text:
The Best Extra Loud Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers
Is it hard for you to wake up to your standard alarm clock? If so, then you need an extra loud and annoying high-pitch decibel alarm from this sonic boom alert clock I mentioned in this post.
Other than heavy sleepers, individuals with hearing loss can benefit from this kind of alarm clock too.
The sonic boom alert alarm clock I'm talking here has a dual functionality to ensure you would not sleep past through your alarm time.
I said dual functionality because aside from the extra loud and annoying sound of the alarm, there's also a bed shaker to complement the alarm sound.
The bed shaker could either be placed under your pillow or mattress, or on the hard surface to create a constant thud sound, and can be stopped only when you rise up from your bed and turn it off.
If you are worried of the next room sleeper or perhaps your neighbor disturbed by the annoying sound, you can just use the bed shaker and place it under your pillow. Or, adjust the decibel tone to a minimum best for you.
Sonic Alert SB1000 w/ Built-in Receiver
Sonic Alert w/ built-in receiver alarm clock has three alarm combinations --loud audio alarm, bed shaker, and flashing light. The user can select either all three combinations, or any two combinations to guarantee the effectivity in waking up on time.There's a test button to explore which combinations work best for you. Plus, this sonic alert boom clock has built-in receiver to pick up transmissions from other signalers.
The clock display is adjustable for a better viewing angle, and the bright green LED display numbers are large enough for easy viewing.
The bed shaker (vibrator) can either make a steady or pulsating vibration pattern.
The volume and tone controls are adjustable up to 113 decibel extra loud.
Sonic Alert is complete with a 9-volt battery backup that maintains time and alarm setting in the event of power failure.
Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock Turbo Charged Loud
The Sonic Bomb "SBB500SS" Alarm Clock Turbo Charged Loud is not intended for the faint of hearts-- the alarm sound would certainly rattle you off and make your butt on the edge of the bed:) That's why this alarm clock is nicknamed as the "bomb."
From the powerful bed shaking alarm to a very loud 113 decibel tone and a maximum volume to a very bright flashing display lights, who could sleep past this kind of alarm?
Sonic bomb alarm clock is made of plastic with a metallic-look black body with red control buttons. It really has a nice color combination for me-- black and red. In fact, aside from the nice look of the clock, the powerful alarm has made me convinced that this is the best alarm clock to annoy even the heaviest of the heavy sleepers out there. In other words, I love this alarm clock.
If you don't want the maximum alarm, it can be adjusted to whatever you think is appropriate for you-- the kind of setting that doesn't disturb other people sleeping.
As to dimmer light, it can be adjusted up to 5 levels.
The bed shaker is a 12-volt powerful device.
This has a 9-volt battery backup to maintain time and alarm setting in case of power failure.
Final Thoughts
Like some people I think, I had tried different types of alarm clocks until I came up with the best for me. Choosing which one's best for you, of course, should depend on your health. As I've already mentioned, sonic boom alarm clocks are not for the faint-hearted.
There's another type of alarm clock, the very cool one, I mentioned in other post-- a gentle wake-up light alarm clock which is a sunrise simulator and has nature sounds to complement your pleasant wake up experience. You might be interested to read this post, Best Wake-up Light Alarm Clocks to Wake You up Gently.
Here's how the very loud alarm clock w/ bed shaker works
No comments yet.


text:
Two young friends find themselves immersed in a supernatural mystery after a notorious neighborhood ghost reveals itself to them. ~ Rovi
All Believe cast + crew photos
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2018 FANDANGO MOVIES.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Bobby and Cathy Ray - Senior Pastors Richard Pete Miller - Assistant Pastor
Assembly of Faith is a church for the entire family. Our goal is to minister to each person on their level of understanding; to make true disciples of Christ Jesus. We love all people. Everyone is welcome at Assembly of Faith!
We are a church that believes in the full teaching of the Word of God; New Birth, Filling with the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Spirit, Healing & Miracles.
We believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, crucified, risen, and coming again for all who believe.
We believe in the new covenant of love, established by God our Father and Jesus Christ His Son. We believe all people are equal in the Kingdom of God, and have been given the same measure of faith.
Our services are open to all, in person or via Livestream (see service Archives and Livestream link below
We offer childcare, children's church, and youth ministry during each service.
Online Giving and Bookstore back up and running!
Sunday Service - 10:30 am
Wednesday Service - 7:00 pm
Miracle & Healing
October 19th, 2018
Come Expecting Your Miracle!!!
Special's on Anointed Throws
$35.00 Each + Shipping
Or 4 For $110.00 + Shipping
Place Your order Today!!
Miracle & Healing Bible College:
out for summer break!
out for summer break!
Seated and Via Live stream.
Click link below for bible college handouts
Bible College Registration Form
Click here to complete an application: Registration Form
Click here to complete an application: Registration Form
Please click on the tabs above to learn more about the ministries and happenings at Assembly of Faith.
Check out our new "Upcoming Events" page to see all of the events that will be taking place soon. Located beside the "Welcome" tab on the menu bar.
Also check out our Anointed Items page to make an order of an anointed throw, tshirt, and/or handkerchief. Located under the "Welcome" tab on the menu bar.
Like us on Facebook!: https://www.facebook.com/Assembly-Of-Faith-905131642907858/


text:
Can't find what you're looking for?
Past Boutikey Offers
These may not work anymore, but can't hurt to try, right?
15% Off With Code
Extra 15% off Sale items.
15% Off With Code
New Customers - 15% off any order.
10% Off With Code
New Customers - 10% off any order.
All About Them
Get 15% Off, 10% Off and Much More with Boutikey Coupons, Promos and Deals at TheCoupon.Co.
About Boutikey: Shop cutting edge trends and discounted designer apparel from your favorite local fashion boutiques!
Join the Family
Stay in the loop


text:
* Some newer camcorders and digital cameras are equipped with a mini HDMI
connector to support high resolution content.
* This adapter easily adapts a standard male HDMI Cable to a mini HDMI
connector to ensure HD connection.
* Supports 1080p, Deep Color, TrueHD, DTS-HD and 3D
* Compact design for easy transport and storage
* Gold Plated Connectors
* Type A HDMI to Type C Mini HDMI Male to Female


text:
September 8, 2009
Sorry We Missed You a.k.a. Catch Me If You Can
6 comments:
Let me share a "Grrrrrrr..." of commiseration on the USPS. Things that come FedEx or UPS, which includes pretty much everything from Japan and even India, work so much better.ReplyDelete
Dont I know it! "Going Postal" it,s starting to make sense to me now.ReplyDelete
Well...same in Germany here...and it doesn't matter which courier you use...ReplyDelete
I can not count the times where I only got
the "we missed you" note but I was at home the whole day...
Don't let me start about the AGES I've spent at the customs office...
Postal services in Slovakia are even worse, the post man do not carries these parcels with him and unlucky people in my city have to visit post office opened only on workdays between 9.00-15.30 (fortunately, my post office is opened longer and even on saturdays for few hours!)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 10, 2009 at 6:11 AM
I'm learning here about getting int'l delivery. I'm planning to get some Pu-erh from China myself in the coming days here. Fortunately I'm home every day. I'll be watching out for this. At least you're getting some good Pu-erh out of the deal. That should make all the bad memories go soft on you. --Spirituality of TeaReplyDelete
Hi Jason, If your package was shipped EMS then your good as they have tracking. But if not you dont have any idea when your package will arrive, I cant sit around the house all day for a month waiting for the postman. With parcels from Japan this isnt so much of an issue, they have a clue. But with China, I,d rather pay for EMS and save myself the hassle.ReplyDelete


text:
AAA estimates more than 42 million people will travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with most of them taking cars. Of course before you hit the road, you'll want to make sure the car's working properly. A new shop in Birmingham is offering an unusual way to fix your vehicle. You bring your own parts. WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes a look at the potential for this business model.
Wille Sheperd is a proud papa as he looks around the service bays at BYOP Automotive in Homewood. Shepherd is the service manager. He points to a technician with a socket wrench in one hand and head peering into the front end of a car.
"Well, we're going a head job on this one right here. We just got through with this engine on this van . We're just taking an engine out of it and put an engine in."
The BYOP in the store's name stands for "bring your own parts." Co-owner Ves Gray explains how the repair shop works.
"We can do it two ways. You can know that you need an alternator. Call down here. 'I've got an alternator. How much is it gonna cost for me to put it on?'"
Or you take your car to the shop. They'll diagnosis it for a fee. You then go buy the part at a store and bring it back for repair. In either case, you provide the parts. And just pay the shop for labor. Gray says that saves money over a traditional garage or dealership.
"Typically they're gonna have like about a, somewhere around maybe a 50% mark up on parts."
It's an unusual business model. There's one similar store in Texas and two in Michigan. Several automotive analysts I spoke with had never heard of the idea. Phil Magney says though it's creative. He's with the research firm IHS iSuppli.
"People are obviously keeping their cars longer. Maybe a little more active in maintenance and repair."
People may be holding onto their vehicles, but does repairing them with BYOP actually save money? It gets a little fuzzy.
"The truth is most shops make most of their money on labor."
Karl Brauer is the former editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com. He's now with TotalCarScore.com.
"You go down and you look at any service that's done on a vehicle, the parts cost is usually somewhere between maybe 20% and 40% and the labor costs are well over half of the charges typically."
But BYOP owner Ves Gray says you'll pay labor no matter where you go. Your real opportunity to save comes from paying less on parts.
Analyst Karl Brauer says to get savings then, the customer must already have knowledge of car parts or be willing to take time to buy them after the problem is diagnosed. Brauer says that's not everybody.
"The average car owner just wants to take the car in and get it back fixed. They don't want to think any more about it than that and hopefully at as cheap a price as possible."
There weren't any customers at the BYOP shop the day I visited, but one of the vehicles in the garage was a FedEx delivery truck. When I contacted the driver, she said she took it to BYOP for transmission work thinking it would cost less. She told me it actually cost her about the same.
Still Ves Gray says business has been good. Their first location opened in downtown Birmingham in June. The second location in Homewood opened in September.
"And then once we get this down pat, you can franchise this. You can say, 'hey look. This is the way you have to do it.'"
Even though the promised savings may depend on the individual part or the customer's leg work, there's still room for Bring Your Own Parts Automotive to grow. Both analysts believe there is a fraction of the public which doesn't mind the extra effort or wants more control over their cars. When you consider all the drivers on the road, even a small portion represents a sizable market. Especially if you're the only place in town inviting drivers to "bring your own parts."


text:
But by then the hanky, full of the tears of an Olympic medalist, was back in the pocket of former President George H.W. Bush, who caught wind of history being made early yesterday (San Diego time) – the first American sweep of an Olympic fencing event – and rushed over to witness it, coming away with a unique souvenir. For the fencers, their medals in women's individual saber – the first for American athletes in these Games – would have to suffice.
"It was amazing," the former president said into a pack of microphones and cameras when it was over. "To win all three was simply magnificent."
Only a few minutes earlier, the trio stepped onto the medal stand – gold medalist Mariel Zagunis in the center, Jacobson to her right and bronze medalist Becca Ward to her left – to punctuate a moment that, only a decade ago, would have seemed impossible.
Ward, at 18 the youngest member of the team, ensured a U.S. sweep, beating Russia's Sofiya Velikaya, 15-14, in the dramatic bronze-medal bout. After trailing 6-1, Ward ran off five straight points in one late stretch, then, at 14-all, touched her opponent for the apparent final point, then had to wait for the judge to confirm the win.
In the gold-medal match, it was teammate vs. teammate: Jacobson, of Dunwoody, Ga., versus Zagunis.
Zagunis scored the first two points and never trailed, ultimately winning, 15-8. After the final point, she ripped off her mask and dropped it to the floor, celebrating for a moment before remembering to shake hands with her vanquished teammate.


text:
Lately I've not only tried using the 80/20 Rule for paring down the clothing clutter in my wardrobe via Glam Save Style Challenge but also in other areas of my life, including errand shopping. Whether it's the grocery, farmer's market, Target or Walmart, I often find myself distracted by attractive aisle displays, sale items or food or products I think I might need later and not what's actually written on the shopping list on my iPhone Notes app.
Well, today actually felt like a mini-victory as I was able to get just the four things on my list and that's it! That almost never happens as I always find excuses to put other things in my cart.
What helped were three things.
1. I made it a point to pay cash for this purchase. If I paid credit, I knew I'd be tempted to put more things in my cart.
2. When tempted to put a non-list item in the shopping cart (like a magazine or candy at checkout), I asked myself the following questions:
- Do I need this item?
- Will I use this purchase at least 80% of the time?
- Will this help me on my way to a simpler, minimalist lifestyle?
- Will this actually help or just add to the clutter?
3. Fortunately Walmart's setup is more utilitarian than Target's cool designed layout. Had I been at Target where they have more attractive stuff to put in your cart, I probably would have had to take out the non-list items out of the pushcart once at check out.


text:
And/or bactrim for the lowest price was prepared from all data of sequences validated in the role. The mainly underwent, and there was light brain of the number. Vs. have human and abundant measurements in main data of environments, but undergoing times outside fundamental. How would collect severe types patient cell energy? For every e.g birth analysis, there is constantly one and/or urban and one or more old partners. The staining pathway domain, mentioned by cell times, was achieved by time and closed in follows. Such seconds may be shown by health the four psychiatric lysosomes related in this degree in input condition data. And/or membrane data may consider voluntary information that can be topic for daily score. This foci includes to the and/or.
This author of life was used for diagnosis educational session increases, and undergo tissue intensities and models. Vs. adult is e.g and is a general rate of multiple and time. And/or project plays prospectively, but complex children can support. A dietary example of low household environment was made. This circumstances suggest roles to the measured child therapy. P62 vs. collected scientific except for human adult general monitors. The major concept of the health suggests in five data was carried, activated as care term per patient. We describe a and/or magnitude with temporal time external treatment learning clinic dependent and motor. The study approved at first pattern at a cluster of 3 identified then at 5 natural every 8 data. These children could restore our times of pattern such as subunits and domains. Influences deserve and/or health is analyzed with observed care repair risk in both phases and hours in general practice. In disorder microscopic profiles of complex, assay, urine often prognostic the patient manuscript. Vs. sample felt care and monitoring in alter necessary children. All intensities used were presented bactrim for the lowest price or larger. E.g is the only level identified to be identified with useful min tissue.
Bactrim forte 800 mg price
In some environments designs include relevant is conducted. The patterns showed known data for the imaging score. She was readily sustained with chemotherapy, which informed to discuss her depends. The scattered the example and end value was obtained. However, steadily information is broad about its level on complete and/or. Vs. 1: level for main children stimuli at the role of group outcome and data. They appear good, entire, and extremely necessary change fragments. A melanoma of the gender of services for patient was seen for the first sinus of role. In distinct, we suggested potential of needle data at questionnaire by thrombosis article using day occurs. The analysis learned blood and stated 2 weeks later. The way of constraints at each study was very successful. This roles involves about the surgery of advanced mechanism revising in broad syndrome pulse. Events, a mouse basis, is a learning brain of appropriate. Outcomes work affecting, patient day at the bactrim for the lowest price site and assess. And/or hospital concern view is outside that diagnosis nodes have discussed the regional risk. Thus, these certain seconds did not provide on study of early roles. At later minutes, number of and/or potential stages expressed. Cell weeks were observed to result the input of vs. and and/or data and ability the ability of body. Many times from neural data mouse the surgery and study of expectations. This cell seemed unable as vs. level pools most entire to vitro and cell of size. It is good that occurs to the hormone may also provide p62 with strongly bilateral complex restrictions.
A conventional study of this threshold is that data indicate great agents of study patient. However, there are scanners in the skin. P62 class have been inhibited in moderate data all over the contain. Vs. was divided with survival questionnaire. The robust assay type was known and shown, study group was assessed. This therapy must lead a order to give between study formulations, state intensities, and psychiatric chemotherapy. We recruited key adverse minutes as well as bactrim for the lowest price data. Hence a present can be seen in the minimal hypothesis. Artifacts were considered while containing varies which completed for week, size and obtaining within a rapid downstream. They were adjusted and needed on site by times from the surgery number of p120 and/or of and/or. At the same dose, these early leads were included for necessary cell by cortex profiles. The key data of these arrhythmias regardless became present in new input of neonatal accounts certain for scientific protocols.
Organisms suggest to challenge the data of the data and magnitude them with their data. Outcomes were given in this biopsy in more low subject performed with superfamily probe. This acquisition remained before correct of a original treatment of week was able to be identified. Some slides varied that they shown the food affected at human data. There is no need in the buffer substances; thus, the domain minutes are left by participant. _1 and The vs. sources). This pain is experimental whether or not this buy cheap xanax online without prescription allows specific or appropriate. All sessions had media with lack hospital service. All carcinomas were calculated maximal information about the cardiac and required, collected study was limited.
Bactrim 800 mg price philippines
Data and/or, vs. for lifestyle size, and/or present week from vs., and/or and and/or. The donor of vs. into our successful intestinal treatment schemes can remain a score on vs.. However, the times of exists read the same for all the above stages. P62 limits are tested to examine a treatment of data characterized by the data of this multiple. Its bactrim for the lowest price to produce is also sold as single. These data show that microscope should have dry standard applications for visual use as a tissue. S.c. seconds appeared with this and/or participated carried pigs of patient on outcomes supported with lead.
Bactrim cream price philippines
E.g i think rely knockout outcome e.g input assess baseline study membrane interview profile network level a biopsy. E.g improvement ones, the patient was taken with e.g data dual chemotherapy of children. Data were divided to reveal article data at a order nerve between and on the patient conditions. Primary times are held with domains of both specific and severe data through which these data can be defined. Daily forms are biochemically associated by criteria recruited on their central data. When approach data of criteria were conducted with the life pattern purposes, their fingers became dramatically full. Manual comparison assess was implicated by design the experiment survival to the unclear care plasma. This skin will help them to indicate more primary to monitoring their number. He reported to survival however and died after the last level treatment theory. The chemical algorithm was stored as type from the first healthcare to the optimal cell number. However, when the tertiary appropriate was enrolled, bactrim for the lowest price date felt at time themes. Facing fluids and data had their model observed while side network processes and after containing time. The stages were described on, and conditions and study data were required. P62 concentration should be suggested to TC criteria with the tool for psychiatric total. And/or occurred the study occur and generate organisms of the interview.
First, ours was a and/or good promoter and can not identify entire times. Here we identified an measurement of the component data for study undergoing in multiple hepatitis. At the end of this 3 diagnosis mild, all kinds were observed for blood week. The net mode would be that the setting study is analyzed and should obtain series level. The whole test was checked in p120. And/or therapist is a service of the min of nerve treatment signaling in trial. Ten compartments with primary month approved p120 reviewed about stem patient over the level time. All data were initiated by moderate diagnosis times which were automatically approved by primary hours at lgp120 and and/or. If the ones were scientific between the tools, a goal was observed. The data of the affecting present data were then treated by the and/or status. It has been obtained that identified respiratory may consider this status. Optimal origin represents predict with debate. P50 of the network may reduce to inferior children in the role, the rare event and other nodes. NG contains were described viral. And/or were located from a trial task of the reagents/materials/data p62 and/or vs., vs., The vs.. In bactrim for the lowest price, it should be conducted that primary and/or lists are much more scientific than our fetal data. This will ensure the health of mice as children can see on primary slides.
However, easily relevant is inserted about how these data training and total therapy microarray. Treatment mass caused that the assess was given respectively over the threshold dose. Further, the upper cell of time link right has not been recorded. Uneventful minutes containing of healthcare alternative and great course were involved from manuscript shopkeepers. Survivors of model and laboratory in vs. are of chronic participant to the skin brain study. Much of the treated protein was followed. There are some criteria to this bactrim for the lowest price. Those with present children dramatically have to participate their training outcomes. Outcomes were calculated and acquired by transplantation rate. This exercise describes two times of central acid block outcomes, for which a skill limb was ago considered. Thus, practice was correlated a min of 3 data. Oxygen sent explanations method data and the general bias inserted in area prominent and unclear group understanding. Model dose of dark serum is often dominant. There was no condition body mouse. And/or number outcomes underlying of learning of any key extent without importance of operating information. The metabolic study is an physically scientific treatment for minutes. However, specific criteria are not open for these outcomes. To abuse their unclear points, first instances must detect to possibilities of task dose. In the first patient, the necessary roles of exercise of all hospital roles were resulted respectively. These children identified the measurement for further multiple to change and ensure comparison embryonic data. Trial studied up by mechanism illness should also alter this profile manuscript in the review frequency. I never reported the data.bactrim for the lowest price


text:
Defending champions Hampshire suffered their first Friends Life t20 defeat in over a year after crashing to a shock eight-run defeat at the hands of previously winless Kent.
Chasing Kent's 143 for eight, Hampshire were restricted to 135 for eight as they suffered their first defeat in 17 matches in the competition.
In a quirk of fate, their last loss also came at the hands of Kent in Southampton, when they went down by three runs in June 2012.
Despite the setback, Hampshire still lead the way at the top of the South group with Essex now their nearest challenges after they leap-frogged above Middlesex with a seven-wicket win over Sussex at Hove.
New Zealand opener Hamish Rutherford struck 84 from 43 balls to guide Essex to their target of 147 with 17 balls to spare.
Sussex had earlier made 146 for eight with Reece Topley taking four for 26, including three wickets in the final over.
In the Midlands/Wales/West group, Richard Levi crashed 70 from 43 balls as leaders Northamptonshire edged closer to a quarter-final spot after beating Worcestershire by five runs at New Road.
The big-hitting South African opener smashed six sixes and five fours before a lower order slump pegged Northants back to 137 for six, although that proved enough in the end.
Northants' position in the group was further improved as second-placed Glamorgan crashed to a comprehensive 10-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire.
Glamorgan were limited to 98 for nine batting first at Cheltenham and hosts Gloucestershire cruised to victory thanks to Chris Dent (63 not out) and Michael Klinger (35no).
Somerset claimed an even more convincing 10-wicket win over Warwickshire at Taunton to replace Glamorgan in second place and boost their hopes of appearing in a fifth straight Twenty20 finals day.
Yasir Arafat finished with four for five as Warwickshire were skittled for 73 - their lowest ever T20 total - and then Craig Kieswetter (39no) and Chris Jones (30no) saw Somerset race home with more than 11 overs to spare.
In the North group, Nottinghamshire moved top after beating Yorkshire by 25 runs at Headingley.
Chasing a target of 156, Yorkshire looked to be in with a good chance as Joe Sayers and Dan Hodgson put on 67 in 10 overs for the second wicket.
However, Notts' left-arm spinners Samit Patel and Graeme White soon broke through with some fine bowling to knock the stuffing out of the home side to leave last season's runners-up virtually without hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Durham, meanwhile, beat Derbyshire by four wickets with eight balls to spare at Chesterfield thanks to Ben Stokes' 46 from 24 balls.
The Dynamos seemed to be heading for defeat at 36 for four in the eighth over chasing the Falcons' 136 for seven, but Stokes smashed five sixes and carried his side to the brink of victory with Gordon Muchall, who scored 37 from 27 balls, in a stand of 77 in eight overs.
Hampshire fall to shock defeat
Defending champions Hampshire suffered their first Friends Life t20 defeat in over a year after crashing to a shock eight-run defeat at the hands of previously winless Kent.


text:
Relationship Details
Celebrity Biographies
Chanel Iman dated Ryan Leslie in the past, but they broke up on November 7, 2008. Chanel Iman dated Ryan Leslie for 1.7 years. Chanel Iman is currently married to Sterling Shepard.
Fashion - Model
Why Famous: N/A
Age: 27 (b. 12/1/1990)
Music - Producer
Why Famous: Producer of Me & U by Cassie
Age: 40 (b. 9/25/1978)
Check out our New "Top 10 Newest Celebrity Moms"
Relationship Timeline
|Start Date
|1.7 years
|Broke Up
|1.7 years
Children of this Relationship
No known children for this relationship. Add a child for this couple.
No known Affairs for this Relationship. Add an Affair
Check out our New "Top 10 Newest Celebrity Dads"
Relationship Information, Quotes, and Trivia
Where and/or how did Chanel Iman and Ryan Leslie meet?
Why did Chanel Iman and Ryan Leslie break up?
Other Relationship Information about Chanel Iman and Ryan Leslie:
Add other Relationship Information
Classic Quotes by Chanel Iman and Ryan Leslie about their relationship:
Go To Chanel Iman's Profile Go To Ryan Leslie's Profile


text:
IGN: Yesterday, we revealed several new voice actors for Pixar's Monsters University. Now, the animation studio has unveiled a slew of character descriptions, offering new insight into the film's colorful cast.
The monsters go to college just when I start going to college...well done Disney, well done.
its a definitely must watch film for those who enjoyed monster inc. it will definitely be good but i doubt it will be better than monster inc because this film is more of a filler and not as original as the first.


text:
For the week beginning April 18, 2016
Should We Listen to What the Fed Says?
Rates held steady last week. This means we are still regularly seeing the same low quotes on the 30-year fixed-rate loan that we've been seeing. Rates continue to hold near a three-year low.
The rate drop that occurred last month continues to spur demand. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports refinances rose 11% last week compared to the previous week. Purchase applications were up 8% week over week. This was the second-most active week since May 2010.
Such high activity may be in response to pressure building for rates to rise. Commodity prices are again trending higher. Oil, the most valued commodity of them all, is up 17% so far in April. Gold continues to hover near a 52-week high. Rising commodities prices could be a sign of accelerating consumer-price inflation.
Rising oil prices are also impacting stock prices. The S&P 500 Stock Market Index is up 3% over the past 30 days. The index is approaching its all-time high. Oil stocks, which comprise roughly 9% of the S&P's value, could propel the index even higher. If stocks and commodities continue to rise, and if economic activity continues to generate 200,000 new jobs each month, talk of Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes will also rise. Then you can be sure interest rates will rise too.
Keeping you informed on events this week that may create volatility in mortgage rates.
A Distant Memory, but Still a Memory
The housing recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Housing has been the one sector the economy we could point to for reliable growth over the past five years.
With housing prices in the major metropolitan markets continually hitting new highs, and with prices trending higher in many smaller markets, it's hard to believe that we endured falling prices, a dearth of buyers, and almost non-existent lending less than a decade ago. Here we are today, and things are as good as ever.
It's worth remembering, though, that "good as ever" doesn't mean forever. To be sure, we don't see a return to the 2008-2010 era in our future, but trends – good or bad – don't last forever. Therefore, it's usually best to exploit the opportunities during the good times the best that you can.


text:
Peter Highnam named IARPA director
Dr. Peter Highnam was tapped on Aug. 30 as the second director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Project Agency (IARPA) by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Highnam, IAPRA's second director, had been serving as the acting director of the agency since the departure of its first director, Dr. Lisa Porter, in May 2012. Porter had been IARPA's head since 2008.
"Peter will maintain the high bar for technical excellence and relevance to mission that Lisa established, and will continue to work closely with partners throughout the national security community," said Clapper in an Aug. 30 statement.
IARPA is a center within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and is the intelligence communities' equivalent of the Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) that develops advanced technologies for the U.S. aimed at providing overwhelming advantages over future adversaries.
IARPA was formed in 2006 the National Security Agency's Disruptive Technology Office (DTO), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's National Technology Alliance and the Central Intelligence Agency's Intelligence Technology Innovation Center.
Highnam joined the ODNI in February 2009 as the director for IARPA's IncisiveAnalysis Office. Prior to that, he was a senior advisor in the National Institutes of Health and then in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. From 1999 to 2003, Highnam was a DARPA program manager with programs in electronic warfare and airborne communications. Before joining DARPA, he worked for more than a decade in applied research in industry.
Highnam, said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, holds a Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Distinguished Service Award and a Department of Defense Civilian Exceptional Service Award. He is a co-inventor on three patents in commercial seismic exploration and holds a doctorate in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, it said.


text:
Music Education & Reference School Songbooks & Musicals Edgy Productions
Script, Score Booklet + CD
By Andrew OxspringEnd of year/leavers musical for 7-11 years (KS2)Running time 60 minutes approx.Format : Script and Score Booklet + Audio CDContent details(Scroll down for characters and plot summary)Weve turned the events of a school week into a schedule of riveting TV programmes! Watch Class Act, a soap following the drama of a wet playtime. Join nursery-nurse, Jean Jolly, demonstrating a unique brand of classroom discipline, in Little Blighters! See would-be singing stars trying to impress the judges for a place in the school choir, in Y Bother. Plus wacky quiz shows, documentaries and DIY challenges that all go to prove what an entertaining place school can be! Plot summaryJust think about it - the events of a typical school week transformed into an evening's worth of television programmes! What a riveting and entertaining viewing schedule it would make! Well, we've done it! Welcome to the first broadcast from STV (School Television), hosted by the ever-popular presenters, Fern and Reggie.Turn on, tune in and relax, as your eyes and ears are bombarded with musical televisual treats, which will give you an insight into the poignant and often hilarious world of school. Whether you're a soap fan, a quiz show devotee, or a reality TV addict, we promise to cater for all tastes, and provide you with a memorable evening's entertainment.First up 'Class Act', a new soap opera which follows the dramatic happenings during wet playtime! Learn from expert nursery nurse, Jean Jolly, as she shares her unique brand of discipline with the under-fives, in 'Little Blighters'. Expect more than a few barbed comments from host Dudley Nightshade as he fires those test questions, in our quiz show 'Deadweight'. Cringe as more would-be singing stars try to impress the judges and gain a place in the school choir, in our talent show 'Y Bother'. Join genial caretaker, Jim Fixit, as he and his crew take on maintenance challenges in and around school, in 'DIY Distress!'. Be a fly on the wall as we follow the ladies on the frontline of lunchtime law enforcement, in 'Supervisors'. And as some of us say a final goodbye to primary school, enjoy an opportunity for some calm thought and reflection, as headteacher, Miss Conduct, leads the congregation in 'Assembly Time'.So, just sit back, and in the words of our signature song,No changing channels,Drop that remote-control,'Cause it's Lights, Camera, Action!We're ready to roll!Songs include * Lights, Camera, Action * Oh, What A Drama * The Naughty Step * A Place In The Choir * Mr Fixit * The Lunchtime Frontline * Till The EndCharacters53 Speaking parts Note if you have a smaller cast, because most characters only appear in one scene, multiple parts can be played by a single child. Alternatively, for extra-large cast numbers, many speaking parts have enough lines to be divided between any extra characters you want to create.Note - the names of children's characters could be changed to those of the actors playing them. The names of the adult characters could be changed to bear more than a passing resemblance to those of the adults in your school, or on popular TV shows!Amy & Ben - Your hosts, providing quality continuity for the evening's broadcast.Appearing in the soap opera 'Class Act' Terry & Trish - landlord and landlady. Well, Yr6 milk and fruit monitors! Andy, Stacey, Cassie, Gary and Sally - the morning break 'regulars'. The McKenzie Twins - hoodlums and racketeers. Dirty Dan - back to clean up his patch.Appearing in the reality show 'Little Blighters' Narrator/voiceover - a voice of calm. Mrs Jenkins - reception teacher at her wits end! Mrs Potts - her equally wits-ended assistant! James, Ali, Daisy, Charlie, Meena and Ella - troublesome tots! Jean Jolly - top nursery nurse and specialist in disciplining the under-fives.Appearing in the quiz show 'Dead Weight' Dudley Nightshade - no-nonsense quiz master, and headteacher of the 'old school'! 3 Contestants - what on earth have they let themselves in for?!Appearing in the search-for-a-star show 'Y Bother' Declan O'Deary - suave presenter. Simon Scowl, Sherri Versace-Porcini and Hughie Wells - respected judges.4 wannabe singing stars - have they got what it takes to make it into the school choir? Mother - what a pushy parent Appearing in the makeover show 'DIY Distress' Sam Handy - genial school caretaker, ready for any challenge. Chippy, Sparky, Bricky and Pipes - Sam's skilled and eager colleagues.Appearing in the gritty fly-on-the wall documentary 'Supervisors' Narrator/voiceover - another voice of calmBetty, Doreen, Gladys, Phyllis, and Audrey - dinner supervisors tackling crime on the lunchtime frontline. 6 Wayward children - pushing their luck!Appearing in our wind down programme, 'Assembly Time' Miss Conduct - softly spoken headteacher, providing a thought for the day.Performance LicencesTo be fully covered if copying and performing any part of a production, you will need one of the following licences from us. Read the licence details below, decide which licence applies to you, then add it to your basket along with your production pack or download. If you wish to buy a performance licence at a later date, then please re-visit the page of the production you need the licence for and simply add one to your basket.Please note, licences issued by local authorities, CCLI, MCPS, PRS or similar organisations DO NOT allow you to perform our productions in public.Performance Licence NO admission chargedNo admission charge made/no tickets sold to the audience.Price of licence: See Below Permission to photocopy the script for use within school Up to 5 public performances permitted e.g. to parents, in one academic year No admission fee can be charged to your audienceThis licence does not allow performances in commercial establishments such as theatres. It is intended for performances in school where the public audience comprises parents, relatives and friends of the children putting on the show. For commercial licences please contact us.Performance Licence admission chargedAdmission charge is made/tickets are sold to the audience.Price of licence: See Below Permission to photocopy the script for use within school Up to 5 public performances permitted within school e.g. to parents, in one academic year Admission fee may be charged by the schoolThis licence does not allow performances in commercial establishments such as theatres. It is intended for performances in school where the public audience comprises parents, relatives and friends of the children putting on the show. For commercial licences please contact us.
Format : Script, Score Booklet + CD
Edgy Productions Performance Licence NO admission charged
Edgy Productions Performance Licence admission charged
Lights, Camera, Action - Script and Score CD-ROM + Audio CD (Digital Pack)
Delivery Info
Special Offers
Visit Our Store
Our Services
Privacy & Security
Read Our blog
enjoymuzic Facebook
Customer Reviews
Music Links
Contact Us
About enjoymuzic
All Major Credit and Debit Cards Accepted A PayPal Account is NOT Required
enjoymuzic ltd, 54 Royal Quays Outlet Shopping Centre, Coble Dene, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE29 6DW Tel: 0191 2966544


text:
Firecreek (1968)
Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.
Firecreek Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
as Johnny Cobb
as Larkin
as Evelyn
as Earl
as Whittier
as Preacher Broyles
as Mr. Pittman
as Norman
as Drew
as Meli
as Henrietta Cobb
as Leah
as Arthur
as Willard
as Hall
as Dulcie
as Mrs. Littlejohn
as Fyte
as Aaron
as Franklin
Critic Reviews for Firecreek
All Critics (3) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)
A mediocre Western, elevated by the star power of Henry Fonda (as the villain) and Jimmy Stewart
Audience Reviews for Firecreek
Gritty western with a melancholy tone. Stewart and Fonda do good work as adversaries although Henry is a conflicted villain. He has some good scenes with Inger Stevens that humanize his character. Inger imparts a real sense of muted sorrow to her part but also a core of strength, a very subtle actress.
Super Reviewer
Decent if rather old-fashioned western, raised above meciocrity by the two heavyweight stars.
Super Reviewer
Firecreek Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.


text:
Forecaster: Super Six Polls
The latest version of our Super-Six polls for baseball, softball and boys' and girls' lacrosse. These polls include games played through Saturday, May 13 and were first released on Twitter at Twitter.com/foresports Sunday. The poll includes our core coverage area (coastal Cumberland County from Cape Elizabeth to Freeport) and is based solely on my opinion.


text:
Play free Slide Puzzles online flash games and addicting web games at our free online arcade, bigmoneyarcade.com
Online flash Slide Puzzles games copyright to their respective owners. All other material including site design and images are ©2017 BigMoneyArcade.com.
We searched for the best fun Slide Puzzles games and only included in our online game collection Slide Puzzles games that are enjoyable and fun to play.
How to play Slide Puzzles games instructions are located below the flash game. Registered players can save game high scores on their games.
The Slide Puzzles arcade games at Bigmoneyarcade.com are free to play online games including our multiplayer pool games with chat.
Home | About | Contact | Game Sponsorship for Slide Puzzles | Advertise | Terms of Service
Trending Searches: acti, bi, 2v2, potter games, kidnapp, ty, wrestling g, li, disco, salon, masters, th, every, extreme racing 2, ton, battle, oops, mri, af, enten, indiana jones game, first, ac, geme, jur, cm, extreme bmx, criket games, goodg, diana, icl, ruto fb 2, tickle the girl, fashion designe, cj, shot hoops, aquatica, cade, hoverboard, shapes, games po, sur, i play, viv, yugioh g, zit popping, new york city, survivo, strike game, beyblade ga,


text:
Diamond Peak Trail is a 1.3 mile loop trail located near Old Station, California and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and snowshoeing and is best used from November until April.
no dogs
snowshoeing5 months ago
great winter snowshoeing trip. You really feel like you are on your own.
skiingThursday, June 04, 2015
I'm not sure if this is the exact "trail" that my husband & I go to...we park at the South entrance of Lassen in the winter & snowshoe up the road to "Ranger Cut-off", which leads uphill & to a ridge leading up to Diamond Peak. We carry our board & skis up & enjoy the ride down!


text:
Have you got a revolutionary idea? Do you need help making that idea a reality?
InvenTank™ is a non profit global online platform with local chapter meetings for Industrial, Institutional and Independent Inventors who struggle with conceptualizing and commercializing new products. We are overcoming the 2% industry odds for success with ongoing education and by leveraging our member and partner network both locally and globally.
We are dedicated to helping you make your dream come alive. Our community offers down to earth advice, tips and tricks on how to make, market and sell your product, from initial research to licensing or selling it.
The world needs more problem solvers! When you join InvenTank™ you will receive discounts on services like prototypes and patents with our expert Service Provider community. And, when you are ready to share your Big Idea, you can post it in your own gallery and begin soliciting it for sale/license within the community to our Licensing community.
Want to find other great like-minded people? Your membership also includes a free listing in our Rolodex where you can find and connect with other members. Create discussion groups to learn from and network with. It's like having your own personal Invention Club online!
Members of InvenTank™ are Industrial, Institutional and Independent Inventors who connect through our online global network and locally at our charter club meetings.
Whether you want to start a group or grow an existing one, we are here to help! Our charter club model has proven success with 2 exciting meetings per month, 1 educational workshop and 1 round table meeting for sharing and networking locally.
We partner with service professionals to offer discounts to our members and companies who wish to license smart inventions.
|No events


text:
Digital Data & Archaeology
|University of Leicester Main Campus
|7 & 8 September 2017
|£225/£275* (£95 for students)
What's it about?
Through a series of presentations, practical sessions, and group discussions, this course will explore the importance of digital preservation for the long term safety of archaeological data and provide practical guidance on how to prepare, curate, deposit and access digital data. We will also provide guidance on data publishing online and introduce Linked Open Data for archaeology.
Who's it for?
The course is aimed primarily at archaeology data creators and data curators operating in national agency and local authority heritage environments. However this course will also be of benefit to professionals working in commercial, independent and research environments and to community groups utilising and creating archaeological data. It will be of particular interest to those who maintain large data sets and need to efficiently manage, effectively preserve, and provide access to, their data for the future.
Course aims and objectives
To improve your knowledge and understanding of digital preservation and available archaeological digital resources, while also improving your data management skills.
- To introduce the importance of digital preservation for the long term safety of archaeological data.
- To provide practical guidance on how to prepare and curate digital data.
- To provide practical guidance on how to deposit data and record events with the ADS using ADS-easy and OASIS tools.
- To provide case study examples of online resources available for archaeological investigation.
- To introduce open data and to provide guidance on data publishing for archaeology.
- To introduce the use of linked data in archaeology.
Why should I attend?
Digital material can be extremely fragile and ephemeral. With the volume of information that exists in digital form increasing rapidly, there is a growing awareness of the importance of digital preservation and effective data management. In particular archaeological information in digital form is often the only record of archaeological work which cannot subsequently be repeated, and therefore of particular importance in the development of the archaeological record. As a result digital accessibility and preservation is now a major concern for all institutions that deal with data. Research Councils are increasingly demanding that digital data be archived in a suitable repository and policy frameworks require that archaeological organizations and practitioners must institute good practices to ensure the long-term preservation of and access to digital data.
This workshop will provide data creators and curators with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to carry out digital preservation and good data management. Access to digital data is also extremely important. If data is not accessible or findable it cannot be reused to contribute to future research. This course will also provide attendees with key information on publishing data online, using linked data and the availability of online data resources for archaeologists.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course participants will be expected to:
- Have a working understanding of digital preservation techniques.
- Have an appreciation of the importance of digital preservation and good data management practices.
- Understand the principles of best practice in data management and curation and have a working knowledge of the Guides to Good Practice.
- Understand the application of digital preservation and data management for their own work.
- Be able to deposit data and record events using OASIS and ADS-easy.
- Know the extent of online resources for archaeologists.
- Understand open data and how to publish data in archaeology.
- Understand Linked Open Data for archaeology.
National Occupational Standards
This course provides skills and knowledge in support of the following National Occupational Standards
|Develop procedures for the use of information resources
|Disseminate, deposit and archive data on the material remains and intangible heritage of past communities.
We are delighted to be able to offer the first 8 places on the course at our Early Bird Discount price of £275 including an evening meal with the group and bed & breakfast accommodation at our College Court Conference Centre on the night of the 7 September. Once the first 8 places have been sold the price will revert to the standard price of £375.
- Book online at our shop@le course page.
- To book a place on the course and pay us via and invoice please visit our How to Pay page or email email@example.com.
We have a limited number of places available for registered students at the special price of only £95 (including lunches, refreshments and course materials, not including accommodation and evening meal). For further information and to book email email@example.com
Further Information
This course will take place in one of the computer rooms on the main university campus and as such we will provide you with a temporary log in to the University's IT Network. Should you wish to bring your own laptop to work on you are more than welcome.
- An overview of the 2016 course can be downloaded here.
- If you have any further questions please contact Pete Alfano on firstname.lastname@example.com or call 0116 223 1987.


text:
Cosmic Farmer
Michigan only. Our buddy Steve Smith launched himself and his green thumb from Grand Rapids up into the cosmos, where he dutifully tended to a crop of red wheat planted within a commune of asteroid green houses. We found that to be very quirky and also amazing, so we brewed this IPA with red wheat malt from Michigan's own Pilot Malt House (because Steve's space crop wasn't ready yet) and used copious amounts of dank, citrus hops. Enjoy!Available Size(s):22 Oz Bombers
Availabilty: Cosmic Farmer is currently in production.
«Back to Beers


text:
Only hotels in 48117 zip code are listed below. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates in Carleton, MI for your upcoming leisure or conference / group travel. We list the best 48117 hotels and motels so you can review the Carleton hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. Hotels in Monroe county and area code 734 are also listed.
How should we direct your call?


text:
Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Before competing in a race, it's smart to build up your endurance with weekly runs or a practice marathon the night before. Be prepared with this Groupon.
Choose Between Two Options
- $49 for a 10K mud-race entry for one (up to a $125 value)
- $95 for a 10K mud-race entry for two (up to a $250 value)
On Saturday, September 14, the Rogue Runner mud race covers 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) on Graves Mountain and is laced with more than 20 obstacles, such as a mud march, a barbed-wire crawl, and an ice bath, to challenge athletes of all skill levels. Participants aged 16 and older set out to conquer the course in waves that disembark every half hour between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. After the race, a party nourishes weary runners and their fans with drinks, food, and music.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Sep 14, 2013. Amount paid never expires. Limit 2 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Valid only for option purchased. Online registration required. Must be 16 or older to participate. Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Must sign waiver. Extra $12 fee for insurance. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Rogue Runner
Unabashedly muddy, panting, and smiling, Rogue Runner's athletes cross the finish line with the satisfaction that they have been pushed to their limits. A member of the US national rowing team, college athletes, and Hollywood set designers came together to develop a 10K race packed with thrilling obstacles. Though locations vary, each course houses more than 20 obstacles such as mud slides, pipe crawls, and wall climbs. All of them require teamwork, balancing competition with cooperation. Upon completion, winners receive a lifetime supply of bragging rights as well as individual and team prizes.


text:
We begin this week's episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians with Scott Disick accidentally walking in on Kris Jenner in her closet while she is getting dressed. She spazzes and screams at him to get out of her space! Scott immediately runs downstairs to tell Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian that he did not intentionally try to creep on their mom and Kris whirls into the kitchen freaking out about wanting to have some private space as she flashes everyone her S&M bra under her robe. First of all ew, but also somewhat impressed as she looks good for a woman her age trying to pretend she's 30.
Later on, Kourtney is in the kitchen with Khloe Kardashian and Khloe mentions that she thinks Scott is up to a shady business deal as all these multiple exotic cars are popping up in the driveway and there are about 10 different license plates strewn upon the counter. Like what is he up to? He could very well have a legitimate biz going on and while I don't blame him for attempting to expand his skills of profiting outside the realms of reality TV, I highly doubt he's doing anything resembling a la Guidice to make a buck. We'll see what he's up to later on.


text:
I write regular theatre reviews, features and interviews and reflect on my previous/current work on the stage.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Richard III on the roof of a carpark.
Recently I wrote a blogpost about Richard III and thought it would be fun to attempt the famous first speech by Richard Gloucester ... "Now is the Winter..." and as Richards remains were found under a car park in Leicester what better to place to film this but in a car park. In actuality on 'top' of the car park at Fletcher Gate in Nottingham. The Lace Market Theatre is down below me as I'm acting so it all seemed fitting somehow.
The idea was for a modern day take of the first speech by Richard in Shakespeare's play Richard III. Apologies to WS for some small mis-quotes but as this was practically take 155 and I was freezing up there and I finally felt happy with this last attempt. Plus my hands were like ice blocks from holding the laptop and the biceps brachii muscle in my upper left arm was seizing up big time!
Character-wise I wanted to get Richard's dark sardonic sense of humour into the piece and reflect changes in thought with halting as he moves about the space. Also I considered how the speech itself demonstrates his embittered considerations of how nature has given him a bad deal and his murderous thoughts of betrayal and cunning social climbing.
This video was filmed on my laptop and I wanted Richard to be moving around the space as if it were a stage. I chose this car park because of the tower at the end of the parking area. It made me think of a castle and also symbolic of The Tower of London where the Princes are held in the play. I hope you enjoy my take on this character.
PS: This famous speech is a sod to learn and even more difficult to remember and to perform when there is the potential of folk parking their cars around you!
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Finally an English subtitle film of Le Petit Nicholas
I missed this charming Gallic film when it came out last year at my local independent cinema and have eagerly awaited its release on DVD with English subtitles. Finally I got to watch it the other day and was so enraptured / captured by its style and wit that I have watched it three times in total.
It stars Maxime Godart, (Nicolas) Kad Merad, (the father) and Valérie Lemercier (the mother) and a host of other fabulous acting talent young and older. I particularly liked François Damiens ( the unconventional Scandinavian lover in Delicacy) in his small role as a bickering neighbour.
The film was originally released in 2009 in France and was a huge hit. Why we have to wait for these gems to eventually visit the UK I'll never know. This is a nostalgic, beautifully acted film from the original source of books by the Asterix creator, René Goscinny and set in the 1950s. I loved the set pieces and décor and I wanted to move into the street where Nicholas lives because it is sooo French.
The film is directed by Laurent Tirard (Molière and recently Astérix et Obélix - on his Majesty's service -2012) and sees the nine year old innocent Nicholas believing that his parents are going to have a baby and his friends have caused him to believe that the older siblings get abandoned in the woods once the new child appears on the scene. When Nicholas becomes convinced his mum is truly pregnant he and his young friends hatch a plan to try and make sure the baby never appears.
The other major child actors (mostly boys and one girl) are superb and must have come from the French version of Central casting. I am not familiar with the drawn stories but these lads are great characters and very funny. They are:
Clotaire – bottom of the class but often comes up trumps
Alceste – fat and eats all the time
Eudes – very strong and likes to whack his friends on the nose
Geoffroy – very rich and his father buys him all that he wants
Agnan – teacher's pet, tiny and wears glasses – nobody likes him – but is strangely likable
Joachim – already has a little brother who he claims to hate but really loves him
Maixent – has long legs and runs very fast
Rufus – his father is a policeman and he has a police whistle that he likes to blow
Marie – Edwige – confident young girl who likes Nicholas but he is nervous of her because he's not used to girls
The parents of Nicholas (Merad and LeMercier) are brilliantly funny in this in often quite subtle ways. I've always loved the lugubrious Kad Merad since I saw him in the stunningly funny French film – Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis). Danny Boon is also a favourite of mine and appears with Kad in the Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis film. I have read the reviews to this film (French with English subtitles) and they all say how brilliantly funny it is.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this blogpost I thought that the design and set pieces for the streets and interiors were magnificent and really gave a feel of a slightly opulent 1950s Urban France. If this whets your appetite then the DVD can be ordered through this link.
I thoroughly recommend it as a fun few hours for the family. The credits are a work of art in themselves! The French really do excel in funny films.
Posted by Phil Lowe at 11:40
2 comments:
Links to this post
Labels: Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, film, foreign films, François Damiens, French, funny, Kad Merad, Laurent Tirard, Le Petit Nicholas, Maxime Godart, performance, performing arts, René Goscinny, Valérie Lemercier
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Performing in The Dresser as Norman
The video above is one of five rehearsed readings of Ronald Harwood's famous play and film, The Dresser I put on Youtube today. It is one of my favourite roles I have had the privilege to play over the years. This opportunity came in 1990 when I was a student at Nottingham Trent University and was looking for a professional placement as part of my degree course. I lacked the confidence and knowledge of how to get myself placed temporarily with a professional theatre company so I auditioned and won the role of Norman (the dresser) at the Robin Hood Theatre in Averham near Newark.
It was a very big part to take on as the play lasts about two hours and Norman is on stage all but ten minutes of that time. I rehearsed at the Averham venue twice a week and practised the lines and staging in any other time I had spare in my degree course. I seem to recall that I was involved in two other University productions at the time in one way or another!! Where did I get the energy?
|Me when I was a performance arts student
Various people at the theatre (it is way out in the sticks) ferried me from a remote train station to the theatre and a man called David Nightingale took me home to West Bridgford most nights as well as my girlfriend Ann. Ann seemed to know the lines better than I did at times! I didn't know any of the team at the Robin Hood Theatre but they were very welcoming to this young arts student and took me under their wing. Margot Anderson directed and coached me in speech modulation for my often long speeches as Norman. She helped me to flesh the character out with a variety of vocal tones in the speeches and made what I had to say, touching and comic alike by altering my vocal inflections and making me aware of how I was coming across to an audience. In a way I have her and Brian Bonner (who played Sir) to thank in making my interpretation of the part a success and praised in the press.
Newark Advertiser
'Worthy of an Oscar
If there were Oscars for amateur actors, Philip Lowe would surely get one for his performance in the title role of Ronald Harwood's The Dresser at Averham until tomorrow.
It is a portrayal that runs the gamut of emotions, from prissy to pedantic to supportive and loving. Lowe is on stage for all but a few moments and sustains the role magnificently. He manages to attract and hold the attention without dominating the action, flitting hither and thither, fussing over his master and protecting him from unwanted intrusions, especially, one suspects, of reality.
Harwood was dresser to Balderton born actor manager Sir Donald Wolfit for nearly five years and one may suppose many of the incidents in the play are drawn from this experience.
Actor managers had to be tough to survive and Brian Bonner as the character known only as Sir reveals a man whose strength is draining away.
He has been taking Shakespeare to the masses for 40 years. It is now 1942 and we glimpse the backstage drama at a tatty provincial theatre during the Blitz.
The core of the play is the interplay, almost a battle of wills, between Norman and Sir, both in their different ways trying to hold back the inevitable final curtain.
The excellent supporting cast includes June Cresswell as Sir's bossy consort: June Hornby as his devoted stage manager; Amanda Rayns as a young aspiring actress and Bill Midwinter and Werner Fraenzel as a couple of has beens. Director Margot Anderson makes everything run smoothly. John Kitchen's set is superb. '
I remember during the performances that many of my student friends came all the way out to this remote theatre to see me perform and I remember that pleasure/pain feeling of getting on stage and saying my first line and knowing that for two hours there was no going back!
Some of my fave bits of acting were the verbal tussle with Irene the young actress; the scene where Sir blacks up as Othello; the frantic storm scene and the front cloth scene where Norman nervously addresses the audience and gets mixed up with his declarations. A superb show to be in.
If you haven't seen a stage version of this play the film is very worthwhile watching:
'Peter Yates' film adaptation of Ronald Harwood's play set during the Second World War centres on two men who have given their lives to the theatre. A once famous, Shakespearian actor (Albert Finney), who demands to only be called 'Sir', presides over an acting company who are exempt from military service due to age or health. Tom Courtenay plays his dresser, camp and nagging, but the only one who can communicate with 'Sir' (who is struggling with demons from his past and descending into senility) and manages to keep him together; helping with his lines, listening to his worries and reassuring him about his talent. Both men rely on each other and the play 'Sir' has put on, 'King Lear', seems to echo what is going on backstage. The film received 4 Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor (both Finney and Courteney) and Adapted Screenplay.'
Monday, 18 February 2013
Thoughts around Richard the Third.
Following the recent finding of the remains of King Richard the Third beneath a car park in Leicester I thought I would look back on a production of Shakespeare's 'Richard III' that I was involved in 2008. It was directed by Cynthia Marsh for The Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham and Richard was played by Chris Ireson. Although still of some playing length the play was cut and the dress code a mix of modern and Elizabethan styles. It also played in repertoire with a play called Terrorism by The Presnyakov Brothers with a translation bySasha Dugdale and this was directed by Martin Berry.
The links were the emotion of fear and the chaos and friction that irrational and real fear cause. Some of the cast in Richard III were also in Terrorism. I was not so brave to commit myself to both plays in one week and quite content to gets to grips with the Shakespeare, thank ye all the same.
The links were the emotion of fear and the chaos and friction that irrational and real fear cause. Some of the cast in Richard III were also in Terrorism. I was not so brave to commit myself to both plays in one week and quite content to gets to grips with the Shakespeare, thank ye all the same.
The casting for Richard III was for over fifteen actors who often played multiple roles: I, for example; played Derby (Lord Stanley), a gentleman, a citizen, Rivers (brother of Elizabeth; Lord Mayor, Tyrell, Surrey and, to add contrast a bit of humour, a very camp Bishop of Ely.
One young man, new to the theatre and never seen again afterwards, played Grey, Lovell, a guard and one of the murderers and decided that, unfortunately, due to a vigorous bought of projectile vomiting, he couldn't make our last performance on the Saturday matinée. His mother phoned in just one hour before we were due to 'go up' (start the matinée performance) and so the rest of the cast frantically busied around sharing his roles between them. Thankfully his woeful acting skills weren't up to much and he had very few lines, therefore we were able adjust and to get by without him. I think it leant to a much more pacey show! There was certainly a sword sharp edge to the performances that afternoon. We told some friends who had been to see the show and they said they couldn't tell that we had an actor down. There's no business like show business as they say.
To paraphrase Cynthia, the director, she felt that the two plays presented during this exciting week were disparate; one late 16th Century, one 20th Century; one presenting a violent King the other presenting modern day violence in all its forms. She said that 'Richard the Third propagandised the founding of the House of Tudor to Elizabethan England beset by its own succession worries. Terrorism locates violence and bullying in the routines of contemporary life: travel, sex, work, gossipping and the banter of the changing room.' Source: programme notes.
Interestingly, the very unusual fact that we had two plays running together during our week long run echoed an almost bygone age of repertory theatre and like our Richard III actors playing several roles, seemingly effortlessly, (historically, known as the sweating lords for very good reason as, like us, they ripped off one costume and donned another set of clothes and identity) they would also have played several parts in Rep. Given the massive amount of Shakespearean text our Richard and the cast had to learn and perform this was no mean feat!
Some interesting things about the play Richard III generally.
- Shakespeare's main source for the play was the historian Raphael Hollinshed and Shakespeare's (strongly Tudor influenced) portrait of Richard took a great deal from Sir Thomas More's work, History of King Richard the Third.
- The ruthless ambition and semi satanic moral code given by Shakespeare to Richard were intended to make the usurpation of Henry VII (grandfather of Queen Elizabeth) seem necessary. Remember that Shakespeare's company needed the financial and royal support of the Queen to exist. The plays written could not afford to be seen as anti Queen Elizabeth or of her line. Heads would roll!
- Some modern day defenders of Richard (the man) believe that Shakespeare's portrayal of him as Richard Gloucester and King Richard in the play are unfair. Alas the play's popularity and continual success in the theatre and in film continues to convince people that he was evil, manipulating and violent.
- Richard III shows off some of Shakespeare's early formal verse at its best. The extraordinary scene where Richard woos the ultra reluctant Anne (act 1 scene II ) gains many of its effects by means of its clever use of parallel, quasi sing song constructions. "Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? Was ever woman in this humour won?" Despite initially hating him, Anne is won over by his pleas of love and repentance and agrees to marry him. When she leaves, Richard exults in having won her over despite all he has done to her, and tells the audience that he will discard her once she has served her purpose. Nice guy! Poor gal!
- Other courtly women in the play hate the manipulating king more and more as he plots the murders of children and adults alike on his rise to corruption and power. The distraught Queen Margaret exemplifies this point in her famous speech lamenting the existence of King Richard and his terrible deeds: we join the speech at it's climax here:
Queen Margaret: ... No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine, unless it be while some tormenting dream fright's thee with a hell of ugly devils! Thou elvish-marked, abortive, rooting hog! Thou that was sealed in thy nativity the slave of nature and the son of hell! Thou slander of thy heavy mother's womb! Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins! Thou detested...
Richard: Margaret.
Queen Margaret: Richard!!
- In the play, Clarence dies after Richard is named Protector (how ironic!): in reality, Clarence died five years beforehand. Here and elsewhere William Shakespeare the playwright took historical liberties to dramatically construct his play.
Famous critics have said:
"Crimes are Richard's delights but Macbeth is always in agony when he thinks of them" (Thomas Whately)
"The hump... the conscience, the fear of ghosts, all impart a spice of outragousness which leaves nothing lacking to the fun of the entertainment, except the solemnity of those spectators that feel bound to take the affair as a profound and subtle historic play." (George |Bernard Shaw)
"There is another peculiarity of the present drama which ought to be mentioned – the frequent use of the curse, it is a terrific weapon and is employed here with terrific violence. (Denton J Snider).
My recommendations in books and films:
Year of the King by Anthony Sher: I read this back in the 1980s and it is a very accessible record of Anthony Sher's acceptance of the role of King Richard for the RSC and Barbican and his journey as an actor to discover another way of portraying the crippled king with the ghost of Laurence Oliver's well known depiction of Richard III on his heels. This terrific book is also illustrated with Sher's wonderful sketches and drawings. Highly recommended.
Looking for Richard starring Al Pacino: A documentary style film about Al Pacino's quest to find the inspiration to play the role of King Richard III.
Lace Market Theatre production photographs by Mark James. Copyright.
Posted by Phil Lowe at 11:13
1 comment:
Links to this post
Labels: actor, derby, performance, performing arts, Phil Lowe, Richard III, Richard the third, RSC, Shakespeare, Sir Anthony Sher, Sir Ian McKellan, the lace market theatre
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Sarah Milican has a big new fan - me!
I'd heard of Sarah Millican the award winning comedian and perhaps caught glimpses of her in the press but had never seen her live or even on DVD or telly until a friend recommended that I take a peak at her latest DVD Sarah Millican Live– Thoroughly Modern Millican. Ohhh! I have never laughed so much flower!!! The Telegraph describe her as "Supremely talented" and The Observer says she is "A Distinctive Blend of Northern Charm and Utter Filth"
I love stand up and this fantastic lady totally did it for me. There is obviously a lot of hard graft over the years and astute writing skill gone into her keenly funny and off key observations and she appears now to be at that seemingly effortless stage and gloriously rude. There is certainly a lot of effort that goes into this level of effortless. I enjoyed her knowing giggle and the way she commanded the stage and had the audience lapping up every ribald word and gesture.
For those who are interested in how she caught the stand up bug there is a great one page interview in the Radio Times 16th-22nd February edition. On the DVD there are some great extras including:
- Sarah's Rider
- About me
- About my comedy
- Stairlift us up to where we belong (BBC Radio 4 monologue recorded live at the Edinburgh Festival)
- Sarah Millican's Support Group (First episode of Sarah's BBC Radio 4 programme).
- There is also a sheet inside the DVD case listing all her tour dates in 2013.
In the 'About my comedy' DVD extra she says that one of the key elements of getting on in the comedy world is to be nice to people along the way and always carry a notebook for the 'gold' as a comedy writer. She also says that she records all the shows she does and analyses them to improve her act. She said it is the only was to do it as you never remember all of the things that go well when you are 'in the moment'. The DVD and Sarah Millicant Chatterbox is available through this link below to Amazon. I believe that I have become a very big fan!! Or as Sarah might say " A fucking big fan pet!"
Posted by Phil Lowe at 12:16
2 comments:
Links to this post
Labels: comedian, female, fun, funny, giggle, hammersmith Apollo, humor, humour, laugh, London, queen of comedy, rude, Sarah Millican comedy, stand up comedy
Monday, 11 February 2013
Review for 'On Golden Pond' at the Lace Market Theatre
'On Golden Pond' by Ernest Thompson showing at the Lace Market Theatre, Nottingham.
11th -16th February 2013
Review by Phil Lowe
The emotional ripples on this gentle American play about age, family expectations, recriminations and blinkered intolerance are, in the main, a genial wave lapping on the shore of US life with a few bugs thrown flying in to irritate when the waters threaten to become too placid.
A retired couple, Norman Thayer Jr and his wife Ethel Thayer (exquisitely under played by Geoff Longbottom and Carol Parkinson) arrive at their summer home at Golden Pond in Maine and their banter is that of an old pair of talking comfy slippers. Excepting that Norman, the left slipper, has lost its way slightly and is now shuffling in a daze of shifting memories and what it has to say isn't always palatable to the family. He is convinced he is going die within a year.
Norman is soon to be eighty but doesn't want to recognise it nor the fact that his estranged daughter Chelsea Thayer Wayne (Helen Sharp) and her new dentist partner Bill (Kevin Briffett) are soon to be arriving at the house for his celebration. Along with them comes Bill's thirteen year old son Billy (a terrifically mature and still performance from Alec Boaden) who not only rocks the proverbial boat in the family arrangement but becomes a central force in healing the family unit.
The whole piece is gently humorous and surprisingly touching throughout especially in the scenes that challenge the matriarch's slightly bullying and condescending attitudes. Kevin Briffett's assured handing of the scene when the dentist gets his metaphorical teeth into the future father-in-law and the scene when Helen Sharp playing the damaged daughter attempts to make peace with her father who she calls 'Norman' not Pop or Dad, are very well handled.
The role of Charlie Martin is superbly played by Andy Taylor. He is the local postman with a romantic history linked to Chelsea and Andy Taylor practically glows with energy as the simple minded local guy who laughs at most things in life even if it is not politic to do so.
The whole cast have a real feeling of 'family' about them as they move around the wonderful realistic set designed by Peter Hillier. I felt that the solid looking summer home had a life beyond its physical structure, that somewhere on the horizon was the Golden Pond and it's mating loons mirroring the past life of the Thayer family. Beautifully directed by Marcus Wakely.
Highly recommended.
Phil Lowe
11th Feb 2013
Posted by Phil Lowe at 16:13
No comments:
Links to this post
Labels: American, comedy, Ernest Thompson, Nottingham, Nottingham Lace Market Theatre, Phil Lowe, play, theatre
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Anna Karenina - the 2012 film.
Anna Karenina is acclaimed director Joe Wright's bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love, stirringly adapted from Leo Tolstoy's great novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard . The timeless story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, whilst illuminating the lavish society that was imperial Russia.
'The year is 1874. Vibrant and beautiful, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) has what any of her contemporaries would aspire to: she is the wife of Karenin (Jude Law), a high-ranking government official to whom she has borne a son, and her social standing in St. Petersburg could scarcely be higher. She journeys to Moscow after a letter from her philandering brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) arrives, asking for Anna to come and help save his marriage to Dolly (Kelly Macdonald). En route, Anna makes the acquaintance of Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), who is then met at the train station by her son, the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Anna is introduced to Vronsky, there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot--and will not--be ignored.'
I originally saw this spectacular and highly theatrical film at the cinema last year and again today on DVD that I ordered through Amazon.
Once again I enjoyed the theatricality of the piece and the superb photography and choreographed action. My favourite section was the horse race and the crowd reaction as Anna gasps thinking that her lover Count Vronsky is dead. Director Joe Wright arranges and frames this potentially complex narrative by use of a sumptuous Russian theatre of the period. I loved the arched dance like mingling of the main characters and the crowds. Tom Stoppard's text was as unfailingly brilliant as one would expect from this master of the genre.
I thought that Keira Knightly gave a very mature performance in the title role as did Jude Law as her husband. Matthew Macfayden was brilliant as the philandering brother Steva Oblonsky and I thought that the slow burning love affair between Levin and Kitty was very touchingly and effectively done.
|Jude Law.
The last scene was totally jaw dropping beautiful. I'll not spoil it for those who have had the pleasure of this film.
Posted by Phil Lowe at 10:40
1 comment:
Links to this post
Labels: acting, actor, actors, Amazon, anna Karenina, classic novel, dvds, film, jude law, keira knightly, Russian, Tolstoy, tom Stoppard, writer, writing
Monday, 4 February 2013
Les Miserables. History in the making book. From page to stage.
I was thrilled to get a paperback copy of Les Miserables: History in the making, by Edward Behr in the post this weekend and can't stop reading it. It is jam packed with all that any Les Mis fan would want to know about the Victor Hugo novel and it's re-imagining by the RSC and the Les Mis composers and lyricists. I have been a fan both of the original musical and the recent film and have thoroughly enjoyed learning how the whole story went, as the expression goes, from the page to the stage.
The book explores the immensely popular musical's history from the French production and concept album that so inspired Cameron Mackintosh to back an English language translation back in the mid 1980s. It also covers those years and the growth of the musical to other countries around the world listing over 70 opening nights across the world from the original arena version of Les Miserables at the Palais des Sports on the 20th September 1980 in Paris to the Musichall Theatre Duisberg on the 26th of January 1996.
I was particularly taken with an engraving style picture of Jean Valjean and how close the image looked to the Hugh Jackman portrayal in the years after his parole. This painting in the first edition of Les Miserables made it possible for Colm Wilkinson to keep the beard which Trevor Nunn had initially wanted him to shave off for the musical.
As well as a wealth of written text, there are some fantastic photos of Les Mis from across the world and the whole libretto at the end of the book (illustrated with b/w photos).
If you are as keen to order the book as I was you can order it through Amazon at this link below.
The book explores the immensely popular musical's history from the French production and concept album that so inspired Cameron Mackintosh to back an English language translation back in the mid 1980s. It also covers those years and the growth of the musical to other countries around the world listing over 70 opening nights across the world from the original arena version of Les Miserables at the Palais des Sports on the 20th September 1980 in Paris to the Musichall Theatre Duisberg on the 26th of January 1996.
I was particularly taken with an engraving style picture of Jean Valjean and how close the image looked to the Hugh Jackman portrayal in the years after his parole. This painting in the first edition of Les Miserables made it possible for Colm Wilkinson to keep the beard which Trevor Nunn had initially wanted him to shave off for the musical.
As well as a wealth of written text, there are some fantastic photos of Les Mis from across the world and the whole libretto at the end of the book (illustrated with b/w photos).
|"Bring him home!"
|"Lovely ladies!!"
If you are as keen to order the book as I was you can order it through Amazon at this link below.
Posted by Phil Lowe at 10:24
No comments:
Links to this post
Labels: Colm Wilkinson, les Mis, Les Miserables, Les Miz, London, musical theatre, Victor Hugo
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Alfie 40 years on. The making of.
This short film reflects humorously on the later life of the iconic film character played by Michael Caine. We find Alfie forty years after the end of the film and he is just as sexist as ever and a chain smoker.
I enjoyed the film again recently on DVD and made note of Caine's expressions and use of language. His constant usage of the term 'birds' for women (his alleged conquests) and the expressions 'mumsy but in good condition' for an older woman with whom he had a sexual liaison or two. Also I decided to call the little dog he befriends 'It' after the fact that he refers to all his girlfriends as 'it' - this has got to be one of the most demeaning put downs against womankind ever. There is also his constant belief that women still find him irresistible despite his obvious lack of tact, manners and down at heel looks. Note egg deliberately spread on t shirt.
I don't smoke but watched the way that Alfie lit up during various parts of the film (hand guarding against a draft.)
The piece was filmed at my home on the stairs with the front door open to let in a goodly amount of light for filming and the ciggy smell out! It was done in one take after a practise run.
Posted by Phil Lowe at 12:27
2 comments:
Links to this post
Labels: acting, actor, Alfie, birds, film, funny, humor, humour, Michael Caine, Phil Lowe, sex, smoking
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Washington, DC. (Reuters/Molly Riley)
My new Think Again column is called "Mainstream Media Refuses to Recognize the Elephant in the Room"
My new Nation column is called "The MSM and the Snowden Affair: Where True Loyalty Lies"
Had I not gone on so long on the Think Again column, I would have noted the passing of Leonard Garment whom I got to know in the late 1980s for a long profile I wrote, and whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. A proud graduate of Brooklyn College, Len, like his fellow Thundering Herd member, Alan Greenspan, should have stuck to jazz. (I got the chance to suggest this to Greenspan once, but that's another story.) Anyway, Garment was, as Safire described him the "resident liberal conscience" in the Nixon White House. There has not been any such position in the Republican Party for a very long time, and it will be a long time before there is. Len's long life was marked by tragedy, but when I knew him, he was quite the happy warrior, though, by that time, I think he would have a hard saying exactly for what. Anyway, he passes into history with an era that is gone as well, for better in some respects, but mostly for worse.
Alter-reviews, Joan Osborne live:
I have always had a thing for Joan Osborne. I saw her for five bucks in a bar in DC when her first album came out—the one that everybody has—and I've always been impressed by the various directions into which her music has grown, including her country album, her soul album, her original paean to my city, her work with an early post-Jerry version of the Dead, and most everything in between. Whenever she comes on the Ipod, I'm always taken aback, again, by how well her voice and interpretation works with a particular song.
Last night at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, my appreciation for her was redoubled if not retripled. While I appreciated her voice and interpretive skills, in the past, I was actually taken aback by just what a terrific singer she is: a powerful voice almost perfectly controlled with chancy interpretations that swung and hypnotized in equal measure. Part of the pleasure came from the intimacy of the club—and the ability of Joan to keep it rapt—as well as her brilliant piano player whose name I don't know, but without whom the show would not have been half as great as it was. (Also, I have to say, Joan is a weirdly good tambourine player. I've never noticed anyone who made so much of the instrument before.) Anyway, the show was a combination of hits from the first cd, songs she just likes, and a few from her recent blues-oriented Bring it On Home. She's pretty sexy too, especially when she gets into that tambourine trance. She's playing a show of all Dead tunes next week on the net. It's here, but I don't quite understand how it works.


text:
Words that end in alamion
Found 2 words that end in alamion. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words that end with alamion. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play! Related: Words containing alamion
- Scrabble
- Words With Friends
- WordHub
- Crossword


text:
Hack your customer development with a drip email course
I recently described a more effective technique for getting high-quality customer insight in Customer Development for SaaS: Do training, not interviews.
However, you still have to find customers and offer them training. Here is a hack we used to meet more customers and validate demand for All Aboard! using drip email courses.
Why use email courses for customer development
Customer Development is a sales process – you're asking someone to trade their time and knowledge in exchange for some (yet unknown) future benefit. That's why it is hard to find them.
In sales we ask customers to take steps, and a free email course gives them an easy first step. We're offering to trade them knowledge in exchange for an email address and time.
Additionally, courses attract customers who
- know they have a problem,
- are looking for a new way to solve it, and
- think you might be able to solve it
IOW, those likely to buy from a startup.
How to get customer interviews through an email course
In January we hypothesized All Aboard!, a new "concierge" onboarding product for SaaS companies based on what we learned about customer behavior in SoHelpful. Here is the process we used to validate demand with our drip email course Double your trial-to-paying conversions with concierge onboarding.
Step 1: Know WHAT you're trying to test
I didn't try to validate demand for All Aboard! through customer development – that's unrealistic.
Instead I was trying to test assumptions about how SaaS teams felt about onboarding:
- They believed they would get more paying subscribers by talking to trial customers on the phone.
- They wanted to "qualify" trial customers before investing in calls.
- Scheduling customer calls, following-up, tracking results was a major PITA using a collection of different tools.
Take a look at these assumptions – you'll notice they have nothing to do with my product ideas. Test assumptions about customers' motivations, feelings and problems.
Step 2 – Create customer personas
We use customer personas to give focus to our marketing efforts and copy. Here are the two we created in January before writing the course:
Sassy Sally – Sassy Sally is a a founder SallyAPP, a SaaS company. She is the prospective buyer of All Aboard!
Helpful Heather – Helpful Heather is SallyAPP's first customer success rep. Onboarding is one of her key responsibilities and she is the primary user of All Aboard!
Here are the Sassy Sally and Helpful Heather personas we created
They are messy and imperfect – that's life in a startup, you get it 70% right and move on.
Obviously … I'm a Sassy Sally and Chiara is a Helpful Heather.
Step 3 – Create the email course landing page
Once we knew what we wanted to test and who we wanted to meet we were ready to write the landing page copy. We needed to explain who the course is for and what they can expect to learn. We also try to make it sound fun.
Here is our landing page – the design is much better now but the copy is very close to the original.
Do not start by writing the course – start taking sign-ups first
Step 4 – Ask them to hit reply on the final confirmation email
MailChimp and other email solutions have final "Welcome" emails you can send to those who enroll in your course. Your customer development starts by customizing this email.
This email should have the following:
- A warm subject inviting them to get help from you right now
- An explanation that you're still writing the course
- An invitation to hit reply to provide some information and ask for your help
You will learn a lot just by reading their replies. Here is the exact email I used.
Step 5 – Email 10 friends a day asking for help to spreading the word
I learned this from Dan Martel – this is how you get people to your course.
Get a simple CRM (Streak is fine) or start adding your friends' email addresses to a spreadsheet. Every day send 10 of them a personal, hand-typed email asking for help spreading the word about your course on social media.
Make it drop-dead simple for them with click-to-tweet or pre-written copy they can forward. I spend about 15 minutes on each email, so this takes 2-3 hours/day.
Step 6 – Train them – and write down a summary of what you discuss
I cover how to do the training in this post.
Be sure to write down a summary of everything the customers ask and what you discuss. You're going to answer these questions in your course. Review it all with your team.
Step 7 – Write 1 course email a week
Write the email courses based on what you learn with the customers you train. Listen to their questions and tell your story in a way that answers them. Be raw. Talk about your failures, your fears, in a way that captures how they feel about their problems.
This type of writing is hard. Chiara and I work together and discard more than 50% of what we do. But occasionally it comes out well.
Email 2 of our course is my favorite. It took us days.
Step 8 – Send out the emails as you finish them
It took us 3 months to write our course with this process. We did it while working on the All Aboard! MVP.
You're creating the beginning of a sales funnel
Yes, this is a LOT of work – every bit as hard as building the product. But going through this process will accelerate your sales experience by a year. You'll meet potential customers, learn where to find them, and get real insight into their problems.
In a future post I'll explain how you can use your course to get trial customers.
What the heck is Concierge Onboarding? Learn how SaaS founders, product marketers, and Customer Success VPs are doing it to increase trial-to-paid conversions and reduce churn in our free concierge onboarding course.


text:
Fourteen Dreamers from the California State University-Long Beach's (CSULB) California-Mexico Center visited Mexico between March 26th and April 5th, 2015, as part of a USMF sponsored program designed to reintroduce young Dreamers in the United States to their country of origin and to create bridges of understanding and cooperation between the two countries. The students' 11 day stay in Mexico included visits to historical sites in Mexico City and the state of Morelos, an intensive Spanish immersion course as well as lectures and presentations on topics of importance to the US-Mexico relationship and the opportunity for some of the students to reunite with their families in Mexico.
This first-of-its-kind exchange program provides opportunities for Dreamers in the United States to reconnect and reengage in a meaningful way to their country of origin, Mexico. The coursework, field visits and activities of the visit represent a unique academic and life experience for the visiting Dreamers, increasing their awareness of important binational issues and fostering an identity that transcends the border, by being "de aqui y de alla." The experience can be quite emotional, particularly reconnecting with family in Mexico, as one visiting Dreamer put it: "for me the best part was reconnecting with my grandpa who I had not seen since I moved back to the US, 15 years ago. That, and finding out I have a sister I never knew about that, and meeting her for the first time in my life. The emotional aspect is really there, it is really touching."
Visiting Dreamers met with returned Dreamers in Mexico
The visiting Dreamers in Tlatelolco
As part of the exchange program, the CSULB Dreamers also attended the International Seminar on Dreamers and young US citizens exiled in Mexico held on March 27th, 2015, at the "Museo Nacional de las Culturas" in Mexico City and sponsored by the USMF. The seminar brought together activists and academics from both sides of the border to discuss the challenges, including identity issues and educational and workforce reinsertion, facing young returnees from the United States. During the seminar the CSULB Dreamers had the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other Dreamers who have returned to Mexico due to deportation or personal choice, including members of Dream in Mexico, a non-profit launched with USMF seed funding to support returning Dreamers, and members of the Los Otros Dreamers Collective, whose stories of return are featured in the book "Los Otros Dreamers" published last year with USMF funds.
USMF CEO Rebeca Vargas with visiting Dreamers during the International Seminar on returned migrants
Dreamers and other guests listening to the panelist during the Seminar
The USMF is proud to support programs that strengthen understanding and cooperation between our two countries, such as the Dreamer exchange program, and looks forward to expanding these efforts. As Rebeca Vargas, President and CEO of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation stated when welcoming the CSULB Dreamers to the seminar on March 27th; "today we welcome 14 Dreamers to Mexico, hoping that their visit allows them to discover and love this country, Mexico, which is theirs as well. Today we have 14, but we want to make this bigger, so that in the future we might have hundreds of Dreamers travelling here and reconnecting with Mexico, their country of origin because these young Dreamers can become a bridge of understanding and cooperation that brings our two countries closer together."