text:
Part 3 out of 3
M. Marin attended to some business and then went home, passed the day
quietly, slept well, woke in a good humor and sent for his newspapers.
The first he opened was a radical sheet. He read:
"We shall never make an end of enumerating the misdeeds of the clergy.
A certain priest, named Ceinture, convicted of conspiracy against the
present government, accused of base actions to which we will not even
allude, suspected besides of being a former Jesuit, metamorphosed into a
simple priest, suspended by a bishop for causes that are said to be
unmentionable and summoned to Paris to give an explanation of his
conduct, has found an ardent defender in the man named Marin, a
councillor of state, who was not afraid to give this frocked malefactor
the warmest letters of recommendation to all the republican officials,
his colleagues.
"We call the, attention of the ministry to the unheard of attitude of
this councillor of state----"
M. Marin bounded out of bed, dressed himself and hastened to his
colleague, Petitpas, who said to him:
"How now? You were crazy to recommend to me that old conspirator!"
M. Marin, bewildered, stammered out:
"Why no--you see--I was deceived. He looked such an honest man. He
played me a trick--a disgraceful trick! I beg that you will sentence him
severely, very severely. I am going to write. Tell me to whom I should
write about having him punished. I will go and see the attorney-general
and the archbishop of Paris--yes, the archbishop."
And seating himself abruptly at M. Petitpas' desk, he wrote:
"Monseigneur, I have the honor to bring to your grace's notice the fact
that I have recently been made a victim of the intrigues and lies of a
certain Abbe Ceinture, who imposed on my kind-heartedness.
"Deceived by the representations of this ecclesiastic, I was led----"
Then, having signed and sealed his letter, he turned to his colleague and
"See here; my dear friend, let this be a warning to you never to
recommend any one again."
"Bah!" exclaimed Karl Massouligny, "the question of complaisant husbands
is a difficult one. I have seen many kinds, and yet I am unable to give
an opinion about any of them. I have often tried to determine whether
they are blind, weak or clairvoyant. I believe that there are some which
belong to each of these categories.
"Let us quickly pass over the blind ones. They cannot rightly be called
complaisant, since they do not know, but they are good creatures who
cannot see farther than their nose. It is a curious and interesting
thing to notice the ease with which men and women can, be deceived.
We are taken in by the slightest trick of those who surround us, by our
children, our friends, our servants, our tradespeople. Humanity is
credulous, and in order to discover deceit in others, we do not display
one-tenth the shrewdness which we use when we, in turn, wish to deceive
some one else.
"Clairvoyant husbands may be divided into three classes: Those who have
some interest, pecuniary, ambitious or otherwise, in their wife's having
love affairs. These ask only to safeguard appearances as much as
possible, and they are satisfied.
"Next come those who get angry. What a beautiful novel one could write
about them!
"Finally the weak ones! Those who are afraid of scandal.
"There are also those who are powerless, or, rather, tired, who flee from
the duties of matrimony through fear of ataxia or apoplexy, who are
satisfied to see a friend run these risks.
"But I once met a husband of a rare species, who guarded against the
common accident in a strange and witty manner.
"In Paris I had made the acquaintance of an elegant, fashionable couple.
The woman, nervous, tall, slender, courted, was supposed to have had many
love adventures. She pleased me with her wit, and I believe that I
pleased her also. I courted her, a trial courting to which she answered
with evident provocations. Soon we got to tender glances, hand
pressures, all the little gallantries which precede the final attack.
"Nevertheless, I hesitated. I consider that, as a rule, the majority of
society intrigues, however short they may be, are not worth the trouble
which they give us and the difficulties which may arise. I therefore
mentally compared the advantages and disadvantages which I might expect,
and I thought I noticed that the husband suspected me.
"One evening, at a ball, as I was saying tender things to the young woman
in a little parlor leading from the big hall where the dancing was going
on, I noticed in a mirror the reflection of some one who was watching me.
It was he. Our looks met and then I saw him turn his head and walk away.
"I murmured: 'Your husband is spying on us.'
"She seemed dumbfounded and asked: 'My husband?'
"'Yes, he has been watching us for some time:
"'Nonsense! Are you sure?'
"'Very sure.'
"'How strange! He is usually extraordinarily pleasant to all my.
"'Perhaps he guessed that I love you!'
"'Nonsense! You are not the first one to pay attention to me. Every
woman who is a little in view drags behind her a herd of admirers.'
"'Yes. But I love you deeply.'
"'Admitting that that is true, does a husband ever guess those things?'
"'Then he is not jealous?'
"She thought for an instant and then continued: 'No. I do not think that
I ever noticed any jealousy on his part.'
"'Has he never-watched you?'
"'No. As I said, he is always agreeable to my friends.'
"From that day my courting became much more assiduous. The woman did not
please me any more than before, but the probable jealousy of her husband
tempted me greatly.
"As for her, I judged her coolly and clearly. She had a certain worldly
charm, due to a quick, gay, amiable and superficial mind, but no real,
deep attraction. She was, as I have already said, an excitable little
being, all on the surface, with rather a showy elegance. How can I
explain myself? She was an ornament, not a home.
"One day, after taking dinner with her, her husband said to me, just as I
was leaving: 'My dear friend' (he now called me 'friend'), 'we soon leave
for the country. It is a great pleasure to my wife and myself to
entertain people whom we like. We would be very pleased to have you
spend a month with us. It would be very nice of you to do so.'
"I was dumbfounded, but I accepted.
"A month later I arrived at their estate of Vertcresson, in Touraine.
They were waiting for me at the station, five miles from the chateau.
There were three of them, she, the husband and a gentleman unknown to me,
the Comte de Morterade, to whom I was introduced. He appeared to be
delighted to make my acquaintance, and the strangest ideas passed through
my mind while we trotted along the beautiful road between two hedges.
I was saying to myself: 'Let's see, what can this mean? Here is a
husband who cannot doubt that his wife and I are on more than friendly
terms, and yet he invites me to his house, receives me like an old friend
and seems to say: "Go ahead, my friend, the road is clear!"
"'Then I am introduced to a very pleasant gentleman, who seems already to
have settled down in the house, and--and who is perhaps trying to get out
of it, and who seems as pleased at my arrival as the husband himself.
"'Is it some former admirer who wishes to retire? One might think so.
But, then, would these two men tacitly have come to one of these infamous
little agreements so common in society? And it is proposed to me that I
should quietly enter into the pact and carry it out. All hands and arms
are held out to me. All doors and hearts are open to me.
"'And what about her? An enigma. She cannot be ignorant of everything.
However--however--Well, I cannot understand it.'
"The dinner was very gay and cordial. On leaving the table the husband
and his friend began to play cards, while I went out on the porch to look
at the moonlight with madame. She seemed to be greatly affected by
nature, and I judged that the moment for my happiness was near. That
evening she was really delightful. The country had seemed to make her
more tender. Her long, slender waist looked pretty on this stone porch
beside a great vase in which grew some flowers. I felt like dragging her
out under the trees, throwing myself at her feet and speaking to her
words of love.
"Her husband's voice called 'Louise!'
"'Yes, dear.'
"'You are forgetting the tea.'
"'I'll go and see about it, my friend.'
"We returned to the house, and she gave us some tea. When the two men
had finished playing cards, they were visibly tired. I had to go to my
room. I did not get to sleep till late, and then I slept badly.
"An excursion was decided upon for the following afternoon, and we went
in an open carriage to visit some ruins. She and I were in the back of
the vehicle and they were opposite us, riding backward. The conversation
was sympathetic and agreeable. I am an orphan, and it seemed to me as
though I had just found my family, I felt so at home with them.
"Suddenly, as she had stretched out her foot between her husband's legs,
he murmured reproachfully: 'Louise, please don't wear out your old shoes
yourself. There is no reason for being neater in Paris than in the
"I lowered my eyes. She was indeed wearing worn-out shoes, and I noticed
that her stockings were not pulled up tight.
"She had blushed and hidden her foot under her dress. The friend was
looking out in the distance with an indifferent and unconcerned look.
"The husband offered me a cigar, which I accepted. For a few days it was
impossible for me to be alone with her for two minutes; he was with us
everywhere. He was delightful to me, however.
"One morning he came to get me to take a walk before breakfast, and the
conversation happened to turn on marriage. I spoke a little about
solitude and about how charming life can be made by the affection of a
woman. Suddenly he interrupted me, saying: 'My friend, don't talk about
things you know nothing about. A woman who has no other reason for
loving you will not love you long. All the little coquetries which make
them so exquisite when they do not definitely belong to us cease as soon
as they become ours. And then--the respectable women--that is to say our
wives--are--are not--in fact do not understand their profession of wife.
Do you understand?'
"He said no more, and I could not guess his thoughts.
"Two days after this conversation he called me to his room quite early,
in order to show me a collection of engravings. I sat in an easy chair
opposite the big door which separated his apartment from his wife's, and
behind this door I heard some one walking and moving, and I was thinking
very little of the engravings, although I kept exclaiming: 'Oh, charming!
delightful! exquisite!'
"He suddenly said: 'Oh, I have a beautiful specimen in the next room.
I'll go and get it.'
"He ran to the door quickly, and both sides opened as though for a
theatrical effect.
"In a large room, all in disorder, in the midst of skirts, collars,
waists lying around on the floor, stood a tall, dried-up creature. The
lower part of her body was covered with an old, worn-out silk petticoat,
which was hanging limply on her shapeless form, and she was standing in
front of a mirror brushing some short, sparse blond hairs. Her arms
formed two acute angles, and as she turned around in astonishment I saw
under a common cotton chemise a regular cemetery of ribs, which were
hidden from the public gaze by well-arranged pads.
"The husband uttered a natural exclamation and came back, closing the
doors, and said: 'Gracious! how stupid I am! Oh, how thoughtless! My
wife will never forgive me for that!'
"I already felt like thanking him. I left three days later, after
cordially shaking hands with the two men and kissing the lady's fingers.
She bade me a cold good-by."
Karl Massouligny was silent. Some one asked: "But what was the friend?"
"I don't know--however--however he looked greatly distressed to see me
leaving so soon."
The defendants, Cesaire-Isidore Brument and Prosper-Napoleon Cornu,
appeared before the Court of Assizes of the Seine-Inferieure, on a charge
of attempted murder, by drowning, of Mme. Brument, lawful wife of the
first of the aforenamed.
The two prisoners sat side by side on the traditional bench. They were
two peasants; the first was small and stout, with short arms, short legs,
and a round head with a red pimply face, planted directly on his trunk,
which was also round and short, and with apparently no neck. He was a
raiser of pigs and lived at Cacheville-la-Goupil, in the district of
Cornu (Prosper-Napoleon) was thin, of medium height, with enormously long
arms. His head was on crooked, his jaw awry, and he squinted. A blue
blouse, as long as a shirt, hung down to his knees, and his yellow hair,
which was scanty and plastered down on his head, gave his face a worn-
out, dirty look, a dilapidated look that was frightful. He had been
nicknamed "the cure" because he could imitate to perfection the chanting
in church, and even the sound of the serpent. This talent attracted to
his cafe--for he was a saloon keeper at Criquetot--a great many customers
who preferred the "mass at Cornu" to the mass in church.
Mme. Brument, seated on the witness bench, was a thin peasant woman who
seemed to be always asleep. She sat there motionless, her hands crossed
on her knees, gazing fixedly before her with a stupid expression.
The judge continued his interrogation.
"Well, then, Mme. Brument, they came into your house and threw you into a
barrel full of water. Tell us the details. Stand up."
She rose. She looked as tall as a flag pole with her cap which looked
like a white skull cap. She said in a drawling tone:
"I was shelling beans. Just then they came in. I said to myself, 'What
is the matter with them? They do not seem natural, they seem up to some
mischief.' They watched me sideways, like this, especially Cornu,
because he squints. I do not like to see them together, for they are two
good-for-nothings when they are in company. I said: 'What do you want
with me?' They did not answer. I had a sort of mistrust----"
The defendant Brument interrupted the witness hastily, saying:
"I was full."
Then Cornu, turning towards his accomplice said in the deep tones of an
"Say that we were both full, and you will be telling no lie."
The judge, severely:
"You mean by that that you were both drunk?"
Brument: "There can be no question about it."
Cornu: "That might happen to anyone."
The judge to the victim: "Continue your testimony, woman Brument."
"Well, Brument said to me, 'Do you wish to earn a hundred sous?' 'Yes,'
I replied, seeing that a hundred sous are not picked up in a horse's
tracks. Then he said: 'Open your eyes and do as I do,' and he went to
fetch the large empty barrel which is under the rain pipe in the corner,
and he turned it over and brought it into my kitchen, and stuck it down
in the middle of the floor, and then he said to me: 'Go and fetch water
until it is full.'
"So I went to the pond with two pails and carried water, and still more
water for an hour, seeing that the barrel was as large as a vat, saving
your presence, m'sieu le president.
"All this time Brument and Cornu were drinking a glass, and then another
glass, and then another. They were finishing their drinks when I said to
them: 'You are full, fuller than this barrel.' And Brument answered me.
'Do not worry, go on with your work, your turn will come, each one has
his share.' I paid no attention to what he said as he was full.
"When the barrel was full to the brim, I said: 'There, that's done.'
"And then Cornu gave me a hundred sous, not Brument, Cornu; it was Cornu
gave them to me. And Brument said: 'Do you wish to earn a hundred sous
more?' 'Yes,' I said, for I am not accustomed to presents like that.
Then he said: 'Take off your clothes!
"'Take off my clothes?'
"'Yes,' he said.
"'How many shall I take off?'
"'If it worries you at all, keep on your chemise, that won't bother us.'
"A hundred sous is a hundred sous, and I have to undress myself; but I
did not fancy undressing before those two good-for-nothings. I took off
my cap, and then my jacket, and then my skirt, and then my sabots.
Brument said, 'Keep on your stockings, also; we are good fellows.'
"And Cornu said, too, 'We are good fellows.'
"So there I was, almost like mother Eve. And they got up from their
chairs, but could not stand straight, they were so full, saving your
presence, M'sieu le president.
"I said to myself: 'What are they up to?'
"And Brument said: 'Are you ready?'
"And Cornu said: 'I'm ready!'
"And then they took me, Brument by the head, and Cornu by the feet, as
one might take, for instance, a sheet that has been washed. Then I began
to bawl.
"And Brument said: 'Keep still, wretched creature!'
"And they lifted me up in the air and put me into the barrel, which was
full of water, so that I had a check of the circulation, a chill to my
very insides.
"And Brument said: 'Is that all?'
"Cornu said: 'That is all.'
"Brument said: 'The head is not in, that will make a difference in the
"Cornu said: 'Put in her head.'
"And then Brument pushed down my head as if to drown me, so that the
water ran into my nose, so that I could already see Paradise. And he
pushed it down, and I disappeared.
"And then he must have been frightened. He pulled me out and said: 'Go
and get dry, carcass.'
"As for me, I took to my heels and ran as far as M. le cure's. He lent
me a skirt belonging to his servant, for I was almost in a state of
nature, and he went to fetch Maitre Chicot, the country watchman who went
to Criquetot to fetch the police who came to my house with me.
"Then we found Brument and Cornu fighting each other like two rams.
"Brument was bawling: 'It isn't true, I tell you that there is at least a
cubic metre in it. It is the method that was no good.'
"Cornu bawled: 'Four pails, that is almost half a cubic metre. You need
not reply, that's what it is.'
"The police captain put them both under arrest. I have no more to tell."
She sat down. The audience in the court room laughed. The jurors looked
at one another in astonishment. The judge said:
"Defendant Cornu, you seem to have been the instigator of this infamous
plot. What have you to say?"
And Cornu rose in his turn.
"Judge," he replied, "I was full."
The Judge answered gravely:
"I know it. Proceed."
"I will. Well, Brument came to my place about nine o'clock, and ordered
two drinks, and said: 'There's one for you, Cornu.' I sat down opposite
him and drank, and out of politeness, I offered him a glass. Then he
returned the compliment and so did I, and so it went on from glass to
glass until noon, when we were full.
"Then Brument began to cry. That touched me. I asked him what was the
matter. He said: 'I must have a thousand francs by Thursday.' That
cooled me off a little, you understand. Then he said to me all at once:
'I will sell you my wife.'
"I was full, and I was a widower. You understand, that stirred me up.
I did not know his wife, but she was a woman, wasn't she? I asked him:
'How much would you sell her for?'
"He reflected, or pretended to reflect. When one is full one is not very
clear-headed, and he replied: 'I will sell her by the cubic metre.'
"That did not surprise me, for I was as drunk as he was, and I knew what
a cubic metre is in my business. It is a thousand litres, that suited
"But the price remained to be settled. All depends on the quality. I
said: 'How much do you want a cubic metre?'
"He answered: 'Two thousand francs.'
"I gave a bound like a rabbit, and then I reflected that a woman ought
not to measure more than three hundred litres. So I said: 'That's too
"He answered: 'I cannot do it for less. I should lose by it.'
"You understand, one is not a dealer in hogs for nothing. One
understands one's business. But, if he is smart, the seller of bacon, I
am smarter, seeing that I sell them also. Ha, Ha, Ha! So I said to him:
'If she were new, I would not say anything, but she has been married to
you for some time, so she is not as fresh as she was. I will give you
fifteen hundred francs a cubic metre, not a sou more. Will that suit
"He answered: 'That will do. That's a bargain!'
"I agreed, and we started out, arm in arm. We must help each other in
this world.
"But a fear came to me: 'How can you measure her unless you put her into
the liquid?'
"Then he explained his idea, not without difficulty for he was full. He
said to me: 'I take a barrel, and fill it with water to the brim. I put
her in it. All the water that comes out we will measure, that is the way
to fix it.'
"I said: 'I see, I understand. But this water that overflows will run
away; how are you going to gather it up?'
"Then he began stuffing me and explained to me that all we should have to
do would be to refill the barrel with the water his wife had displaced as
soon as she should have left. All the water we should pour in would be
the measure. I supposed about ten pails; that would be a cubic metre.
He isn't a fool, all the same, when he is drunk, that old horse.
"To be brief, we reached his house and I took a look at its mistress. A
beautiful woman she certainly was not. Anyone can see her, for there she
is. I said to myself: 'I am disappointed, but never mind, she will be of
value; handsome or ugly, it is all the same, is it not, monsieur le
president?' And then I saw that she was as thin as a rail. I said to
myself: 'She will not measure four hundred litres.' I understand the
matter, it being in liquids.
"She told you about the proceeding. I even let her keep on her chemise
and stockings, to my own disadvantage.
"When that was done she ran away. I said: 'Look out, Brument! she is
"He replied: 'Do not be afraid. I will catch her all right. She will
have to come back to sleep, I will measure the deficit.'
"We measured. Not four pailfuls. Ha, Ha, Ha!"
The witness began to laugh so persistently that a gendarme was obliged to
punch him in the back. Having quieted down, he resumed:
"In short, Brument exclaimed: 'Nothing doing, that is not enough.' I
bawled and bawled, and bawled again, he punched me, I hit back. That
would have kept on till the Day of judgment, seeing we were both drunk.
"Then came the gendarmes! They swore at us, they took us off to prison.
I want damages."
He sat down.
Brument confirmed in every particular the statements of his accomplice.
The jury, in consternation, retired to deliberate.
At the end of an hour they returned a verdict of acquittal for the
defendants, with some severe strictures on the dignity of marriage, and
establishing the precise limitations of business transactions.
Brument went home to the domestic roof accompanied by his wife.
Cornu went back to his business.
Madame de X. to Madame de L.
ETRETAT, Friday.
My Dear Aunt:
I am coming to see you without anyone knowing it. I shall be at Les
Fresnes on the 2d of September, the day before the hunting season opens,
as I do not want to miss it, so that I may tease these gentlemen. You
are too good, aunt, and you will allow them, as you usually do when there
are no strange guests, to come to table, under pretext of fatigue,
without dressing or shaving for the occasion.
They are delighted, of course, when I am not present. But I shall be
there and will hold a review, like a general, at dinner time; and, if I
find a single one of them at all careless in dress, no matter how little,
I mean to send them down to the kitchen with the servants.
The men of to-day have so little consideration for others and so little
good manners that one must be always severe with them. We live indeed in
an age of vulgarity. When they quarrel, they insult each other in terms
worthy of longshoremen, and, in our presence, they do not conduct
themselves even as well as our servants. It is at the seaside that you
see this most clearly. They are to be found there in battalions, and you
can judge them in the lump. Oh! what coarse beings they are!
Just imagine, in a train, a gentleman who looked well, as I thought at
first sight, thanks to his tailor, carefully took off his boots in order
to put on a pair of old shoes! Another, an old man who was probably some
wealthy upstart (these are the most ill-bred), while sitting opposite to
me, had the delicacy to place his two feet on the seat quite close to me.
This is a positive fact.
At the watering-places the vulgarity is unrestrained. I must here make
one admission--that my indignation is perhaps due to the fact that I am
not accustomed to associate, as a rule, with the sort of people one comes
across here, for I should be less shocked by their manners if I had the
opportunity of observing them oftener. In the office of the hotel I was
nearly thrown down by a young man who snatched the key over my head.
Another knocked against me so violently without begging my pardon or
lifting his hat, coming away from a ball at the Casino, that it gave me a
pain in the chest. It is the same way with all of them. Watch them
addressing ladies on the terrace; they scarcely ever bow. They merely
raise their hands to their headgear. But, indeed, as they are all more
or less bald, it is the best plan.
But what exasperates and disgusts me particularly is the liberty they
take of talking in public, without any kind of precaution, about the most
revolting adventures. When two men are together, they relate to each
other, in the broadest language and with the most abominable comments
really horrible stories, without caring in the slightest degree whether a
woman's ear is within reach of their voices. Yesterday, on the beach, I
was forced to leave the place where I was sitting in order not to be any
longer the involuntary confidante of an obscene anecdote, told in such
immodest language that I felt just as humiliated as indignant at having
heard it. Would not the most elementary good-breeding teach them to
speak in a lower tone about such matters when we are near at hand.
Etretat is, moreover, the country of gossip and scandal. From five to
seven o'clock you can see people wandering about in quest of scandal,
which they retail from group to group. As you remarked to me, my dear
aunt, tittle-tattle is the mark of petty individuals and petty minds.
It is also the consolation of women who are no longer loved or sought
after. It is enough for me to observe the women who are fondest of
gossiping to be persuaded that you are quite right.
The other day I was present at a musical evening at the Casino, given by
a remarkable artist, Madame Masson, who sings in a truly delightful
manner. I took the opportunity of applauding the admirable Coquelin, as
well as two charming vaudeville performers, M---- and Meillet. I met, on
this occasion, all the bathers who were at the beach. It is no great
distinction this year.
Next day I went to lunch at Yport. I noticed a tall man with a beard,
coming out of a large house like a castle. It was the painter, Jean Paul
Laurens. He is not satisfied apparently with imprisoning the subjects of
his pictures, he insists on imprisoning himself.
Then I found myself seated on the shingle close to a man still young, of
gentle and refined appearance, who was reading poetry. But he read it
with such concentration, with such passion, I may say, that he did not
even raise his eyes towards me. I was somewhat astonished and asked the
proprietor of the baths, without appearing to be much concerned, the name
of this gentleman. I laughed to myself a little at this reader of
rhymes; he seemed behind the age, for a man. This person, I thought,
must be a simpleton. Well, aunt, I am now infatuated about this
stranger. Just fancy, his name is Sully Prudhomme! I went back and sat
down beside him again so as to get a good look at him. His face has an
expression of calmness and of penetration. Somebody came to look for
him, and I heard his voice, which is sweet and almost timid. He would
certainly not tell obscene stories aloud in public or knock up against
ladies without apologizing. He is assuredly a man of refinement, but his
refinement is of an almost morbid, sensitive character, I will try this
winter to get an introduction to him.
I have no more news, my dear aunt, and I must finish this letter in
haste, as the mail will soon close. I kiss your hands and your cheeks.
Your devoted niece,
P. S.--I should add, however, by way of justification of French
politeness, that our fellow-countrymen are, when travelling, models of
good manners in comparison with the abominable English, who seem to have
been brought up in a stable, so careful are they not to discommode
themselves in any way, while they always discommode their neighbors.
Madame de L. to Madame de X.
LES FRESNES, Saturday.
My Dear Child:
Many of the things you have said to me are very sensible, but that does
not prevent you from being wrong. Like you, I used formerly to feel very
indignant at the impoliteness of men, who, as I supposed, constantly
treated me with neglect; but, as I grew older and reflected on
everything, putting aside coquetry, and observing things without taking
any part in them myself, I perceived this much--that if men are not
always polite, women are always indescribably rude.
We imagine that we should be permitted to do anything, my darling, and at
the same time we consider that we have a right to the utmost respect, and
in the most flagrant manner we commit actions devoid of that elementary
good-breeding of which you speak so feelingly.
I find, on the contrary, that men consider us much more than we consider
them. Besides, darling, men must needs be, and are, what we make them.
In a state of society, where women are all true gentlewomen, all men
would become gentlemen.
Come now; just observe and reflect.
Look at two women meeting in the street. What an attitude each assumes
towards the other! What disparaging looks! What contempt they throw
into each glance! How they toss their heads while they inspect each
other to find something to condemn! And, if the footpath is narrow, do
you think one woman would make room for another, or would beg pardon as
she sweeps by? Never! When two men jostle each other by accident in
some narrow lane, each of them bows and at the same time gets out of the
other's way, while we women press against each other stomach to stomach,
face to face, insolently staring each other out of countenance.
Look at two women who are acquaintances meeting on a staircase outside
the door of a friend's drawing-room, one of them just leaving, the other
about to go in. They begin to talk to each other and block up all the
landing. If anyone happens to be coming up behind them, man or woman, do
you imagine that they will put themselves half an inch out of their way?
Never! never!
I was waiting myself, with my watch in my hands, one day last winter at a
certain drawing-room door. And, behind me, two gentlemen were also
waiting without showing any readiness, as I did, to lose their temper.
The reason was that they had long grown accustomed to our unconscionable
The other day, before leaving Paris, I went to dine with no less a person
than your husband, in the Champs Elysees, in order to enjoy the fresh
air. Every table was occupied. The waiter asked us to wait and there
would soon be a vacant table.
At that moment I noticed an elderly lady of noble figure, who, having
paid for her dinner, seemed on the point of going away. She saw me,
scanned me from head to foot, and did not budge. For more than a quarter
of an hour she sat there, immovable, putting on her gloves, and calmly
staring at those who were waiting like myself. Now, two young men who
were just finishing their dinner, having seen me in their turn, hastily
summoned the waiter, paid what they owed, and at once offered me their
seats, even insisting on standing while waiting for their change. And,
bear in mind, my fair niece, that I am no longer pretty, like you, but
old and white-haired.
It is we, you see, who should be taught politeness, and the task would be
such a difficult one that Hercules himself would not be equal to it. You
speak to me about Etretat and about the people who indulged in "tittle-
tattle" along the beach of that delightful watering-place. It is a spot
now lost to me, a thing of the past, but I found much amusement therein
days gone by.
There were only a few of us, people in good society, really good society,
and a few artists, and we all fraternized. We paid little attention to
gossip in those days.
As we had no monotonous Casino, where people only gather for show, where
they whisper, where they dance stupidly, where they succeed in thoroughly
boring one another, we sought some other way of passing our evenings
pleasantly. Now, just guess what came into the head of one of our
husbands? Nothing less than to go and dance each night in one of the
farm-houses in the neighborhood.
We started out in a group with a street-organ, generally played by Le
Poittevin, the painter, with a cotton nightcap on his head. Two men
carried lanterns. We followed in procession, laughing and chattering
like a pack of fools.
We woke up the farmer and his servant-maids and farm hands. We got them
to make onion soup (horror!), and we danced under the apple trees, to the
sound of the barrel-organ. The cocks waking up began to crow in the
darkness of the out-houses; the horses began prancing on the straw of
their stables. The cool air of the country caressed our cheeks with the
smell of grass and of new-mown hay.
How long ago it is! How long ago it is! It is thirty years since then!
I do not want you, my darling, to come for the opening of the hunting
season. Why spoil the pleasure of our friends by inflicting on them
fashionable toilettes on this day of vigorous exercise in the country?
This is the way, child, that men are spoiled. I embrace you. Your old
For a long time Jacques Bourdillere had sworn that he would never marry,
but he suddenly changed his mind. It happened suddenly, one summer, at
the seashore.
One morning as he lay stretched out on the sand, watching the women
coming out of the water, a little foot had struck him by its neatness and
daintiness. He raised his eyes and was delighted with the whole person,
although in fact he could see nothing but the ankles and the head
emerging from a flannel bathrobe carefully held closed. He was supposed
to be sensual and a fast liver. It was therefore by the mere grace of
the form that he was at first captured. Then he was held by the charm of
the young girl's sweet mind, so simple and good, as fresh as her cheeks
and lips.
He was presented to the family and pleased them. He immediately fell
madly in love. When he saw Berthe Lannis in the distance, on the long
yellow stretch of sand, he would tingle to the roots of his hair. When
he was near her he would become silent, unable to speak or even to think,
with a kind of throbbing at his heart, and a buzzing in his ears, and a
bewilderment in his mind. Was that love?
He did not know or understand, but he had fully decided to have this
child for his wife.
Her parents hesitated for a long time, restrained by the young man's bad
reputation. It was said that he had an old sweetheart, one of these
binding attachments which one always believes to be broken off and yet
which always hold.
Besides, for a shorter or longer period, he loved every woman who came
within reach of his lips.
Then he settled down and refused, even once, to see the one with whom he
had lived for so long. A friend took care of this woman's pension and
assured her an income. Jacques paid, but he did not even wish to hear of
her, pretending even to ignore her name. She wrote him letters which he
never opened. Every week he would recognize the clumsy writing of the
abandoned woman, and every week a greater anger surged within him against
her, and he would quickly tear the envelope and the paper, without
opening it, without reading one single line, knowing in advance the
reproaches and complaints which it contained.
As no one had much faith in his constancy, the test was prolonged through
the winter, and Berthe's hand was not granted him until the spring. The
wedding took place in Paris at the beginning of May.
The young couple had decided not to take the conventional wedding trip,
but after a little dance for the younger cousins, which would not be
prolonged after eleven o'clock, in order that this day of lengthy
ceremonies might not be too tiresome, the young pair were to spend the
first night in the parental home and then, on the following morning, to
leave for the beach so dear to their hearts, where they had first known
and loved each other.
Night had come, and the dance was going on in the large parlor. 'The two
had retired into a little Japanese boudoir hung with bright silks and
dimly lighted by the soft rays of a large colored lantern hanging from
the ceiling like a gigantic egg. Through the open window the fresh air
from outside passed over their faces like a caress, for the night was
warm and calm, full of the odor of spring.
They were silent, holding each other's hands and from time to time
squeezing them with all their might. She sat there with a dreamy look,
feeling a little lost at this great change in her life, but smiling,
moved, ready to cry, often also almost ready to faint from joy, believing
the whole world to be changed by what had just happened to her, uneasy,
she knew not why, and feeling her whole body and soul filled with an
indefinable and delicious lassitude.
He was looking at her persistently with a fixed smile. He wished to
speak, but found nothing to say, and so sat there, expressing all his
ardor by pressures of the hand. From time to time he would murmur:
"Berthe!" And each time she would raise her eyes to him with a look of
tenderness; they would look at each other for a second and then her look,
pierced and fascinated by his, would fall.
They found no thoughts to exchange. They had been left alone, but
occasionally some of the dancers would cast a rapid glance at them, as
though they were the discreet and trusty witnesses of a mystery.
A door opened and a servant entered, holding on a tray a letter which a
messenger had just brought. Jacques, trembling, took this paper,
overwhelmed by a vague and sudden fear, the mysterious terror of swift
He looked for a longtime at the envelope, the writing on which he did not
know, not daring to open it, not wishing to read it, with a wild desire
to put it in his pocket and say to himself: "I'll leave that till to-
morrow, when I'm far away!" But on one corner two big words, underlined,
"Very urgent," filled him with terror. Saying, "Please excuse me, my
dear," he tore open the envelope. He read the paper, grew frightfully
pale, looked over it again, and, slowly, he seemed to spell it out word
for word.
When he raised his head his whole expression showed how upset he was. He
stammered: "My dear, it's--it's from my best friend, who has had a very
great misfortune. He has need of me immediately--for a matter of life or
death. Will you excuse me if I leave you for half an hour? I'll be
right back."
Trembling and dazed, she stammered: "Go, my dear!" not having been his
wife long enough to dare to question him, to demand to know. He
disappeared. She remained alone, listening to the dancing in the
neighboring parlor.
He had seized the first hat and coat he came to and rushed downstairs
three steps at a time. As he was emerging into the street he stopped
under the gas-jet of the vestibule and reread the letter. This is what
it said:
SIR: A girl by the name of Ravet, an old sweetheart of yours, it
seems, has just given birth to a child that she says is yours. The
mother is about to die and is begging for you. I take the liberty to
write and ask you if you can grant this last request to a woman who
seems to be very unhappy and worthy of pity.
Yours truly, DR. BONNARD.
When he reached the sick-room the woman was already on the point of
death. He did not recognize her at first. The doctor and two nurses
were taking care of her. And everywhere on the floor were pails full of
ice and rags covered with blood. Water flooded the carpet; two candles
were burning on a bureau; behind the bed, in a little wicker crib, the
child was crying, and each time it would moan the mother, in torture,
would try to move, shivering under her ice bandages.
She was mortally wounded, killed by this birth. Her life was flowing
from her, and, notwithstanding the ice and the care, the merciless
hemorrhage continued, hastening her last hour.
She recognized Jacques and wished to raise her arms. They were so weak
that she could not do so, but tears coursed down her pallid cheeks.
He dropped to his knees beside the bed, seized one of her hands and
kissed it frantically. Then, little by little, he drew close to the thin
face, which started at the contact. One of the nurses was lighting them
with a candle, and the doctor was watching them from the back of the
Then she said in a voice which sounded as though it came from a distance:
"I am going to die, dear. Promise to stay to the end. Oh! don't leave
me now. Don't leave me in my last moments!"
He kissed her face and her hair, and, weeping, he murmured: "Do not be
uneasy; I will stay."
It was several minutes before she could speak again, she was so weak.
She continued: "The little one is yours. I swear it before God and on my
soul. I swear it as I am dying! I have never loved another man but you
--promise to take care of the child."
He was trying to take this poor pain-racked body in his arms. Maddened
by remorse and sorrow, he stammered: "I swear to you that I will bring
him up and love him. He shall never leave me."
Then she tried to kiss Jacques. Powerless to lift her head, she held out
her white lips in an appeal for a kiss. He approached his lips to
respond to this piteous entreaty.
As soon as she felt a little calmer, she murmured: "Bring him here and
let me see if you love him."
He went and got the child. He placed him gently on the bed between them,
and the little one stopped crying. She murmured: "Don't move any more!"
And he was quiet. And he stayed there, holding in his burning hand this
other hand shaking in the chill of death, just as, a while ago, he had
been holding a hand trembling with love. From time to time he would cast
a quick glance at the clock, which marked midnight, then one o'clock,
then two.
The physician had returned. The two nurses, after noiselessly moving
about the room for a while, were now sleeping on chairs. The child was
asleep, and the mother, with eyes shut, appeared also to be resting.
Suddenly, just as pale daylight was creeping in behind the curtains, she
stretched out her arms with such a quick and violent motion that she
almost threw her baby on the floor. A kind of rattle was heard in her
throat, then she lay on her back motionless, dead.
The nurses sprang forward and declared: "All is over!"
He looked once more at this woman whom he had so loved, then at the
clock, which pointed to four, and he ran away, forgetting his overcoat,
in the evening dress, with the child in his arms.
After he had left her alone the young wife had waited, calmly enough at
first, in the little Japanese boudoir. Then, as she did not see him
return, she went back to the parlor with an indifferent and calm
appearance, but terribly anxious. When her mother saw her alone she
asked: "Where is your husband?" She answered: "In his room; he is coming
right back."
After an hour, when everybody had questioned her, she told about the
letter, Jacques' upset appearance and her fears of an accident.
Still they waited. The guests left; only the nearest relatives remained.
At midnight the bride was put to bed, sobbing bitterly. Her mother and
two aunts, sitting around the bed, listened to her crying, silent and in
despair. The father had gone to the commissary of police to see if he
could obtain some news.
At five o'clock a slight noise was heard in the hall. A door was softly
opened and closed. Then suddenly a little cry like the mewing of a cat
was heard throughout the silent house.
All the women started forward and Berthe sprang ahead of them all,
pushing her way past her aunts, wrapped in a bathrobe.
Jacques stood in the middle of the room, pale and out of breath, holding
an infant in his arms. The four women looked at him, astonished; but
Berthe, who had suddenly become courageous, rushed forward with anguish
in her heart, exclaiming: "What is it? What's the matter?"
He looked about him wildly and answered shortly:
"I--I have a child and the mother has just died."
And with his clumsy hands he held out the screaming infant.
Without saying a word, Berthe seized the child, kissed it and hugged it
to her. Then she raised her tear-filled eyes to him, asking: "Did you
say that the mother was dead?" He answered: "Yes--just now--in my arms.
I had broken with her since summer. I knew nothing. The physician sent
for me."
Then Berthe murmured: "Well, we will bring up the little one."
"To the Abbe Louis d'Ennemare, at Soissons.
"My Dear Abbe.
"My marriage with your cousin is broken off in the most stupid way, all
on account of an idiotic trick which I almost involuntarily played my
intedded. In my perplexity I turn to you, my old school chum, for you
may be able to help me out of the difficulty. If you can, I shall be
grateful to you until I die.
"You know Gilberte, or, rather, you think you know her, but do we ever
understand women? All their opinions, their ideas, their creeds, are a
surprise to us. They are all full of twists and turns, cf the
unforeseen, of unintelligible arguments, of defective logic and of
obstinate ideas, which seem final, but which they alter because a little
bird came and perched on the window ledge.
"I need not tell you that your cousin is very religious, as she was
brought up by the White (or was it the Black?) Ladies at Nancy. You know
that better than I do, but what you perhaps do not know is, that she is
just as excitable about other matters as she is about religion. Her head
flies away, just as a leaf is whirled away by the wind; and she is a true
woman, or, rather, girl, for she is moved or made angry in a moment,
starting off at a gallop in affection, just as she does in hatred, and
returning in the same manner; and she is pretty--as you know, and more
charming than I can say--as you will never know.
"Well, we became engaged, and I adored her, as I adore her still, and she
appeared to love me.
"One evening, I received a telegram summoning me to Cologne for a
consultation, which might be followed by a serious and difficult
operation, and as I had to start the next morning, I went to wish
Gilberte good-by, and tell her why I could not dine with them on
Wednesday, but would do so on Friday, the day of my return. Ah! Beware
of Fridays, for I assure you they are unlucky!
"When I told her that I had to go to Germany, I saw that her eyes filled
with tears, but when I said I should be back very soon, she clapped her
hands, and said:
"'I am very glad you are going, then! You must bring me back something;
a mere trifle, just a souvenir, but a souvenir that you have chosen for
me. You must guess what I should like best, do you hear? And then I
shall see whether you have any imagination.'
"She thought for a few moments, and then added:
"'I forbid you to spend more than twenty francs on it. I want it for the
intention, and for a remembrance of your penetration, and not for its
intrinsic value:
"And then, after another moment's silence, she said, in a low voice, and
with downcast eyes:
"'If it costs you nothing in money, but is something very ingenious and
pretty, I will--I will kiss you.'
"The next day I was in Cologne. It was a case of a terrible accident,
which had plunged a whole family into despair, and a difficult amputation
was necessary. They lodged me in the house; I might say, they almost
locked me up, and I saw nobody but people in tears, who almost deafened
me with their lamentations; I operated on a man who appeared to be in a
moribund state, and who nearly died under my hands, and with whom I
remained two nights; and then, when I saw that there was a chance of his
recovery, I drove to the station. I had, however, made a mistake in the
trains, and I had an hour to wait, and so I wandered about the streets,
still thinking of my poor patient, when a man accosted me. I do not know
German, and he was totally ignorant of French, but at last I made out
that he was offering me some relics. I thought of Gilberte, for I knew
her fanatical devotion, and here was my present ready to hand, so I
followed the man into a shop where religious objects were for sale, and I
bought a small piece of a bone of one of the Eleven Thousand Virgins.
"The pretended relic was inclosed in a charming old silver box, and that
determined my choice, and, putting my purchase into my pocket, I went to
the railway station, and so on to Paris.
"As soon as I got home, I wished to examine my purchase again, and on
taking hold of it, I found that the box was open, and the relic missing!
I searched in vain in my pocket, and turned it inside out; the small bit
of bone, which was no bigger than half a pin, had disappeared.
"You know, my dear little Abbe, that my faith is not very fervent, but,
as my friend, you are magnanimous enough to put up with my lukewarmness,
and to leave me alone, and to wait for the future, so you say. But I
absolutely disbelieve in the relics of secondhand dealers in piety, and
you share my doubts in that respect. Therefore, the loss of that bit of
sheep's carcass did not grieve me, and I easily procured a similar
fragment, which I carefully fastened inside my jewel-box, and then I went
to see my intended.
"As soon as she saw me, she ran up to me, smiling and eager, and, said to
"'What have you brought me?'
"I pretended to have forgotten, but she did not believe me, and I made
her beg, and even beseech me. But when I saw that she was devoured by
curiosity, I gave her the sacred silver box. She appeared overjoyed.
"'A relic! Oh! A relic!'
"And she kissed the box passionately, so that I was ashamed of my
deception. She was not quite satisfied, however, and her uneasiness soon
turned to terrible fear, and looking straight into my eyes, she said:
"'Are you sure-that it is genuine?'
"'Absolutely certain.'
"'How can you be so certain?'
"I was trapped; for to say that I had bought it of a man in the streets
would be my destruction. What was I to say? A wild idea struck me, and
I said, in a low, mysterious voice:
"'I stole it for you.'
"She looked at me with astonishment and delight in her large eyes.
"'Oh! You stole it? Where?'
"'In the cathedral; in the very shrine of the Eleven Thousand Virgins.'
"Her heart beat with pleasure, and she murmured:
"'Oh! Did you really do that-for me? Tell me-all about it!'
"That was the climax; I could not retract what I had said. I made up a
fanciful story; with precise details: I had given the custodian of the
building a hundred francs to be allowed to go about the building by
myself; the shrine was being repaired, but I happened to be there at the
breakfast hour of the workmen and clergy; by removing a small panel, I
had been enabled to seize a small piece of bone (oh! so small), among a
quantity of others (I said a quantity, as I thought of the amount that
the remains of the skeletons of eleven thousand virgins must produce).
Then I went to a goldsmith's and bought a casket worthy of the relic; and
I was not sorry to let her know that the silver box cost me five hundred
"But she did not think of that; she listened to me, trembling, in an
ecstasy, and whispering: 'How I love you!' she threw herself into my
"Just note this: I had committed sacrilege for her sake. I had committed
a theft; I had violated a church; I had violated a shrine; violated and
stolen holy relics, and for that she adored me, thought me perfect,
tender, divine. Such is woman, my dear Abbe, every woman.
"For two months I was the most admirable of lovers. In her room, she had
made a kind of magnificent chapel in which to keep this bit of mutton
chop, which, as she thought, had made me commit that divine love-crime,
and she worked up her religious enthusiasm in front of it every morning
and evening. I had asked her to keep the matter secret, for fear, as I
said, that I might be arrested, condemned, and given over to Germany, and
she kept her promise.
"Well, at the beginning of the summer, she was seized with an
irresistible desire to see the scene of my exploit, and she teased her
father so persistently (without telling him her secret reason), that he
took her to Cologne, but without telling me of their trip, according to
his daughter's wish.
"I need not tell you that I had not seen the interior of the cathedral.
I do not know where the tomb (if there be a tomb) of the Eleven Thousand
Virgins is; and then, it appears, it is unapproachable, alas!
"A week afterward, I received ten lines, breaking off our engagement, and
then an explanatory letter from her father, whom she had, somewhat late,
taken into her confidence.
"At the sight of the shrine, she had suddenly seen through my trickery
and my lie, and at the same time discovered my real innocence of any
crime. Having asked the keeper of the relics whether any robbery had
been committed, the man began to laugh, and pointed out to them how
impossible such a crime was. But, from the moment that I had not plunged
my profane hand into venerable relics, I was no longer worthy of my fair-
haired, sensitive betrothed.
"I was forbidden the house; I begged and prayed in vain; nothing could
move the fair devotee, and I became ill from grief. Well, last week, her
cousin, Madame d'Arville, who is your cousin also, sent me word that she
should like to see me, and when I called, she told me on what conditions
I might obtain my pardon, and here they are. I must bring her a relic, a
real, authentic relic of some virgin and martyr, certified to be such by
our Holy Father, the Pope, and I am going mad from embarrassment and
"I will go to Rome, if needful, but I cannot call on the Pope
unexpectedly, to tell him my stupid misadventure; and, besides, I doubt
whether they allow private individuals to have relics. Could not you
give me an introduction to some cardinal, or even to some French prelate
who possesses some remains of a female saint? Or, perhaps, you may have
the precious object she wants in your collection?
"Help me out of my difficulty, my dear Abbe, and I promise you that I
will be converted ten years sooner than I otherwise should be!
"Madame d'Arville, who takes the matter seriously, said to me the other
"'Poor Gilberte will never marry.'
"My dear old schoolmate, will you allow your cousin to die the victim of
a stupid piece of subterfuge on my part? Pray prevent her from being
virgin eleven thousand and one.
"Pardon me, I am unworthy, but I embrace you, and love you with all my
"Your old friend,


text:
Japan's casino resort project narrows down three major cities
AS Japan legalized casino gambling late last year, the country has big plans to design a large-scale casino project in a major city.
At the moment, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka are likely candidates under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's detailed strategy to launch a high-profile casino city.
Bloomberg reported most global casino resort operators have indicated interest in building resorts in those three cities, due to their large population sizes and proximity to international airports.
Many operators are keen on large cities to capitalise on their business models.
Marina Bay Sands CEO George Tanasijevich told the business daily, "The location that works best for our business model is the major cities, so we're talking about Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka.
"We need to be in a major city that's connected to a major international airport so we can bring in the millions of people we want to host at our property."
SEE ALSO: Japan finally legalizes casinos, sets stage for large-scale foreign investment
MGM Resorts International executive vice-president of global development Ed Bowers said, "It needs to be in a high-density population area, and obviously the ones to be mentioned are Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama. So we're focused on those three."
Casino.org said as soon as Japan's casino gambling became regulated, entertainment and resort conglomerates pounced on opportunities to invest in casino projects while lobbying took place almost immediately.
The article said large casino suitors such as "Vegas Sands, MGM, Wynn, Galaxy Entertainment, Hard Rock, and Melco are pledging multibillion-dollar investments should they receive necessary licenses".
Japan's casino city will model Las Vegas and other Western projects, with hotels, shops, restaurants, and conference spaces to be built into the resort.
SEE ALSO: From egg tarts to fireworks, casino hub Macau goes all out to draw tourists
However, officials in local towns are concerned the new casino framework leaves them behind in the selection process and "undermines Abe's goal of reviving rural areas".
Yoshinobu Nisaka, governor of Wakayama prefecture in western Japan, said: "The guidelines have changed the power structure between operators and local governments."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
"140 years of friendly relations Kingdom of Tonga - Germany"
We are inviting you to this year's annual conference of the German Pacific Society for a very special occasion. This year we are celebrating the140th anniversary of friendly relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and Germany. We are marking this eventn with a special weekend from the 24 to 26 of June in Arnstadt near Erfurt. In the year 1876 a meeting between representatives of the German Empire and representatives of the Tongan Royal family took place. The result of this event played a historically significant role especially for Tonga. The mutual recognition as independent states provided the conditions for a relative ly independence of the Kingdom of Tonga in the further course of history. Unlike Samoa, Tonga was never fully colonized. But still it can be seen in the daily life of both countries the historical links to Germany, just simply by the spread of many German family names. Even after the world war II this friendship was revived for example by the visit the Tongan King in Germany and by the Treaty of 1978.
In Germany still there are a lot of friends of the Kingdom of Tonga and also vice versa. We want to tell you, you are all cordially invited to celebrate this event with us. We have invited speakers, which allows us to review aspects of the history and the presence of the relations between both countries. Dear Tongans in Germany and Europe you can help this weekend to revive. Please report to email@example.com. A cultural programme is planned and enlightens the image of Tonga here in Germany. We also will show the film "Being Bruno Banani" which portrays a German-Tongan story, that happened only during the last two years.
Unfortunately the originally planned venue Frankfurt could not be realized. Arnstadt, however situated almost exactly in the middle of Germany, has been chosen for this event and might be a suitable place for all of us. Arnstadt is the oldest town in Thuringia and also further east there are no older cities in our country. The hotel is easily accessible by train from Erfurt. Erfurt is an ICE stop on the route Munich-Berlin or Frankfurt-Dresden. By car you can reach the venue from the motorways A4 and A71. The junction of both routes is nearby. Should anyone arriving by plane, so I propose Frankfurt, from there it needs about three hours by train to reach the destination. The nearest regional airport is Erfurt where there are also some compounds.
The hotel provides single and double rooms. In combination with the registration fee the prices for the whole weekend where 2 nights hotel is included is 115 or 140 euros per person. If you do not stay over night in the hote of this event, please pay the fee of 45 euros. On the registration sheet you will find all prices and please tick your needs. Please remit the amounts at the latest by May 30, because we have to pay a deposit. It you require a different number of nights (less or more), then contact us. The preliminary program of the conference will be published soon. If can provide a contributions to the conference, please give us a report. We wish all participants a successful weekend! ... Malo aupito! For questions please contact: email@example.com or call +49-176-36911753
printable version of this invitation
programm of the conference
enrollment form
This invitation is made by the the board of the German Pacific
Venue: Hotel "Krone am Bahnhof", Am Bahnhof 8, D-99310 Arnstadtwww.krone-2000.de
Hier die deutsche Version dieser Einladung


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The parking area is about 5 miles from Gatwick airport. Enjoy the smoothest meet and greet parking service for the flyers using Gatwick Airport. The highly professional and helpful staff is delighted to assist you with the details or any other queries.
The proficient staff is responsible for taking your vehicle from the airport terminal directly to our yard. Upon your return the chauffeur will bring the vehicle back to the terminal.
To find out more about the Best Meet and Greet parking service, please go to our How it Works page.


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Savvy Self-Promotion by Jen Cushman
Today is the day my new book comes ashore from the proverbial boat from China to the F+W (North Light Books' parent company) warehouse to get shipped to all those stores and individuals who thought the subject matter or cover looked interesting enough to pre-order it.
When a book is being promoted, you will hear all sorts of cool things about it. You'll see pictures, read excerpts, and possibly read about a blog hop or other ingenious way to garner excitement. The one thing I never read about, however, is how that book came into being. Since I'm both a new F+W author, as well as someone who's familiar with how publishing works, I thought maybe you might also want to know how a person—possibly yourself—goes about writing a book.
I'm no different from all of the other authors in the F+W family—creative folks who had an idea or a talent and wanted to share it with the world. I, too, followed the process of getting a book published. That means I came up with an idea, made some sample art work (in my case mixed-media jewelry), wrote a proposal and pitched it to Tonia Jenny, longtime acquisitions editor who, thankfully, thought it was a decent book idea.
Tonia and I spoke some more and she asked me to refine the proposal just a tad. Then she went about her job of creating her PI Sheet (project information sheet), the supporting document to the proposal that gets pitched to the Pub Board. My art samples were sent in advance of the review meeting so the folks who who sit on the Pub Board could see them in person. As an artist and potential author, I tended to think of these people as company big wigs who held the fate of my book in their hands. It was like elementary school all over again where I wanted to impress my teachers. In some ways they are like this because it's a core group of people who hold the power to accept or reject book ideas. However, it's not nearly so dramatic.
For these folks, the review meeting is kind of like shopping. There isn't any emotion attached to the other end of that proposal. It's business. What they're looking for are details. Is the book topic solid? Is there a need in the market for it? Is it new or interesting or offers a different viewpoint than other books covering the same subject? Are the projects compelling? Are there enough techniques covered? Is there enough variety? Is there a good mix of beginning, intermediate and some advanced techniques to keep people interested? Also, don't forget the reason for business in the first place; can they make money on the book? No one goes into business hoping to just cover expenses. It's got to be profitable.
The morning of the meeting, I was working from my home office/studio as usual and wondering how it was going. I had asked Tonia if she's ever had a proposal rejected at a review meeting. She assured me that most of the time things go smoothly, but that "yes" rejection is always a possibility. Yikes!
I was so excited to get a text from her saying the book was a go. I got the green-light to continue the process, which was to sign a contract and then make all the deadlines Tonia had set out in her PI sheet. I had about five weeks to make the art projects I had outlined in the proposal and then photograph them. I had asked to do my own photography for the book—something which is not often done—and had received a tentative OK. That meant I needed to send sample photos to Tonia and the Art Director quickly to ensure I was truly capable of taking book-quality photos.
Weekly update meetings with all the wonderful F+W people ensued, which I was not part of and don't really even know about. The working title of my book changed to what you see now after the tech person ran it through Search Engine Optimization and other Internet-related stuff. Editors debated the name and Tonia kept me informed on a need-to-know basis. Honestly, I didn't worry about it. If you want to write a book, my best advice is never be married to your title no matter how great you think it is.
The next step was meeting my manuscript deadline, which came about six weeks after the art deadline. Next, we shot all the step-out photos and I generated the QR codes that I wanted to put into my book. Being a firm believer in social media, I wanted to offer a "bonus" to my readers by embedding QR codes that linked to six videos. After all of this, I was done for a while on my part.
Tonia created a visual thumbprint rough draft of the book for the art department to follow. The images went to Kelly O'Dell, the fabulous graphic designer for my book, for approval and the manuscript went to Tonia for editing and then a copywriter for proofreading. The thumbnail was given to Kelly a few weeks later to complete the designed layout. Tonia wrote the back cover text, which is the most important marketing tool after the cover (She did a fabulous job with everything). The completed files were uploaded to the printing plant in China (99% of all books sold in the United States are printed in China by the way) and here we are: Full circle to Release Date, which is TODAY!
All told, the process took 18 months almost to the date. Writing Making Metal Jewelry was completely do-able and fun. It was nerve wracking sometimes, frustrating others (like when my butane torch broke during step-out shooting), personally enlightening (when I wrote an essay on the perils of perfectionism) and extremely satisfying. I truly wish everyone who has ever wanted to write a book has the chance to do so. It's hard work, not immediately profitable (as in there is no pay other than a small advance while you are doing it) and an incredible personal accomplishment.
When I held my advance author copy in my hands for the first time a few weeks ago, I called Tonia on the phone to thank her, again, for all her hard work. She said to me, "Jen, it's not over. It's just beginning."
And so it is…
Jen Cushman is a natural storyteller who found mixed media art a decade ago and never looked back. She is drawn to the imperfect, the funky, the quirky, the artsy and the authentic: be it people or objects or art. She writes a business advice column for artists at CreateMixedMedia.com and also for Belle Armoire Jewelry. She's also the Director of Education and Marketing for Susan Lenart Kazmer ICE Resin®. To learn more, visit her website www.jencushman.com or follow her blog at www.jencushman.wordpress.com.
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Dr. Beckman did my second gum graph and I would highly recommend him and his team to anyone in need of this procedure. The staff was very warm, and following my procedure he called to make sure i was doing well, and the office even sent me a plant The follow up visits were quick and painless.
Dr. Beckman and everyone I interacted with in this office are amazing. I couldn't have had a better experience. I wouldn't say I enjoyed my gum graft, but given how easy of a process it was from start to finish, thanks to being in such capable hands, I didn't mind it too much. Dr. Bekcman's stitch work is flawless. I think this definitely helped speed up the healing process. Melissa, Dr. Beckman's assistant, has such an engaging personality and I really enjoyed getting to chat with her each time I went in. They are a great team!
Dr. Heller quickly formed an excellent rapport with my kid – really made her feel at ease. The staff is great too – and fit us in when we had an urgent request.
Easy scheduling. Friendly front desk staff. Dr. Heller did a great job for my crown lengthening procedure.
This is a very welcoming office and Dr. Heller is experienced, professional and thorough, and also very engaging. I highly recommend Dr. Heller as well as the staff of Periodontal Associates.


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Before I left my last job, I moved interstate and the company set up a local workplace in a serviced office. We had a room with four desks and a separate meeting room, hosted by one of the dominant providers. Simple and effective, but also spartan and completely soulless. While that certainly wasn't why I left, the thought of working in that office for the foreseeable future wasn't uplifting. At best, a spartan office encourages focus by lacking distractions, but, as humans, we like environments that reflect our personalities and perhaps even our imperfections.
Now take cafés. I love a good one. Not coincidentally, I find that 80% of my work meetings, both internal and external, take place over a coffee in a café. It removes some formality, which encourages more open discussion, and can build better relationships. Sometimes there are almost back-to-back coffees with people through a day. Over-caffeination is a real risk. I also find a cafe an excellent place to work solo, away from office interruptions, and I find my best creative or strategic thinking seems to come from such an environment.
So, the idea… a serviced office in a café. You turn up, maybe to a reserved table, and pay cover charge to the café, maybe $20 an hour. For that you get some decent wi-fi, access to a wireless printer, a power outlet for your laptop or phone charger, and a clean bathroom. The music is discreet, you order drinks and food separately, maybe to a minimum spend. Conduct your business, meet associates and customers, do your work, all in a relaxed environment and without the need to consistently pay your way with coffee and sandwiches. It's not a substitute for a corporate office, but I suspect good enough for many, particularly solo workers or mobile sales reps.
Maybe it exists already, it's just not here yet. Either way, I see opportunity.


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We are very fortunate in having extensive and beautiful grounds at Wellington, including a pond area , wooded areas, a large field, 3 playgrounds, and an allotment and small holdings area housing chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and our tortoises.
George and Mildred are 5 year old Hermann's tortoises. They love to be hand fed and have a real sweet beak for strawberries .
Our two rabbits, Posh and Becks, joined us in March 2016.
Our guinea-pigs, Patsy and Eddie, joined us in June 2016.


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Princess of the mandala (solo piano)
by Colin Spiers (1981)
Score SampleView a sample of the score of this work
$40.05Add to cart
The princess of the mandala : for piano / Colin Spiers.
Library shelf no. 786.28/SPI 1 [Available for loan]
Work Details
Year: 1981
Instrumentation: Piano, metal chain.
Contents note: I. Ice palace -- II. Unutterable word -- III. Crystal rain -- IV. Phantom horseman -- V. The enchanted forest.
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Social Media = Quality Control?May 26th, 2016 |
For those companies trying to figure out how to use emerging and popular social media as part of a new business model, General Motors may have found the answer.
The automaker giant, looking for new and cutting edge way to connect with current customers and improve customer relations, has embraced Twitter and Facebook to connect directly with GM auto owners experiencing issues.
General Motors and Social Media
GM has created a team to scour Twitter, Facebook, and other social network for comments related to GM cars and issues. The team contacts the poster, opens a dialogue about the issue referenced in the status update or post and tries to find an answer for car troubles the user is experiencing. This extends to cars and trucks far beyond their warranty expiration, and has already been a pleasant surprise for many GM owners.
The initiative has been successful enough that GM is adding additional resources to its social media team, including personnel and computing power, to help establish it as a cornerstone of customer service. Other large companies, Amazon and Dell for instance, are using social media to respond to customer issues and resolve problems as well.
Communication with Customers
Recent surveys have shown that 59 percent of social media users have "vented" on their site of choice about poor customer relations. They are quickly replacing other means of communication as a method for potential customers to research the reputation and customer care of company. Technology, travel and retail companies can be sited as companies "ahead of the curve" (and reaping benefits already) in terms of utilizing social media, while utilities, health care and insurance industries have been noted by tech watchers as those quickly falling behind.
The more people rely on social media for their "word of mouth," the more vital it will become for companies to not only serve their customers well in the first place, but establish a solid online presence to maintain relationships.


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New York Trip
August 5, 2010
About 2 weekends ago, I decided to visit New York City. With my luck, It happened to be the hottest time of the year. Nevertheless, I had a great time. I had a friend that's kind enough to take me around town and be an excellent tour guide. Here are some of the pictures and my mini adventure. I haven't had a chance to post them until today. Each picture can be clicked to see a bigger version.
One Response to "New York Trip"
November 27, 2010 at 6:11 am
Hmmm blog ini sudah ceasing?


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MLS Number: 24565
List Price: $139,000
Type: Vacant Lot, Undeveloped
Acreage Range: 6-10 acres
City: Laurel-County
Area: Rural Jones County
Elementary School: WEST JONES
Middle School: WEST JONES
High School: WEST JONES
Lot Size: 10.25
Apx Total Acres: 10
Suitable Use: Residential, Multi-Family, Investment, Farm, Timber
Topography: Level, Gently Rolling
Timber: Mixed
Stream/Ponds: None
Development: Other-See Remarks
Water: Community
Fence: None
Farm Improvements: None
Public Remarks: This beautiful tract of land is located in near the city limits of Laurel, but maintains the country atmosphere. This property is perfect for single owner or development. Within 1/2 mile from very prominent subdivision and easy access to highways. A great opportunity. Property could be cleared and divided into over 20 lots. Mature timber has estimated value of near $ 30, 000


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You know we have had our last cold spell of the season when manatees leave their winter refuges and head out across Tampa Bay in search of food. Large numbers of these protected marine mammals are now on the move, so boaters need to slow down in posted areas and obey speed limits. State law enforcement officers have increased patrols in these critical feeding areas and are strictly enforcing seasonal regulations, which took effect April 1 and run through Nov. 15 in manatee protection zones. Manatee zones and maps are available at myfwc.com/manatee, where you can select "Protection Zones" for links to county maps. Boaters can help by wearing polarized sunglasses, which make it easier to spot manatees. Another way to spot a feeding manatee is to watch for the circular slicks on the surface of the water. To learn more about Florida's manatees, visit myfwc.com/manatee. To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC's wildlife alert hotline toll-free at 1-888-404-3922.
DESTINATION: Ocala ATV
Ocala National Forest is known for its backpacking trails, great campgrounds and world-class freshwater springs, but it is also a haven for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts (dirt bike, ATV and four-wheel drive). With more than 200 miles of off-road motorcycle and ATV trails, as well as another 81 miles for off-road Jeeps and other four-wheel drive vehicles, Ocala is a dirt lover's dream. Many of the trials run through one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet: the Big Scrub. Comprised of the largest contiguous area of sand pine in the world, this trail has a speed limit so riders can check out the wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey and the occasional black bear. Go to fs.usda.gov/ocala or pick up brochures at the Ocala National Forest visitors center. Learn the do's and don'ts of the area you are going to ride. Rules and regulations may vary from trail to trail. Remember, the trails are two-way and primitive. Be ready for blind turns, downed trees, overhanging branches, mud, sand and loose soil. Some trees bear bark scars from those who went too fast. More tips at atvsafety.org.
Spring is the best time to fish for the legendary "Florida bucketmouth:" the largemouth bass. The live bait of choice for most anglers is the golden shiner, fished under a cork. When it comes to artificial lures, the weedless, or Texas-rigged, plastic worm is the most popular. Jerk worms, spinner baits, crank baits and topwater plugs will also work under a variety of conditions. A simple spinning outfit rigged with 12- to 15-pound test will work in most Florida lakes. Bass typically hang around structures such as grass beds or submerged logs, so you will need a sturdy outfit to keep from losing fish. But keep in mind, bass regulations will change this summer: As of July 1, new rules will eliminate the three zones that currently regulate bass along with 42 site-specific regulations. Anglers have lobbied for years for simplified regulations, and in a nutshell, here they are: You will still be able to keep up to five bass of any size, but only one bass 16 inches or longer per day. For more information, go to myfwc.com.
This HydroFlask container will keep your water ice-cold on a hot day at the beach or your coffee out-of-the-pot hot after it's been sitting in the hull of your kayak all day in the middle of winter. Cool colors, decent price ($33.95 as pictured); it's a good buy for the buck.


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Airliner manufacturer Boeing has released the 2012 Pilot and Technician Outlook, a respected industry forecast of the need for aviation personnel.
Boeing projects the world will face an unprecedented demand for airline pilots and maintenance technicians over the next 20 years as global economies expand and airlines take delivery of tens of thousands of new commercial airplanes.
The Boeing outlook indicates that by 2031 the world will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots and 601,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians.
North American alone will require 69,000 new airline pilots to fly for the airline industry.
"In many regions of the world, our customers are facing challenges in recruiting personnel due to pilot and technician shortages," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "Boeing is committed to developing innovative solutions that address this critical need by leveraging our knowledge, expertise and experienced global team to give our customers and the industry the training advantage they need to succeed."


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NeoCon 2009: EMU Advanced Collection
June 23, 2009
Emu has collaborated with noteworthy designers including Jean-Marie Massaud, and Patricia Urquiola to create the Advanced Collection. This line offers designers an artful and durable option for outdoor furniture.
Heaven Collection by Jean-Marie Massaud. White powder-coated metal is woven to create airy silhouettes to create a feeling of weightlessness.
Re-Trouve by Patricia Urquiola. This collection is a interpretation of the traditional garden chair, but plays with pattern and color in Urquiola's signature style.


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Chromebook Insurance Coverage
The insurance program is voluntary, but families are highly encouraged to participate. If insurance is not purchased at the time of device acceptance, parents/guardians are responsible for the full cost of any repair/replacement of all damage to/loss of the Chromebook. Only damaged charge cords will be covered by insurance (not lost or stolen). Cases will not be supplied. The Chromebook has rubberized corners and is drop resistant, however, we still suggest the use of a case of your choice. Cases for Chromebooks will not be a requirement of the insurance policy.
Typical NON-INSURED Repair/Replacement Costs:
Chromebook (Complete) - $175
Charge Cord - $20
Screen - $65
Wi-Fi Cord - $30
Keyboard - $30
Touchpad - $25
Battery - $45
Motherboard - $95
Insurance Coverage (Acts of intentional damage will not be covered by insurance, and the insurance policy will be voided.)
Below are the percentages per incident that the purchased insurance will cover. This includes damage or loss (including theft**). Exact repair/replacement costs will be determined at the time of the repair. Insurance can only be purchased once per school year.
First Incident - 100%
Second Incident - 50%
Third Incident - 0%
**Insurance claims of theft must include a completed Broken Arrow Police Report or School Resource Officer Report, signed by a parent.
No Refunds. No Prorating.
Insurance must be purchased BEFORE the student takes possession of the Chromebook device. Once a student has been issued their device, insurance will only be issued after the device is thoroughly examined by the ChromeDesk and no damage/breakage has taken place at the time of insurance being purchased. Insurance cannot be purchased after damage to the device has already occurred. Students will retain the Chromebook model throughout their education at Broken Arrow Public Schools. If the model needs to be replaced at any point, it will be the same model as originally issued.


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Stewardship Ministry Codes
- S1. Collect the offering (ushers).
- S2. Offer Financial Consultation.
- S3. Write Thank You Cards to First-Time Givers.
- S4. Write Thank You Cards for Special Giving.
Courtland United Methodist Church
22416 Main Street
Courtland Va 23837
We believe that one of the most important areas of our spiritual lives is the area of finances. Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Therefore, when we help people to be faithful to God financially, we help them to be faithful in all other areas of their relationship with Christ. Volunteer opportunities in the area of stewardship are one way to support others in their giving, and grow in your own stewardship practices.


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Unlocking value in africa
How do we unlock value?
We do this in many ways. For instance, we do it when we figure out the mobile entry strategy for a bank operating in a fast-growing market. When we provide a litigation-proof analytical foundation for a regulator wishing to reduce mobile-phone termination rates, saving low-income consumers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. We unlock value when we devise a horticulture strategy for a large East African country that can create 100 000 jobs. We unlock value when our analysis prompts the restructuring of a water scheme to serve thousands more households in more needy areas. These are just four examples drawn from our large archive of case studies.
More highlight projects that have unlocked value for our clients
Short list of bidders released for multi-billion Kenyan hostels project
Five joint ventures and a Chinese firm have been shortlisted for construction of 23 400 multi-billion shilling hostel units at Moi, Embu and South Eastern Kenya (Seku) universities.
The approval of the three projects follows a detailed analysis by a consortium of transaction advisers led by the South Africa-based consultancy, Genesis Analytics.
The consortium developed the transaction documents and will execute the contracts.
Learning partner for ASISA Foundation
Genesis was appointed the learning partner for the ASISA Foundation, which was established by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) to implement consumer financial education initiatives on behalf of the industry.Read More
HIV prevention strategy for the Gates Foundation
The HIV prevention field is changing rapidly as treatment becomes widely available and as new prevention technologies reach the market. The BMGF commits significant funding to healthcare and HIV, and needs to decide whether its strategic focus areas are appropriate in this changing landscape.Read More
New costing model for top-tier SA bank
A top-tier South African bank, under increasing cost pressure, needed to relook at the costs of its shared services and allocation methodology. The Genesis team developed a revised cost recovery model that the bank will be implementing in the new financial year.Read More
Financial model sets new mobile termination rates
'Termination rates' are the prices telecommunications operators pay each other to terminate calls originating on each other's networks (for example, when an MTN customer calls a Vodacom customer, MTN pays a termination fee to Vodacom). For a variety of pro-competitive reasons, regulators around the world set these rates equal to the costs operators incur to provide termination services to each other.Read More
Access to finance for 12 000 small-scale farmers
Genesis was commissioned by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT) to develop and pilot financial products suitable for direct access by smallholder farmers. Small-scale farming is the backbone of the rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe but the farmers often struggle to access finance for agricultural production, locking them into low input- low output production modelsRead More
Genesis is lead in hostel plan for 35000 Kenyan students
Genesis is the lead partner in a consortium that has been retained to provide transaction advisory services for the development of hostels for 35000 students at five universities in Kenya.Read More
Milestone in the history of Genesis Analytics
Genesis Analytics turned 20 in February. Stephan Malherbe founded the firm in February 1998 with a staff of two in a 59 square-metre office in the Johannesburg suburb of Blairgowrie.
The firm was the first specialist microeconomics consultancy in South Africa and we have since expanded into eight practices, employing more than 120 people in Africa.
Genesis continues to spread its wings
Our London colleagues moved into their new offices in July this year.
Getting down to work are Sarah Chan from our Health practice and Noel Verrinder and Caitlin Smit, who work for Evaluation for Development.
Debby Nixon, who also works for Evaluation for Development, works out of Oxford.
Current job opportunities
We are looking for passionate, self-motivated and energetic problem-solvers with analytics skills and an excellent academic record.
Genesis recruits graduates and experienced professionals as well as specialists for specific projects. We are currently recruiting:
Member of the Aspen Network
Genesis in the News
Airbnb in South Africa: the numbers
The importance of paper & pens in nudging
Recycling effluent key in bid to avert drought in SA
10 things we didn't know about Trudi Makhaya, Cyril Ramaphosa's new economic advisor
Media predatory-pricing ruling brings clarity to competition law
New law proposes to raise drinking age to 21. Will it work?
Amendments may impact independence of competition authorities
University hostels to be built and maintained on a PPP
Better banking through technology
Can in-school youth be taught to be entrepreneurs? Evidence from a study by Genesis in South Africa
More funding, programmes needed for HIV prevention
Mutamba reviews case for climate-smart agriculture
Newly formed Arise makes two African banking investments
Sign up for Genesis News


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Astros 3, Angels 2
HOUSTON — Carlos Correa hit a two-run single to right-centerfield with no outs in the ninth inning for the Astros. After Huston Street loaded the bases with two walks and an infield single, Correa laced a 3-2 pitch into the gap, scoring George Springer and Marwin Gonzalez. Houston improved to 36-36, moving to .500 for the first time since it was 1-1 on April 6.


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Dementia Friends
18/12/14 11:38
We had a very interesting information session exploring what it's like to live with dementia. It was given by Mandy from Age UK Peterborough.
Dementia Friends is a national initiative run by the Alzheimer's Society. There are approximately 685,000 people living with dementia in the UK and over 17,000 are under the age of 65. There are 5 things you should know about dementia:
1. it is not a natural part of growing old
2. It is caused by diseases of the brain – the most common of these is Alzheimer's.
3. It is not just about losing your memory – it can affect thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks
4. It is possible to live well with it
5. There is more to a person than the dementia
If you know of anyone who is feeling confused, agitated or forgetful, it may be a good idea to visit the GP.
If you want to know more about dementia, go to http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. If you are concerned about dementia, contact the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or the local branch of the Alzheimer's Society.
Peterborough has just recently opened its new Dementia Resource Centre and the Peterborough Dementia Action Alliance is a partnership of organisations working together to transform the quality of life of people with dementia, helping the city to become a dementia friendly community.
The Bobby Scheme has already given talks to a number of dementia groups set up across the county and we are always willing to do more!
All four of us are now Dementia Friends and we will be actively helping people with dementia feel more included in their local communities


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Nina Catharina Hagen is one of the big personalities in modern music, and her popularity sprung out of the punk rock movement, but with far more talent and intelligence than a lot of other artists at the time. Maybe that is why she's still relevant.
Personally I discovered Nina Hagen through a radio program in 1979. As if that isn't enough, my mother then went out and bought Unbehagen for me. That was a real shock, since I didn't think that my parents understood anything about punk. To be perfectly honest I still don't think they do, but then again, they see things in Benny Goodman I don't.
Nina was born March 11, 1955 in East Berlin to Hans and Eva Maria Hagen. Hans was a famous script writer and Eva Maria a very popular actress. They split up when Nina was only 2 and Wolf Biermann became her step father.
Following her mother around Nina became a child star and hence could get away with behaviour that wouldn't have been accepted in East Germany otherwise. However, at the age of 12 the youth organisation FDJ had had enough and ousted her in a dishonourable fashion. In 1972 she applied to the State Acting School, but was not admitted.
This prompted her to go touring with a band in Poland for a while, where she performed songs by "decadent" western singers such as Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. When she came back she was admitted to a training course with the Central Bureau of Entertainment Music. When I grew up I was told that she was a trained opera singer, but then again, you're always told a lot of erroneus facts when you're young.
1974 was a big year for Nina. First she won a prize as best new singer of the year in Karl-Marx-Stadt, and got to act in her first movie, ABC der Liebe. The following year that success was followed up with yet another movie, Junge, heute ist Freitag. This propelled Nina to a super star for the German Democratic Republic youth.
In 1977 Nina and her mother moved to West Germany to join Wolf Biermann, who had been deported in November of the previous year. He helped Nina to get a record contract with CBS and she did some experimenting in Reggae and Punk. At the end of 1977 she formed The Nina Hagen Band. They toured Germany and caused an enourmous uproar with their attack on the idyllic sub-urban myth. Nina's outrageous performances and impressive singing voice didn't make them any less notorious. The fame spread throughout Europe where The Nina Hagen Band was considered the hottest band after the Sex Pistols.
In true punk fashion the band split during their first European tour. Contractual obligations meant that they still recorded Unbehagen together. Nina went to Amsterdam where she made a film, Cha Cha, with Herman Brood. Nina's notoriety increased all the time, but very little because of her music. Mostly it was because of her public performances, like simulating masturbation on Austrian television.
Nina's musical journey didn't take off again until she went to the US to work with Benett Glotzer. Here she created a few good albums, but her increasingly outrageous talk of God and UFOs combined with an enourmous brightly coloured mohawk hairdo sent her into obscurity. I would blame the public's eternal desire for the next new thing... Nina, however, continued working with more political issues, like anti-apartheid and against wearing fur.
In 1988 Nina moved from CBS to Polygramm, and took a step back to her roots, at least in a musical sense. She released "Nina Hagen", which is full of her rather raw rock'n'roll. Once the album was released she, and her daughter Cosma Shiva, moved to Paris where she befriended among others Jean-Paul Gaultier, who helped her modify her image.
At this point Nina had a problem getting much attention. Her old fans had left her and she couldn't get enough attention to get new ones. But as a gift from above, Raisa Gorbachova invited her to come to Moscow for a women's festival in the end of 1990. The year after saw her first album in a long time liked by fans and critics alike, Street.
Starting with her following album, Revolution Ballrom, Nina got more into Indian religion and philosophy. From 1993 onwards she's been travelling around India, spending significant amount of time in an Ashram near Tibet, raising money for a hospital by selling her belongings, and in 1999 recording Om Namah Shivay. Not that this has stopped her from participating in other projects. For example, in 1998 she toured through Germany with a show celebrating the 100th anniversary of Berthold Brecht's birth.
The last three years she has spent creating a new album, The Return of the Mother, where she has written, produced and performed. She also recorded the official song for EXPO 2000 in Hannover, Schön ist die Welt. As you can tell she has calmed down a lot in recent years. I would say this is due to three major influences, namely her Indian experience, her daughter Cosma Shiva (1981) and her son Otis (1990).
In 2001one of Nina's close friends and ex-lover, Herman Brood, killed himself in Amsterdam. The irony is that she couldn't come to his funeral because of a previous engagement. Then when a celebration party in his honour was arranged on November 5, 2001 in Paradiso, Amsterdam, her son got an ear infection, and she had to go with him to hospital. Tragic. Anyway, she is coming to Paradiso in December, and I hope I can be there.
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|In my timezone its
Monday, 24. Sep
Tuesday, 25. Sep
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Wednesday, 26. Sep
If you were born on 24th October 1945., your age is Seventy-Two years and Three Hundred and Thirty-Six days. 26634 days passed since day of Your birth (or 3804.9 weeks). But you are not alone with this! In world 298000 babies was born on that day.
You were born on Wednesday , and your zodiac sign is Scorpio.
You haven't had birthday in this year yet., next birthday will be in 29 days. Your previous birthday was 336 days ago.
The "big bum" was on ≈31st January 1945. (if you were born on time), but for details, ask your parents, they may have some interesting story for that day ;-)
We found 5 event that happened on 24. October 1945.
• Alan Titus, American opera singer [category: Births]
• Anthony Christian, English painter [category: Births]
• Gérald Larose, Canadian educator and union leader [category: Births]
• Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian soldier and politician (b. 1887) [category: Deaths]
• Founding of the United Nations [category: Events]
Click here, if you want to see what happened more on 24. October date (Not only in 1945. year).
If Your birthday is on 24. October 1945, check below your Physical, Emotional and Intellectual biorhythm calculator for next 20 days. What is biorhythm? Read more on FAQ page.