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The Daily Mail informed us today that aggressive behaviour 'doubles risk of stroke' and that 'being aggressive, quick tempered and impatient can increase the risk of stroke as much as smoking'.
This headline conjures up the old saying to 'burst a blood vessel' when angry, and is based on a small study that compared people admitted to hospital with a stroke with healthy people.
Researchers aimed to investigate whether particular behaviours such as feeling stressed or depressed and a 'type A personality' increased the risk of stroke in a population aged below 65 years living in Madrid.
A type A personality have been described as being aggressive, highly strung, organised and competitive.
They found that people reporting higher scores on a stress scale and type A personality checklist were slightly more than twice as likely to have a stroke than their 'non-stressed' counterparts.
However, this study provided little evidence to suggest that aggressive behaviour increases the risk of stroke as there were significant limitations. This included that the majority of people who took part in the study were urban-dwelling Spanish people under the age of 65 – so the result may not translate to other groups.
Also the study is prone to what is known as recall bias – that is people recovering from a stroke are arguably more likely to think that feelings of stress contributed to their ill health than healthy people (who may also be stressed but tend to not to dwell on it).
While a link between stress and stroke is plausible, this study alone does not provide firm evidence that stress causes stroke.
The study was carried out by researchers from various Spanish Universities and other institutions. It was funded by the Spanish Health Research Foundation within the European Regional Development Fund. The study was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
Despite the exaggerated headlines, the story itself is covered appropriately by the Mail.
This was a case-control study which looked at the link between reported 'psychosocial stress' (chronic stress) and risk of having a stroke in people younger than 65 years living in Madrid, Spain.
A case-control study compares people who have a condition of interest (cases) with those who do not (controls). The past histories and characteristics of the two groups are examined to see how they differ. This type of study is often used to identify risk factors for rare medical conditions.
Arguably, as stroke is fairly common, a more useful study design would have been a cohort study which assessed the characteristics of a large group of people and then followed them over time to examine how factors such as stress impacted on their health outcomes.
Being a case control where the 'cases' already had a stroke, this study is limited by the fact that it only included a select population of people with stroke. It had to exclude people with more severe stroke and resulting speech and language problems who could not take part.
A cohort study that assessed people prior to stroke would be able to include people with all types of stroke, and would also decrease the possibility of biased reporting on stress (recall bias) by people who have already had a stroke.
The researchers recruited 150 patients aged between 18 and 65 years that were admitted on a consecutive basis to a Stroke Unit in Madrid with a diagnosis of stroke (considered as cases).
The cases' ability to answer study questions was assessed and if they were unable to, answers from a family member or carer were sought (although these patients were excluded in the main analysis).
For the control group, 300 people were randomly selected from the same district in Madrid and any that had a previous stroke were excluded. Cases who were able to then completed questionnaires during interviews in the week following the stroke. Controls were assessed by face-to-face interviews.
To determine each participant's psychophysical (chronic) stress, scores were combined from different questionnaires that assessed:
Behaviour patterns were also assessed by questionnaire with total scores varying between 8 and 35, and a score of 24 or higher indicating a pattern of type A behaviour. Other risk factors for stroke were also assessed including:
Characteristic details such as age, gender, education level, sleep disorders and whether the participant had a job, partner or children, were also taken into consideration and appropriate statistical analysis was carried out.
The average age of participants was 53.8 for cases and 53.6 for controls. Following adjustment for confounders the main findings from this study were:
Other factors that were also independently associated with increased risk of stroke were:
No significant differences were seen for other measures of general health.
The researchers conclude that, compared to healthy individuals, stressful habits and 'type A behaviour' are associated with a high risk of stroke. The effect of these stresses was comparable in men and women.
In discussing the study findings, lead researcher Dr Jose Antonio Egido said 'patterns of behaviour can reflect the capacity to adapt to a stressful life'. He added that addressing the influence of psychosocial factors such as stress on stroke could help to prevent stroke in people considered to be at-risk and 'warrants further investigation'.
Overall, this study provides little evidence that aggressive behaviour 'increases risk of stroke'. There are some important limitations to this study, primarily due to the case-control study design:
High stress has often been linked to increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, so the link is plausible, but overall the headline in the Daily Mail is not supported by these research findings alone.
Further research, ideally involving a larger cross-section of the population and carried out on a cohort study basis, would possibly provide a more accurate picture of how emotions such as stress and aggression contribute towards stroke risk.
The best known way to reduce risk of stroke is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, take regular exercise and avoid smoking and excess alcohol.
Read more about reducing your stroke risk.
Anyone concerned about feelings of anger, depression of anxiety should see their GP.


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No wonder all-season tires have become the most popular tires. Not only are the best handling tires but they also offer the best fuel economy. These tires allow for optimal handling and can be used all year round in many areas of the United States. In addition, there have been many new innovations in all-season tires like more miles, less noise, predictable handling for different conditions, driving safety and aquaplaning indicators, as well as aquaplaning protection. No wonder these tires have become the preferred choice for many drivers. It is also the tires placed on most new vehicles. With so many new innovations in tread pattern design it allows for improved handling and performance. They are the best performing tire for all year-round use with the exception of winter. In addition, they are the best choice for hybrid or electrical cars due to their low rolling resistance.
Only if living in an area with severe winters do the all-season tires need to be replaced by dedicated winter tires in the winter. This is because even though the name all-season tires imply their use in all seasons, this is in fact, not the case. The all-season tires do not hold the "Three Peak Mountain Snowflake" emblem, which indicates that they have met certain required performance criteria in snow testing and therefore considered severe snow service rated. Without this emblem their use in winter is not recommended.
The fact that the all-season tires are not for winter road conditions is the same reason why they are the better choice for the other seasons of the year, since their tread is not as aggressive and thereby have lower rolling resistance. The flexibility of the all-season tires gives a tire that performs equally well on wet and dry surfaces. This is particularly important in areas with shifting weather and helps to protect against hydroplaning due to unexpected showers. Also, in some areas of the United States the weather can be unpredictable, and it is therefore important to make sure that you have a good set of tires that can handle occasional rain and wind while still remaining stable in high winds.
In addition, these tires have low rolling resistance which helps reduce fuel costs.
All-season tires are a great option for all year-round driving especially in areas of the United States with milder weather. They are able to deal with unpredictable weather, performing equally well on both dry and wet surfaces. Which all-season tires to choose depends on what kind what kind of car you drive and what kind of driving you intend to do. It should also be considered where you live, as all-season tires are not ideal for severe winters. If you do reside in an area with severe winters, then the best choice would be to change into winter tires before the first snowfall or if no change over is desired then all-weather tires might be a better option.
For more information regarding all-season tires, visit nokiantires.com

subset: commoncrawl


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South Africa's road infrastructure is excellent, so driving is a viable option but it does need to be carefully planned. South Africa is a big country and many travel agents have made the mistake of booking visitors on a day trip which they think is a 3-hour drive from their previous night's accommodation only to find that it is, in fact, a drive of more than 12 hours.
This really has happened so do make sure you don't fall into the same trap. Also - even if you do leave sufficient time for a trip in the itinerary, check to see if the visitors are used to travelling long distances. If not, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.
In South Africa we drive on the left-hand side of the road and rental cars are right-hand drive. Most rental cars are manual or floorshift so check to see if they want an automatic. These are a bit more expensive.
All distances and speed limits are given in kilometres. The speed limit is 120km/h on the open road, 100km/h on smaller roads and 80 or 60km/h in urban areas.
Be aware that the roads in some rural areas are not fenced so you could find dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road, so it may be dangerous to drive at night. All the major car rental agencies have offices at the airports and in the cities.
Warn visitors to the country that if they are caught committing a traffic offence, e.g., speeding, they may have to pay the fine before they continue, as their driver's licence will make it clear that they are not likely to be in South Africa to go through the usual, rather long-winded process of collecting fines.
For the adventurous, there are some fun options. Renting a motorcycle is one, as is renting a four wheel drive, mobile home, or open top roadster. It is, after all, a holiday.


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Parallel Groove Connectors AL/AL Type - 3
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June 18, 2020
Communications Service Providers Hold the Key to Unlock the Future Home Ecosystem, According to New Book from Accenture
"The Future Home in the 5G Era" provides a roadmap for companies eager to make connected living a reality at a time when we need it most
NEW YORK; June 18, 2020 – Communications service providers (CSPs), such as wireless network operators, incumbent telecommunications companies, cable network businesses and internet service providers, will be central in the ecosystem needed to deliver on the promise of seamless and purpose-built digital services in the Future Home, according to a new book from Accenture.
The Future Home in the 5G Era: Next Generation Strategies and Business Models for Hyper-Connected Living — from Accenture industry experts Jefferson Wang and Boris Maurer — was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but details a Future Home concept that is built on a foundation of human needs that have only come into more focus as the global crisis develops.
The book paints a picture of hyper-connected homes that offer personalized services from home for remote-work and learning, healthcare and telemedicine, social communications, immersive entertainment, community relations, childcare and advanced aging care. Coupled with CSPs' history of trusted consumer relationships and technology capabilities, specifically with 5G, will enable them to create new business models that drive platform-based innovation and reinvent customer experiences within the Future Home walls and out.
"The recent challenges spurred by the COVID-19 global pandemic have only highlighted the importance of the home. More of the global population now works from home, educates children at home, games and entertains and even interacts with doctors at home. This changes the definition of the home and CSPs can mobilize to adapt to these changes to play a critical role in supporting consumers, businesses and governments in the Future Home," said Jefferson Wang, Global 5G Offering Co-Lead and Managing Director, Technology Strategy & Advisory at Accenture.
While the global pandemic will likely force a change in the deployment of 5G networks, connectivity to 5G wireless technology on a large scale — as with any new technology adoption curve — has remained several years away. However, as adoption gets underway, consumer lifestyles will be intensely assisted by intelligent digital technologies 5G will facilitate and will make the Future Home a radical departure from today's standards of digital sophistication with new, high quality digital services in its ecosystem.
NEWS: To build the #5GFutureHome, businesses must shift their approach to connectivity and innovation. A new book from Accenture shows how.
The Future Home ecosystem must include both technology systems from device manufacturers, platform providers and app designers as well as input from companies that address increasingly critical consumer needs as healthcare and consumer goods sectors. The book delves into how partners can best work together to create and secure the Future Home, with CSPs in the prime position to be central enablers of that diverse ecosystem.
"The trend toward integrating home, work, care, play and other needs into a new digital lifestyle under one roof is making the demand for the Future Home greater than ever; as is the need to safeguard its construction and dwellers," said Boris Maurer, Managing Director, Communications & Media Industry Lead for Europe at Accenture. "The broad ecosystem that must come together to reinvent, shape and design products and services for the Future Home must also deliver, manage and store these solutions in a trustworthy way. All partners must put cloud, data privacy and security at the center of their strategies."
For CSPs to assume this new leadership position of ecosystem orchestrator, the book highlights the key steps they must take to transform the structure and culture of their businesses, mastering competitive agility as they execute with equal strength across growth, profitability, sustainability and trust. These include:
- Reinvent the front office digitally to create a proactive, real-time customer experience, giving consumers a sense of control over their Future Home.
- Revamp the back office to become lean and agile, supporting the innovative, dynamic business models required and their high frequency customer interactions.
- Train staff in the radically new skills they'll need to operate effectively in this new service world.
- Adopt rapid product development to keep pace with the ever-changing demands of Future Home users.
- Build agile technology platforms that can scale rapidly and accommodate ecosystems involving a wide array of partners.
- Activate a pervasive connectivity layer which binds 5G and all the other elements together to provide the ubiquitous connectivity required to power the Future Home.
"By putting human needs at the core of their strategy, CSPs can become the ecosystem orchestrator needed for the future to start taking shape today. They hold the key to transforming the fragmented digital infrastructure of our homes, and provision the seamless future that serves our expanding in-home needs while also driving lasting business growth," Wang added.
The Future Home in the 5G Era, is published by Kogan Page and was released in April 2020 with contributions from industry experts George Nazi and Amol Phadke. For more information, please visit: https://www.accenture.com/5GFutureHome
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries — powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 509,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
# # #
Maggie Nolan
+1 917 452 3964
Molly McDonagh
+44 7825 023 622


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American Standard / Trane OEM Kit!
Specifications: KIT; RADIANT SENSE TO FLAME SENSE. INCLUDED IS...FLAME SENSOR, WIRING HARNESS, LITERATURE, WIRING DIAGRAMS, WARNING LABELS, 1-STAGE CONTROL AND COVER.
Additional Information:
- Radiant Sense to Flames Sense Kit
- Includes: Flame Sensor , Wiring Harness , Literature and more
Replaces / Supersedes: CNT1845 CNT-1845 CNT01845 KIT2537 KIT-2537 KIT02537 KIT3384 KIT-3384 KIT03384 KIT3793 KIT-3793 KIT03793 KIT5216 KIT-5216 KIT05216 KIT9660 KIT-9660 KIT09660 and many others.
Commonly Used with Various American Standard & Trane Systems
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I can't post this recipe today without giving you some low-key full disclosure. I'm not a real sweets kinda girl, but these cookies are straight-up like cookie crack. There, I said it. You have been warned.
I've made a few batches so far ("recipe testing" and just making extra certain they're real, real good for you guys to try– spoiler, THEY ARE). And each batch lasts approximately 2 days. Maybe 3… if I have any kind of restraint. That's 24 cookies… so you know. Warned. Mmm k?
They make me wanna do my happy little shoulder shake. Partly because I tell myself how many superfoods I'm "getting in"– which yes, is technically true. There are all kinds of good things in these guys. Which is what makes them all the more tempting (and incredible), to me.
And partly because they taste so indulgent, while being well, not indulgent ingredient wise. The best kind of combination, if you ask me.
Anyways, that's all. Bake at your own risk.
Super Addicting GF Raspberry Jam Dots
Makes 12 cookies
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup gluten-free oats
1/4 cup coconut flour
6 tablespoons grass fed butter or ghee (melted)
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or my fav, this vanilla bean powder)
Juice-sweetened jam of your choice for the filling (I love the raspberry one from Trader Joe's and the 365 Whole Foods brand)
Preheat oven to 350, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Form mixture into thick cookie patties, and gently push into the center to make thumbprints (see the video on instagram to watch it live).
Bake for 10-15 minutes, remove and add jam to the middle, and bake for another 3-4 minutes.
Let cool for a few minutes (and if you can handle it, a few hours). I think these taste so much better the next day after sitting out and getting a little crispy.
Love this recipe? You'd love the cookbook then too. My second book, Simply Real Eating also just came out in November, so make sure you grab your copy here. And be sure to check out the seasonal meal plans (or the new Easiest DINNER ONLY Plan)! It's what we literally eat for dinner every week.


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Looking at the Dance of Election 2012 since the Rise of Moderate Republican Governor Mitt Romney and Fiscal Conservative Rep. Paul Ryan (My post on that choice and the new Political Electoral map will come later) has led the Democrats to the Tarkin Doctrine (again).
What do I mean by the Tarkin Doctrine? Read this -- these are five excuses Democrats use to excuse corruption, misogyny and hypocrisy in their ranks for attacking the Right. Here are the five:
Charles Pierce's and Democratic partisans Thought leader |
Tarkin Doctrine #1: "The people are confused when they Vote for the Right,"
Tarkin Doctrine #2: "All Conservatives/Republicans are Crazy/Evil/Stupid,"
Tarkin Doctrine #3: "All Conservative/Tea Party Women are Nuts or Sluts,"
Tarkin Doctrine #4: "All Conservatives are racists/Misogynous/etc et. al,"; and
Tarkin Doctrine #5 "No matter what crime/corruption or evil thing a Democratic official does, Republicans are much worse!" [Charlie Pierces worse sin is THIS]
WOW! With that type of thinking, how can your party ever lose?
It happened to the Democrats in Election 2010 and in the WI Recall, and of course, Democrats were surprised at their loss.
When Democrats and their partisans (especially Charles Pierce) complain about "False Equivalence," It means only one thing. They are willing to attack the GOP but, like Tarkin Doctrine #5, have no desire to clean out their own corruption.
Charles Pierce (L) |
When most of your partisans cannot tell the difference between a Moderate Republican like Romney, a Fiscal Conservative like Ryan and a Social Conservative like Huckabee you will lose.
Need I quote Sun Tzu here?
A good example of the Epistemic Closure is Charles Pierce. There are other democratic partisans, but I want to warn anyone in Tampa that speaks to this so called "Political Analyst," is that he uses the Tarkin Doctrine above to think politically. Or in other words, he is a tool of the Democratic National Committee.
I am not in my "newsroom" now and, as I understand it, these people have chosen to eat at a particular fast food restaurant to show their support for the views of someone who helps finance the "repair the gay" scam. If you believe that a chicken sandwich "tastes like freedom," I'm fairly sure I know how you think. Badly. Funny how I didn't see too many of these First Amendment fans standing up for that mosque in lower Manhattan. -- 8/2/12
There was no point in arguing with the man. There didn't seem even to be any sport in pointing out that the "restoration of integrity in government" that he saw in the results was on behalf of a guy who took to the podium last night three steps ahead of a sitting grand jury. The distance between what I saw and what Ed Hannan saw was too great. I might as well have been talking to him in Finnish.
As hard as Scott Walker may want to pretend to be a conciliator, as hard as he wants to fool the national press in their hopeless quest for a "reasonable" Republican that they can hitch to their centrist Cinderella's carriage, he knows good and goddamn well that it's not in the cards. The forces that put him in office, and the forces that kept him there last night, are too strong for any of that, even if he were sincere, which he most assuredly was not. He is a political creature of the Wisconsin that the people in the Exposition Center last night see in their minds. He cannot exist as a political creature outside of the Wisconsin his supporters believe themselves to have re-captured for good. They are not going to be reasonable. They are going to move further toward the extreme and he's going to move with them, because he is a star now, and he has a role to play. -- 6/6/12
Paul Ryan is an authentically dangerous zealot. He does not want to reform entitlements. He wants to eliminate them. He wants to eliminate them because he doesn't believe they are a legitimate function of government. He is a smiling, aw-shucks murderer of opportunity, a creator of dystopias in which he never will have to live. This now is an argument not over what kind of political commonwealth we will have, but rather whether or not we will have one at all, because Paul Ryan does not believe in the most primary institution of that commonwealth: our government. The first three words of the Preamble to the Constitution make a lie out of every speech he's ever given. He looks at the country and sees its government as something alien that is holding down the individual entrepreneurial genius of 200 million people, and not as their creation, and the vehicle through which that genius can be channelled for the general welfare. -- 8/11/12
If he blows that dog-whistle any louder, Seamus may return from that great roof-rack in the sky.
This should surprise absolutely nobody, because, if there's one thing candidate Romney has demonstrated, it is that he really is quite a remarkable liar. Romney's ran the basic bread-and-butter Republican playbook all throughout the primaries and he's still running it this summer. The meretricious use of the president's "You didn't build it" line. The truthless welfare baiting on the commercials. Sooner or later, he was going to get around to this particular line of bullshit because it's the obvious next step. Asking a Republican presidential candidate to abandon race-baiting entirely is to ask for an awful lot of 13-second Republican stump speeches. Asking Willard Romney to do it is to assume that there is muck so foul that he will not immerse himself in it to be president. Unless Curiosity finds mud on Mars, you're pretty much out of luck there. -- 8/16/12 (attacking Moderate Republican Romney with...The Race card!)
Charles Pierce, as shown by the examples above, does not analyze, he judges, he casts out, he stereotypes. And he still cannot tell the difference between the Moderates and the Social Conservatives.
I would like a job like Charles Pierce. He is getting paid the big bucks (as my late father would say) to Bullshit about people he knows nothing about. Then, is surprised when they beat his candidate. Thus, Pierce is the perfect example of Epistemic Closure.
My question to the Left: Why follow a writer like Charles Pierce if he cannot understand the Right? And is proven wrong again and again?
My question to the Right: Why do writers like Charles Pierce (and their Blog commenter) suffer from Epistemic Closure?
My question to Charles Pierce: Why write about Politics when you know nothing of the different branches and people of the Republican Party? and, How can I get paid to be as closed minded as you?


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All you need to know about blister care and prevention before hitting the trail.
Based on experience and thorough research within the backpacking community, we create comprehensive guides that teach you everything you need to know/do on a backpacking adventure. Learn more about how to cook on a trail, what to pack for a trip, how to properly set up a tent, and many more.
How to Pack a Backpacking Backpack – The Proper Way
One of the first problems a new backpacker faces is how to pack a backpacking backpack in a way that is both comfortable and useful.It's important...
How to Survive a Bear Attack
Every backpacker should learn how to survive a bear attack before heading for the woods. While these magnificent beasts aren't that violent, they can be deadly if not properly handled.
Complete Winter Hiking Guide for Restless Backpackers
Winter is here! So why not prepare for the cold season with our complete guide.
How to Survive a Moose Attack While Hiking
Moose attacks are more common than you would think. Remember, you should always be prepared for any situation.
How to Survive a Bees Attack While Hiking
The good news is that it's possible to survive being attacked by bees. Learn how!
How to Avoid and Survive a Snake Attack
Snakes aren't as dangerous as one would think, especially if you know how to handle them.
The Best Backpacking Food for the Perfect Hike
Never go starving or never throw food again with this complete backpacking food guide.
Sign up to our backpacking newsletter and you will receive a FREE copy of our exhaustive CAMPING CHECKLIST in PDF format. Never leave the house unprepared again!


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Bristol Flyers have snapped up Josh Wilcher on a two-year deal from South-West rivals Plymouth Raiders for the 2020-21 season.
The British-Australian point guard was released early from his contract with Plymouth 'due to family reasons' but will now be back for his sixth season in the BBL.
"Josh is a player that we've played against on numerous occasions over the years, going way back to days in NBL Division One," said Flyers head coach Andreas Kapoulas.
"We always thought that he would fit very well into our system, but the timing has never been right until now. We're very glad to finally be able to welcome him to our programme."
Wilcher has played over 100 games in the league with two spells at Plymouth as well as playing for Cheshire Phoenix during the 2016-17 campaign.
The 28-year-old averaged 16.1 points and 6.1 assists in 10 league games for the Raiders last season before it was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The rumours stop NOW… 👀 pic.twitter.com/0QEeQ7XQS0
— Bristol Flyers (@BristolFlyers) August 7, 2020
Wilcher becomes the Flyers' first new addition for the upcoming season with Daniel Edozie, Raphell Thomas-Edwards, Marcus Delpeche and Josh Rogers all re-signed, while Liam Davis has returned from a loan spell at Reading Rockets.
Full BBL ins and outs with our annual rosters tracker, HERE.


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The first gameplay trailer for Zeno Clash II makes it look possibly even weirder than the original.
Remember Zeno Clash? It was a bizarre first-person brawler set in a very strange, primitive fantasy world. It was not without flaws, but John Funk described it in his review as "fun and viscerally satisfying… with intense and chaotic brawls." He also pointed out that it was very short and lacking in polish, but it was a $20 indie game too, so allowances have to be made.
The hope is that things will be better for the upcoming Zeno Clash II, which will feature a fully-explorable open world packed with all sorts of new sights, creatures and weapons, plus most of the characters and enemies from the original. And even more weirdness, from the look of it, which is also good news, because you never know when some some publisher-type in a fancy suit is going to get all uptight about laying down a belly-to-back piledriver on a giant anthropomorphic chicken.
You can find out more about Zeno Clash II at – surprise! – zenoclash2.com. Look for it to come out this spring on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Store.


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What if I am a marketing authorisation holder established in the UK?
The UK Marketing Authorisation Holders question is perhaps the most frequently asked question that we have fielded in our Brexit work. The agency says:According to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 the marketing authorisation holder must be established in the Union. Through the EEA Agreement this is extended to include also Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. For centrally authorised medicinal products the marketing authorisation holder will therefore normally need to transfer its marketing authorisation to a holder established in the Union (EEA)(see Commission Regulation (EC) 2141/96 and EMA human and veterinary Q&A on transfer). This means that the addressee of the marketing authorisation decision changes to the new addressee.In May 2017 the European Medicines Agency issued a notice stating:
Preparing for the withdrawal is therefore not just a matter for European and national administrations, but also for private parties. Marketing authorisation holders may be required to adapt processes and to consider changes to the terms of the marketing authorisation in order to ensure its continuous validity and exploitation, once the United Kingdom has left the Union. Marketing authorisation holders will need to act sufficiently in advance to avoid any impact on the continuous supply of medicines for human and veterinary use within the European Union. In particular, the Commission and the European Medicines Agency expect marketing authorisation holders to prepare and proactively screen authorisations they hold for the need for any changes. The necessary transfer or variation requests will need to be submitted in due time considering the procedural timelines foreseen in the regulatory framework. An update to original Q & A document was issued on December 1st 2017 and covered the issue of applicants established in the UK. The document stated: Any marketing authorisation applicant must be established in the Union (EEA). Therefore, for marketing authorisation applications (MAAs) that are expected to receive a Commission Decision after 29 March 2019, applicants established in the UK will need to change to a non-UK applicant established in the Union (EEA) before 30 March 2019.Here are some handpicked articles from our website that we hope will help you when considering moving a marketing authorisation.
The Implications on Existing UK Marketing Authorisation Holders
The UK has acted as Rapporteur or Co-Rapporteur for significant number of centralised procedures over the years. What effect will the relocation of the EMA to another EU member state have on such medicinal products? In this extract from the first of our regular Brexit whitepapers (from July 2016) we looked at the implications of Brexit on existing marketing authorisation holders. The role of the UK as the Rapporteur or Co-Rapporteur is one of pivotal importance in this endeavour. If your company has used the UK as Rapporteur or Co-Rapporteur then you need to start preparing to move your marketing authorisation(s). As referenced below in the EMA notice, marketing authorisation holders will need to act in sufficient time to ensure continuous validity and exploitation of marketing authorisations.Heading for the Exit
The UK's decision to leave the EU has cast a shadow of uncertainty over many sectors but none more so than the sector that is charged with ensuring patient safety. The article listed above looks at the pharmacovigilance concerns along with the possibility of skills shortages in the sector post Brexit. In a pharmacovigilance context, the EU QPPV will need to be based in an EU member state. Again, we can help and we are helping many companies with this service at the moment. For companies moving a marketing authorisation the next two years will be a difficult time. Marketing authorisations will have to be managed while the uncertainty of the outcome of the overall Brexit negotiations are being carried out.Applying for a Marketing Authorisation – The Initial Steps
In this blog we look at the initial steps that need to be taken when applying for a marketing authorisation for a pharmaceutical product within the EEA. Right now, we are working with a significant amount of companies and helping them in moving their marketing authorisations to other EU member states. Our team of regulatory consultants and strategists is one of the largest in Europe and we are working on behalf of companies all Europe that are seeking to manage the issue in a timely manner in an effort to ensure that their product will remain on the market and available to patients throughout the period of Brexit negotiations and afterwards. We can help you in moving a marketing authorisation. If you would like to have an initial discussion with us about moving a marketing authorisation/authorisations and the steps that you might need to take, then get in touch with us today by calling us on 00353 52 61 76 706 or simply complete you details below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.[ninja_form id=1]


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Legendary A&R executive, record producer and songwriter Ron Fair is known to millions of pop fans around the world for his work mentoring, and producing hits for some music's biggest names.
In a multi-faceted career spanning more than 30 years, that has seen him serve as both Chairman and President at some of America's most prestigious record labels, win six GRAMMY Awards and guide the careers of acts including Christina Aguilera, Bastille and Keyshia Cole, Ron's impressive discography of production credits features some of pop cultures most beloved hits, from Where is The Love (The Black Eyed Peas), Be Without You (Mary J. Blige) and Buttons (The Pussycat Dolls), to Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie), Baby I Love Your Ways (Big Mountain) and Speechless (Lady GaGa).
The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)
Away from his role as mentor, record exec and music producer, Fair has enjoyed monumental success as a motion picture musical soundtrack coordinator, spearheading multi-platinum selling soundtracks for iconic films including Pretty Woman, Reality Bites and Legally Blonde.
More recently Ron has been making waves for his passionate contributions to "The Story of 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton", a captivating new documentary film made by VICE, that charts the rise of one of this generations most loved, and enduring pop songs…
"Making my way downtown…"
Making its chart debut back in 2002, at the height of the teen pop phenomena that dominated culture at the dawn of the new millennium, few could have predicted the impact a song like A Thousand Miles would have on society – it's mature sound and classical influence, marking a drastic shift in style and tone from the edgy, beat-driven dance tracks ruling the airwaves at that time.
"I instantly liked it; from the moment I first heard it, I was hooked!" Ron tells us from his home in Nashville. "That piano sequence that we all now know and love, just floored me! It was so striking and different; it literally stopped me in my tracks… I just wasn't sold on the name (laughs)."
Presented as track 7 on Vanessa's self produced demo CD, and originally titled 'Interlude', in its infancy A Thousand Miles as a song and piece of music, was very a different composition compared to the perfectly polished, sophisticated pop record we hear today – it's core arrangement masterfully reconstructed to create a fuller, more powerful and impactful sound.
"To title the song 'Interlude' just didn't make sense to me, I didn't understand it." Ron admits as he begins to think back and reflect upon what was happening in his life at that time. "In fact, funny story, it was actually my nephew who came up with the name 'A Thousand Miles' – isn't that something? He was hanging out a lot in the studio with me in those days, so he was able to meet a lot of the artists I was producing at the time. He and Vanessa had become really good friends, and one day, almost out of nowhere, I just remember him saying 'hey Uncle Ron, we should change its name to 'A Thousand Miles…' those actual words came out of his mouth! And that was it, 'Interlude' became 'A Thousand Miles'."
"But you know, with regards to the original title, that was Vanessa, that's who she was – she was super artistic and had this crystal clear vision of exactly the kind of artist she wanted to be; she wanted to make a statement, and she wanted to do things her way. So it was very much in her character to take a track of that nature and give it a super mysterious, cool, artsy name… I mean you've just got to look at the title of her debut album 'Be Not Nobody' to see that. She was always intent on switching things up and offering her audience a different perspective on things."
"Vanessa was super artistic, and had this crystal clear vision of exactly the kind of artist she wanted to be; she wanted to make a statement, and do things her way."
Ron on Vanessa's tenacity, and desire to always to be an independent,
free-thinking artist in total control of her creative destiny.
"Staring blankly ahead…"
As the fifth instalment of the VICE "Story Of…" documentary series to be released, this particular episode feels to be an incredibly honest and authentic depiction of events that transpired throughout the process of creating the song that would eventually come to be Vanessa Carlton's breakout, debut hit – it doesn't sugar coat anything, romanticise the past or shy away from addressing any uncomfortable truths, which in turn makes for truly compelling viewing. We wonder for Ron, was there anything shown in the film that came as a surprise to him?
"I think it's fair to say there was somewhat of an unhealthy situation at play between her and the A&R she was working with at the time, which I was aware of, but I don't think I really knew to what extent." Ron says with a sense of understanding and compassion. "I sort of enter the story following Vanessa's request to take a meeting with Jimmy Iovine – which I've gotta say was a very brave thing for her to do, because… you know, without getting too deep into it, it was a risk for her to speak out! It really was, because at the end of the day, she was this young girl, entering a whole new world with very little leverage within the company she was signed to, and yet she still wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and say 'hey this isn't working for me, I want to make a change…' I respected her for it then, and I still respect her for it now."
"As I said before she had this very clear vision of what she wanted, so my job was to come in and stand behind her and see that vision through her eyes, and then try to bring it (her vision) to life… and also deliver a smash hit record (laughs)."
A standout scene in the film offers viewers insight into the creative mind of one of the industries most prolific producers and arrangers, as Ron sits alone in a recording studio to break down and analyse the original score for 'A Thousand Miles'. Animated, invested and focused, Fair seemingly comes alive as he pays close attention to each secular part of the track by deconstructing the arrangement, the orchestration and its anthemic transitions to showcase the beauty of the music behind the big production.
"It was fun to go back and revisit that score." Ron smiles. "I'll be honest with you though, at the time I was a little worried that it was too musical, too orchestrated and too high brow. I mean I loved it, and Vanessa loved it, but sometimes there's always that little niggle of doubt in an artists mind as to whether you got it right or not."
"I can remember clearly going into a meeting with Jimmy (Iovine), playing him the song and him saying to me that I had to put background vocals on it, and straight away I said 'no, no way; I'm not going to do it!' because for me, the strength of the song was that it was one girl, one piano, one voice – that's what made it stand out, that's what made it special. I was so passionate about the fact that it should stay exactly as it was, that I was ready to go into battle, but after I'd stated my case, and to my surprise, Jimmy looked at me, and he goes 'alright, well… it's a smash!'"
"Vanessa wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and say 'hey this isn't working for me, I want to make a change…' I respected her for it then, and I still respect her for it now."
Ron on Carlton's bravery in speaking out and taking ownership of her narrative
early on in her career.
"Walking fast, faces pass and I'm homebound."
"So finally, we had the record!" Ron says with a sense of pride. "And so the next thing we had to do was put it out there and get it out to the people."
In the early 2000's the breakout success of a song relied heavily on its accompanying music video, with many believing that by creating a striking visual clip, would not only boost an artists visibility and exposure, but also help promote the sales of their work… a concept not lost on Ron at the time.
"We were given $125, 000 to make a music video, which for a new artist was huge! We then got really lucky as Marc Klasfeld signed on as the director and we got to work. It kind of felt like all of the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, and I think as a collective we were all feeling pretty excited about things!"
Explaining further, Ron adds: "To give you some insight into how things worked at that time, MTV was the thing that dominated pop culture, it was even bigger than TikTok is today, so to get your music video played on there was huge for artists, so we knew we had to come up with something special."
"Marc had this fantastic idea of using tracking shots, and having Vanessa sat at her piano moving through all of these different environments, performing the lyrics to camera – and it just worked! The reaction to it was crazy! And I've got to say, we need to give props to Tom Calderone (who was head of the station at the time) for that, because he was took a bet on us and played the video on MTV, and from there it went into heavy rotation and people went nuts for it, they LOVED that video!"
"The buzz coming from MTV then translated over to radio, and more and more stations then began to play it, and… well, the next thing you know the song was nominated for a GRAMMY, it was spoofed on Saturday Night Live, it just went nuts!"
A Thousand Miles (Official Video)
"'Cause everything's so wrong, and I don't belong…"
At a time when much of the music industry's attention seemed primarily focused on image, marketing, big budget music videos, award show performances and how many records an artist could sell in their opening week, along came an unassuming young girl from Pennsylvania, who decided to buck the trend and stay true to herself, going beyond expectation to deliver a beautifully melodic, uplifting love song that managed to cut through the bubblegum pop facade and find its way into the hearts millions of people around the world, in a way that very few songs of that genre had before.
As he reflects upon the documentary as whole, Ron muses "Dan Zabludovsky did a great job in constructing the story; he's fantastic and it's been great to share what went on behind the scenes with the fans."
"But I think more than that, in making this documentary, Vanessa has been able to come to terms with how things played out back then, there's somewhat of a resolution there for her, where she finally admits 'hey, this was a great thing that happened to me'. I think she's been able to make peace with everything that happened, which was very soothing for me to see, it's a wonderful thing."
"And I say that because I think in and amongst all of the hype surrounding her at that time, she kind of got caught up in the pop vortex of stardom, and that – being a 'pop star' – was just not something she was interested in at all. And I get that, I really do, because as much as any artist wants to be successful and become a star, for Vanessa… I don't know, that wasn't her goal. Her goal was to make music and create art, so I feel like in the beginning of her career she really did bristle a little bit at the integration into the machinations of the business, which is totally understandable for anybody with her level of talent, new starting out in this industry."
Contemplating that thought further, Ron admits candidly: "You know I hadn't seen Vanessa in person for a long, long time so going back and thinking about that period of my life and career was interesting – there was a lot that I'd maybe forgotten or that had passed me by because I was right in the thick of things."
As an ever changing industry that thrives on the notion of continuously evolving, the music business is renowned for being incredibly fast paced, and forever in search of the next best thing; with many executives and artists adopting the age old mantra that to achieve success, you must never look back, and only keep moving forward. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the documentary, is that it allows audiences the opportunity to revisit moments and songs from their youth, and appreciate them again in a way that they maybe hadn't before, but now through grown up eyes. Having worked in the industry for the majority of his professional life, we wonder on a personal level, does Ron ever allow himself to look back and reflect upon the work he's done in the past, and all of the things that he's achieved…
"It's somewhat of an unfamiliar thing for me to look back in retrospect at the things I've done in my career to be honest with you, because whilst I'm very present in the moment when I'm working on something, once it's done and that moment has passed, I'm onto the next. I'm a bit like a race horse, I have these blinkers on meaning I can't look to the right or left of me, because doing that will only slow me down."
"I look at it like this, milestones and major successes in your career are simply just moments in time, they're not sustainable forever. I'm proud of what I've achieved, but I'm not one to look back on things and think 'ain't I grand because I did that' – that's not me, I don't do that at all. So no, (laughs) to answer your question, I don't like to look back, because I always want to believe that the best things in my life and career, are still in front of me…"
"I look at my life like this, milestones and major successes in your career are simply just moments in time, they're not sustainable forever."
Ron on his outlook and attitude towards success.
As the grandson of a radio broadcaster, Ron Fair grew up in somewhat of a creative environment, spending the majority of his childhood, by his own admission, surrounded by "broadcast and recording equipment". Inspired by the work of his grandparents, who did remote broadcasts from a specially built recording/broadcast studio in a separate building on their property, and his love of music, Ron set out into the world with the hopes of making his passion for the arts his career.
"I was a teenager in the 60's, when music was really making an impression on the world in a way that it maybe hadn't before; that energy ." Ron muses. "I felt like I was wired into a different frequency than most other people, I didn't think or function in the same way, and in my experience it's the same for all musicians, we're operating on a different wavelength."
Having studied music as a teen growing up in Los Angeles, playing piano, guitar and bass, Ron found himself working in the mailroom of Far Out Productions, before meeting the man who would go on to become his mentor, the Oscar-winning composer Bill Conti in 1976. As Conti's assistant, Fair would earn his first gold record for the recording and mixing of the original soundtrack to the classic film ROCKY.
"In many ways, I guess you could say I was somewhat of a failed artist." Ron laughs. "I found that I was far more comfortable attaching my vision through an artists eyes, than I was my own, because I never really had a particular viewpoint of my own. So it made it much easier for me to absorb and learn the viewpoint of another artist and help them to bring that vision to life."
As an eternal champion of young talent, who finds joy in discovering and nurturing new acts, Fair possesses a genuine gift for mentoring singers – working tirelessly with them, sharing his knowledge and expertise to guide them in the right direction so that they are able to reach their full potential.
"The process of falling in love with an artist, and believing in them so much, to the point that it's almost taking over your life, is what I live for!" Ron says with genuine passion and enthusiasm. "It's like you become this hopeless, romantic, dam fool and you fall in love with the idea of what you believe an artists music can become."
"But the reality is, nine times out of ten, when you fall into that hopeless, romantic, dam fool category, you're going to get your heartbroken because in the music business, a lot of the time things just don't turn out the way you hope and it's devastating! And not just for me, for the artist too; it's like their life is wrecked when things don't work out. And yet, somehow you wake up the next morning, with a hunger to do it all over again."
The Pussycat Dolls – Buttons (Official Music Video)
As our conversation drifts from discussing his work with Christina Aguilera, The Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige and The Pussycat Dolls, as well as his role as vocal producer for the iconic 2001 remake of Lady Marmalade with Aguilera, P!nk, Mya and Lil' Kim for Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Ron interjects: "Do you know what? I think a really nice way to end this talk today, would be to bring it back full circle to Vanessa Carlton, and the reason why I wanted to work with her in the first place, and I'll tell you why…"
"There was an artist called Laura Nyro, who was this incredible songwriter and piano player who wrote some of the biggest songs released in the 1960's – I'm talking Wedding Bell Blues, And When I Die, Eli's Coming… I could go on, but believe me, she was phenomenal! To kind of give you some context or a point of reference, she was in a way a sort of contemporary of Carol King; like her vibe and style was that of being this fabulous, brooding, powerful, Jewish New York woman, but whereas Carol released the 'Tapestry' album and became a really big star, Laura never really made it in the same way. That's not to say she wasn't successful, I mean David Geffen made his first million dollars with Laura Nyro as his client, so she was clearly working it and doing something right, but unfortunately she died pretty young of cancer."
"She was like my own personal goddess, her music so influenced everything in my life, she was like the wind beneath my wings, authorising me to take the risks and champion artists I believed in. And I don't say that lightly, her impact on me was so profound that in my soul, I made a promise that I was going to honour her, by always striving to work with artists who I believed could fulfil their potential in a way that sadly she was unable to. And I hope I've done that… and I hope I continue to that in the future."


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Slack Group
Before we get started I have started a slack group dedicated to hacking. We welcome everyone from beginner to advanced to join. I will be on everyday answer questions, doing CTFs, and talking about cool hacks. If you enjoy hacking and are looking for like minded people join below:
NEW Hacking Group Slack Channel
Linkedin is a popular social media platform that professionals use to find jobs. Its basically an online resume that contains information such as your current job, past jobs, colleges attended , and more. This information can be very handy when targeting specific employees of a company.
Email to profile
If you happen to get ahold of your targets email you can use the Linkedin sales API to find their profile page. You do however have to be logged in to use this functionality. Sending the following requests will try to find a targets profile based on the supplied email:
If the supplied email has an account then you will get the targets linkedin profile. This can be helpful when trying to tie an email to a person.
Company Employees
A lot of professionals and companies in America and other countries use Linkedin. It is possible to gather a list of employees, job titles, emails, and locations just by viewing a companies employee page. This information can then be when sending phishing emails.
Once you find a company you just have to hit the "See all XXX employees on Linkedin" button.
You should be aware that in order to see other people profiles you generally have to have at least on mutual friend, so if your friend list is small your results will be small. Another catch is that you can only view 100 pages of results, so it will be impossible to view all 173,228 employees with one account. If you want to by pass these limitations you will need lots of accounts that have big friend lists.
As you can see we get the employees first name, last name, job title, and location. All this is great stuff but we need their email as well so we can launch phishing campaigns.
Most companies use a standard email format such as [email protected] . You can try to find out their email format your self or you can use the following query to provide you with their email format.
Looks like they have the email format of <firstName><lastName><@comapny.com>. All you have to do is use take the first and last name from the users linkedin profile and you should be able to create their associated work email.
I should probably say that Linkedin prohibits scrapping of their site. That being said the only way to generate a good list is to create a web scrapper and automate the whole process. After that you should have a good list of phishing targets.
Linkedin is a great resource of OSINT. If only have an email address you can use Linkedin to tie it back to a real person. Linkedin is also good when performing recon on an entire organization. You can find all employees that work for the target company and you can gather their names, job titles, locations, and emails. If your trying to generate a good phishing list there is no better resource.


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I performed at the headquarters of TOMS in Los Angeles. They gave me a tour of their impressive facility after the show. The employees of TOMS were an awesome audience and I had a blast. Check out the testimonial video above. Thanks TOMS!
Of course, if you're having a private party or corporate event, whether it's in Los Angeles or anywhere in the world (yes, I travel all over the world!), be sure to call me. If you haven't seen my demo video, simply click here. You can also fill out the booking request form on the page.


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The Sidebar Menu
On the left sidebar, you will find the paGO navigation. This menu gives you access to every part of the paGO application in an easy to use, intuitive menu structure.
Most of your work will be done within the shop menu. Here you will be able to:
- Create and manage Products
- Create and manage Categories
- Create and manage Product Attributes
- Create and manage Customers
- Manage Comments
- Create coupons and manage discounts
- Import and export products
Order Menu
The order menu gives you access to all your past orders. By clicking on an order, you'll have all of the vital information about the order, customer and transaction at your fingertips.
Customer Menu
You can access all of your customer's information through the customer menu. Get vital information about each customer such as name, postal address, email address and phone number.
Payment Options
This is where you can sign-up for using the paGO Quickpay payment gateway, and/or setup and use other 3rd party gateways, such as:
- 2Checkout
- PayPal - Pro
- PayPal - Express
- Authorize.Net - AIM
SEO Wingman
This is where paGO's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services are provided, and can be signed up for.
The Reports menu makes it easier to look over your shop, allowing you to overlook:
- Purchased/Unpurchased Items
- Total Revenue
- Average Order Value
- Search Results
- Abandoned Carts
Extend Menu
The extend menu is where you can configure additional features such as shipping and security settings.
You'll want to spend a bit of time here when you first install paGO; setting everything up. You can configure:
- Main Shop Configuration
- System Configuration
- Custom Shipping Rules
- Tax Rules
- Locations
- E-Mail Templates
- Custom paGO Templates


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Send Flowers
Send a Sympathy Card
Plant Memorial Trees
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Patricia Ann Brown, 90, of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021, at her home in Horseshoe Bend.
She was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on January 28,1931, daughter of the late Frank William and Lillen Herryetta (Peters) Voves. Pat spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed spending time with the senior citizens group in Brockwell.
Pat is survived by her son, Gary Lee Buchanan and wife Della of Indiana; grandsons, Gary Wayne Buchanan and Wade Buchanan both of Indiana; three great grandchildren; sister, Vivian Bottino of Florida and brother, James Voves of North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dolores Sorensen.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 23, 2021, beginning 11:00 AM at Doty Family Funeral & Memorial Service Chapel in Horseshoe Bend. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow services at Evening Shadows Memorial Park in Horseshoe Bend.
Arrangements entrusted to Doty Family Funeral & Memorial Service of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Doty Family Funeral and Memorial Service
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Doty Family Funeral and Memorial Service
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By Draxon Maloya
The management of Mulezi Health Trust has refurbished the old Wezi Medical Clinic into a Covid-19 treatment center.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the trust's Public Relations Officer, Zora Matundu said all measures have been put in place which will enable a successful fight against the disease which has proven to be catastrophic to the global society.
"All necessary measures have already been put in place like engaging the community leaders at all levels, and the medical facility is now being refurbished into a Covid-19 treatment center by Mulezi Health Trust as a contribution to the people of Mzuzu towards the fight against the pandemic,
"Our initial budget is Mk57 million but we have managed to solicit slightly above Mk10 million from partners abroad and with and we are very grateful hence our sincere thanks to them all for their responses," Matundu said.
And in his remarks the chairperson of Mulezi Health Trust, Arnold Shaba cleared the mist surrounding the affordability of the covid-19 treatment at the facility to all members of the general public saying the treatment will be free.
"Mostbof the resources are being sourced form the public, therefore Covid-19 treatment will be free even here at Mulezi Medical Center, as you're aware that we are working hand in hand with District Health Office," Shaba said.
Meanwhile, Malawi has recorded two more cases of Covid-19 putting the tally at 65.
According to Minister of Health, Jappie Mhango, the two (a couple) are from Nkhatabay and recently returned from Tanzania using a boat.


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The Writing Life of: Kathryn Haydon
Kathryn Haydon
This week I am thrilled to be interviewing author Kathryn Haydon. Kathryn, also known as Jane Bheemah, will be sharing with us details of her writing life, telling us all about her latest book 'Prognosis Guarded', which was released on 4th March 2018 and answering a few fun questions too. This post contains affiliate links.
Born in Teignmouth, I grew up in Starcross and now live in Exeter, so haven't moved far. I am a West Country girl. The red earth of Devon is steeped in my bones; the county's glorious coast and countryside the inspiration for my writing. As far back as I can remember, I've loved to weave stories and it's wonderful to share my latest book with you, 'Prognosis Guarded.'
Under my pen name Kathryn Haydon, I have been lucky enough to have two books published by Mezzanotte. The genre is medical romance as befits a retired nurse! 'Prognosis Guarded' has a palliative care backdrop, a specialty I am familiar with and keen to promote. What better way to do this than craft a story that wraps around your heart – and stays with you long after you finish the book. I write the kind of books you won't want to put down – real page turners, with characters you can identify with. Books with a feel-good factor! Although please have a box of tissues at the ready; my storylines pick up emotive issues.
'Prognosis Guarded' was chosen as the book of the month for the June edition of Devon Life magazine.
The Interview
1) As a child did you have a dream job in mind?
As a small child I wanted (desperately) to work with animals. Fast forward to my teenage years and I'd revised that to working with people in some way – later, I fell into nursing!
2) Who was your favourite childhood author (s)?
Enid Blyton was my favourite childhood author. I loved the Famous Five series.
3) Was there a particular point in your life that you realised you wanted to be a writer?
By mid-teens I knew I had the ability to write, but to become published remained a dream. A secret ambition. It didn't occur to me that this was possible when I was young. I had to find a 'proper job!' To be a published author now feels wonderful. A second string to my bow in retirement.
4) What is your average writing day like? Do you have any special routines, word count, etc?
My writing day starts early. The early morning hush is my most creative time. I like to get the story down first and focus on the edits later. This seems to work best for me. I write with a mug of tea at my elbow and Radio Devon playing softly in the background. I don't have a target word count; I just go with the flow and hope the words sparkle like a clear mountain stream (sometimes they do and sometimes they don't)!
The rest of the day is broken into snatches of writing time in between those household chores that we all have. I try to fit in a walk – and use it as my thinking time. Often it is a river walk as I'm blessed to live a stone's throw from the river Exe. However, if I need to pop into town, it could be a stroll through Exeter's beautiful Northernhay Park.
5) How many books have you written? Any unpublished work?
I am a romantic author. To date, I have two books published – both by Mezzanotte, available via Amazon in print or eBook format. I am close to completing a third, with another (different genre) on the backburner. And it's yes to the question have I any unpublished work! The usual writerly assortment of novels that bit the dust before they were sent out – – – and a few after they were sent out! All part of honing the craft, flexing the writing muscle.
6) Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I am a plotter. I like to know where the story is going, even if I deviate later.
Concerning your latest book:
Publisher – Mezzanotte
Pages – 232
Release Date – 4th March 2018
Format – ebook, paperback
Palliative care nurse, Melanie Smythe is focussed on two things: the job she loves at "Greenways Hospice" and helping care for her twin nieces. There is no room for romance. In the past she's been let down and the experience has left her wary. Melanie fears history will repeat itself. Then a chance encounter with new locum GP, Luke McGrath makes her think maybe he's the one to change all that.
There are differences between them, but the smouldering hot doc makes her pulse race. However, Melanie is holding something back and this leads to a misunderstanding. Angry and hurt, Luke severs their relationship. Will they be able to fix what's been broken?
Purchase Links
7) How did you go about researching the content for your book?
I have a nursing background, which comes in handy as my novel fits the medical romance genre. Thirteen plus years of my working life was spent as a hospice nurse. I remain passionate about promoting good palliative care. I hope my book picks up this theme in a subtle way.
8) How long did it take to go from ideas stage to writing the last word?
It took longer than intended – life happens, two daughters got married and grandchildren came along!
9) How did you come up with the title of your book?
The title of this second book was a little harder to settle on. In fact, 'Prognosis Guarded' started off as something else; I changed the title a few chapters in.
10) Can you give us an insight into your characters?
Ooh, an insight into my characters!! Well, Melanie is bubbly and vivacious, passionate about the things she believes in. She loves nursing and has a natural empathy with her patients. However, when it comes to intimate relationships, she is wary. If she's your friend, she'll never let you down – but I think her friends might say she needs to let go and live a little! Take a risk sometimes.
Luke is a dedicated doctor, a guy with integrity but he's not keen on settling down anytime soon. To date, medicine is his only passion and he'd like to keep it that way. He's seen first hand the mess folk can make of their lives and the idea of commitment – to anyone – makes him shudder. Then he meets Melanie. Folk close to Luke might say he needs to let down his guard and trust women a bit more. One particular woman, anyway.
11) What process did you go through to get your book published?
I approached Mezzanotte (the publisher of my first book) and was invited to send in a synopsis, plus the first three chapters for consideration. Following this came a request to send the whole manuscript of 'Prognosis Guarded.' I was lucky in that acceptance came quite quickly the second time around. A big thank you to my publisher, Bettina!
12) What's next for you writing wise?
My third novel – working title 'Home for Keeps' – is close to completion. Also, on a back burner, I have a fledgling psychological mystery, with a hint of black magic!! I'll say no more, except that this is a very different genre for me, and the first three chapters made the long list for this year's Exeter Novel Prize.
Fun Questions
1) If you could have any super power for the day which would you choose?
If I could choose a super-power for the day, I would like to be able to fly. I've always fancied catching the breeze, swooping and soaring like a bird. Just think of the interesting places I could visit!
2) Do you have any pets?
I don't have any pets, but I often look after my daughter's three cats. Rocky, Apollo and Ivan are my 'grandkits.' A great trio! Apollo is an aloof tortoiseshell, Rocky and Ivan are rather naughty ginger toms.
3) If you decided to write an autobiography of your life, what would you call it?
An autobiography of my life – – – Hmm, think I'd call it something like 'The Scent of Lilacs.' This is a nod to the white lilac tree that was just under my bedroom window as a child. The scent was amazing when the window was thrown open in summer! If I close my eyes, I can still see the tree, a mass of blossom, with a swing just visible behind. Another memory: my father, more superstitious than my mother, didn't like us to bring any lilac sprigs indoors. Apparently, this would invite back luck into the house.
4) Your book has been made into a feature film and you've been offered a cameo role, which part would you choose, or what would you be doing?
If I had a cameo role in a film of my book, I'm not sure who I'd be. Maybe one of the stalwart volunteers that all hospices would be unable to function without.
5) A baseball cap wearing, talking duck casually wanders into your room, what is the first thing he says to you?
"Hello, my lovely!"
I would like to say a big thank you to Kathryn Haydon for sharing with us details of her writing life and for a wonderful interview.


text:
As we approach the first anniversary of federal recreational cannabis legalisation, we can now reflect on how this cultural shift has affected Canadians' consumption of cannabis.
While new regulations have provided enough legitimacy for some skeptics, seasoned users already have their trusted illegal sources in place with no intention of breaking loyalty. The latter believe that the pricing, convenience, and quality of products in the unregulated market cannot be rivaled by that of legal brands. Converting these experienced users has been one of the biggest challenges for the industry.
However, with each month passing, and regulated shops becoming more ubiquitous, we are starting to see a change in purchase behaviour.
The National Cannabis Survey by Statistics Canada covering the first quarter of 2019 stated that three-quarter of Canadians (76%) who consumed cannabis in the first half of 2019 cited quality and safety as an important consideration when purchasing cannabis, while 42% mainly considered price. About one-third also reported accessibility (such as open evenings and weekends), location (proximity to home), and the availability of a preferred potency (or formulation) as important.
Private cannabis retail sales reached a new high in July at $94,605,592.
The study notes that Canadians were beginning to change their cannabis source in the first three months of 2019. An estimated 47% (or 2.5 million) purchased cannabis from legal sources, including retailers and online licensed producers. This number did not shift much in the second quarter survey, with a reported 48% of consumers purchasing legally. Since quality and safety are such important criteria when deciding to buy cannabis, and since regulated cannabis undergoes strict testing, this trend will likely continue.
This conversion may be slower than desired, but sales are already seeing a positive impact. According to estimates from Cova, a point-of-sale system designed for cannabis retail in North America, private cannabis retail sales reached a new high in July at $94,605,592, which is up 20% from June. These sales estimates are based on 306 private Canadian cannabis stores operating in July, an increase from 256 stores in June.
Potency and Cannabinoid Ratios Influence Purchase Decisions
In order to gain a better understanding of what customers gravitate towards, we need to look at all the factors that go into a cannabis sale. Do consumers prefer dry flower or ingestible oil? Are they looking for high THC or balanced product?
The range of cannabis products offered by regulated brands ensures that users of all experience levels can find something that suits their needs. A March article from Nielsen discussing Canadian legal cannabis consumption and category potential, noted that consumer knowledge of THC and CBD factor into consumption trends. They discovered that 78% of Canadian consumers are aware of CBD, but only 16% understand it. In terms of products consumed, 19% have legally tried THC varieties, 11% favoured CBD varieties, and 9% used more than one format.
Frequency of use is also a factor. In the National Cannabis Survey's second quarter results it was found that daily users were 2.5 times more likely to use three or more types of products compared to those who used less often. Daily users were also more likely to incorporate non-dried products, but less likely to exclusively use them.
New cannabis users favour balanced (1:1) and lower THC products, according to research conducted by Lift & Co. 60% purchase products with less than 19% THC. On the other hand, cannabis connoisseurs are purchasing high THC products. 58% of connoisseurs buy cannabis with more than 20% THC.
Customers Show Strong Preference for Smoking Dried Cannabis
With a product portfolio consisting of dried flower and ingestible oil, it's no surprise that the former was the most popular. Dried cannabis was reported to be used by 84.2% of consumers in the first quarter of 2019. Dried cannabis sales in June 2019 increased 4.7% compared to May, whereas oil decreased 2.1%.
For 45% of people, flower was the only product used, whereas 39% preferred a mixture of products. Only 15.8% consume products other than flower.
Looking closer at the demographics purchasing these categories, users aged 19-39 make up the flower market, with those over 65 favouring oil.
New cannabis users favour balanced (1:1) and lower THC products.
Unsurprisingly, smoking is still the preferred method of consumption for Canadians. In a December 2018 study conducted by Western Canadian research company Insights West, it was found that two-thirds (67%) of Canadian cannabis users regularly or occasionally smoked a joint, with 27% using oil (either in capsules or drops). In the first half of 2019 these numbers remained somewhat stable, with two-thirds of male (68%) and female (62%) consumers still choosing smoking. However, females (14%) were almost three times more likely than males (5%) to have consumed cannabis through "other methods," such as the application of products on the skin or under the tongue.
What's Next?
Oils are proving to be a difficult sell. Canopy Growth Corp reports a huge inventory of unsold Tweed-branded oils and gel capsules. According to Mark Goliger, chief executive of National Access Cannabis, most of their 35 retailers are having problems selling oil as well.
The launch of edibles, concentrates, and topicals by the end of this year is an exciting expansion both for retailers and consumers. There is already a demand, as stated in the study by Insights West, with 36% of past-year cannabis users saying they consume edibles on a regular/occasional basis. Vaping and oils are also on the rise, at 30% and 27%, respectively. And 10% say they consume cannabis in drinkables on a regular/occasional basis. The National Cannabis Survey from the first half of 2019 further corroborates this: 26% consumed edible, as well as other types of products, such as liquid concentrates (20%), cannabis oil cartridges or vape pens (19%), and hashish or kief (16%).
We can definitely expect an increase of new users who want something more discreet and manageable than what is already available. It will be interesting to see how these new formats influence consumption trends, especially in a dry flower-heavy market.