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http://falcfans.com/atlanta-falcons-201 ... ones-23484
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons' 2016 second-round pick: LSU linebacker Deion Jones.
Height: 6'0 ⅞"
Weight: 222
Arm Length: 32 ⅜"
Hand Size: 9 ¼"
40 Time: 4.39 (pro day), 4.59 (Combine)
Three Cone: 7.13 (pro day)
Bench Press: 18 reps (pro day)
Vertical Jump: 35.5″ (pro day), 33″ (Combine)
Broad Jump: 120″ (Combine)
Named after former Atlanta Falcons and Hall-of-Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Jones was born on November 4, 1994 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was nicknamed "Debo" growing up, which came about as a combination of Deion and Bo Jackson, his father's two favorite athletes.
He was a three-star recruit out of Jesuit High in New Orleans before enrolling at LSU in nearby Baton Rouge. Played in all 13 games as a true freshman, predominantly on special teams but with limited action on defense as a reserve weak-side linebacker. He finished the year with 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. 15 of his tackles came on special teams, working both on the kickoff and punt coverage teams.
Continued to perform on special teams as a sophomore, appearing in all 13 games. He finished the year 15 tackles, with seven of them coming on special teams. He also added a tackle for loss that season. Was once again a reserve as a junior, but earned more reps on defense. Finished the year with 27 tackles, with only six coming on special teams. Added 3.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery on the year. Earned a single start as a junior, replacing an injured Kwon Alexander at weak-side linebacker early in the season against Louisiana-Monroe.
Upon Alexander's departure for the NFL in 2015, Jones assumed his vacant starting spot on the weak side. He finished his senior year with 11 starts in 12 total appearances. He missed only one start due to being ejected for targeting late the week before and was forced to sit out the first half of the Syracuse game. He led LSU's defense with 100 tackles (including four on special teams) and 13.5 tackles for loss. He also finished second on the team with a pair of interceptions and tied for third with five sacks. He also added three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Participated in the 2016 Senior Bowl, where he measured only 219 pounds. He gained only three pounds over the next month before the Scouting Combine in February. At his pro day, he weighed in at 222. Although there are recent reports that he's since bulked up to 230 pounds.
Note: scroll right to see more stats.
Key: MT – Missed Tackles; KBd – Key Blocked; YAC – Yards After Catch; UC – Uncatchable Pass
Date Opponent Stop TFL MT KBd FF Sk Hurry Hit INT PD Tgt Rec Yds YAC TD UC Pen Pen Type
Sep 19 Auburn 1.0 0.0 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 22 27 0 0 1 targeting
Sep 26 at Syracuse (2nd half) 2.0 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 2 16 6 0 2 1 late hit
Oct 03 Eastern Michigan 1.0 0.0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 2 9 3 0 0 0 N/A
Oct 17 Florida 0.5 1.5 2 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 9 7 72 35 0 1 0 N/A
Oct 24 Western Kentucky 2.5 0.0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 -1 3 0 1 0 N/A
Nov 07 at Alabama 2.5 0.0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 26 5 0 0 1 offsides
Nov 14 Arkansas 0.5 1.0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 1 13 7 0 0 0 N/A
Nov 21 at Mississippi 4.5 1.0 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 17 7 0 0 0 N/A
Nov 28 Texas A&M 4.5 1.0 1 2 0 0 2 2 0 1 2 1 6 1 0 0 0 N/A
Dec 29 vs. Texas Tech 1.0 2.0 2 1 1 1 4 0 0 0 3 2 31 16 0 0 0 N/A
TOTALS 9.5 gms 20.0 6.5 18 17 1 3 11 5 2 2 34 22 211 110 0 4 3 N/A
SKILLS: How Good Is He?
Skills are graded on a 10-point scale: 1-pathetic, 2-poor, 3-weak, 4-below average, 5-average, 6-above average, 7-good, 8-very good, 9-excellent, 10-elite
Speed (8.0): Has elite timed speed and you'll see flashes of him playing at that speed. Shows excellent closing burst on the ball when playing downhill on the edge to defend the flat. Has the speed and range to play in space and is comfortable moving in the open field. Does a nice job closing on the ball when he can keep things in front of him and has the space and room to utilize his speed.
Strength (4.0): Undersized, playing around 220 pounds throughout his LSU career. While he possesses above-average physicality for a player his size, he will struggle to overwhelm NFL-sized blockers and ballcarriers with his power and strength. Should be able to add bulk in the weight room to support 230 to 240 pounds on his frame, but will likely always be a player that is labeled undersized.
Tackling (3.0): An underwhelming tackler as his lack of size and strength shows up in this area. Has a tendency to miss way too many tackles, whether working in the open field or traffic. While he does a good job wrapping up for the most part, his lack of strength means that he has a tendency to roll off tackles, as he lacks the force to bring many to the ground. Tends to be the type that will wrap up a ballcarrier and wait for the cavalry to arrive to completely bring an opponent down to the turf. Doesn't always see what he hits, ducking his head at times to absorb contact. Will lower his shoulder to deliver a hit, but lacks the pop and power to really punish ballcarriers and put them on the ground.
Watch Jones struggle to wrap up and get trucked by a quarterback:
Deion Jones (45) near the top, tries to deliver a blow to Alabama's Jake Coker, but gets trucked.
Deion Jones (45) near the top, tries to deliver a blow to Alabama QB Jake Coker, but gets trucked.
Coverage (6.0): Effective in coverage, showing awareness in zone. Plays a lot of matchup zone at LSU, and showed steady improvement in that area over the course of his senior season. Does a nice job playing in space and can keep things in front of him. Has the athleticism and speed to run with tight ends and running backs, although he'll struggle when matched up against the truly explosive running backs or slot receivers. Has decent hips for change of direction, but just needs to improve his footwork and technique in man coverage as he didn't have a ton of experience there.
Watch a good play from Jones in coverage where he shows ball skills to break up a throw:
Jones (45) near the top shows good ball skills to break up a wheel route near the sideline
Jones (45) near the top shows good ball skills to break up a wheel route near the sideline
Here's another clip from him at the Senior Bowl that shows a good combination of speed and coverage potential:
Ethan Young @NFLDrafter
Um, linebackers aren't supposed to be able to do that. Tremendous recovery and closing speed here by Deion Jones.
3:51 PM - 31 Jan 2016
6 6 Retweets 14 14 likes
Point of Attack (3.5): Underwhelming at the point of attack and has a tendency to struggle when he's forced to play in traffic. Doesn't do a good job shedding blocks due to his lack of size, although occasionally, you'll see him beat a center or guard on a reach block. But against NFL-caliber blockers, he'll likely struggle and consistently get engulfed at the point of attack. Does his best work when he can attack/shoot a gap rather than having to sit and maintain gap responsibility.
Here is an example of Jones' issues at the point of attack:
Jones (45) lined up just behind the left end, loses his gap integrity as Arkansas RB Alex Collins runs for an 80-yd touchdown.
Jones (45) lined up just behind the left end, loses his gap integrity because he does a poor job locating the ball as Arkansas RB Alex Collins runs for an 80-yd touchdown.
Here is an example of a good play Jones makes at the point of attack:
Jones (45) in the middle does a good job stacking and shedding the Texas A&M center to help stop the run
Jones (45) in the middle does a good job stacking and shedding the Texas A&M center to help stop the run
Instincts (5.0): Mostly average. Will show good play recognition at times, but for the most part he's a "see ball, get ball" sort of player. And one problem is that he doesn't always do a great job seeing the ball. Here's an example:
Jones (45) is briefly circled, loses track of the running back on a goalline play
Jones (45) is briefly circled in blue, loses track of the running back on a goalline play while working in pursuit
Some of his quick recognition skills is due to LSU's defensive scheme, which will often have him attack a gap off the snap and then diagnose the play while on the move. With more experience, there is at least a decent possibility that his instincts improve.
Pass Rush (3.5): Effective mostly due to his speed, with most of his pressures and sacks coming when the quarterback gets outside the pocket and he has the ability to attack freely without coverage responsibilities. Doesn't possess any real moves and when he tries to overpower running backs, he has a tendency to get knocked back, which doesn't bode well for his ability to match up with more polished NFL-caliber backs.
Click here for more information about my grading system.
Developmental Starter (4.6) – A player right on the cusp of being a starter but may be lacking in at least one key area that limits his potential. If he does become a starter, almost never will become more than a complementary player as opposed to an impact player since he will struggle to compete against quality players at the next level. A solid mid-round pick that should be targeted early on Day 3. Towards the upper end of this tier could sneak into the Top 100 picks.
NFL FORECAST: How Do His Skills Project to the NFL?
Jones brings a lot of speed to the table, but beyond that there isn't much else to be impressed about his game.
The problem Jones is going to face at the next level is his lack of size. That's a problem that is unlikely to go away, even if he manages to bulk up to north of 230 pounds. Adding bulk should help him as a tackler, but his propensity to miss tackles is likely going to be something that always follows him in the pros.
Watching Jones at LSU, you get the feeling that while he was highly productive, he was more of a complementary player for what was considered one of LSU's lesser defenses in recent years. He made plays, but he wasn't a player that really popped as a future NFL stud like what is often the case when you check out LSU's defense. And it's difficult to imagine a player that was a complementary player in college being anything more than that in the pros.
He's going to need to be surrounded by "plus" talent that is going to hide some of his major deficiencies when it comes to tackling and playing at the point of attack. He is ideally suited to be a weak-side linebacker playing beside an upper-echelon middle linebacker. The better the linebacker play beside him, the less weight Jones will be forced to pull and thus more fitting with his skill as a complementary player.
A comparison would be Stephen Nicholas when he was playing beside a healthy and impactful Sean Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon was the impact player, while Nicholas was the complementary starter that could fill in the cracks somewhat.
Like Nicholas, Jones is likely to be considered a capable and valuable starter in time, but at the same time be considered somewhat inconsequential at least in the bigger picture of building a top-shelf defense. Nicholas was mostly a functional starter in his third and fourth years, but it wasn't until his fifth and sixth years where his value was truly felt.
Also helping Nicholas was the fact that early in his career, he was able to carve out a role on special teams, which carried over throughout his tenure in Atlanta and kept him worthy of earning a roster spot. Jones shouldn't have much problem doing the same as his speed makes him valuable in that arena covering punts and kicks, and his lack of size is far less of an obstacle than it would be on regular defense.
Even if Jones never develops as a capable starter, he should have little issue sticking in the NFL for several years because of his ability to produce on special teams. Fortunately for him, that special-teams ability should give him the necessary time he needs to develop so that he is able to increase the likelihood that he does eventually become a starter down the road.
It will be interesting to see if Jones eventually overcomes that lack of size and become a successful starter in the NFL. There have been plenty of undersized linebackers that have made the successful transition to the NFL, but it is often the tendency of such players to take multiple seasons before they hit their stride. A player that immediately comes to mind is Wesley Woodyard, who was a 227-pound linebacker out of Kentucky in 2008.
Woodyard spent his first three years in Denver as a capable reserve and special-teams player, making the most of his limited starting opportunities early on when other starters were injured. It wasn't until his fifth season in 2012 that Woodyard emerged as a full-fledged starting middle linebacker, thanks largely to his excellence in coverage. In the years since, Woodyard has been a very capable starter and has had a very successful career considering that he was originally an undrafted free agent.
Jones might have a similar career path as he possesses the tools to get better and become a capable starter down the road, but he'll probably need plenty of seasoning before that happens.
Again, Nicholas was also a player that was much more valuable as a starter on his second contract with the Falcons than he was on his first. The same coudl be said of Woodyard, and I suspect that Jones might be the same.
Throw in the possibility that his best football might be ahead of him because he didn't earn a ton of playing time in college. While that may be true, it doesn't necessarily mean that his best football is immediately ahead of him. Meaning that a team that drafts Jones probably needs to think of having a three-year plan for him.
In the first year, you designate his role being mostly that as being a reserve and special-teams player. That will also be a year where you monitor him in the weight room to see if he's can effectively add the necessary mass he needs to. In his second year, he might have the opportunity to compete for a starting role, but it's far from a guarantee. By the third year, he should definitely be in a position to be a starter.
To be fair, that's the typical sort of career path that many mid-round draft picks typically have. The normal expectations on a second-round pick is that they are definitely going to be starting by their second season. Whether JOnes is given that opportunity or earns it remains to be seen, but I certainly don't have high expectations that should he be starting by 2017 that his play will be anything beyond that of a low-level starter.
I believe it will be in his third or fourth year (which ideally will be his second or third year as a starter) that he starts to solidify himself into the player that he should remain for the remainder of his career. And whether it's the Falcons or another team that signs him thereafter is likely to get more out of him than what the Falcons initially got out of him early on.
FALCONS FORECAST: How Does He Project in Atlanta?
The concerns about the early returns of Jones in Atlanta are somewhat magnified by the realization that the team plans to play him at middle linebacker instead of his more natural weak-side position. At the former position, he's expected to compete with the likes of incumbent Paul Worrilow.
His transition won't be a huge change since the middle and weak-side positions in Dan Quinn's defensive scheme are somewhat interchangeable. The main difference is in regards with gap responsibility, not necessarily in terms of overall skill set.
But it does raise concerns since the middle linebacker is much likelier to have to deal with more reach blocks from offensive linemen, indicating that he'll have to find a way to navigate through traffic quite a bit.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jones hopes to follow in the footsteps of former LSU teammate Kwon Alexander in the NFL
This is one of the biggest weaknesses of Jones' game, which is why he's no slam dunk to make a successful transition to the position. However one thing that Jones might have going for him is that his former LSU teammate, Kwon Alexander, made a relatively successful transition to middle linebacker as a rookie last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Alexander proved to be an adept playmaker, particularly when facing the Falcons last season. In two games against the Falcons, Alexander recorded a combined 21 tackles, one sack, one interception, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.
Overall, one could consider Alexander to be an effective first-year starter considering that he was a fourth-round pick that was expected to be a reserve going into the season. However Alexander did have his fair share of struggles with missed tackles and disengaging from blockers while working in traffic.
One can presume that Alexander's struggles would have been even larger had he not been playing beside Lavonte David, arguably the league's premier weak-side linebacker. Having a physical, instinctual playmaker like David playing beside him to pick up much of the slack likely eased Alexander's transition into the NFL.
Should Jones get the opportunity to play early on, I don't see him being an overly impactful starter. He'll be a player that has his ups, but probably a lot more downs.
While he has the potential with several years development to eventually turn into a more effective starter with fewer inconsistencies, I don't see him being that much of an upgrade over either Justin Durant or Worrilow, regardless of where he sticks at linebacker.
Jones is likely to suffer from the same problems that those players had in 2015, which is too often being unable to make the play. The one trait that Jones possesses over either player is his speed. That is valuable but if Jones isn't a reliable open-field tackler, then the fact that he flies all over the field is mostly negated. This play from last year summarizes such:
Jones (45) near the top left, shows excellent speed in pursuit, but still can't manage to finish the play on his own
Jones (45) near the top left, shows excellent speed in pursuit, but still can't manage to finish the play on his own due to the running back's stiff arm. That is especially problematic given he wasn't facing elite competition against Western Kentucky.
That's why Jones needs to play beside a better player like Alexander did with David. If he's going to play weak-side linebacker, Jones needs to play beside a "blue-chip" middle linebacker that is able to effectively cover and defend the middle of the defense.
That is because I don't believe Jones has that ability within him. Or at least I don't believe that ability is going to emerge from within him in the very near future, thus precluding the Falcons from adding such a player down the road.
There just seems to be a ceiling on Jones' potential at the next level. He can be an effective complementary starter if he's lining up beside a Pro Bowler. Then his deficiencies won't be as glaring because the other, better player will make plenty of plays that Jones doesn't appear capable of making.
Jones will make some standout plays because his speed will allow him to close on ballcarriers and receivers at lightning-speed, allowing for the potential for pass breakups, interceptions, forced fumbles and the occasional big hit.
But there are also going to be a ton of plays that Jones doesn't make because he's struggling to disengage from blockers, find his way through traffic and maintain his gap responsibility against the run. He'll also be in a position to make some plays, but simply won't because he's not going to be a reliable tackler.
Thus why it's important that the Falcons find another every-down linebacker that won't have those issues and troubles.
However one problem that Jones may face stems from the fact that he was drafted at a point that suggests he should be that player. Another problem is that if the transition to middle linebacker doesn't pay immediate dividends in 2016, the Falcons might be looking in another direction come 2017 at the position.
The team is set to see most of their linebacker corps hit free agency next offseason, allowing the team potentially to hit the "reset" button at the position even with players like Jones and fourth-round pick De'Vondre Campbell being counted on to fill starting roles. Jones in particular needs to play at a high enough level as a rookie to prevent the team from seeking further upgrades at middle linebacker next year.
My suspicion is that it's likely that the Falcons will seek to move Jones from middle linebacker to outside linebacker, particularly if he struggles with the physicality of the position as much as I suspect early on. Then Jones could be in a position where he's competing with the likes of Campbell for a potentially vacant weak-side linebacker spot.
Jones' draft status should afford him a leg up in any competition, but it's difficult for me to say with conviction that Jones truly has the advantage in an open competition with Campbell whilst staring into my imagined crystal ball today.
Should circumstances allow that Campbell wins the position, one could imagine a scenario that sees Jones spend the bulk of his rookie contract with the Falcons acting as a reserve and special-teams player. Jones should be valuable in that role given the possibility of being cross-trained at two linebacker spots as well as his potential to be an impactful special-teams defender like he was throughout college.
However given his second-round draft status, Jones being only a reserve would be seen as a disappointment. Thus why I'm reminded somewhat of past Falcons second-day "failures" in linebacker Akeem Dent and safety Dezmen Southward a bit when trying to project Jones' future.
While I think Jones is a much better football player than either Dent or Southward were entering the league, he presents many similar red flags. And despite certainly being too early to definitively call it one way or the other, one cannot deny that the first year of last year's second-round pick out of LSU in cornerback Jalen Collins hasn't gone swimmingly.
Four or five years from now we could be looking at Jones as one of the bigger draft disappointments of the early Dan Quinn regime. At least from my perspective, that seems just as likely a possibility as the one that has Jones becoming a Woodyard-esque starter.
The likeliest outcome is probably somewhere in between. Jones probably won't be as bad as Dent nor as good as Woodyard. Instead, he'll be a lower or mid-level starter that is seen as a component of a defense, but not a critical factor. I don't see his long-term future being in the middle if for no other reason than I think the Falcons are going to need a much better player than what I project Jones to be if they want to get to that next level as a defensive unit.
Could Jones be a part of that unit? Yes. But will he be a critical part of it? No, probably not. I expect him to be a relatively small cog in that machine. That's not a bad thing, but it's a bit underwhelming for a second-round pick.
Atlanta Falcons 2016 Rookie Scouting Report: Deion Jones
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Just for old time's sake, figured I'd start a potentially heated thread. I always was good at that.
Saw this video on another forum. This guy, Patrick Keil, was not permitted to participate in the FCI IPO this year due to the abuse in this video. He's beating this dog with a cattle prod. It's not easy to watch, fair warning. I didn't watch the entire thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 88438wCNds
Now, obviously none of us here would condone that "training." But where is the line drawn? There's a local trainer by me who is one of the banes of my existence. He throws prongs and e-collars on all the dogs, including the therapy dogs in training, no matter the age. People who live close to his business have heard dogs screaming for minutes on end.
Now I'm 99.9% positive none of us would condone that kind of "training" either. So where is the line drawn? If a dog vocalizes in pain, is that training or abuse? What about if it yelps in fear or cowers from the trainer? Training or abuse? When does physical touch on a dog turn to abuse? Is it Cesar's "bite"? His "taps" to the dog's belly? A smack on the nose or spank on the butt?
I'd ideally like to keep equipment out of the discussion as much as possible. Obviously I don't use prongs/chokes/e-collars, but I know that all users of them are NOT abusive. Dogs can be abused on flat collars, head collars, harnesses, etc.
So what's the line? I don't even know if there is a black and white answer to this. I have a feeling there isn't. But I still think it can be an interesting discussion.


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Lightbulb Wars Review: Pharox 300 Dimmable LED
Light Bulb: Pharox 300 Dimmable LED
Price: $29.99 at Amazon
Household Use: General Reading Lamp
Light Appearance: Warm, 2900k
Incandescent It Replaces: 60-watt equivalent
Overall Rating: Weak Recommend*
The 6-watt Pharox 300 dimmable LED bulb is a is a fairly standard looking bulb. It works great with clip-on shades, and comes with a 5 year warranty. The best part of the bulb? The packaging, which is little more than cardboard tube and a cap.
The Test
Control Bulb: vision 23w CFL
Primary Use: Reading or ambient light.
Time of Day Tested: 7:00pm
How It Performed: This LED bulb, along with the GE Energy Smart LED bulb, were the first two LED bulbs I ever had the pleasure of testing. My home is full of nothing but CFLs, thus that is the context for my comparison. I purchased the Pharox from Amazon and it arrived two days later. The reviews online were fairly promising, earning 4 stars out of 5 based on 35 customer reviews.
Compared to the CFLs in my home, this light was very similar. It was very similar in terms of brightness to the 23w CFL that it replaced. Unfortunately, the bulb produced less light than I had expected at 60-watt equivalent. Infact, the 40 watt GE Energy Smart out performed it significantly. While the price of the Pharox was slightly less than the GE Energy Smart, I'd gladly pay more for the extra brightness. Finally, the Pharox bulb produced significant interference with my radio which was tuned to NPR. I have since relegated it to another room due to the interference after initially planning on using it as my primary bedside light.
More Facts About This Light Bulb
Dimmable? Yes
Brightness: 360 lumens
Life: 25 years
Energy Used: 6 watts
*Our Ratings:
Strong Recommend
Weak Recommend*
Don't Recommend
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf.


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"Grindcore is love," I thought, some seventeen years of age. Life was ambivalent, except for when it came to love. Part of it came out with these recordings, initially meant for a split with Twitch Savant. Yet years go by, you know, maybe nothing even happens, but all of a sudden connections disappear, disintegrate in some strange post-natural air of our skyscraper hell. You might even think, for a while, "Hollow pocket, hollow heart - to slave away my body or my nerves..."
Noisy nights. Keep looking. How many blastbeats does it take? Eight lo-fi tracks of some steamy, DxAx worshipping, cyberpunk enthusiastic, scrap metal hybrid, no ten minutes long. It went like this:
zmajevdah v.0
01. Tachikoma
02. Perfect Blue
03. Bullet Ballet
04. Zenislev
05. Megastructure
06. Search
07. Antarctica
08. Ingram
Zmajevdah is a solo project abounding with blastbeats - thanks to everyone who gives it a spin! Glad to be putting it finally up (recorded way back, early 2008 or so / date of e-release: today), "embarassing lyrics" and all (with original [pre-bitcrush] photos of our City, courtesy of Smetnja), as it's been bugging me for quite a while, even though I may have not managed to do what I wanted, especially considering the (sound) quality of the mix. In any case, those who like it may do whatever they want with it.
+ bonus track
09. The Jenova (GridLink)
Good or bad, that's probably the first GridLink cover to have happened (Earth, 2010): The Lo-fi Jenova! Twitch Savant (the guy behind [for example:] Blaencathra) doing the drumming, with me on guitars & vocals. It is included separately as I wouldn't want people downloading the whole package on account of a covered song, (especially) as there is no Zmajevdah / Twitch Savant split anymore. That said, I've never done coke, nor have I dived with a parachute, but playing Matsubara's riffs ought to be a fairly similar experience (next cover, Mortalized?!).
A split CD soon to be released on ZugZwang Records: Zmajevdah with Emotion of Loss, a Russian industrial doom project by the man behind the Quagmire label (who released Sete Star Sept's 4th demo).


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Hi Everyone!
I know many of you sometimes struggle feeling you 'need' to create a masterpiece every time and feel overwhelmed browsing the internet rabbit hole filled with stunning artworks. Am I close? ;)
Well, today Kassa comes to the rescue! ;) Her creations are always expressions of pure joy and today she's also sharing a project that is a wonderful encouragement to experiment, enjoy the creative process itself, forget about the result for a while and simply Have Fun! :)
* * * *
Hi there lovely friends, so happy to be back and sharing a little of my art with you all.
I'm back in with a step by step following on from my last month's post about Finnabair's amazing paint systems.
Today I'm using the new Impasto Paints and actually I call what I created a practice exercise because that's how it started out - as a simple exercise.
Basically, I get the urge to apply paint to brush to paper and to not have a care in the world, just sit down with artist quality watercolor paper, my paints, brushes and a little water and paint.
I explore how I can manipulate, spread, merge, layer the colors and make the most beautiful shapes.
I love to practise, they say practice makes perfect which in my art I don't believe this to be true, but I do believe it helps me stretch my potential, find different and exciting techniques and cools my brain or feeds my soul depending how high or low my mood is.
Plus, bonus, if I don't immediately turn the practice pieces into art, I have fabulous colorful backgrounds ready for a rainy day! :)
Step 1
I take a soft pencil and draw a shape to paint, in this case circles (my fave shape).
Using my paintbrush I flood the 1st area to be painted with clean water and gently touch the flood water with a paintbrush loaded with watered down Impasto Paint.
The paint quickly spreads from the paintbrush into the water. I carefully keep adding the color till I'm happy with how rich and dense my color is.
Step 2
I fill in any areas within my circles that don't touch, like in this case every other segment.
When dry, I start to colorise the leftover segments, starting the whole process again, flooding and filling in the circle with beautiful color.
Step 3
I randomly drop rock salt into the wet puddles of paint and leave to dry naturally before removing the salt.
This technique helps you create lovely bleach like effects as some of the paint is sucked up by the salt.
Also I dab up paint randomly with a paper towel and drop drips of clear water into the paint which creates cool watermarks.
Step 4
For the background I wanted a soft, washed out, pastel look. The easiest way I found was to draw circles with my clean water paintbrush (one or 2 at time) and add the watered down Impasto Paint in a circular motion into the clean water circles.
Step 5
Wait for 30 seconds or so for the paint to take hold, then gently blot with a paper towel - this soaks up the excess color and water leaving behind a soft pastel circle.
Smooth the shape out with a clean wet brush, add a touch more color if necessary and drop a few drips of clean water into the circles to create those watermarks.
After doodling the colorwheels with a black waterproof journal pen I cut them all out and adhered to my background with Soft Matte Gel Medium.
I just needed an edgy and cool finishing touch - Mechanicals Mini Hardware are perfect for that!
I just needed an edgy and cool finishing touch - Mechanicals Mini Hardware are perfect for that!
Some splatters with slightly watered down Snow White and Pitch Black Impasto paints and not forgetting I to add some more splattering with Art Alchemy Metallique Silver Spoon around the Mini Hardware.
I was nearly finished, I just couldn't resist a few scribbles on the wheels with my Gelatos!
I highly recommend a chilled practice session, an art playday just for you.
Remember there are no rights or wrongs, just an explosion of color fun and discovering and loving new techniques along the way...
I hope you will you put on your apron and join me for a painty play-day!
Thanks my lovelies,
Kassa mwah xoxo
Products used:


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Don't sack ZolaThe very best posts from KUMB over the years ...
Moderator: Gnome
Re: Don't sack Zola
Pm, why is it the same? Take a look at the league standings after 20 games, and you will note that we are two places different. That's why I said they have been much the same.
What's difficult to understand about that?
If I wanted to spin it positively, I'd mention the Spurs game and the demolition of Man United, coupled with being one tie from wembley. I'm not though.
And why is it - seemingly - impossible for you to get your head round the idea that more should be expected of a manager who has been at the club two years and had the players for training each day for that time, than one who arrived five months ago?
If you managed people, would you expect to know more about what makes them tick after six months, or two years?
Re: Don't sack Zola
You seem to have given up on your "one window each" distinction and are getting increasingly ratty about the subject
Yep, Zola was cack. Grant may turn out to be cack.
How about we let events unfold and afford the bloke a little bit of time and opportunity?
After 19 games, many people on here thought Scott Parker was cack.
Re: Don't sack Zola
Chuck, I don't think any of those 'equations' as you put were the work of a genius. Look forward to your answers now.
Also, and I'm sure you will correct me if I am wrong here, but Diamanti's 8 goals in 21 starts is equal to Bellars 9 goals in 22 starts is it not? (btw it was 4 penalties not 5) or are you saying penalties don't count as goals now?
Re: Don't sack Zola
Assuming this is a serious question, I do manage people and as an experienced manager if I don't know what makes them tick after 6 weeks I reckon I am failing in my job, so after 6 months I should know what time they have a **** in the morning and how many times they've shagged their partner this year.
Re: Don't sack Zola
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/en ... 2009-12-28
Here is the table from last year at today.
If you can't see the similarity, I'm surprised, for sure.
HD, you still haven't answered have you?
Yes, penalties count, but unless Bellamy took five (or however many Diamanti took - not scored) pens, your statistical analysis is inaccurate.
But that's the tip of the iceberg if you seriously wish to compare their effectiveness as premiership players.
Ask any sane person which one they would have. Ask yourself even. Go on, I dare you.
Re: Don't sack Zola
So Alex Ferguson was "failing in his job" when he hadn't got it right at Man United after six weeks? If I ever meet another football manager I will ask them their view on that.
There is no increase in the knowledge of your staff after six weeks?
They should make an Open University programme about this site considering the things that can be learned here.
Re: Don't sack Zola
How is this not an answer? But like I said before these weren't decisions made by Zola.
So penalties count, but not really in your eyes. Factually I am correct. Bellamy scored 9, Diamanti scored 8 Statistically I am correct.
As for the manager issue, most managers do some research first, then they'll interview the candidate a couple of times, then when they start they keep a close eye on the newcomer. Likewise a new manager starting will 'test' his team, see how the work together and use different exercises to what works and what doesn't. They will know early on who is supportive, who is maverick, who doesn't want to be there.
If after 5 months that manager still doesn't know what makes his team tick, what works and what doesn't and by this I assume you mean Grant doesn't, then I am even more concerned about our future than I was before.
Re: Don't sack Zola
So anyone who hasn't got the best out of their team in six months is a poor manager?
And Zola didn't have any say in any players joining or leaving?
****ing hell.
Re: Don't sack Zola
now now, he said knew him as an individual after six months he never mentioned getting the best out of him, either as an an individual or a team member which rather negates your enormous jump of going from knowing an individual to getting the best out of a team being an even remorely sustainable
Re: Don't sack Zola
It's not really a point worth being correct on though is it given the obvious failure of the stat to accurately reflect their contribution to the team? Unless winding Chuck up is the point.... which it could well be.
Re: Don't sack Zola
I'm sure I mentioned at the time when Zola was letting himself run away with Duckers vision over burgers that we could sell anyone of note and replace them with cheap "undisclosed fee" crap that Nani's pop-in-law had available, that he was allowing his fledgling managerial career to be thrown down the shitter...................................has he had a sniff of a job since?
I'n not saying that Duckers didn't have his reasons......but Zola allowed himself to be well and truly shafted.
Still, the pay rise and eventaul pay off must have been nice.
Re: Don't sack Zola
Chuck is still handing out an absolute merking in this thread
Re: Don't sack Zola
By your reckoning and judgement of Diamanti/Bellamy, Ray Stewart is a better striker than most of the strikers we've ever had at the club, just cos he scored some penalties.
Re: Don't sack Zola
You can always spot a good Manager by how quickly he gets another job in the top flight after leaving a club .
Zola will get another job soon .
As soon as Curbishley has got one .........
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Team USA concluded competition in the North America-Central America and Caribbean Under-23 (NACAC U-23) Championships in Guanajuato, Mexico, by bringing its total medal count all the way up to a total of 67 medals, which included 31 gold medals.
A complete medal table is shown below. Complete results of the NACAC U-23 Championships can be found here and more information on the meet can be found here.
Gold Medals (31)
Amanda Bingson, women's hammer throw, 71.39m/234-2
Brittany Smith, women's shot put, 17.03m/55-10.5
Aurieyall Scott, women's 100m, 11.19
Tim Glover, men's javelin, 78.28m/256-10
Marquis Dendy, men's long jump, 7.68m/25-2.5
Gabe Proctor, men's 10,000m, 30:46.85
Tynita Butts, women's high jump, 1.82m/5-11.5
Jordan Hasay, women's 1,500m, 4:22.16
Kyle Merber, men's 1,500m, 3:51.61
Kiani Profit, women's heptathlon, 5653
Michael Woepse, men's pole vault, 5.40m/17-8.5
Rebecca Alexander, women's 400m, 51.13
David Verburg, men's 400m, 45.14
Jeremy Postin, men's hammer throw, 68.32m/224-1
Brianna Rollins, women's 100m hurdles, 12.60
Anna Jelmini, women's discus, 53.93m/176-11
Alyssa Kulik, women's steeplechase, 10:21.04
Andrea Geubelle, women's triple jump, 13.14m/43-1.5
Andrew Bayer, men's 5,000m, 15:13.01
Women's 4x100m (Cambrya Jones, Octavious Freeman, Aurieyall Scott, Kimberly Duncan), 43.58
Men's 4x100m (Darrell Wesh, Charles Silmon, Marcus Rowland, Keenan Brock), 38.94
Sarah Callister, women's 10,000m, 35:46.12
Jack Szmanda, men's decathlon, 7,061
Michael Preble, men's 800m, 1:48.69
Chanelle Price, women's 800m, 2:04.48
Kimberly Duncan, women's 200m, 22.72
Cassandra Tate, women's 400m hurdles, 55.62
Jacob Thormaehlen, men's shot put, 19.86m/65-2
Chris Phipps, men's triple jump, 16.19m/53-1.5
Women's 4x400m (Ellen Wortham, Rebecca Alexander, Cassandra Tate, Diamond Dixon), 3:28.64
Men's 4x400m (James Harris, Chris Vaughn, Michael Preble, David Verburg), 3:03.81
Silver Medals (25)
Jessica Flax, women's heptathlon, 5544
Kenaan Brock, men's 100m, 10.15
Brittany Smith, women's hammer throw, 67.10m/220-1
Alyssa Hasslen, women's shot put, 16.86m/55-3.75
Octavious Freeman, women's 100m, 11.20
Sam Humphreys, men's javelin, 77.04m/252-9
Kendal Spencer, men's long jump, 7.67m/25-2
Elliot Krause, men's 10,000m, 30:57.88
Mason Finley, men's discus, 59.00m/193-7
Rachael Tylock, women's 10,000m race walk, 53:16.59
Logan Miller, women's pole vault, 4.25m/13-11.25
Alec Faldermeyer, men's hammer throw, 65.41m/214-7
Barret Nugent, men's 110m hurdles, 13.32
Skylar White, women's discus, 50.60m/166-0
Rebeka Stowe, women's steeplechase, 10:45.14
Michelle Jenije, women's triple jump, 13.13m/43-1
George Alex, men's 5,000m, 15:28.27
Brent Vogel, men's decathlon, 6,927
Sonnisha Williams, women's long jump, 6.17m/20-3
Prezel Hardy, men's 200m, 20.40
Jennifer Bergman, women's 5,000m, 17:22.18
Ellen Wortham, women's 400m hurdles, 57.10
Michael Stigler, men's 400m hurdles, 50.48
Chris Bernard, men's triple jump, 15.90m/52-2
Jared Bassett, men's 3,000m steeplechase, 9:23.39
Bronze Medals (11)
Charles Silmon, men's 100m, 10.17
Allison Barwise, women's high jump, 1.74m/5-8.5
Riley Masters, men's 1,500m, 3:52.15
Nicole Bonk, women's 10,000m race walk, 55:56.68
Logan Cunningham, men's pole vault, 5.30m/17-4.5
Katie Matthews, women's 10,000m, 36:21.29
Casimir Loxsom, men's 800m, 1:49.35
Cambrya Jones, women's 200m, 23.00
Keith Ricks, men's 200m, 20.50
Dani Stack, women's 5,000m, 18:07.87
Hayden Baillio, men's shot put, 19.21m/63-0.25


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Bill Romanowski's investment in a failed horse-breeding business has left him with a large back-tax bill.
The United States Tax Court ruled in February that the longtime NFL linebacker and his wife, Julie, owe about $4.75 million in unpaid taxes for the years 1998 through 2004 stemming from their investment in ClassicStar, which involved the leasing of mares for breeding purposes. (The Paulick Report has a good summary of Romanowski's involvement with ClassicStar.)
According to the tax court ruling, the Romanowskis invested close to $13.1 million in the horse-breeding business, and they listed expenses and took deductions related to the venture. The court, in a written opinion, held that "(the Romanowskis') horse-breeding activities were not engaged in for profit, and the related expenses are therefore not deductible."
The court also wrote that Rodney Atherton, an attorney who advised the Romanowskis on dealing with ClassicStar, "received improper payments from ClassicStar as a result of (the Romanowskis) choosing to enter the program."
According to the Denver Post, Romanowski and Atherton's former law firm reached a settlement in 2011.
Plaintiffs were awarded a $65.0 million judgment against now-bankrupt ClassicStar in 2011 after a federal judge ruled the company engaged in misconduct.


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Internal Control Program
In 1987, The New York State Governmental Accountability Act was enacted to formalize a system of productivity and accountability in all state agencies including SUNY campuses. The Act included provisions for strengthening campus internal controls and for measuring their effectiveness. Agencies received the following mandates:
- Establish and maintain guidelines for a formal internal control program.
- Establish internal control reviews for departmental managers to identify risks, weaknesses and corrective actions.
- Ensure that all employees understand the concept of internal control and their respective roles and responsibilities.
- Formally state the organization's policies and standards for all employees.
- Determine the manner of fulfilling the internal audit function.
- Designate an internal control officer to coordinate the program.
As required by law, SUNY Plattsburgh must annually certify that its Internal Control Program is in compliance with the Internal Control Act. In addition to the six standard requirements, the state may, from time to time, identify additional activities campuses are expected to complete as part of the on-going internal control program.
Since internal control depends on the participation of all employees at every position level, all employees should be aware of the College's goals and their participating roles in attaining those goals. They should routinely exercise judgment and act to protect the institution and its resources from loss, waste, or damage. All employees need to exhibit the personal and professional traits of the responsible and productive person in seeking areas for improvement and acting in the best interests and protection of the institution and the public.
The success of an internal control program depends upon good communication throughout the organizational structure. Often the best manner of evaluating operational and program effectiveness is at the unit (department) level. Program reviews and critical area testing may be employed. Identified weaknesses and recommendations for corrective action or general improvement should flow smoothly through the organizational structure with thorough review and response at each succeeding level. Acknowledgment and further communication (feedback) to the operating level will confirm the extent of the noted weakness and the best corrective course of action.
It is this two-way communication which best serves to address issues and concerns in a timely manner and to reach solutions, benefiting from both the first-hand skills at the departmental level and the collective knowledge and resources of the institution.
The principles of internal control, executed by whatever manner or approach, ensure the best possible service to the College's students and clientele in the most cost-effective manner. The cost-benefits to SUNY Plattsburgh will be real and measurable.
As members of a New York State public tax-supported institution, we all serve as stewards of the public trust. The citizens of the State expect that quality education, research, and public service will be provided through the best utilization of resources provided. It is our responsibility to fulfill that public trust.


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Hotel ibis Styles Lyon Confluence
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This 3 star hotel is located in the city centre of Lyon and was established in 1971. It is a short drive away from the Vieux Lyon and the nearest station is Perrache.
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Average price per night for this hotel for the following weeks
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Services and terms: Hotel ibis Styles Lyon Confluence
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Useful information: Hotel ibis Styles Lyon Confluence
Other names for Hotel ibis Styles Lyon Confluence:
Kyriad Lyon Centre Gare Perrache
Kyriad Perrache Confluence
Location: Hotel ibis Styles Lyon Confluence
This hotel is superbly located, just 5 minutes from the centre of Lyon. The peninsula, with its famous Place Bellecour, and other rich cultural sites are within walking distance. The historical old town lies around 10 minutes away on foot, 5 minutes away by bus and metro, or 2 minutes away by tram. Part Dieu business centre lies around 20 minutes away by tram and the train station is 500 metres from the hotel. Lyon Perrache railway station is 2 minutes away.From Paris: take the A6 towards Marseille. After the Fourviere Tunnel, take exit 39B Lyon Perrache and continue on the Quai Perrache. From Marseille and Saint Etienne: take the A7 towards Paris and follow the signs for the centre of Lyon. Then take exit 1 Lyon Gerland and pass the motorway underpass, continuing on Cours Charlemagne towards Perrache. From the train station: take the Cours Charlemagne exit and the hotel is a 5-minute walk from here.


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Edinburgh 2013: Our top picks for the Fringe and EIF
Navigating the 390-page Fringe brochure is a daunting task, so to help we've picked out our top shows for the Edinburgh Fringe and International Festival (EIF). The list will be updated once reviews start rolling in, so be sure to check back throughout the festival...
The inimitable Steven Berkoff stars in his new play, about the "frustration and madness" of life as an actor. Written in verse, the three-hander also features Jay Benedict and Andrée Bernard, both of whom have worked with Berkoff before.
Pleasance Courtyard, 1-20 Aug (not 5, 12), 14.30
Anna *new*
This new play by Badac follows the life, work and assassination of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, exploring her exposure of human rights abuses during and after the second Russian Chechnya war.
Summerhall, 13-25 Aug, 20.30
Ali J
This "powerful and urgent" new play centres on the theme of what it means to be a Muslim in modern India, and arrives in Edinburgh direct from its premiere season there.
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 July-25 Aug, 12.30
Beats by Kieran Hurley *new*
Set in 1994, this coming-of-age play explores the consequences of outlawing raves for one 15-year-old in a small Scottish town.
Pleasance Courtyard, 11 Aug, 22.20
The UK premiere of a new political drama by South African playwright Omphile Molusi, whose play Itsoseng won a coveted Fringe First back in 2008. Co-produced by Market Theatre of Johannesburg and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, it centres on a young man's struggle in the tumultuous political landscape of apartheid.
Traverse, 29 July-25 Aug, times vary
David Harrower (Blackbird, 365) returns to Edinburgh wit a new play about the daughter of a Glaswegian gangster. Starring leading Scottish actress Blythe Duff, it's directed by Traverse artistic director Orla O'Loughlin.
Traverse, 1-25 Aug (not 2), times vary
A new play from Philip Ridley is always an event, and this is his first the premiere at the Fringe. Billed as a "beautiful, breathtaking drama about one girl's craving for family and home," it stars Gemma Whelan, recently seen in TV's Game of Thrones and as Rachel in One Man, Two Guvnors.
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 July-26 Aug (not 13), 15.00
David Greig's new play, based partly on the Anders Breivik massacre in Norway, centres on a quiet local choir that is torn apart by an atrocity. Directed by Ramin Gray, it comes to London's Young Vic following its run at the Traverse.
Traverse Theatre, 31 July-25 Aug (not 1,2, 5, 12, 19), times vary
The Ghost Hunter *new*
This eerie play follows a ghost hunter as he recounts a terrible tale from the 12th Century to the tourists that dare to take his tour.
Pleasance Courtyard, 13-26 Aug, 14.00
Howie the Rookie *new*
This electrifying, epic play set in Dublin was originally performed by two actors, but has been re-imagined for a single performer, who explores hilarious, savage and grotesque territory as he tells their tales.
Assembly Hall, 8-25 Aug, 12:40
Missing *new*
This play uses physical theatre and dance to tell the story of Lucy, who discovers that her hidden past can change everything.
Pleasance Courtyard, 12-25 Aug, 13.00
Nirbhaya *new*
This hard-hitting new play from Yael Farber examines the extent of abuse against women in India, in the wake of the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in Delhi last year.
Assembly Hall, 1-26 Aug (not 12, 19), 16:00
Quietly *new*
This new play, nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award, is a powerful story about truth and forgiveness for two men sharing a violent history in Belfast.
Traverse Theatre, 7-25 Aug, times vary
A staple of the Fringe in more ways than one, this Shakespearean compilation show, now in its 22nd year, serves coffee and croissants along with lashings of the Bard's best bits.
C Theatre, 31 July-26 Aug (not 12), 10.00
Omid Djalili stars in a new adaptation of Stephen King's modern classic prison novel. Djalili plays Red, the role created on-screen by Morgan Freeman in the 1994 film version. Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns' script is directed by Lucy Pitman-Wallace.
Assembly Rooms, 1-25 Aug (not 12), 16.50
Solomon and Marion *new*
This play, starring Janet Suzman, follows two injured souls searching for redemption in the fragile, post-apartheid South Africa.
Assembly Hall, 13-26 Aug, 14.30
The Surrender *new*
This show, direct from a sold-out run at the National Theatre of Spain, tells the story of a ballerina initiated by a stranger into ultimate sexual submission and the joy she finds on the other side of convention.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 12-26 Aug, 13:30
There Has Possibly Been An Incident *new*
This new play explores the moment at which life offers you a choice between heroism and compromise through a series of interlocking stories.
Northern Stage at St Stephen's, 13-24 Aug, 16.40
Adam and Eve: The Musical
This new show from playwright/composer Ben Hales is set the morning after the Fall of Man. We've all had bad hangovers, but Adam and Eve's is especially heavy as they come to terms with the consequences of their apple-based actions. (Some sexual references, parental discretion is advised).
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 31 July-25 Aug (not 12), 12.15
I'm With the Band
A play with songs about Scottish independence, Tim Price's new show centres on a band (called The Union) comprising an Englishman, Scotsman, Irishman and a Welshman. Sounds like a joke to us...
Traverse, 2-25 Aug, times vary
Fascinating Aida star Sarah-Louise Young presents a cabaret "love letter" to Dame Julie Andrews, mixing songs and stories to pay homage to the Sound of Music legend. (Look out for Young's run-down of her favourite things involving Julie Andrews, coming soon to WhatsOnStage...)
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 31 July-26 Aug (not 7, 14), 14.55
A cabaret show running as part of this year's Benjamin Britten Centenary, featuring songs by Britten and poet WH Auden, and playwrights Conor Mitchell and Mark Ravenhill. An unlikely blend that "comes a little queerly from the heart".
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 31 July-26 Aug (not 12), 19.00
This Life Chose Me: A Ninja Musical
It's not everyday you see the phrase "a one-woman comedic ninja musical", but such is the description of this new show written and performed by Katie Wilbert. But shy ninjas be warned - there is audience participation.
theSpace, 5-17 Aug (not 11), 22.10
[Title of Show]
Carley Stenson stars in the hit Off-Broadway meta musical about two struggling writers who decide to create a new musical for the inaugural New York Musical Theatre Festival. Promises "naughty words and truly #stagey moments".
Assembly Checkpoint, 1-26 Aug (not 12), 15.10
Eh Joe
Michael Gambon stars in Samuel Beckett's first play written specifically for television, which transfers from the Gate Theatre in Dublin. The 30-minute piece - in which Gambon never speaks - runs as part of the Beckett festival-within-a-festival of the great Irishman's plays written for other mediums.
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 23, 27, 29, 31 Aug, times vary
American multimedia artist Gary Hill reimagines Beethoven's only opera on board a doomed spacecraft as it hurtles towards infinity. The international cast is led by celebrated Japanese conductor Kazushi Ono.
Festival Theatre, 10, 12 Aug, 19.15
New York-based experimental company The Wooster Group re-imagines Shakespeare's classic tragedy using archive footage of Richard Burton performing the title role. "In doing so it channels the ghost of that legendary performance," says the blurb, "by intentionally replacing its own spirit with the spirit of another."
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 10-13 Aug, 19.30
Leaving Planet Earth
This new project from site-specific specialists Grid Iron takes audiences (by bus) on a journey to another planet, as it explores the future of humanity and reflects on our memories of Earth. A hugely ambitious undertaking and one of the hottest tickets at this year's EIF.
Royal Lyceum Theatre, 10-24 Aug (not 13, 20), 20.00
Ardal O'Hanlon
The Father Ted star returns to stand up following his acclaimed performance in Conor McPherson's The Weir at the Donmar Warehouse (which he'll reprise in the West End later in the year). One of the most lovable comics around.
Assembly Rooms, 12-18 Aug, 19.00
Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks *new*
This comedy brings the joy of TV wrestling back, catapulting it onto the live stage with the wrestlers' life stories thrown in amongst "sweaty ring action".
Assembly George Square, 7-26 Aug, 12:15
Bo Burnham: What
The 22-year-old YouTube star, who won the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize in 2010, returns with a new song-driven extravaganza (billed as a "new live comedy show thing") that's bound to prove a hit. So book ahead for this one.
Pleasance Courtyard, 9-19 Aug, 23.15
Catriona Knox: Player
This rising star comedienne - a member of sketch group The Boom Jennies - presents her new character-based stand up show, which sees her take her "riotously silly characters through seven circles of hell".
Pleasance Courtyard, 31 July-26 Aug (not 13), 15.15
David Baddiel, in his first full Edinburgh show for 15 years, discusses his journey through the world of celebrity, from accidentally stealing the spotlight at Russell Brand's wedding to realising Andrew Lloyd Webber thinks he's Ben Elton.
Assembly George Square, 31 July-11 Aug, 19.30
David Morgan - Pretty *new*
Comedian David Morgan presents his stand-up show, exploring what it means to feel unattractive and be listed in Heat magazine's "15 Hot New Men List 2012".
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 12-25 Aug, 19.00
David Schneider - Is the Internet Making Us More Stupider?
The comedian - otherwise known as "him from Alan Partridge" - presents a spoken word show justifying his many wasted hours on Twitter and pondering whether the internet is taking us on a journey to intellectual oblivion.
Assembly Rooms, 19 Aug, 12.30
Two Irishmen with plastic bags on their heads may not sound like great comedy but this YouTube-famous double act, fresh from their sold-out season at the Soho Theatre, prove the exception.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 31 July-26 Aug (not 12, 19), 22.40
The much-loved comic, writer and presenter returns to the Fringe with a show comprising stand-up, stories and "fascinating facts".
Pleasance Courtyard, 3-11 Aug, 16.00
Circa: Wunderkammer *new*
Circa present Wunderkammer, a circus, cabaret and vaudeville extravaganza that promises to delight the senses.
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 12-26 Aug, times vary
This circus show is one of four productions from Crying Out Loud at this year's Fringe. Promising "flying drum kits, levitating ironing boards and swinging divas", it's one of a number of 'new wave' circus shows currently making waves.
Underbelly, Bristo Square, 1-26 Aug (not 6, 13, 20), 16.20
La Clique
An Edinburgh institution returns for 2013, ten years after it first set jaws dropping in the Famous Spiegeltent (newly relocated to George Street). Offering up another unique blend of cabaret, circus, burlesque and magic, it's sure to be popular so book ahead.
The Famous Spiegeltent, 2-25 Aug, 22.00
Ménage à Trois
This new show from National Theatre of Scotland, billed as "a visually stunning piece of dance theatre", comes from award-winning performer Claire Cunningham and choreographer/video artist Gail Sneddon. It's performed at new venue Paterson's Land on Holyrood Road, set up to showcase Scotland's best artists and companies.
Traverse Theatre, 9-25 Aug (not 10, 15, 22), times vary
The System *new*
This piece of physical theatre follows three men as they escape prison and live life on the run in South Africa, attempting to clear their names.
Just the Tonic at the Caves, 12-25 Aug, 10.30
A Tiny Tempest
This new actor-musician adaptation of Shakespeare's fantastical tale of magic, murder and monsters arrives in Edinburgh following a tour of schools across the UK. A sound choice for all ages.
C Venues, 18-26 Aug, 14.10
American singer-songwriter Dean Friedman adds to his eclectic CV with a new "toe-tickling" musical for children aged three to eight. The show follows the adventures of Danny, Pete and Sally who set out to solve the conundrum of Pete's persistently stinky feet.
Sweet Grassmarket, 1-25 Aug (not 7, 14, 21), times vary
James Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids
Campbell is the Russell Brand of children's stand-ups, offering zany observations to an audience ranging from "6 to 149". Few other acts on the Fringe will sing songs to your kids about the Loch Ness Monster being an evil magic sock.
Famous Spiegeltent, 8-11 Aug, 14.00
The Showstoppers' Family Hour
The acclaimed musical improvisation team put a family-friendly spin on their winning formula, which sees plots, titles and characters created afresh each show by suggestions from the audience. Bound to be interesting considering the creative imaginations of the young.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 2-13 Aug, 14.00


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I've done a lot of self promoting.
I've been to all the major mystery writing conferences, many multiple times. I've visited over 1200 bookstores. I've spoken at hundreds of libraries and book fairs.
I never really wanted to do any of it. The conventions were fun, but also a lot of work. I tended to try my best to burn as brightly as possible, and anyone who knows their astrophysics knows what results from that; burn out.
But I refused to get burned out. I believed the only thing keeping me in print was my never-ending effort to get myself in front of people.
Things have changed.
In the last few months, I've turned away over a dozen speaking engagements. Most of them offered to pay all expenses--flight, hotel, food. Some even offered a decent stipend on top of that.
I would have cut off my own legs to have had opportunities like this, back at the start of 2010.
So why am I being all hermit-like now?
Because I believe I've found a better use of my time.
My goal has always been to sell as many books as possible, with the hope of making a decent living at it. In the recent past, I'd identified certain things that I felt I needed to do, in order to reach that goal.
The most expensive, and time consuming, of these things, was travel.
As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats face time. Meeting a bookseller, a fan, a potential fan, is really the best way to promote yourself. A handshake, a smile, a joke, a thank-you--I've personally done this to over twenty thousand people. I felt it was my duty to. If I didn't, I might go out of print. If I went out of print, I'd lose my income, and my dream of writing full-time.
Consider that last observation. I was worried about no longer being able writing full time, so I'd become a full time traveling salesman. A full time ambassador, visiting thirty-nine states to spread goodwill and brand awareness.
But something has changed recently. A big something.
I don't feel the need to stay in print anymore.
In fact, I wish my books were out of print, so I'd have the rights to them back. (by my estimate, I'm losing around $100k per year because publishers have seven of my backlist titles and are pricing them too high for the ebook market and giving me a fraction of the royalties I could earn on my own.)
Since the rise of ebooks, I've been making more money that I ever have being traditionally published. This is steady money, and seems to be growing.
Face time isn't required for me to be able to sell ebooks. So I promised my wife I'd stop traveling everywhere, and do the thing I always said I'd do: write full time.
A funny thing happened. Once I cut down on traveling, I was able to get more writing done.
So far, this year, I've written four novels. By the end of the year, I'll squeeze in one or two more.
I'll be able to earn a lot more on new work, than I would promoting old work. Better yet, rather than trying to seek out publicity, it seems to be coming to me. I've gotten dozens of emails from people who recently read about me in Newsweek. When I spent a summer visiting 500 bookstores, Newsweek didn't call me. But sitting on my butt, doing my little ebook thing, is getting me a lot more exposure for a lot less effort.
Ebooks have given authors a choice. For decades, there was only one game in town--traditional print publishing. I studied that game, learned how to play, and had some modest success. But it was hard work.
Recently, I've been studying the new game in town, ebooks, and I haven't looked back. I can make more money, do less traveling, and spend more time doing the thing I wanted to do in the first place; write.
Now, some of my peers think that refusing speaking engagements is a mistake. I should be grateful people want to see me.
I am grateful. But the math just doesn't work.
I've turned down thirteen speaking gigs. Figure, with travel, each one took an average of four days.
That means I'd have given up over fifty days.
I can write a book in fifty days.
What's better for my career; face time with thousands of people, or a new book that will be potentially earning money forever?
NY Publishing didn't want more than a book a year from me. And a book a year was about my limit, considering all the promo I did.
Now I'm able to focus on the thing I love--the writing.
Out of all the cool things about the ebook revolution, this may be the coolest.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
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LILY'S SWEETS Announces Nationwide Distribution of its Stevia-Sweetened, Fair Trade Certified Dark Chocolate Bars
As Americans renew their New Year's Resolutions to eat healthy and lose weight, Lily's stevia-sweetened chocolate offers a delicious, guilt-free, 25 percent fewer calories solution.
Jan 03, 2013, 06:30 ET
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful launch at Whole Foods Markets in March 2012, Lily's Sweets chocolate bars can now be found nationwide at Wegmans, Earth Fare, Central Market, PCC, Fairway, New Seasons, Natural Grocers, Dierbergs, Lunds & Byerly's, Harris Teeter, Stop and Shop, Oliver's, New Leaf, Andronico's, Rosauers, Lunardi's, Mollie Stone's, and several hundred independent retailers, totaling over 1200 retail locations. Lily's Sweets is also available online through Amazon and Vitacost.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130103/LA36012LOGO)
Lily's Sweets, the top-selling producer of stevia-sweetened, Fair Trade Certified, non-GMO dark chocolate bars in the US, is particularly popular with consumers wanting to avoid sugar and those interested in non-GMO and fair trade products. But ultimately, Lily's Sweets credits their rapid growth to their contented customers---who love Lily's delicious, creamy and indulgent taste. With more flavors planned for 2013, Lily's anticipates double digit growth for the upcoming year.
"As we all renew our New Year's resolutions to eat healthier and lose weight, Lily's offers chocolate lovers a delicious guilt-free treat," says Chuck Genuardi, co-founder of Lily's Sweets. "The global demand for stevia-sweetened products is exploding. We are proud to be a leader in meeting that demand."
Lily's is also proud to donate a portion of profits to grassroots non-profits that support childhood cancer survivors. The gold ribbon on the Lily's package is a symbol of that support.
Media contacts:
Sally Ford, 410-224-1115
Linda Shafran, 312-203-9154
About Lily's Sweets
Co-founded by Cynthia Tice and Chuck Genuardi, veterans of the natural products industry, Lily's introduced the first Fair Trade Certified stevia-sweetened chocolate to the U.S. market in 2012. Lily's uses only the finest all-natural ingredients, and is committed to preserving the planet's natural resources. For more information, visit http://www.lilyssweets.com. Follow Lily's Sweets on Facebook and Twitter.
About Stevia
Stevia is a natural, botanical sweetener that comes from the plant Stevia rebaudiana. Also known as sweet leaf, stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar with none of the unhealthy characteristics. Stevia has a very low glycemic index and is safe for diabetics.
About Fair Trade Certified
Fair Trade USA is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the US. http://tweets.fairtradeusa.org/topics/lily#.UMndqjgFCaY.twitter
SOURCE Lily's Sweets


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|Esh-Kodesh Gilmore, of blessed memory.
Esh-Kodesh worked as a part-time guard at the Bituach Leumi (national insurance/social security) branch in East Jerusalem, an office that provides benefits to an almost entirely-Arab clientele. He was working there when a man walked up to him and shot right into his neck at point-blank range around noon on October 30, 2000.
The terrorist was operating under the name "Martyrs of the Al-Aqsa Intifada". In fact, as a subsequent trial established, the planning and execution of the cold-blooded murder was done by men of Force 17. It's a so-called special operations unit under the command of Yasser Arafat and skilled in acts of terrorism, especially murder. At various times, it was been called the Palestinian Presidential Guard. The BBC reported at the time of Esh Kodesh's murder that Arafat "regards them as some of his most trusted security personnel."
So, evidently, does the man who stepped into Arafat's shoes. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas elevated a man called Mahmoud Awad Damra, known also by the nom-de-guerre Abu Awad, to become the head of Force 17 in May 2006. Not long afterwards, Damra was arrested by Israeli authorities. [We wrote about this at the time: "6-Sep-06: Reduction in Force 17".] He was tried and sentenced in 2006 to 15 years in prison for his role in terror attacks against Israelis including the murder of Esh-Kodesh Gilmore.
But this is the upside-down world of the Palestinian Arab clique and their perverted morality. While still behind bars, this Damra was promoted by the 'moderate' Abbas to the rank of major-general in 2009. On October 18, 2011, he walked out of his Israeli prison cell a free man, thanks to the infamous Gilad-Shalit-for-murderers deal. And this week, by presidential decree, Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mahmoud Awad Damra as his presidential adviser on local government.
If local government is where they deal with garbage and effluent, then Damra has been appointed to the right place. Still, in the name of justice, we're hoping the man will return to where he belongs, behind bars.


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Enjoy your music on the move
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Find hotels & motels in Brooklawn using the list below. Find cheap and/or discounted hotel rates in or near Brooklawn, NJ for your upcoming individual or group travel. Discover the most favored Brooklawn, New Jersey motel and hotel rooms. Browse the Brooklawn area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Brooklawn hotels. Need 5+ Rooms? Secure Brooklawn Group Hotel Discounts
The Brooklawn center point is about 2 miles southeast of Citizens Bank Park - Phillies and 2 miles southwest of Harleigh Cemetery.
How should we direct your call?


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The indie-feminist rock-artist Jessicka Addams marries the gothic with the whimsical, creating heartbreaking portraits of innocence lost. In her wonderfully sweet yet disturbing paintings and sculptures, the artist builds a candy-coated dreamscape ripe with sexuality, drug use, and metamorphosis. Her pale, virginal subjects look much like babydolls possessed, embodiments of mythical female mischief and corruption. These works, in some ways, serve as testaments to the pains and labors of the biblical Eve, the mythological Medusa.
Addams's work is elegantly imbued with an uncomfortable anxiety that arises from the tension between icons of innocence and the suggestion of impurity. Rabbits, used in early Christian art, symbolize the coming of spring, the resurrection, and the rebirth of innocence. Here, this iconographical connotation is poignantly subverted; alongside images of bleeding nostrils, suggestive of cocaine use, these white rabbits could easily find themselves in the drug-induced Alice in Wonderland of Jefferson Airplane. Addams's rabbits cry bloody pink tears and sprout sea witch limbs.
The cat, an animal both adorable and foreboding, also figures prominently in Addams's pieces, often in the form of hybrid human or ghost. Addams's aesthetic is distinctly modern, characterized by thick, dripping brushstrokes and somewhat taboo subject matter. Like those of the modernist trailblazer Goya, her cats seem to represent sin as it creeps in upon the untainted child; a burlap sack, with embroidered feline ears, envelops the face of a pale babe, who weeps as if mourning a lost childhood.
Addams's exquisite works are charming and unsettling in equal measure, inspiring pity and empathy for our own former innocence. Here, human beings—especially women— are neither madonnas nor whores; instead, the human soul is a complexly woven tapestry, colored with surprising and miraculous shades of gray. Addams's work is currently on view at The Cotton Candy Machine. (via BUST)


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|View Poll Results: Critique of Episode 23
|10 out of 10 : Near Perfect...
|9 out of 10 : Excellent...
|8 out of 10 : Very Good...
|7 out of 10 : Good...
|6 out of 10 : Average...
|5 out of 10 : Below Average...
|4 out of 10 : Poor...
|3 out of 10 : Bad...
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad...
|1 out of 10 : Torturous...
|Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2012-12-08, 15:11
|Link #22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
|2012-12-08, 15:14
|Link #23
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv168
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 32
Hence why I felt aggro was basically not a known concept until now (as in, aggro reflects the tendency of which target an NPC will select, based on hate/threat score dealt by players actions, such like special moves, healing etc).
|2012-12-08, 15:20
|Link #25
Okuyasu the Bird
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Age: 27
That was meh. Not a whole lot to say about it really except that for a supposed "war" scene it could've been much better. Not sure why Kirito didn't even use that final technique of his in the first place even if it was kind of cool.
Shame Recon's self-destruct went to waste too. He seemed very determined to show Lyfa he was a capable guy.
Also, it's really the first time I noticed it, but this show's soundtrack is way too over-exaggerated. It doesn't deserve this level of epic feel really. Not really bad music either (choirs are amazing) but I feel it's been wasted.
Just two episodes left. I'm probably more relieved than disappointed about that though.
Last edited by SilverSyko; 2012-12-08 at 18:43.
|2012-12-08, 15:22
|Link #26
President of TecoT
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Singapore
if felt like I was watching Gundam instead of SOA. and Krito face felt like SSJ4 Son Goku
|2012-12-08, 15:24
|Link #27
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
The reconciliation felt a bit too easy considering how Kirito's crushed his siser, cousin's heart twice now, but <jackbauer>THERE'S NO TIME!</jackbauer>.
I agree with Klashikari on the tree raid: It felt turn-based, and unfortunately, given the scale of the room, just looked like a series of little duels occuring in isolation. If there had been a way to work in a decorative element on the walls to indicate height, they should have done it.
Also, the lack of archers and other projectiles: Could have also helped the action if the Sylph/Cait Sith ranged attacks had shown up in time to counteract what would have been a wall of arrows. Instead, they just shot at undefined off-screen targets.
Kirito's drill piercing the heavens ended up looking cheesy.
My POV is coming from anime-only, but I have to critique the hand I'm dealt. The scene looked like what it looked like.
|2012-12-08, 15:26
|Link #28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Age: 32
Seemed like a half-hearted effort. Animation wasn't too great for what presumably was the climactic battle, and the duel in the beginning was not exactly too short but wasted a lot of its limited time showing things that weren't visually interesting like flying around for ultimately no reason. The end of the big battle was also one of the silliest things ever (two swords without actually using two swords in any relevant way!).
Overall, the fact that they reused animation from the same episode basically symbolizes the entire episode. They just really didn't care very much about this one.
|2012-12-08, 15:28
|Link #29
Sawa-Chan <3 <3 <3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Epic episode . But more than that the cliff hanger . For some reason i like this arc better than previous. Kinda by a lot.
can't wait for the next two episodes. Hope they were dual episodes . Might as well wait to watch the two last episodes at the same time maybe .
|2012-12-08, 15:55
|Link #30
U mad?
Join Date: Apr 2012
Recon got friend-zoned, R.I.P.
While watching this episode, I thought that no wonder the races couldn't clear the World Tree, there were simply too many guardians. The developers of the quest probably liked zerg rush tactics more than one single invincible boss.
Ok, he overlays his two swords and activates a rainbow-coloured skill, when sword skills do not exist in ALO and he didn't cast any magic, did I see it correctly?
I do not understand.
|2012-12-08, 15:59
|Link #31
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lineage 2 -
Age: 27
Yeah, Lyfa is so hot, big boobs
But 25 is a good marking. Though would be cooler if it was 25 episodes of SAO.
I know the author did volume 1 whole thing and sent it for publishing attempt, but we all fell SAO had so much potential left. I wanted to see the 100th floor the Ruby Palace
|2012-12-08, 16:01
|Link #32
Sawa-Chan <3 <3 <3
Join Date: Dec 2004
I am guessing if it's explained later it might be the latter.
|2012-12-08, 16:12
|Link #33
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
|2012-12-08, 16:39
|Link #35
Join Date: Feb 2010
Wow, that fell flat on its face. The first half wasn't awful. The justifications I wish were in the last Ep are put pre-OP, and the emotional stuff is at least to the letter. But the fight scenes were borderline painful. The "duel" was all of TWO attacks. Even the part where they throw away their respective swords was rather meh since the novel implies that both of them were thinking the exact same thing and acted at the same time, whereas the Anime implies that Kirito responded to Lyfa's actions. And really, a flipping CHARGE attack for dual blades? I would've been happier with him flailing around maniacally while surrounded by light effects.
Recon felt far more meaningful in the novels. Here, he kinda just shows up and explodes for some reason. I blame that on the inevitable dialogue trimming that needs to be done for Anime adaptations.
The only point I'm happy about is how the wall of guardians was portrayed. Far more "insurmountable odds"-like than last EP.
|2012-12-08, 16:56
|Link #36
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Kirito thinking about his life.
The whole thing with Sugu was an interesting turn of events.
Lots of flashbacks too.
Kirito vs Sugu. That was interesting.
Giving the tower another shot with some reinforcements was nice to watch.
Founding out that he went where no player was meant to go was interesting.
|2012-12-08, 17:01
|Link #37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
I enjoyed kirito's flashback to young sugu and young kirito.
they went back to gameworld faster than I expected.
Was annoyed when Recon showed up again, he's such a dork. Kirito blindly killing the endless mobs was really boring.
Laughed when Recon kamikaze'd himself for nothing when the slyph and cait sith army showed up.
Kiritos atk when he placed leafa's and his sword on top of eachother was kind of weird.
Key card coming into play at the end was expected.
|2012-12-08, 17:10
|Link #38
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Germany
Age: 33
really, I'm so diasappointed with this second half, this whole "the game is as importend as saving my girlfriend from being violated in real life"-stuff was just ridiculous.
and Sugu is so unlikeable. her confession has to be taken 100% seroiusly, but this poor Recon guy can be laughed at. hypocritical.
|2012-12-08, 17:15
|Link #39
Join Date: Aug 2004
Age: 32
|2012-12-08, 17:27
|Link #40
Join Date: Dec 2003
Age: 36
The thing I liked most about this episode was the "Fairy Dance". To me, this really felt like the climax of the story arc in terms of what it has been building-up to emotionally and symbolically, and now from this point forward is really the denouement. Although everything isn't resolved, they're getting closer to an understanding, and their guilt for each of their parts in the whole misunderstanding (and they way they both decided to give up the dual at the same time) shows that they're not so far apart in the end. Indeed, the title of "bonds" was very appropriate, because that's really what this episode was all about. The "Fairy Dance" was a hug between siblings who might have been lovers in a different life, and were able to finally start the reconciliation process through a game. It's a pretty nice message on the whole.
Like I said, the rest was denouement to me. We knew Kazuto/Kirito would find a way to break through the hordes somehow, and make his way to the top (and use the special key), because therein lies his unfinished business. The revelation that it actually was impossible for regular players to get to the top of the tree (even if they made it through the hordes) is not surprising at all. The world tree quest was always a lie.
Recon's wasted self-sacrifice is sort of a sad but accurate portrayal of his character on the whole, but he did his job in the sense of showing Suguha that there are other people in the world that care for her as well... even if he sadly has no chance. I guess never giving up is his good quality?
Anyway, so begins the mad dash for the finish line so that "SAO" can truly end (both in the show, and for us as viewers). I like the way everything has come together on the whole.
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He ain't so perfect after all!
TMZ shot exclusive video of Super Bowl bound QB Tom Brady wearing some sort of cast on his right foot and limping to the doorway of Gisele's doorway in NYC earlier today! This is a big deal! Even ESPN.com says so! Maybe the Giants do have a chance!?!
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Members of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Honor Society have completed their second drive for troops serving overseas.
The local honor students recently delivered nearly 1,000 pounds of goods ranging from personal grooming products to microwave popcorn, instant hot chocolate, powdered drinks, stationery and envelopes and other items to Give2theTroops in Fairfield, Conn. The most recent delivery was assisted by a collection drive at the Lake Lehman Elementary School under the direction of Doreen Johnson.
Give2TheTroops, an organization dedicated to sending cards and care packages to service members deployed overseas, has supported approximately 1 million deployed U.S. Troops since December 2002. To date, with the help of patriotic friends in the U.S., Give2TheTroops has sent more than 120,000 boxes (70 pounds each) and more than 40 million cards and letters.
The Penn State Wilkes-Barre honor students originally held a drive in Spring 2011 which resulted in a carload of donated goods being driven to the drop-off point which is the Fairfield police department. At that time the students learned what supplies were needed most in cold weather and the current delivery began to take shape.


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More than a few IT organizations are hurrying to deploy a cloud computing strategy in response to both internal and external IT pressures.
But the folks at Unisys point out that in the rush to deploy a cloud computing system, there are many opportunities to make strategic errors that wind up doing more harm than good. What follows are seven signs that your organization is in the process of making those mistakes.
Thirteen Ways Your Resume Can Say 'I'm Unprofessional'Hiring pros share the faux pas they find in real resumes.
Seven Deadly Sins of IT Service Management Seven deadly sins to be avoided in order to optimize the business benefit of IT service management.
Ten Tips for Retaining Top Talent Tips on addressing potential mismatches between the talent you have in your organization and how you use it.
Related Topics : Cloud Computing, Dell, Services Vendors, SMBs, Web Platform Vendors
IT administrators need to identify zombie assets, verify idle status and shut off anything that is unused. Here's how to get your dormant infrastructure back in shape. ... More >>
Cloud SaaS adoption allows organizations to gain the flexibility and scalability necessary for creating a high-velocity business. ... More >>
IT executives need the right tools to monitor and control their cloud infrastructure to maximize the positive impacts and mitigate security threats. ... More >>


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Franchise Lawyers: When To Use One
Franchise Lawyers: When To Use One
Are you headed towards the finish line? Are you at the point in your franchise business exploration where your yes or no decision on a particular opportunity is imminent? If so, read on…
In my capacity as a franchise ownership advisor, I've had several clients hear variations of the following declaration from their franchise development representatives;
"You are welcome to pay to have a franchise attorney look over our Franchise Disclosure Document as well as the franchise agreement, but everything in our agreement is etched in stone."
In other words: the franchise agreement, (contract) is non-negotiable.
While that may be true, (for the most part) these documents are not that easy to read, especially since a majority of the wording is in legalese. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), combined with the actual franchise agreement itself, can easily be 200-300 pages long. You probably won't be able to digest all of it in one sitting.
Look at all of the items that are included in every FDD:
· The Franchisor, its Predecessors, and its Affiliates
· Business Experience
· Litigation
· Bankruptcy
· Initial Franchise Fee
· Other Fees
· Initial Investment
· Restrictions On Sources Of Products And Services
· Franchisee's Obligations
· Financing
· Franchisor's Obligations
· Territory
· Trademarks
· Patents, Copyrights and Proprietary Information
· Obligation To Participate In The Actual Operation Of The Franchise Business
· Restrictions On What The Franchisee May Sell
· Renewal, Termination, Transfer And Dispute Resolution
· Public Figures
· Earnings Claims
· List Of Outlets
· Financial Statements
· Contracts
· Receipt
That's a lot of information for you to go through, especially if you're new at reading franchise business documents. That's why you need to hire a franchise attorney to look the franchise documents over. A franchise attorney knows what to focus on in the FDD and in the actual contract. They've probably written a few themselves. They can also lay out exactly what your obligations are going to be to the franchisor.
But, you don't need to hire a franchise attorney right way. Follow these steps first:
· Figure out what your top skills are, business-wise
· Choose a few franchises in which those skills can be utilized
· Learn all you can about the ones you've chosen
· Visit* franchise company headquarters
Once you've done those things and are pretty much ready to move forward with your chosen franchise opportunity, hire a franchise attorney. A good one will make sure you haven't missed anything in your research.
As far as I'm concerned, using the services of a qualified franchise attorney is the only thing that should be non-negotiable (in your eyes), if you're buying a franchise.
One more thing
Are franchise contracts really non-negotiable?
According to Charles Internacola, a New York franchise attorney, they absolutely are:
"It is not illegal for a franchisor to negotiate the terms of your franchise agreement. While you must be reasonable with your expectations about the franchise agreement terms that a franchisor may or may not be willing to negotiate, review the franchise agreement with your franchise lawyer and develop an approach to address and negotiate some strategic points that may enhance your rights as a franchisee."
Read about the seven things that Mr. Internacola feels are negotiable in a franchise contract on his New York Franchise Law blog*.
Finally, I don't want you to get the impression that franchisors are out to get you. They're not. They just want every franchisee in the system to be on the same page. Doing so can help preserve and even strengthen the brand.
They're just trying to protect themselves. You're doing the same thing by hiring a qualified franchise attorney.
*Non-US Government link
About the Author:
Joel Libava
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