that have hurt you, or are a real life ?Debbie or Donnie Downer.?? Both of these qualities are not attractive. Plus, if you complain so publicly about your dating life, a date might worry about what?s next on your complaint list. He may have just run away from a nagging girlfriend or wife and doesn't want a repeat performance. Try to remain positive and be more like the person you?d actually want to date.
4. Your profile is filled with typos and incorrect grammar.
When your profile is a mess grammatically, it tells the world that you haven't put very much effort into the process. Simply put, it's far from irresistible. If you wouldn?t dream of posting a Linkedin profile with typos and bad grammar, know that your dream date wouldn?t consider you as a likely prospect for love either. It?s not necessary to be an award-winning essayist, but using spell-check goes a long way to make a good first digital impression. Take it a step further and ask a friend to proofread your profile to catch any errors you might have missed.? Your profile is the first glance you're giving potential dates, so invest the time and energy to make it the best it can be.
5. You're on the wrong dating site.
There are over 1500 online dating sites, with new ones popping up every week. Online dating sites aren't one-size fits all. If you find that one particular site isn't working out for you, don't give up on online dating completely. Find another site with more members or try a niche site based upon your unique interests. The menu of online dating sites caters to specific religions, activities or ages, and can also be divided based upon casual dating or finding a serious relationship or marriage.? There are plenty of success stories in our Cyber Love Story of the Week from a variety of dating sites. ?Experiment and find out what online dating sites work for you.
Julie Spira is an online dating expert and founder of CyberDatingExpert.com. As the top digital matchmaker, Julie creates irresistible online dating profiles for singles on the dating scene. For more dating advice, sign up for our Weekly Flirt Newsletter and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Photo credit: ? dundanim – Fotolia.com
To Wink or Not to Wink? Online Dating Advice
With over 200 million people worldwide looking for love online, it becomes a crowded digital marketplace. Singles want to find a meaningful connection and often find themselves with an unexpected shopping cart mentality. It often can't be helped as online dating is a numbers game.
As an online dating expert, I hear from both men and women who want to connect with more people, more quickly. But is more always better and can this expedited way of connecting actually backfire on you? I say yes.
When *Jim, a successful guy in his 40s came to me frustrated with Internet dating and was ready to finally settle down, he wanted to use the "wink" feature on Match.com. He felt that he was a good catch and the women would be thrilled to receive his winks. I disagreed.
A wink, flirt, poke, or anything that is not engaging is like old-fashioned broadcasting. It's unilateral and frankly, quite lazy. In the time that Jim could carve out to wink to 100 potential women waiting for 10% to return the wink, he could have crafted a personalized email to 10 women that would have made a difference. Sure these features make it easy to be fun and flirty, but a serious woman, the kind of woman who was beautiful inside and out and also wanted to settle down and find a meaningful relationship, wouldn't settle for just a wink or a canned introduction. Would you? Jim shifted his technique and in the third month of his membership, he met a woman that he decided to date exclusively. She wasn't the recipient of one of his winks.
Sure winks can come in handy. Take *Jane for instance. She's never been married and is adorable. She noticed that *Mike had viewed her profile and thought she'd like to meet him. She wondered why Mike hadn't written to her after viewing her profile, so she sent him a flirty wink and went her merry digital way. Mike recognized Jill's profile and hadn't written to her as she specifically said she wasn't interested in meeting someone with children. Jill had hoped to find someone to have a family with and didn't think being a step-mother to three girls fit in with her plan. Mike winked back and the two have been together for several years now, where Jill now adores Mike's children.
Does this mean that a woman can wink to a man to give him the cue that she's interested, but a man can't wink at a woman as she'll find his behavior lazy?
Online dating, or any type of dating for that matter, has a double-standard. Men like to pursue women. Women like to be courted. At the end of the digital day, when in doubt, I say don't wink. Take the time and effort to put into a smaller group of people who you think you have enough in common with to warrant a conversation, both online and offline.
Do you or don't you wink? Do you think it's gender specific?
Your comments and thoughts are welcome.
Photo Credit: ? kebox – Fotolia.com
*Names have been changed
Julie Spira is top online dating expert, bestselling author, and founder of Cyber-Dating Expert. She creates irresistible profiles for singles on the dating scene. For more dating advice, sign up for the Weekly Flirt newsletter and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert.
40 Love Experts Helping You Find Your Soul Mate
It's summer time and the perfect time to fall in love.
You'll be sitting in outdoor cafes, dressing without your winter wardrobe, and we'll help you with your flirting skills to attract and magnetize the man or woman of your dreams and teach you the tips to keep him or her interested.
I know it may seem to good to be true. Maybe you don't believe in soul mates anymore, but if you had the opportunity to hear from 40 of the leading experts about love, wouldn't you take a moment from your busy work schedule to listen in?
I'm super-excited to let you know that I'll be teaching singles the secrets to finding love online on July 13, 2012, but before that, take a look at the incredible relationship experts in the Magnetizing Love series. You can still have the opportunity to listen to each and everyone of us.
Some of the dating and relationship experts include Arielle Ford, Dr. Pat Allen, Orna and Matthew Walters, Mary Morrissey, and more.
Click here ?for more details and let's make this your summer of love. Let this be the summer for you to remember.
Julie Spira is the leading online dating expert and coaches singles on finding love on the Internet. She's the bestselling author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online and creates irresistible profiles for singles who are looking for a serious relationship. For more dating advice, sign up for our Weekly Flirt newsletter and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Mobile Dating BootCamp – Meet the Contestants [video]
Nine single daters are using 6 mobile dating apps, as online dating and mobile dating expert Julie Spira helps them find love from their mobile phone. Meet our contestants and cheer them on.
Julie Spira is a mobile and online dating expert and bestselling author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating. For more information visit MobileDatingBootCamp.com and Facebook.com/mobiledatingbootcamp.
Cyber Love Story of the Week – Jeanelle and Barry
Meet Jeanelle and Barry who were looking for love online on MySpace.
Both single, the two were hoping to meet someone to build a relationship with, but weren?t searching in the same zip code range. Barry was searching for girls in his zip code in Arizona and Jeanelle was searching within 50 miles of her own.
One day when Barry was online, his computer crashed causing him to have to restore his data. When he logged on to his MySpace page his search had mistakenly changed to include Jeanelle?s zip code. Barry told Jeanelle that her picture was on the second page of the results and although he kept looking for a few days, he kept going back to view Jeanelle?s photo.
For three days Barry read over Jeanelle?s page and wondered if he should reach out to Jeanelle and start a mixed-race relationship. Both Jeanelle and her friends were African-American according to the photos that Barry had viewed. Barry wasn?t sure if Jeanelle would be interested in meeting a white man for a serious relationship.
Barry emailed Jeanelle a sweet email welcoming her to Arizona and said that she could email him anytime. The two emailed each other for a month before they spoke on the phone and then talked via phone for an entire month before they met. They both wanted to make sure they were building a friendship before jumping into an intimate relationship.
What really made Jeanelle fall in love with Barry is that even after she told him that she had two sons and MS, he still chose to be with her. She knew they were really in love. After the two months of courting, the two finally met and one year later on the anniversary of their first date, they were married. ?He's my best friend and because we became friends first, we remain friends through any challenge we face," said Jeanelle.? "Online dating can be successful when both parties go in wanting a friendship before they become intimate."
Congratulations to Jeanelle and Barry who teach us that true friendship is the basis of a long term and loving relationship.
Do you have a Cyber Love Story to share? Share your stories on our Facebook page
Julie Spira is an online dating, netiquette and cyber-relations expert. Visit CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and where you can sign up for the Weekly Flirt. Like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert and follow @JulieSpira on Twitter.
Cyber Love Story of the Week – Dabney and Vic
After 15 years of marriage, Dabney was ready to start dating again. She created a profile on Match.com and went on just five lunch dates.
When she first spoke to Vic, the two had instant phone chemistry. Vic had his list of questions that he asked all prospective dates. Dabney passed the test with flying colors.
When the two finally met in person, they were both delighted that the phone chemistry matched their feelings in-real-life. Vic went to hold Dabney?s hand and she pulled back in surprise. Vic asked Dabney, ?Did you feel that?? Dabney tells us, ?It was electric.?
Dabney and Vic were fortunate to have felt a spiritual and soulful connection on their first date. Five years later, during a vacation in the Florida Keys, Vic proposed to Dabney. Dabney, of course said ?Yes!?
Congratulations to Dabney and Vic, who prove that you can have a second chance at love while looking for love online.
Do you have an online dating story to share?
Julie Spira is an online dating, netiquette and cyber-relations expert. Visit CyberDatingExpert.com for dating advice and where you can sign up for the Weekly Flirt. Like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert and follow @JulieSpira on Twitter.
Singer-Songwriter Sinead O?Connor is Looking for Love Online
Do you think online dating is just for everyday people who aren?t being set up by their friends? If so, think again. More celebrities are joining online dating sites to seek love in a web 2.0 world.
Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, Sinead O?Connor is hoping she?ll find her dream guy on Plenty of Fish.
According to CBS News, O?Connor recently shared the news with friends and readers on her blog. ??This is to let you all know before anyone else does that I have now officially joined the dating site known as PlentyOfFish.com (or pof) under the username of VeryCareful1 and invite anyone interested to view my profile.?
O?Connor knows that you need to cast a wide net on the Internet and added, ?Although I am living in Dublin I am of course also very much indeed interested in meeting nice gentlemen from other countries.? Sinead O?Connor divorced her husband of 18-days, Barry Herridge in 2011.
Other celebrities who have dabbled in online dating include Gossip Girl?s Chase Crawford on JDate, Joan Rivers who was spotted on Match.com, Pirates of the Caribbean Star Orlando Bloom, and True Blood?s Deobrah Ann Woll.
Would you write to a celebrity if you saw their profile online? Thoughts and comments are welcome.
Julie Spira is an online dating expert and founder of CyberDatingExpert.com. She creates irresistible profiles for singles on the dating scene. Follow @JulieSpira on Twitter for more dating advice and like us at Facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert
Do you want dating, relationship and lifestyle advice delivered weekly to your inbox? Sign up for our Weekly Flirt newsletter.


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Samsung's Galaxy Tab Active is just what you'd expect from the company based on previous Active devices. It's an 8-inch tablet meant to withstand the elements. It's heat, cold, dust and water resistant, with a rugged industrial design to match. The display is 1280 x 800, and it comes with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 3.1-megapixel camera (that "can easily scan barcodes"), 16GB of expandable storage, 1.5GB of RAM, 2G, 3G, LTE connectivity and a removable 4450mAh battery.
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Having observed fellow workers on the train into work, my love-hate relationship with email is evidently not unique. Email is slated as one of the best communication tools ever invented. And to some extent, it is. But the moans and grunts over "Undelivered" emails suggest it has seen better days. People call through to IT support to debate why they cannot send anything larger than 10MB on their work email. Emails about emails, "now with attachment". Are email's days numbered?
Of course not, not quite yet. Email serves its purpose. And that is to send messages. But we are a mobile workforce that finds it easier to collaborate using the consumer applications and social media we have grown to love in our personal lives, for work. It is no longer enough to just send a message or email. We want to collaborate!
This means being able to share large files with whoever we want to. Being able to comment and discuss documents with our teams, and even with customers. See who is reading our documents and how they're being shared. Because of course, our knowledge and ideas are our greatest asset, and we want to keep them safe.
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See how to reinvent your working life here.