text:
This is a fantastic video by Eric Wernquist, combining narration from Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot" with a superlative, speculative visual tour of the solar system and humanity's spread across planets.
Tyburn was an infamous execution spot west of London, used since medieval times. The Tyburn "tree" - a unique, multi-person gallows - erected in 1571 became a popular public spectacle, drawing crowds of thousands.Tyburn Tree blog is less blood-thirsty but hopefully topical, interesting and informative, if slightly bent to my personal topics of interest - books, writing, history, technology, with a smattering of politics and dash of pop culture, science and the downright strange. So "take a ride to Tyburn" and see what happens...
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The Jesuit Letter Cover Reveal
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Jesuit Letter Cover Drafts
Everything happens at once.
No sooner do I receive the edited version of The Jesuit Letter back (laced and scarified with editor's cuts, slashes & corrections), then my designer drops the new cover concept drafts into my hands.
I was expecting maybe 3 to 5 concepts, and she came back with 15! Admittedly a number of these are all variations on a specific concept but still, it was a cornucopia of concepts.
In the interest of aiding my decision, I thought I would throw these up on the Interweb and social media for direct feedback and commentary. Let me know favorites, what you think, what works, what pops and what doesn't. Any preferences, thoughts or helpful comments would be greatly appreciated!
By way of background, The Jesuit Letter is historical fiction, with a bit of mystery/thriller mix, set in Elizabethan England in 1575.
Here are the concepts:
Let me know what you think! Thanks!
No sooner do I receive the edited version of The Jesuit Letter back (laced and scarified with editor's cuts, slashes & corrections), then my designer drops the new cover concept drafts into my hands.
I was expecting maybe 3 to 5 concepts, and she came back with 15! Admittedly a number of these are all variations on a specific concept but still, it was a cornucopia of concepts.
In the interest of aiding my decision, I thought I would throw these up on the Interweb and social media for direct feedback and commentary. Let me know favorites, what you think, what works, what pops and what doesn't. Any preferences, thoughts or helpful comments would be greatly appreciated!
By way of background, The Jesuit Letter is historical fiction, with a bit of mystery/thriller mix, set in Elizabethan England in 1575.
Here are the concepts:
Let me know what you think! Thanks!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Yahrrr! Avast!
It's Friday, and as a bonus it's #TalkLikeAPirateDay, so check out Lindsay Sterling's "Master of Tides" to celebrate!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
For the Night is Dark, and Full of Stormy....
The timeless, superlative prose that is the winner of the annual Bulwer-Lytton competition has been released!
"It was a dark and stormy night..."
Penned by Victorian novelist Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, the phrase has now become the watchword for florid, over-wrought writing and is doomed to be leveraged in perpetuity as an example for future generations.
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest is, of course, the annual literary challenge aimed at composing the opening sentence to the "worst of all possible novels", following int he footsteps of that infamous dark and stormy night.
Here is the 2014 Grand Prize winner:
When the dead moose floated into view the famished crew cheered – this had to mean land! – but Captain Walgrove, flinty-eyed and clear headed thanks to the starvation cleanse in progress, gave fateful orders to remain on the original course and await the appearance of a second and confirming moose.
— Elizabeth (Betsy) Dorfman, Bainbridge Island, WA
Check out the rest of the excellent entries!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Kickstarter Campaign Autopsy
Now that The Jesuit Letter Publishing Kickstarter campaign is over, and successfully funded (thank you backers!), I thought it would be helpful to do a bit of an autopsy and analysis of how the campaign unfolded.
The campaign generated 116% of the $2800 target, topping out at $3,270. There were 42 backers that contributed.
Here are some of the more interesting snippets that sprang out:
- Only 3% of backers came through Kickstarter itself. 97% came from external sources
- The vast majority of backers were direct contacts. Social media contributed less than 8% of the backer connections however it was a major factor in outreaching to everyone.
- 10 backers were responsible for 86% of the funding, two backers alone contributed 53% of the goal funding (very unexpectedly I might add!)
- Average contribution worked out to $77.86 – boosted a bit by the aforementioned contributors, however when their contribution is not incl. in the average, you still end up with a robust $44.25 average contribution.
- Only 8 out of the 42 backers (19%) were unknown persons prior to the Kickstarter. The vast majority of backers were family, friends, colleagues & co-workers
- The campaign reached the goal of $2,800 on Day 16, roughly the midpoint of the 30-day campaign. The slope of the campaign tailed right off after reaching the target, partially because I curtailed some of my activities and partially because I expect contributors didn't see the urgent need to back the project once the goal had been reached.
So how does this roll out into recommendations for other people contemplating a Kickstarter crowd-sourcing approach for funding publishing projects? Bearing in mind, projects vary wildly in approaches, content and responses. Here are some points to consider:
Who do you know? How big is your existing network? People who don't know you or your work are significantly less likely to step in to contribute to your project. Don't expect having a lot of casual twitter followers or Facebook acquaintances will necessarily end up garnering support. You need a solid direct support network …and you need to actually actively ask them for help you can't just rely on the "Field of Dreams" model (that's "build it and they will come", for those who haven't seen the movie).
What is the nature of your project? Crowdfunding supporters tend to skew in fairly specific directions – projects that involve Internet or tech-based elements, software, gaming, personal electronics, comics, horror, sci-fi, anime, graphic novels etc., have (and no, I don't have any stats on this, this is more perception than proven fact) a higher level of general Kickstarter support. The mileage may vary on other platforms but you need to study what projects are getting funding on your crowdfunding platform.
Do you have clear goals/objectives, and usages set out for the funds? You and your project needs to be transparent, credible and believable. People are backing your project because they want it to succeed and they've weighed the info/evidence you've provided and decided
a). the project is worthy to happen and
b). the project is likely to successful if you get the funds you seek.
If you don't have a clear and consistent message on what you are doing, timetables, how you are doing it and what the backers expectations are, you will not likely receive the support you need, even from people you know.
b). the project is likely to successful if you get the funds you seek.
If you don't have a clear and consistent message on what you are doing, timetables, how you are doing it and what the backers expectations are, you will not likely receive the support you need, even from people you know.
Honesty & sincerity count for more than slick presentation – I worried and revised and fiddled endlessly trying to perfect my presentation and my video. The flaws that loomed massively large to me were, from the feedback I've received, not a problem but rather an advantage. It gave the project a genuine feel that a more tailored and pristine approach would have lacked. At the end of the day, it is both the project and the people behind it that will help make your backers decide to step up.
Visuals trump copy – you need visuals on your campaign, you need imagery, you need to create a visual identity for your project, even for a written work. They help to draw people in, generate interest and encourage someone to look beyond the headline. For me, given that my work was historical fiction, I was able to pull Creative Commons images of public domain artworks to help with my book trailer and marketing. Failing that, you can source low-cost stock images from dozens of sites around the web at a fairly low cost.
Writing a Novel? Don't hit backers for funding until you actually have a book. You unfortunately see a number of projects from people who want to write a book and have unreasonable expectations that a Kickstarter will help fund the writing. Re-think that. There is a world of difference between taking a completed project to crowdfunding to raise capital to fund publishing, and having your writing life funding via Kickstarter. Unless you are a known quantity, with some strong indicator of your writing abilities, it is highly doubtful that anyone will dish out money to fund your future potential writing. Leave the crowdfunding campaign until you have something that warrants support.
Listen to advice, quell the urge to run or reject it, think about it and then make up your mind. Test your assumptions, test your messages, see what people in your field think about your proposal. The best advice I received was monumentally negative and very disheartening. I thought about it for a few days and then ended up re-structuring much of my rewards for backers and my goals to a much tighter and more practical level. It was painful but ultimately helpful to receive such blunt feedback from a third party.
Don't give up and don't be afraid to take the leap. It can be extremely hard to put any creative project out for people to see. All I can suggest is try it. The worst thing that can usually happen is…nothing. Most of the time you find even in trying and failing, you achieve.
Try different approaches – The best single marketing piece for my Kickstarter was a business card, with my project info on one side, and the book title/project artwork on the other. It gave me a conversational opener with people for face-to-face discussions, provided something I could drop on people's desks or for friends to pass along to other friends. It forced me to get comfortable and refined with discussing my project.
Tell your story - You need that story, that elevator speech, you need to be able to get people excited about your project because, well, they're busy. They have kids, work, spouses, relatives, hobbies, bills, sports, chores, dogs etc. and it is very easy to have your initial email or approach appear on their radar and then vanish without a trace. I've had at least 10 acquaintances and friends approach me in the month following my Kickstarter to apologize because they didn't get around to backing me, or they didn't see my email until after.
I think that about covers what I can tell you.
I hope it helps any of you that are planning to launch a crowdfunding project now or in the near future.
Best of luck!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Kickstarter Stretch Goals!
With 8 days left, the Jesuit Letter Kickstarter is heading into the home stretch, so I've added some stretch goals & rewards!
Stretch Goal # 1: $3,500
Stretch Reward # 1: The extra funding will be allocated to commissioning an artist to develop a map of Elizabethan Warwickshire to augment the book. The map will be available in high resolution digital format for all WHIP-JACK ($10) and above reward levels, with print versions (ideally on some beautiful quality paper) also available for all backers at ANGLER ($25) level and above.
Stretch Goal # 2: $4,000
Stretch Reward # 2: The extra funding will be allocated to commissioning an artist to develop character sketches of the main four characters in the book. As before, the character sketches will be available in high resolution digital format for all WHIP-JACK ($10) and above reward levels, with print versions (ideally on some beautiful quality paper) also available for all backers at ANGLER ($25) level and above.
If you have any suggestions for other stretch rewards, I am very open to suggestions! I had considered an audio version of the book, but after investigating, at this time it looks like the production costs associated with that idea make it out of reach at this point.
In any case, let me know what you want to see! I'm very excited about the project moving forward and again, thank you to everyone for contributing and helping make this book a reality.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Racing into sunset
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Met this little fella while picking up Jake from doggie daycare...
The words "ridiculously cute" springs to mind....
Escape to Braavos
If you watched the Game of Thrones finale last week you probably noticed the superlative version of the theme that they closed the season on, complete with choral accompaniment...
Here's a link. Give it a listen.
Here's a link. Give it a listen.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Funded. With 15 days to go.
Just ...wow. So many awesome people.
The Jesuit Letter Kickstarter Project
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
When you play the game of thrones...
This is a pretty cool rendition of the Game of Thrones theme, done with voice & violin. Can't think of why I haven't run into it before, but thought I would post it anyway...
(except Hollens looks a bit too much like that creepy Baelish...don'tcha think?)
(except Hollens looks a bit too much like that creepy Baelish...don'tcha think?)
Friday, June 6, 2014
Kickstarter Update Bonus!
Thieves Castle - Chapter the Second
As a thank you to everyone supporting The Jesuit Letter Kickstarter Project, I've thrown up a bonus chapter from my book-in-development "Thieves Castle" as an extra reward! Enjoy!
Interested in supporting the Kickstarter? You can find it here!
The ship was squat and shapeless in the fading light, back lit by an unfriendly autumn sun.
"That one." The man spoke "het schip." The speaker pointed at the vessel, a stolid, clinker-built trading cog resting quietly at anchor. Built for cargo and to withstand the mercurial Channel wind and waves, the two-masted ship was small, rotund and sat like a stone in the cold and flat waters of Bergen op Zoom.
"She's flagged Dutch, but English-owned." His words, which hung in the damp air, were directed at a short, dark-vised man with an angular face and a beard that hung, long, grey and scraggling to a point well down his chest. "Enn Engels schip." he repeated in poorly accented Dutch to the two uniformed customs men who stood, bored and uninterested. One man scraped mud off of his boot on a convenient edged rock.
The bearded man scowled at the vessel. "This is the fourth vessel you have directed us to, each time claiming it was the one."
"This is the ship, I am certain of it. I recognize it now. It is the St. Jan Baptista. Look at the figurehead." The figurehead was a poorly carved representation of a bearded man, staff held across his chest and one hand out-thrust.
The grey-bearded man scowled again and gestured at the customs officer. A lengthy tirade ensued. The man who had pointed out the ship slipped past the argument and walked out on the short wooden quay where several boatmen were playing a desultory card game on an empty crate. With a few words and gestures he made his indications known. One of the boatmen climbed to his feet and clambered over to his skiff.
"Here!" the man called to the still arguing Customs men. With an abrupt gesture, the grey bearded man made a slashing motion with his hand and ordered the men into the boat. The customs agents, their irritation plain on their faces clomped out onto the dock and with practiced ease slid into the craft. The bearded man, less experienced with small boats, eased himself carefully into the vessel and the boatman cast-off, rowing them away from the quay with powerful, practiced strokes of the oars.
The grey-bearded man turned his head and regarded the English ship with baleful eyes. "If it is as you stated, the vessel will be impounded until the cargo can be thoroughly searched and inspected. If it is not…" The man let the implicit threat hang in the air.
"She's the one, Master Story, by God's truth. Carrying at least a thousand Geneva Bibles, printed in London. Supposed to be carrying just woolcloth and wine, but those bastard heretics can't be trusted."
Story grunted and offered a few quick explanatory words in Dutch to the customs men. The taller man, whose lank blonde hair hung long under his flat-brimmed hat snorted, impatient to get out of the damp wind and a find a warm corner in a tavern. The man who had pointed out the St. Jan Baptista gazed out across the dark water. The waters of the estuary were calm and placid, though the tide was nearly high. Beyond the St. Jan Baptista, a score or more of ships were at rest, their bare masts looking like a forest in December, securely anchored in the deeper offshore water, immune to the sandbanks and shoals that the rising tide obscured. Oared boats flitted about like slow-moving water striders plowing across the surface of the water. Several large fluyts[1] loaded with cargo were being carefully warped through the shallows to the canal for unloading at the town Bergen op Zoom itself, its red-tiled roofs bright with the last rays of the setting sun. Bergen op Zoom was a fortified town, secure, snug and stolid behind a natural defense system of marshes and polders backed up with an extensive moat surrounding the town.
"The English would be fools to come here, trying to turn loyalties with their heretical preachings," Story fumed, "This isn't Brill. The Spanish and the League now rule the Scheldt."
"I thought the Spanish had abandoned Zierikzee?" The man rubbed at a thin scar that tapered along his left jawline and hooked up onto the cheek, giving his face a sardonic, almost mocking look.
Story regarded the man with eyes like flint. The recent Spanish mutiny in Zeeland had forced the abandonment of a large portion of the Dutch province, and the Spanish tercios[2] had withdrawn to the region surrounding Antwerp. Two years without pay had finally come to a head. "Temporarily, only temporarily, I assure you. Once coin is paid to the troops, they will resume their occupation of Zierikzee and drive the heretics from Zeeland."
"By God's Will, it will happen thus." The man replied and turned to watch their approach to the St. Jan Baptista. As they drew closer the vessel towered out of the water like a dank layered wall. A line of barnacles and weed hung just above the waterline, a telltale sign that whatever the ship's cargo, it was not fully loaded at present.
A watchman hailed the approaching boat in Dutch and the bored blonde customs officer bellowed a reply. A rope ladder with thick wooden slates was hooked over the side and dropped down. The oarsman backed water until they were steady beside the ladder. The two Customs officers swung onto the ladder and rapidly climbed to the deck above. Story followed, somewhat slower and the scarred man came last. The oarsman released the ladder and drifted away from the St. Jan Baptista, occasionally sculling the water with the oar to stay close.
Story clambered through the entry port and stood on the deck. The watch officer was already speaking to the shorter Customs officer, gesturing and pointing towards the stern castle. A rotund man, wearing a flat brimmed hat with a small feather emerged from the forward castle.
"I will speak with your captain." Story's voice was sharp and cut through the muttered conversation in Dutch. "We will inspect your manifests and ship's papers. You will open your cargo for examination."
The heavy-set man in the hat cleared his throat. "Hold there! By God, who are you and by what authority are you ..?"
"In the name of his most Catholic Majesty, Phillip of Spain and Don Juan de Austria, Governor-General of the Low Countries."
The man paused. "I don't care if you are the Pope himself, you don't demand on my ship. I am William Rogeres, Captain and master of this vessel. We've all our permissions and writs."
"You are Dutch flagged, " noted the scarred man, pointing at the masthead where a white flag crossed with two red laurel branches hung. The Lord of Burgundy's flag from the House of Hapsburg flew across the seventeen Dutch provinces, with the exception of the rebel-held areas of Zeeland and Holland, who flew the flag of the Prince of Orange. "That mean's these men," he pointed at the two Customs officers, "have the authority to inspect or impound this vessel."
Captain Rogeres face was red. "See here…" he began.
"No. You see." Story moved forward, his face only inches from the captain's. "By personal appointment of the Governor-General, I am empowered to strike down heresy and treasonous action in the Lowlands, to seek out and proscribe any and all heretical documents, books or sundry manuscripts that I encounter, in the name of his Holiness the Pope and before the Divine and Worshipful presence of God." He placed one finger on the man's chest and jabbed it hard for emphasis. "I. Am. Appointed. The authority whether your ship is permitted to ply these waters rests with me, and with the degree of cooperation that you display." He turned away from the captain. "These men will inspect your cargo. Should they find a page of a diabolical tome, any heretical nonsense or Lutheran documents…you will burn alongside it." Story's face was suffused with satisfaction, his eyes bright.
The captain's face was a damp sheen of perspiration. "Before God, we are always happy to cooperate with the authorities, but I cannot be responsible for what some Precision[3] sailor might have dragged aboard with him! Our cargo is above reproach, have your men search the holds, speak with my supercargo!" He gestured for the watch officer.
"Dr. Story, perhaps we should inspect the captain's papers?" The man with the hook scar said.
"When I want your recommendations, I will request them. Your veracity remains unproven, and if it stays that way you will find the stocks at Bergen op Zoom most uncomfortable." Story's voice was harsh but the look on his face as the scarred man quailed was one of supreme satisfaction. He turned and issued a slew of directives to the two customs officers. The two men nodded and gestured for the supercargo to take them below to inspect the cargo.
"Now Captain, your papers…and pray my men don't find anything amiss in your cargo, or you and your vessel will be wintering on the Scheldt, possibly as permanent residents." The captain, his face pale, nodded a reluctant acquiescence and led Story and the scarred man to the stern castle. A half a dozen seamen watched from the upper castle, perched like a row of starlings along the rail.
Ducking their heads as they entered the stern castle, the scarred man closed the door behind them. The room held a large chart table and a handful of chairs. A tall sideboard stood on one side of the room. The captain gestured at the two men to sit but Story ignored the courtesy, stepping up to unroll one of the charts piled on top of the scarred and worn surface of the table.
"I shall fetch my papers." The Captain stammered and opened one of the two interior doors on the opposing bulkhead and disappeared within. The thumping clank of a capstan turning made Story turn his head in momentary puzzlement.
"When you find the Bibles, what will happen to the man and the ship?" The scarred man asked, pulling a chair away from the table and turning it so he straddled it, looking at Story with quizzical eyes.
Story gave the man a snort of contempt. "Rather late for Judas to have recriminations. The captain will be held and questioned by the Spanish ecclesiastical authorities. Probably hung, and his ship impounded."
"A harsh punishment." The man observed.
"He should burn. All heretics should burn."
"You've seen a man burn?" something in the scarred man's voice made Story glance up from the chart of the Dutch coast.
"God has blessed me with the opportunity to burn more than a dozen heretics. It is worth observing, the purification of a man's soul in cleansing flame. It is what awaits all heresy in the bowels of Hell. The sharpness of the sword and other corrections brings forth what gentle remonstrance does not. I had the rare privilege of helping condemn and cleanse Cranmer at Oxford[4]…." He signed. "What joyous day that was."
"Yes, I suppose burning a man alive would be a feather in your cap."
"He burned for the greater glory of God and the Church, as all heresy should be punished." Story gave the seated man a sharp look as the interior door opened. The man that emerged wasn't the captain. He was wide and round-shouldered, with a broad, fleshy face and barbed eyes. The scarred man felt the deck under his feet give gentle tilt and he smiled.
"Where is the captain?" Story's said. "These contrivances grow tiresome, before God you will pay dearly…"
"Underway?" the scarred man asked.
"Underway?" the scarred man asked.
"Just warping her out. Can't set off until the moon is higher, even with the pilot we have."
Story's face was suffused with fury. "I gave no permission to sail." He tore the chart in his hands across. "Where is the captain? You will be gaoled for these actions! Officier! Officier!"
Story yanked on the door handle. It was locked. Story froze. The scarred man rapped his knuckles on the table hard to get his attention. The face that turned towards him was white and drawn with anger and fear.
"John Story? Doctor John Story?" Story nodded in reflex response to the question.
"Dr. John Story, in the name of her Majesty, by the Grace of God, Queen of England and Ireland, you are charged with treasonous offence against the Crown."
"Treason? Who are you to charge me?" Story's voice rose to a shout. "Who are you to charge me? Servant of that faithless whore of Babylon, a heretical bitch that fornicates with the Devil." He turned to the heavy door and pulled at the latchbar. It did not budge. "Officier! Officier! Help! Moord!"
"Moored?" asked the stocky man. The man's name was Edward Woodshaw, and he served as Francis Walsingham's eyes and ears in Antwerp. He watched Story pound on the door with pitiless eyes.
"Moord. It means murder." Christopher Tyburn replied. "I thought your Dutch was better than that."
Woodshaw laughed. "We move in different circles. Ask me about Antwerp's financiers, venturers and mercers[5], those I can speak to. Murderers, rogues and cut-throats I leave to you."
Tyburn gave a humorless smile. Christopher Tyburn was another of Walsingham's men, a small circle of intelligencers that carried out the Crown's secret war in defense of the realm. Tyburn had been seconded to Woodshaw due to his familiarity with the region and the Dutch. Four years fighting with Thomas Morgan and Sir Humphrey Gilbert's expedition to Holland and Flanders had given him an intimate knowledge of the muddy Dutch polders, damp market-towns and the coppery scent of blood that seemed to hang over the ravaged countryside.
Story slumped against the locked door, his hands covering his face. A whispered, despairing prayer in Latin began. Woodshaw and Tyburn exchanged a glance. The prayer finished and Tyburn watched as Story wiped his wet eyes and stood, his face steeled.
"You will release me at once. You have no right under the laws of God or men to hold me. I am a citizen of the Spanish Netherlands and under the righteous protection of the Catholic Church."
"Right has nothing to do with it." Tyburn's voice was flat. "You're not here due to your work for the Spanish or for burning Cranmer or any of your other ecclesiastical murders. You are here because seven years ago you conspired with Westmorland and Northumberland in their treachery and rebellion against their sovereign. You helped foment the Northern rebellion[6], encouraged and preached sedition and treason, and actively attempted to promote the overthrow of your rightful sovereign. It's treason, not heresy you'll swing for. There's a subtle distinction."
"It is not treason to overthrow the Devil's spawn when it usurps the Church! Who are you to judge me?"
Woodshaw interrupted Story's tirade. "We aren't judging you, just delivering you."
"Minions of a diabolical lord…" Story sneered.
"Irritated and bored minions now." said Tyburn. He stood and banged twice on the locked door. With a clack, it opened and two sailors entered. Tyburn gestured at Story. "Secure him below. Gag him for now but don't hurt him."
Woodshaw reached out and grasped Story's upper arm. "This way Doctor, your quarters await." Story pulled back, turning and his left hand shot upwards towards Woodshaw's face, a faint metallic reflection visible, flickering in the air. Story's upper arm smacked hard into Tyburn's hand as the scarred man intervened. He pulled Story's arm over hard and twisted.
The thin short-bladed knife clattered onto the chart table. Woodshaw was pale as his eyes dropped to the weapon. Story spat at Tyburn. Tyburn bent the man's arm and levered him away from the table and into the waiting arms of the sailors. They pulled his arms behind him and tied his hands.
"The good news Dr. Story, is that I doubt you'll burn. God's judgment on you is superseded by the Crown at the moment. You might hang, but you won't burn."
The look of baleful hatred on Story's face spoke volumes. "You will. You and all of your friends, verily your heretical kingdom itself will burn, with all the flames that perdition can stoke. You will burn in a Godly fire, heretic bastard, your flesh consumed in purifying flame. You will scald…" His voice was a low hiss.
The door closed behind him and Tyburn listened to the muffled litany continue unabated as the men took Story below. Woodshaw shuddered and moved to the sideboard, removing a leather-wrapped bottle and uncorking it. He pulled out two pewter mugs and poured a generous allotment in each.
"Here" he slid a mug over to Tyburn. "Bene bouse[7]. Sauced gin."
Tyburn drank and grimaced at the harsh taste, not alleviated by the mix of pepper and spice that had been added.
"A good end to a bad one." Woodshaw said, draining his mug.
"Story thinks he's on the side of the righteous and the Godly."
"Well he's bloody not." Woodshaw snorted and poured himself another mug. "Bastard man of God just tried to carve up my face… 'You will all burn'. What a load of tripe."
"How long until the Channel?"
"It's a bitch, that estuary with its tides. At least two, maybe three days beating down river and we'll pass Walcheren."
Tyburn rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Be at least a day before anyone notices Story and his Custom's men are missing, probably another day to track them to the Baptista"
Woodshaw snorted. "The Spanish are too busy now to chase after some vagrant English traitor."
"What do you mean?"
"You hadn't heard? Word came in a few hours ago. The Spanish tercios rose. They're plundering Antwerp as we speak." He gestured. "Now that it's nightfall, you can probably see the fires from here, it's only twenty miles."
"Dear God…."
"I doubt God has much of a hand in this… the Spanish Army of the Netherlands is now looting, fucking and thieving its way through the richest port in Northern Europe. Good luck for us and ours, bad luck for the mercers of Antwerp and their daughters."
Tyburn thought for a moment. "We'll be at the front end of a flood of merchant ships and refugees fleeing the port. No one will be looking for Story in the middle of this disaster."
Woodshaw nodded. "Barring the misfortune of a Spanish patrol, we shouldn't have any problems. We might actually be able to deliver Walsingham that 'clean and simple' result he's perpetually seeking."
It was Tyburn's turn to snort. "I don't think we're fated for clean and simple results…" He drained his mug. Despite the harsh peppery flavour, the gin left a warm pleasant burning sensation in Tyburn's throat. He reached for the bottle and then froze, listening.
"Hear that?" A din of voices arose on the deck, intermixed with shouts in Dutch.
"God's Bones, what now?" sighed Woodshaw. The two men ducked through the narrow opening and headed for the deck.
The St. Jan Baptista's main deck was ringed by a small circle of sailors. In the centre of the ring the shorter Dutch Custom's officer was shrinking back, eyes frantic. The taller officer with the lank blonde hair lay in a crumpled heap by the scuppers, a dark and widening puddle trailing away from his body. In the gathering dusk it had the oily look of black paint, pooling along the gently tilted deck.
"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Tyburn's sharp voice rang out across the deck. The Dutch Custom's officer stared at the him in a mixture of hope and trepidation. Tyburn pushed his way through the circle of the Baptista's sailors and grabbing the man's arm pulled him away from the crowd, pushing him in the direction of the stern castle. The man's face was bloody.
"Check him." Tyburn said, gesturing at the other man slumped on the deck. Woodshaw bent and turned the man. The blonde man's eyes stared sightless at the deepening sky.
"Dead." Woodshaw's tone was laconic but Tyburn could hear the undercurrent of anger skating below the surface of the one word reply.
"Dead you say…" Tyburn's voice was cold. Woodshaw glanced up and felt an atavistic shiver run down his spine. The scarred man turned to face the Baptista crewmen, his movement slow and deliberate.
"Who did it?" Tyburn surveyed the men. His grey eyes had all the emotion of a fleck of ice. The St. Jan Baptista's crew had been recruited in Brill, a seasoned mixture of Watergauzen[8] and merchant sailors, intermingled with some English deserters and Scottish coastal pirates. They were a melange of talented and capable seamen and the dregs of a bitter and vicious war, come to roost in the makeshift fleet nominally loyal to the Prince of Orange. Beyond the chink of coin and the desire for drink, there was little uniting them except an abiding hatred of the Spanish.
"Godverdomme Engels,… I did it." The man was shorter than Tyburn, one side of his face mottled with a spray of dark smallpox scars that had left it pitted and crusted like bark. He wore a crumpled short brimmed hat and a typical sailor's dress of jacket and pantaloons. "He was a verrader bastard that sucked Spanjaard cock." The man hawked and spat in the direction of the corpse.
Tyburn looked at the man. "You hear my instructions that none of the Dutch officers were to be harmed?"
The man smirked. "Ja I heard. I shit on you and your instructions, Engelsman."
Tyburn nodded to himself. He dropped his hand to his belt and, keeping his gaze fixed on the sailor, unbuckled his sword. He rolled up the belt and sword with deft hands and without turning his head spoke to Woodshaw. "Hold this for me."
Woodshaw took the proffered sword and hissed, "We don't need more corpses to explain to Walsingham…" Tyburn nodded and stepped forward, his eyes on the Dutchman. The remaining Watergauzen backed away.
The Dutchman, his flat pocked face unmarred by any semblance of an expression, drew a long blade from his belt scabbard. Tyburn ignored the man and instead began to unbutton and strip off his cheap embroidered doublet. He shrugged out of the doublet, folded it with care and handed it to Woodshaw who took it with a bemused expression. Tyburn began to untie his oversleeves and the Dutchman began to stir with impatience.
"Come on you fucking smeerlap, let's finish this. Bastard Engels…"
Tyburn gave the man a brief glance and then folded the oversleeves and handed them to Woodshaw.
"Done undressing, you cock-sucking shit?" The Dutchman stepped forward, the blade ready but Tyburn raised one hand motioning the man to wait. The Dutchman paused as Tyburn slowly began to stretch out his arms and rotate his shoulders. He raised one arm high and leaned sideways giving a brief grunt as his muscles stretched. He repeated the motion on the opposite side. The Dutchman stared in disbelief.
"By Christ, are you ever going to be ready?" The Dutchman gestured with the knife. "Do you need to take a shit or have dinner before we start as well?" Several of the watching sailors laughed but Tyburn moved into a set of leg stretches, alternately stretching first one leg then the next. The Dutchman turned to his fellows. "This Engelsmann must be stupid or maybe someone sliced off his klootzak. Fuck you Engels, time to…huhrk!"
When the Dutchman turned to speak, Tyburn pivoted and slammed his foot into the man's groin. As the man doubled over, Tyburn was already moving. One hand caught the wrist holding the knife and twisted it to one side. Tyburn's right hand hooked over the back of the Dutchman's head and pulled him forward as the agent's knee rose to meet him.
Tyburn felt a flaring unholy sense of satisfaction as the man's jaw slammed into the his knee. He felt the bone-jarring impact and heard the crunch of broken bone and popping cartilage. The knife fell to the deck as he pulled the man's head back and hammered it down into his knee a second time. Keeping his hand buried in the man's hair, Tyburn stepped backwards dragging the almost insensate crewman with him. Glaring at the remaining crew, who stood in mute collective astonished silence, he raised up the man's head and then slammed it onto the deck.
Tyburn exhaled with a hissing sound. "Anyone else care to contest my instructions?" He stepped forward and bent to pick up the fallen knife. "Anyone at all?"
The stupefied silence was broken only by the steady cackling laughter from the forecastle. Someone, Tyburn thought, had just collected some coin.
Tyburn heard a faint scraping sound behind him as the Dutchman tried to move away. He turned to the fallen man. Tyburn pulled the man's right hand out flat on the deck, raised the knife and slammed it through his hand, pinning it to the deck. The man gave a gargled scream and writhed, his free hand trying to pull the knife from the wood.
"The next stuk vuil that crosses us won't live through it. And no one collects their gelt." At least twenty pairs of eyes refused his gaze. "Now get to bloody work." Tyburn picked up his doublet and oversleeves from the deck and plucked his scabbarded sword and belt from Woodshaw's unresisting hands. Behind Woodshaw, the Captain Rogeres stood gaping, open-mouthed. Tyburn pointed at the Dutchman who now sat on the deck, moaning and clutching his hand, his face a mask of blood.
"Secure him below. He'll be going ashore with our Customs officers. He'll hang for his crime." The captain nodded a hasty acquiescence and Tyburn turned away to the rail. The flickering lights of Bergan op Zoom were drifting away as the ship slowly edged out into the main channel. The flat landscape of the Netherlands was already fading into dank obscurity, the grey-black of the land melding into the shimmering ripple of the water as the moon began to rise. Far to the south, a faint red glow reflected off low cloud. Antwerp was burning.
Woodshaw stood beside him at the rail. "Was that strictly necessary?"
Tyburn shrugged. "Rogeres is a thin reed and the Watergauzen play a hard game. They smell weakness and they're likely to step in for an opportunity. It's a long way back down the estuary and I don't want anyone, especially his friends, getting the idea that they could make more coin off selling us to the Spanish."
Woodshawe nodded thoughtfully. "Now I know why they sent you with me." He laughed softly. "Walsingham's pet wolf, or so I'm told."
Tyburn gave the man a sour look. "I can't see him too pleased at this turn of events. It was supposed to be uncomplicated. A dead Dutch Custom's officer wasn't in his plans."
"So no clean and simple results?"
"Not tonight" the scarred man said, watching the darkness gather over the land, "Not tonight."
[1] Dutch ship, similar to a galleon
[2] Spanish military unit, a company
[3] Puritan
[4] Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Reformation under Henry VIII and Edward VI. Cranmer was condemned and burned as a Protestant heretic at Oxford in 1555 under the reign of Queen Mary.
[5] Fabric & cloth merchants
[6] The Northern Earls Westmorland and Northumberland launched an abortive rebellion in 1569 to depose the Queen and supplant her with Mary of Scotland
[7] Literally "strong or good liquor"
[8] Sea Beggars – the name assumed by the Calvinist opposition to the Spanish rule of the Netherlands. They mostly operated as coastal pirates, raiding the Spanish, until they captured the port of Brill in 1572
Thursday, May 29, 2014
The Jesuit Letter Kickstarter
Want to help bring a new novel into the world?
I've launched my publishing Kickstarter campaign to help me take my new book The Jesuit Letter into publication, and I'm looking for help. The Jesuit Letter is a completed 112,000 word novel. It is historical fiction, set in the Elizabethan era.
I started working on this project about six years ago and after three years of research, two years of writing and a year of editing and procrastination, I've decided to self-publish. To do so, I need to invest in a professional copy edit, cover & layout design for the book.
Kickstarter is the first step on the road. The project page can be found here.
Kickstarter, in case you aren't familiar with it, is a crowd-funding platform, a new way to fund creative projects. It helps bring new, innovative, inspiring projects, big and small, to life through direct support. Funding on Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing proposition — the project needs to reach the funding goal in order to receive any money, so every bit of support helps, whether it is backing the project or just telling friends!
In return for backing the publication of The Jesuit Letter, supporters get a selection of great rewards for their contribution, including a copy of the finished e-book. They also get the excitement of helping bring a new creative project into the world.
For details on The Jesuit Letter Kickstarter and how you can support bringing this project to life, check out The Jesuit Letter Kickstarter project page, get inspired and help bring this project to life! Just click on the Big Green Button that says "Back This Project".
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the project or if you just want to find out about the Kickstarter experience.
Thanks for your support and please be sure to tell your friends!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Gotham Knights
If you've never dropped by Dead End Thrills, check out this gorgeous art created from the game Batman: Arkham City...
I would love to get these as posters.
I would love to get these as posters.
Orbital Blue
In case you haven't seen it, the ISS has added an live streaming orbital HD camera feed. You can watch a birds-eye view of the ISS circling the globe in about 90 minutes. Every 45 minutes you get to watch the sunrise or sunset, with the darkening terminator either fading away or marching inexorably towards you.
I recommend putting it on full-screen, HD and watching it roll on past.
It's a big planet.
As an added bonus, check out "The Long Swath", a 15 minute long, hypnotic pass filmed from the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, that runs from southern Russia, down through the Middle East, East Africa and into Southern Africa.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
The Jesuit Letter Book Trailer
I've updated and tightened up the Jesuit Letter Book Trailer for my pending Kickstarter campaign.
Let me know what you think.
Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Tudors by Peter Ackroyd
The Tudors by acclaimed British author Peter Ackroyd is the second volume in his new History of England series, although reading the first book (Foundation) is by no means necessary Ackroyd's highly readable, engaging review of the reigns of the corpulent and much-wedded Henry VIII, Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I (interrupted albeit briefly by Henry VII's son Edward VI's six year reign).
Ackroyd brings the same sharp acumen and evocative social insight evident in his previous works Foundation and in London: A Biography. Ackroyd hangs the overarching story-line on the key events and players but lavishes particular attention on the belief systems and intricacies of the burgeoning English Reformation which drove Tudor rule. He has a particular talent for interweaving the tiniest of details and tying them back to the epic sweep of history.
Dry it is not, however it is by necessity somewhat cursory on some of the more infamous events of the period. Ackroyd is a brilliant writer and, given his background and focus on cultural roots and sociology, he brings a different and often highly discerning eye to the historical events of the period. He keeps a fairly razor eye on the roots of the English Reformation and the events therein, rather than, as many histories of the period do, highlighting the soap opera of Henry VIII's long procession of wives. He provides a strong thematic thread for the ebb and flow of England's slide away from Catholicism, tying the many elements traditionally linked back to Tudor power, into a broader context.
Ackroyd provides a solid, eminently readable book that any student of the era would be wise to crack open.
The Armory gallery at the Met, in all it's splendor, with Henry VIII's armor on display.
Ackroyd brings the same sharp acumen and evocative social insight evident in his previous works Foundation and in London: A Biography. Ackroyd hangs the overarching story-line on the key events and players but lavishes particular attention on the belief systems and intricacies of the burgeoning English Reformation which drove Tudor rule. He has a particular talent for interweaving the tiniest of details and tying them back to the epic sweep of history.
Dry it is not, however it is by necessity somewhat cursory on some of the more infamous events of the period. Ackroyd is a brilliant writer and, given his background and focus on cultural roots and sociology, he brings a different and often highly discerning eye to the historical events of the period. He keeps a fairly razor eye on the roots of the English Reformation and the events therein, rather than, as many histories of the period do, highlighting the soap opera of Henry VIII's long procession of wives. He provides a strong thematic thread for the ebb and flow of England's slide away from Catholicism, tying the many elements traditionally linked back to Tudor power, into a broader context.
Ackroyd provides a solid, eminently readable book that any student of the era would be wise to crack open.
The Armory gallery at the Met, in all it's splendor, with Henry VIII's armor on display.
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Juicing To Lose Weight: Juicing Recipes
A lot of people are looking for different ways to get slimmer. Juicing to lose weight is one of the methods that is very popular right now. Usually shedding those extra pounds is a challenging process, but someone with passion and positive energy wishing to kick off with juicing to lose weight has come to the right… Read More »

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BMW has announced the launch of its most luxurious sedan the next generation 7-series in India at a sticker price Rs. 1.1 Crore (ex-showroom Delhi)....Read More »
Home Tag Archives: New BMW 7 Series Exteriors
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New BMW 7 Series 730Ld Design Pure Excellence (Diesel)
Price(INR): Rs. 1,10,00,000
New BMW 7 Series 730Ld M Sport (Diesel)
Price(INR): Rs. 1,20,00,000
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New BMW 7 Series 750Li Design Pure Excellence CBU (Petrol)
Price(INR): Rs. 1,50,00,000
New BMW 7 Series 750Li M Sport CBU (Petrol)
Price(INR): Rs. 1,60,00,000


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Ajax Messages
NovaMed Pharmaceuticals was established with a vision to enhance the quality of health care services in Pakistan. Our mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to feel more better and live longer. We are a modern progressive Pharmaceutical industry with a powerful combinati ...Read More


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Papercraft Babushka
Three years ago, we featured some of the amazing papercraft works of Yulia Brodskaya. Since that time, she's honed her craft to an astonishing degree. This image is, believe it or not, just strips of paper attached to a base.
Link | Artist's Website
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So well done and beautiful.
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Here's an A-Z braindump that I compiled in about an hour. It is aimed at providing a snapshot of what social media is all about, and what brands need to focus on before wading in.
You might be familiar with social media, but hopefully you'll give me a pass as some of this stuff bears repeating. However I think this A-Z is going to be more useful if you're somebody who is trying to convince your boss that adopting a social media strategy is a good idea (it is). Good luck with that!
Note that I've avoided writing D is for Digg, F is for Facebook, T is for Twitter. Instead I've looked at the more strategic areas that you'll need to consider before giving the likes of Facebook and Twitter a green light.
Let me know what I missed. Especially for 'X'!
The A-Z of social media for brands
A stands for AUTHENTIC. Most people, apart from some notable PR execs, have a finely-tuned bullshit radar. They can smell it coming and many are allergic to it. You must be authentic. No funny business, no hidden clauses, nothing untoward.
B stands for BENCHMARK. You need to take a snapshop of where you're at, before fully launching yourself into social media. Otherwise you'll have no clue about ROI. A benchmarking exercise can help you define a social media strategy. Find the gaps, and figure out what you need to do. Use our social media templates to help you.
C stands for CUSTOMER SERVICE. You'd better believe it. The problem most wayward greedheads make with social media is that they think it's all about free marketing. It isn't. It is about service. I'll come onto Zappos later but I love their mantra: "We are a customer service company that happens to be in the business of selling shoes." Smart. Zappos generates three quarters of its $1bn annual sales from existing customers. Go figure, as they say...
D stands for DISTRIBUTE. Why? Because social media should not be 'owned' by one person, but spread throughout an organisation. Your people are your best asset, truly. They're closer to your products, brands, customers and issues. Encourage them to get involved, and share the workload.
E stands for ENGAGE. We know that an engaged customer is a far more valuable one. They'll tell you what you need to know. They'll tend to buy from you again, and more frequently. And they'll be more likely to refer your brand to their friends. Customer engagement and social media go hand in hand.
F stands for FEEDS. You can use feeds to power your social media presence, as we do on Twitter (which sucks in headlines from our blog via Twitterfeed). You should also use them to monitor your key brand terms online.
G stands for GOOGLEJUICE. Some people aren't sure about the effects of social media on search. They doubt social media can have any tangible effect on search results. Take it from me: they're wrong. Why? Because articles featured prominently on social media sites are likely to be picked up elsewhere (good for traffic, great for inbound links). Consider what happens when one of your stories hits the Digg frontpage: sure, you pull in big traffic from Digg itself, but you also tend to accumulate links from dozens of other sites.
H stands for HONESTY. This follows on from A. No pulling the wool please. The days of old school PR spin are coming to a close, and if you're active on these networks then it's best to hold up your hands and admit errors or lapse of judgement, as and when they arise. It happens. We're HUMAN, after all.
I stands for INTERACT. Well what else was it going to be? If you try firing out one-way messages on the social media sites then you'll soon know about it. You must get involved with your audience, your community, your user base, your fans. Make sure they know they're being listened to, and they'll participate more often. The flipside is that if you IGNORE them they will pay little interest / take it personally / move on.
J stands for JOIN. There's no point standing on the sidelines, and hey, you need those social media profiles, even if you're not immediately planning on using them. Take the lead. Sign up. And make sure you do plenty of reading and research before you jump in. Line up your ducks, then start shooting. There are tools than can help you check whether your brand names are available on the social sites.
K stands for KILLER CONTENT. If there's one thing that works, it is quality content. Cream rises to the top. Five years ago it was all about Google, but now it's about recommendations, referrals and retweets (all of which can underpin your Google rankings). Make the most of it. Content remains king.
L stands for LISTEN. As mentioned in F you need some feeds set up to track what's being said about your brands online. There are various free tools to let you monitor your reputation, the needs of your customers, and what's being said about your competitors. You also need to listen to people at an individual level, and to respond to them. Social sites help people to cosy up to your brand, and if you're actively encouraging that (by being there) then it's best not to kick them out of bed when they want some attention.
M stands for MEASURE. Because how else are you going to know if this whole social media malarkey works. I wrote a post called '10 ways to measure social media success', which will help you see the bigger picture. Measuring the detail is one thing, but it is worth considering how a social media strategy can improve your overall business at a macro level.
N stands for NETWORK. Let's step back for a moment and remember that sites like Twitter and Digg are essentially networking sites. People are connected. This means that you can wade into the fray and seek out followers by participating in a wider conversation. Or by being retweeted. Or by actively following interesting people who say interesting things. It also means that if you get it wrong, the network effect can massively multiply your embarrassment, regardless of whether or not you're active on these sites. Keep this in mind before you do a Ryanair.
O stands for ORGANISE. This is about defining a strategy, and then figuring out who is going to execute it. And if you look again at D and then at R you'll see that I don't really believe in a single social media stakeholder. It's a team game. At Econsultancy we encourage people to get involved if they want to. There is no social media dictator at this end.
P stands for POLICY. It could have been PARTICIPATION but that's kind of covered under the letter E and I. So look, if you're going to do this in a smart way then it's best to set a few guidelines. Not rules, as such, but helpful pointers. And look at Z if you want to see the best, most concise social media / Twitter policy you'll ever need to see.
Q stands for QUESTIONS. You can expect a bunch of them, and the bigger the brand the more questions people are going to throw at you. If they want to choose Twitter as a makeshift customer service channel then doesn't that tell you something? Twitter might not be the best way of responding, but make sure you are LISTENING and react quickly. Questions need answers!
R stands for RETENTION. Here's a tip for you: forget about customer acquisition, and start concentrating on your existing customers. They're cheaper to keep hold of, and if you get it right they'll do your marketing for you (see E). Seriously, FORGET ACQUISITION. Times are changing, and the smarter operators will be focused on keeping customers happy. And that brings us neatly onto…
S stands for SATISFACTION. Mick Jagger once sang about this and was obviously referring to customer satisfaction. It's so important. If you don't already measure customer satisfaction then you'd better start soon, because it's one of the most important metrics and you should be on a constant quest to improve it. Social media can really help you keep on top of things, and can help you connect. I refer once again to the letter C, and the value of happy customers to your business.
T stands for TRAFFIC. Social media sites now account for a large chunk of our traffic. The Telegraph pulls in 75,000 unique users from these sites every day. If traffic is your thing, then a solid social media strategy will help you attract in the big numbers. T could also stand for TWITTER, since Twitter is obviously a big deal these days. If you're new to Twitter start here, and if you're doing it on behalf of a brand / company then aim here.
U stands for USER PROFILE. The last time I looked the world's biggest FMCG brand was Coca Cola. And you'd imagine that such a heavyweight would have claimed user profiles on various social media sites for its key brands. Well, you'd be wrong. Make sure somebody claims these for your brand. Don't say I didn't warn you.
V stands for VIP. By getting nearer to your customers / prospects / audience you're going to make them feel special. Most organisations are still light years away from treating customers as individual people, but social media – and a distributed social media / customer service team – can help you to do this. Remember also to add VALUE, whether that's sharing tips / insight as we try to do, or providing a 15% discount voucher, as a retailer might do.
W stands for WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. Because look, if you don't, then what on earth do you expect to get from all of this? I believe that pretty much every company / brand should have a blog, with frequent updates (about their products, services, company, market, etc). These articles can provide you with lots of excellent social media fodder. Spread the word.
X stands for X RATED. To be honest X is a difficult one. But then I remembered that not everybody likes to read the word 'fuckface' on Twitter, much less your straight-up 68-year old CEO with churchgoing tendencies. I swear like a trooper but tend to keep the language on these sites to a minimum, especially when representing the brand. Ok, maybe you can suggest something better for the letter X.
Y stands for YOU. The minute you start freaking out about brand language and tone of voice and what the PR department might think is the minute you fail at social media. Sure, that stuff IS important, but the main thing to remember about social media is that it is a highly personal medium. As such you need to communicate, as much as possible, as a PERSON rather than as a BRAND. People form relationships with other people, as opposed to brands, which they have opinions of, and an affinity with (or otherwise). There's a real distinction.
Z stands for ZAPPOS. The online shoe retailer is a Twitter posterboy, no two ways about it. It encourages staff to get involved with Twitter (it also uses Facebook and YouTube) and has the best Twitter policy I have yet seen: "Be real and use your best judgement."[Image by shabainu via Flickr, various rights reserved]
Comments (10)
As I was scrolling, can't help but wondering what would it be on 'Z', smart for using the Zappos! I could never thought of that. Enjoyed the post, and definitely a SU for you. Good job.
social media/blogging
Love this Post! Makes me wish there were more letters in the alphabet!
Very useful, Everyone who is doing Social Media Take note!
Great post. A & K is great.
Great guide! If there are brands not actively involved in social media (I know there are tons), they are missing out. It doesn't matter how traditional your media campaign is, you have to get involved and interact with your customers the way they want- not the way you want.
I really enjoyed this post but come on be honest how long did it tkae to compile? I guess it must be worthwhile as you should get a lot of hot traffic.
Hey Neale - I had about 23 letters down in an hour, then spent maybe 30 minutes editing it and thinking of something for the letter 'K' (the hardest of all!). As I said, it was a braindump, as much as anything... : )
Hi Chris
Thats pretty good going. Though you only get a 1/2 for Zappos ;)
Seriously good fun.
Thanks for the post Chris. I love that you pulled out our "social media" philosophy at the end of Z. We are about being real, plain and simple. We don't script people, force people to tweet, or interact with the blogs. It is a natural outflow of our culture. We believe if you get the culture right, everything else falls in line. Keep it up! and thanks again for the mention.
I'm a bit late on the mark but love the post. Social media wave was a bit late to arrive on the Indian sub-continent BUT the good thing is that thanks to e-consultancy reports and the wider community we can rest assured that we are on the right track :-)
Great Post!!


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Finding a nurse mentor
One of the best pieces of advice I received when I graduated from nursing school was to find a mentor. One of my instructors told me to find a nurse that has been around for a while and can help you get through that tough first year and then help you get along when times are tough.
I did find a mentor when I was in my final semester of school. He was my preceptor for one of clinical rotations. He had only been a nurse for a few years, so he understood what I needed from him in the beginning of my career and he also knew the pitfalls I would find myself in as my career progressed. When I was thinking about changing jobs or specialties, I knew I could go to him and get his honest opinion and that I could trust that he would not steer me wrong.
Once I got into management, I needed to find someone that could help me in this transition. Although he was the one that helped me make the decision to jump from the floor into the office, he didn't have the experience there that could help me.
I finally found a nurse that had been in management for about 10 years. Her career was about the same as mine; she went into nursing with a previous career in business and knew that she wanted to get into management as quickly as possible. She is now the one that is there for me when I need a little pat on the back when I think I am going the wrong direction with my management…and she is there to knock me down when I'm thinking I'm great when I 'm actually screwing up pretty bad.
I truly appreciate both of my mentors for different reasons, but the most important thing they have done for me is just help me stay positive and remember why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place.
Do you have a great nurse mentor?
A Nurse I Am, Career, Career Advice for Nurses, Mentorship and Nurses, New Nurse, Nursing Blogs, Nursing Student Advice, Your First Years
Rob Cameron is currently a staff nurse in a level II trauma center. He has primarily been an ED nurse for most of his career, but he has also been a nurse manager for Surgical Trauma and Telemetry unit. He has worked in Med/Surg, Critical Care, Hospice, Rehab, an extremely busy cardiology clinic and pretty much anywhere he's been needed.Prior to his career in nursing, Rob worked in healthcare finance and management. Rob feels this experience has given him a perspective on nursing that many never see. He loves nursing because of all the options he has within the field. He is currently a grad student working on an MSN in nursing leadership, and teaches clinicals at a local university.Away from work, Rob spends all of his time with his wife and daughter. He enjoys cycling and Crossfit. He is a die hard NASCAR fan. Sundays you can find Rob watching the race with his daughter.
By Rob Cameron
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11 Responses to Finding a nurse mentor
Great article. Full time I am a nurse manager in long term care. Part time I am an educator and speaker (see my webpage) As I get close to retirement from my fulltime job I am interested in developing an online nursing business. One of my ideas is to be a mentor to nurses online. What do you think about this idea? Thanks
this would be a great idea Nancy , I would be one of the first nurses to sign up
I have found myself in need of a nurse mentor for my "Professional Socialization" class. I would find someone who I live near or work with, but I am in the position of leaving my current job to move from Michigan to Florida and of course this transition takes place right in the middle of everything for this class. So you can see my dilemma. What I need is someone who can be a mentor for me, but in the form of a strictly on-line e-mailing relationship for this class. That's the only way I can take my mentor with me when I move. Any volunteers?? I am looking for a nurse with years of experience – well seasoned.
This what I have been looking for. I am not new to the profession, but I have started my role as a RN Case Manager into Hospice. I worked 25 years before in Africa, passed the NCLEX-RN in September 2009. I am aware that I need to learm more from the social and professional skills to fully feel independent. Direct contact type of mentorship would be great, but I'd welcome e-mail mentorship if offered.


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The main characteristics of this line are the timeless design of its contours and its exceptional navigational features, which make it fit for every sea condition: flying bridge motor yachts in fiberglass, with a planing hull, ranging between 78 and 118 ft.
The SD range combines the elegance of a silhouette inspired by the great transatlantic liners of the 1930s with the ability to experience life at sea without constraints and with long self-sufficiency. These are motor yachts made of composite material with a semi-displacement hull ranging between 92 to 126 ft
The new crossover line by Sanlorenzo, combining comfort and innovative solutions inherited from the Explorer vessel experience. Elegance, performance and contact with the sea at its best.
With an aluminium or steel hull, planing or displacement, and aluminium superstructure, the Sanlorenzo Superyacht range varies between 40 to 64 meters. They represent the customization possibility at its best.
Modello di Organizzazione Gestione e Controllo - Codice Etico - Company Information


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Expo Pros boasts twenty three years of a grand history throughout which it has been conducting professional events like the Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo. Located in Parker, Colorado the event manager hosts a number of various themes and has organized as many as 1000 events to date across North America. The 2011 show has listed out various events for kids, pets, and health freaks. There is the Pet Expo, Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo, Bridal Show, and the Baby & Kids Expo. These are organized in various cities across the country like Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
The Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo is a part of the 2011 agenda for Expo Pros and took place in Denver on Saturday, May 7, 2011. It was a single day show that ran from noon to 6:00 pm. The event took place at Korbel Hall in the Colorado Convention Center. Tickets cost $7 for adults and kids 12 and up. Children below the age of 12 were free. The event had a number of vendors who explain the significance of either their products or the necessity of well being in general. Those who visited the expo learned how food affects health, how to seek out and identify nutrient-rich food, fitness equipment and its usage, and much more. Awareness on various regular health disturbances like diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and liveliness products all occupied booths at the expo. Some of the vendors at the event offered information and services on the following:
- Natural Food Chef, Latest vitamin and supplement info, weight loss, natural meat and organics info, pain medication, airbrush tanning, healthy food info, body treatments, chiropractic services, massage and spa services, anti aging products and services, nutritional products, fitness info, personal training, dermatological products, skin rejuvenation, laser hair removal, Lasik, diabetes info, teeth whitening, alternative health therapies, hormonal info, heart health education, inflammation prevention information, probiotic products and benefits, Phatea tea, health choices, and much more.
The expo always aims to increase personal health through a comprehensive and proactive approach and believes in increasing the vitality and longevity of individuals by training them on the good and bad of health. Besides these, there were stage presentations on health like "Eating for fitness. Eating for life," "Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired," "Change your Coffee and Change your Life," "Eating for Fitness, Eating for Life," "Hormone Havoc," and "Get Help Fighting Obesity and Diabetes." The vendors marketed their health products and educated people on the pros and cons of the existing and new products and techniques and in due course spread awareness on how important it is to be healthy!


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A previously barricaded suspect looks over his shoulder at law enforcement officers before he is taken into custody in a trailer park on Mansfield Road. Officers were called to the scene after a man was shot inside his car and subjects fled into a nearby home.
Supporters cheer at a meeting of the Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in Maltepe, Istanbul, Saturday July 9, 2017. The rally marked the end of the adalet or 'justice' march from Ankara to Istanbul, protesting crackdowns of press freedoms.
Ai Thawn hammers a nail while building a trellis for his plants at the Siena Village Community Garden Monday. The trellis helps save space in the garden, and is necessary for some vegtables to grow.
Tiwa tribal elder C. A. Tsosi speaks to a crowd at the ribbon cutting of the historical site at El Cuartelejo in Lake Scott State Park Monday. The archeological site will feature a mesuem built on top of the ruins to preserve them from further weathering and erosion.
A Garden City Fire Department vehicle drives in a charred field of grass on Burnside Drive Thursday. A fire spread to three fields South of town, and took about an hour for GCFD to get under control.
Johnny, a Garden City Police Department service dog, rests at the feet of officer Rich Colburn during an interview Friday.
Medical marijuana advocate Jennifer Winn yells while giving a pep-talk to Shona Banda during a recess of her preliminary hearing Monday outside the Finney County Courthouse.
Alex Vazquez reels in his fishing line at Scott Lake Monday. Many park visitors fished and camped, celebrating Labor Day.
Garden City firefights put on equipment in preparation to put out a fire on South Main Street Sunday. The fire started at around 6:30 in the afternoon.
Katy Guthrie hangs a watercolor painting by Robert Joy in preparation for the art exhibition titled, Rare Vision, Thursday at Garden City Arts. The reception for the show will be at 7 p.m. today. Joy is an Ellsworth-based artist specializing in mixing sharpie and watercolor mediums.
Custom Cutter Gary Frank of Scott City cleans out weeds from his combine while harvesting Wheat Thursday. Because of the dry winter, some wheat fields died, leaving room for weeds to grow. April rains brought most wheat back to life, but by then the weeds were too tall to be choked out.
A dancer performs a traditional mexican dance at the community fiesta in Stevens Park Saturday. Performances at the event included mariachi bands, singers, and dances.


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Joe Jonas Fans — He's Not Hooking Up With Ashley Greene Again … Yet!
Ladies — Joe is STILL single! He confirmed it this AM, Oct. 3rd, on the Ryan Seacrest Show.
Despite spending six hours at Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas on Sept. 23rd laughing and talking together, Joe Jonas wants to make sure YOU know that he and ex-girlfriend Ashley Greene are NOT set for a reconciliation.
"I'm sorry to disappoint all those 'Jashley' fans, but if 'Hooking up' is you talking about 'making out' that unfortunately didn't happen," Joe told Ryan.
Not it's interesting that he used the word "unfortunately." Does that mean he'd love it to happen — the re-hooking up or making out? Or is he simply acknowledging the truth — that his fans loved he and Ashley together as a couple. Hmm! I wonder how Ashley feels about all this?
By the way, she's been in NYC and was spotted at at Shape Magazine's "Pilates for Pink" event in Union Square yesterday, Oct. 2.
— Bonnie Fuller
More Jonas Stories:
- Nick Jonas & Delta Goodrem Together?
- Joe Jonas Nearly Runs Into Ashley Greene!
- Is It Weird For Joe To Hang With Ashley's BFFs?


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I'm very honored to have another featured interview posted today on The App Whisperer. This interview focuses more on the photographic process and the subjects I choose to capture. I hope you'll hop over to Joanne's site and have a look.
But don't stop there, be sure to explore The App Whisperer for some great info on mobile photography and apps!


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Handonmy Member
Trying to get our big balls in the Guinness Book
Below is a press release announcing the Pickled Punks' (Steve Wannall and myself) attempt to set a record for the world's largest cups and balls routine.
If you're in the Washington, DC area, please come see the show.
Local Magicians Attempt to Enter the Guinness World Records Book
Two local actor/magicians will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by performing the world's largest cups and balls magic routine in Gaithersburg on February 11. Montgomery County natives Stephon Walker and Steve Wannallwho perform as The Pickled Punksplan to perform magic's most famous trick with a new twist: they'll be using cups the size of garbage cans and balls as big as regulation soccer balls to confound their audience.
The cups and balls is considered the oldest magic trick on record, first appearing in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. This classic routine is usually performed with three 3¼ high by 2½ diameter metal cups and three small knit or foam balls. Through the use of misdirection and sleight-of-hand, the magician appears to make the balls jump from cup to cup, appear and disappear, and even pass through solid objects. The Pickled Punks perform these same feats using cups that are 3 feet high and 2 feet in diameter, and balls that are 7 in diameter, making the use of traditional magic techniques impossible.
Walker and Wannall will undertake this challenge on February 11, 2004 at Wednesday Wizardry, a weekly professional magic showcase created by nationally known magicians Alain Nu, Mark Phillips, and Bob Sheets.
Both Wannall and Walker grew up in Montgomery County, and are members of the Actors Equity Association. They can be seen performing in the D.C. area, and appear regularly at Imagination Stage and the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The Pickled Punks were in discussions to appear on Penn & Tellers Sin City Spectacular, but sadly the program was cancelled before arrangements could be finalized.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD. Tickets may be purchased at The Arts Barn and are $15 for City residents and $18 for nonresidents. Performances are open to the public and are recommended for audiences age 10 to adult. 301.258.6394
For further information contact Stephon Walker at: 301.801.0712
The Pickled Punks:http://home.comcast.net/~pickled_punks
Wednesday Wizardry: http://www.wednesdaywizardry.com
Swami Yomahmi
~The Original Sideshow Geek~
Last edited by Stephon; 02-17-04 at 06:33 PM.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 63
I knew them when they were just funny guys ...
So, how'd it go? Are you world famous? Should I be proud to know you? Is it time to start stealing your best ideas and claiming they are 'stock'?
Peter Gross
Boston Hysterical
Handonmy Member
Thanks for asking--it went pretty well.
The audience was small, and oddly responsive (which is to say, they responded oddly, not it was odd how responsive they were). The cups 'n' balls went very well and the soon-to-be-very-dated Janet Jackson moment (below) was a huge hit.
Although a reporter and photographer showed up, I'm still not certain a story was printed. Until I have that, I can't submit our claim to Guinness. And even after I do submit it, they take months to make a decision.
And whatta 'ya mean "claiming" they're stock.
I'll give you a call soon Peter; need your professional guidance on something.
Swami Yomahmi
~The Original Sideshow Geek~
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 90
Hey man,
COngradulations on your attempt, hopefully they'll print you! Thats amazing!
PS Janet?? What about Paris?? Now THERE are headlines!
I not a businessman, im a business, man!
Handonmy Member
The artilce is out
This is a big step toward trying to get the record; now we can submit all our materials to Guinness for review!
Not all of the facts are "facts", as such, but close enough for government work.
Pair performs giant magic act to set record
by Shannon Baylis Sarino
Staff Writer
Feb. 25, 2004
On a cold night in February, local magicians Stephon Walker and Steve Wannall fulfilled a professional dream -- they performed a magic trick they hope will land them a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Silver Spring residents chose Gaithersburg as the site of their record-establishing magic show, performing the largest cups and balls magic routine during Wednesday Night Wizardry on Feb. 11.
The pair--who performs as the Pickled Punks--said they got the idea to do an entire show with giant props, coining the phrase "big magic." The magic act, which is sprinkled with a liberal dose of comedy, featured three elements: giant linking rings the size of hula hoops, giant crazy man's handcuffs with large rubber bands, and the giant cups and balls trick.
The cups and balls trick is considered the world's oldest known magic trick, Walker said during the performance. The routine is usually performed with three 3-inch high metal cups and three small knit or foam balls. Through the use of sleight of hand, the magician appears to make the balls jump from cup to cup, and appear and disappear.
The Pickled Punks did not disappoint the crowd of about 30 during their performance. After doing the trick using standard-sized props, the pair then switched to cups the size of metal oil drums and balls the size of soccer balls.
Through a series of comedic stunts and fast footwork, the duo successfully performed the trick, which was videotaped for the Guiness Book of World Records.
And what's next for the Pickled Punks, now that they've set a world record? Well, the feat will have to be verified by Guiness officials before the record is declared. But the pair can be seen performing throughout the Washington, D.C., area, appearing regularly at Imagination Stage and the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
Swami Yomahmi
~The Original Sideshow Geek~
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THURSDAY MAY 1 – 8PM – This concert from Look & Listen's 2014 Festival will include the premiere of Dedifferentiation with Brass: Constructions by Chris McIntyre, played by TILT Brass, who also performs Homage to Perotin (In The Phrygian Mode) by James Tenney. Other features include Daedalus Quartet performing Joan Tower's WHITE WATER (String Quartet No. 5), and a performance of the winning piece of the Look & Listen Composers Competition, Solos Collection by Antonio Macaretti, played by accordionist William Schimmel, cellist Thomas Kraines, violinist Min-Young Kim, and bassist Gregory Vartian-Foss. Evening hosted by Frank Oteri.
Doors at 730PM
Concert at 8PM
For tickets and information, please go to: www.lookandlisten.org


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I'd like to suggest there may have been a process, over several centuries, in which Jews made up their own stories about 'Yeshua', also known as 'the Christ', or 'Jesus Christ', and insisted upon them in their Jewish group way, redefining 0 A.D. as a starting-point for their own purposes. Three centuries is about the length of time taken for Jews to take over England, then the USA, and invent and promote bogus histories, so the time scale seems plausible enough.
In short, I suspect the 'Old Testament' progressively was forced into Christianity, despite having no connection whatever with the origins of Christianity. And the 'New Testament' itself was Judaised, replacing genuine early Christian works.
The idea is reinforced by plenty of examples of bogus religions fostered by Jews, including many aspects of the Reformation, Quakers, Mormonism, and Christian Science.


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Legal Issues Experts
Legal Issues Experts
Mark Kennedy, Esq.
Vice President of Legal Affairs. Helps shape all of the legal efforts pursued by the Physicians Committee. Supports the Physicians Committee's advocacy litigation, and helps originate litigation to promote plant-based diets, as well as alternatives to the use of animals in experiments and education. Involved in several groundbreaking cases, including lawsuits against national restaurant chains and the drug company Merck. Full-length bio >
Leslie Rudloff, Esq.
Director of Legal Affairs. Directs the Physicians Committee's efforts to use the legal system to promote vegan diets and alternatives to the use of animals in medical research and education. Her caseload has included lawsuits against restaurant chains for failing to warn consumers of carcinogens in grilled chicken products and a consumer protection suit against processed meat manufacturers. Full-length bio >
To invite a Physicians Committee expert to speak at your medical conference, health expo, vegetarian festival, or other event, please e-mail email@example.com.


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Much-awaited iPhone 4S to be launched at midnight today
Leading telecom operators Airtel and Aircel will launch the much-awaited iPhone 4S smartphone in the country at midnight today at prices starting from Rs 44,500.
Both the telecom operators have priced the 16-GB model at Rs 44,500, while the 32-GB and 64-GB versions will be available for Rs 50,900 and Rs 57,500, respectively.
Though pre-booking for the latest iPhone model was on from November 18, starting midnight today, the device will be up for grabs at select Airtel and Aircel stores.
The iPhone 4S's predecessors -- the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4 -- are still available in the Indian market, priced at Rs 20,900 (8GB) and Rs 37,900 (8GB) respectively.
The iPhone 4S comes with a 3.5-inch, 960 x 640-pixel widescreen multi-touch retina display. It is powered by a dual-core A5 chip processor and sports the new iOS 5 operating system, which the company claims offers faster web browsing and enhanced gaming experiences.
Its 8-MP camera has a larger aperture, a custom lens, advanced hybrid infrared filter and face detection feature. Users can record videos in 1080p HD and also use the front facing VGA camera for video chatting.
Another interesting feature is the new voice-activated personal assistant, Siri. The user can ask Siri for a plethora of information by voice, such as the location of the nearest restaurant, and it will provide an answer.
Siri can also be used to make phone calls, send messages, schedule meetings and set reminders, among other things.


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A CATACLYSMIC DISASTER STRIKES YOUR AREA. How will you evacuate your family to safety? Do you have a vehicle you can count on? Can it double as a mobile retreat, or do you have a shelter prepared in advance? What's your plan for reaching the shelter? qBug Out Vehicles and Sheltersq gives you the vital answers and options for becoming a survivor instead of a refugee: VEHICLES - Prepping fast-escape vehicles - Using specially equipped vehicles for unique situations - Planning for backup vehicles if your main escape option fails - Utilizing bikes, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and other human-powered means of escape SHELTERS - Preparing temporary shelters - Locating and stocking longterm shelters - Using an RV, motorhome, camper trailer or converted utility vehicle - Living aboard boats, from motorboats to houseboats to blue-water sailboats Explaining the advantages and drawbacks of each vehicle and shelter option, this survival handbook zeroes in on the key considerations and essential equipment for planning all your bug-out needs.An example of a newer SUV that has found favor with enthusiasts is the fourwheel-drive version of the Nissan Xterra. ... The current model comes with a 4.0-liter V6 and can be had with either manual or automatic transmission. ... A new Yukon starts at about $39, 000, and the current generation goes back to 2007. The modelanbsp;...
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What is Women's and Gender Studies?
Women's and Gender Studies is interdisciplinary. Drawing upon such fields as anthropology, art history, crime and justice studies, economics, history, literature, philosophy, political science, sociology, and the visual arts, WGS aims to foster active analysis of the varying influences upon women's and men's lives such as race, class, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, ability, and age. It asks students to think about the construction and influences of gender in contemporary society, to discover the historical factors that have shaped the current status of women from varying backgrounds and countries, and to explore paths to achieve equality for all people.
Learning Outcomes for the Major in Women's and Gender Studies
Core Learning Outcomes
- Explain the historical, social, and political contexts of women's movements and feminist thought
- Explain feminist theories and apply them in critiquing and transforming their world
Concentration-Specific Outcomes
- Gender Studies: Identify and evaluate the social construction of gender and the ways gender intersects with other forms of identity
- Politics, Justice and Policy: Explain the gendering of our socioeconomic and political worlds and the individual and collective components of social change
- Cross-Cultural Inquiry: Identify, compare, and evaluate culturally and historically specific ideas of gender, sex, and sexuality
- Arts and Letters: Apply a feminist perspective to the study of literature, history, and/or the arts


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Important Notice
9 Special Announcements
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Hong Kong, 15 November 2017 – World Dream, the newest mega ship of Asia's luxury cruise line Dream Cruises, will soon make history as the first-ever cruise ship to be christened in Hong Kong on Friday, 17 November 2017.
In celebration of this monumental occasion, Dream Cruises launched an innovative "#TogetherWeBuildDreams" campaign, which engaged cruise enthusiasts from around the world to build a large-scale replica of World Dream, in attempt to break the current world record of the largest LEGO® ship. After two months of relentless effort, the giant ship model, collectively built by over 1,000 cruising guests, members of the public, as well as Mr. Andy Hung and Legend Creative, the first LEGO® Certified Professional in Greater China region and his team, was officially unveiled at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal today. The attempt was declared successful upon onsite adjudication and the official Guinness World Records certificate presentation.
Prior to verification by the official Guinness World Records adjudicator, honourable guests completed the model by placing the final LEGO® blocks onto the ship, symbolizing the collaboration between Dream Cruises and the citizens of Hong Kong to set the new world record.
The unveiling of the World Dream ship model also served as the kick-off for the festivities surrounding World Dream's inaugural and christening in Hong Kong.
Mr. Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines said, "It is with great excitement with which we anticipate the inaugural launch of World Dream and make history as the first-ever cruise ship to be christened in Hong Kong. Today we celebrate the first milestone achieved by World Dream – the successful breaking of a Guinness World Record, an honour that we share with cruise enthusiasts from around the world who joined us as we turned this dream into reality."
Mr. Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said, "The fact that Genting Cruise Lines selected Hong Kong again as the home port for its international cruise and is organising a large-scale christening ceremony in the city is indeed a testament to the international cruise trade's great confidence in Hong Kong and the regional cruise market, as well as recognition of Hong Kong as an appealing cruise travel destination. The HKTB will continue to work closely with Genting Hong Kong and our other cruise partners through joint promotions and regional alliances to drive more arrivals and enhance local cruise and tourism development."
The excitement began with Dream Cruises' innovative "#TogetherWeBuildDreams" campaign, which engaged consumers in the building of the world's largest LEGO® cruise ship, an 8.44-meter replica of World Dream. Constructed from over 2.5 million LEGO® blocks, the ship model weighs over 2,800kg, measures 8.44m in length, 1.33m in width, and 1.53m in height. The LEGO® ship model will be on public display at Hall B, 2/F of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal from 19 Nov onwards; an open-day event will be held on the first day of public display, where members of the public can have a close-up view of the giant ship model and enjoy activities including LEGO® building workshops and speed challenges against LEGO® Certified Professional.
World Dream is the second vessel of Dream Cruises, purpose-built to cater to the Asian market. World Dream will start sailing from Hong Kong on 17 November and from Guangzhou, Nansha on 19 November, taking guests on two weekly alternating 6-day/5-night itineraries to exotic and popular destinations including Boracay and Manila in the Philippines and Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in Vietnam, as well as 3-day/2-night Warm Weekend Vacation cruises from Hong Kong in the South China Sea.
Please download high-res photos from the below link:
Mr Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines and Mr Loui Lim, Vice President, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications of Genting Hong Kong receive the Guinness World Records certificate from the official Guinness World Records adjudicator, Mr Louis Jelinek.
Guests of honour at the event included (from the left to the right) Ms. Christine Li, Head of Marketing, Senior Vice President of Genting Cruise Lines; Mr. George Tsoi, Assistant Commissioner for Tourism; Mr. Aaron Liu, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism; Mr. Anthony Lau , Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board; Mr. Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines; Mr. Loui Lim, Vice President, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications of Genting Hong Kong; Ms. Cathy Chu, JP, Commissioner for Tourism; Mr. Louis Cheung, Hong Kong celebrity; Mr. Andy Hung, Director of Legend Creative; Mr. Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise of Hong Kong Tourism Board.
For more information about Dream Cruises, please visit dreamcruiseline.com and follow us on Facebook, Weibo and Weixin.
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From the Courtyard Garden: Buena Regional Middle School
This is the first blog from the Courtyard Garden at Buena Regional Middle School. When you gaze out the window you can see there is quite a bit growing on. I'll give you a quick glance. The giant pumpkins, A.K.A. "Middle School Monsters", have been planted and are popping out of the ground. If all goes well there will be a "Guess the Weight"


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Student loan bill passes
On Capitol Hill today, the House passed and sent to the Senate a bill to keep student loan rates low, but there was a partisan fight over how to pay and it is spilling over into the presidential election.
Both sides agree that student loan rates should stay at 3.4 percent, but they battled in the House until the bill was passed today though.
Republicans pushed thru their plan to pay for college loans by cutting women's health screenings.
The Democrats showed their displeasure.
President Obama staged campaign style events this week at three colleges in battleground states, backing students who he needs to back him in November.
Democrats claim this is what forced GOP lawmakers to okay cheap student loans.
Even as the campaign heats up, how to pay for the student loan program has to be settled long before November.