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Edens Edge Partner With Cracker Barrel for Deluxe Album Release
In conjunction with the release of their self-titled debut album, country newcomers Edens Edge have partnered with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store to release 'Edens Edge – Deluxe Edition.' The special album copy will be sold exclusively through the retail chain starting June 12, meant to coincide with the release of the standard edition.
"Growing up in small towns, we're huge fans of home cooking and a family-style environment. Now that we're on the road most of the year, we often find ourselves seated at Cracker Barrels across the country," says band member Cherrill Green (quote via Webster & Associates). "It's so exciting that one of our favorite places has asked us to be a part of their exclusive music program and give our mutual fans an extra helping of our favorite songs."
Lead singer Hannah Blaylock shares similar feelings about the new partnership. "Our working with Cracker Barrel is a perfect fit. We started pickin' and singing music with friends and family on front porches in our home state of Arkansas," confesses the singer. "And they're a lot like the front porches at Cracker Barrel stores that we see across the country. Every time we stop at a Cracker Barrel it feels like home to us!"
To spur excitement leading up to the album release, the restaurant and country store will distribute digital download cards at all locations (while supplies last). Each card is redeemable for one free download of the trio's new radio single, 'Too Good To Be True.'
"For those who aren't as familiar with us, the song is a great sample of the 'Edge' side of Edens Edge," sole male trio member Dean Berner says of the song. "Fans can definitely expect to see a lot of versatility with that country roots sound to connect them all on the 'Edens Edge – Deluxe Edition.'"
The deluxe edition will feature three additional tracks not included on the standard album. The 13-song collection also features the project's first single, 'Amen,' which landed Edens Edge their first Top 20 single last year.
'Edens Edge – Deluxe Edition' Track Listing:
1. 'Amen' (Listen here)
2. 'Swingin' Door'
3. 'Skinny Dippin"
4. 'Too Good to Be True' (Listen here)
5. 'Last Supper'
6. 'Feels So Real'
7. 'Who Am I Drinking Tonight'
8. 'Liar'
9. 'Cherry Pie'
10. 'Christ Alone'
11. 'Roots' (Deluxe Track)
12. 'Little Bird' (Deluxe Track)
13. 'Wherever I Go' (Deluxe Track)


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Sacred Bones & Blood
Christian Materiality: An Essay on Religion in Late Medieval Europe
Christianity is a material religion. Its central tenet is that in the man Jesus the eternal God united himself to human nature and human flesh, and thereby opened both humanity and matter itself to the possibility of divinization. So Christians place their eschatological hope not in the survival of a disembodied soul, but in the resurrection of the body, the transformation into another order of being of the whole person, flesh and spirit. In heaven Christ himself retains his body, glorified and transcendent, but bearing still the physical traces of his human suffering. "With what rapture," says Charles Wesley's great hymn, "gaze we on those glorious scars."
Perhaps the most unabashedly materialist form of Christianity is Catholicism, centered around the sacraments, and making material things—bread, wine, water, olive oil, the touch of human hands—vehicles of divine power. In the Mass, Catholics believe, Christ himself is made present in the elements of bread and wine, to nourish and transform those who eat and drink them. Catholics venerate the relics of the holy dead, they bless material stuff—water, salt, oil, wax, medals, holy pictures, palm branches—and the formulas traditionally used in such blessings more often than not implied that those objects, called sacramentals, thereby became objectively holy, changed in themselves, and capable of effecting change at the material as well as the spiritual level. So every year on Palm Sunday Catholics commemorate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem by carrying olive, willow, or palm branches that have been blessed. Until the 1960s, the prayers used insisted on the material as well as the symbolic agency of those blessed branches. "Bless and sanctify this creature," ran the words, "…that whoever receives it may find protection of soul and body: and may it become, Lord, both a remedy for our well-being, and a sign of your grace."
But times have changed, clerical nerve has failed, and modern Catholicism appears to be in two minds about the spiritual potency of even sanctified matter. Palms are still blessed and carried each year, but the formula currently approved avoids any suggestion that blessing the branches has any objective effect on them, or on their bearers. So now the celebrant prays, "Lord, sanctify these branches with your blessing, so that we who rejoice to follow Jesus as our King may attain through him to the heavenly Jerusalem." In this account of what is going on, the palm branches are little more than a pious prop in a ceremony that is simply a metaphor for following Jesus, the blessing of the branches a ritual gesture that is assigned no instrumental value at all.
It is tempting to see the influence of the Protestant…
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subset: commoncrawl


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text:
Islanders even series vs. Penguins with Game 4 winby Brian Compton
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- There may come a day in the near future when Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is demolished.
The process almost got under way prematurely Tuesday night, when John Tavares nearly blew the roof off this 41-year-old arena.
Tavares, the centerpiece of the New York Islanders' rebuilding process, broke a 4-4 tie midway through the third period to lift his club to a heart-stopping 6-4 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
Prognosticators from across North America believed the Penguins, the top seed in the East, would finish off the No. 8 Islanders in no more than five games. Instead, it's 2-2 now, a best-of-3 series that shifts back to the Steel City on Thursday, with Game 6 here Saturday.
Tavares' goal rocked the Coliseum as it hasn't rocked in years -- this was New York's first home playoff win since the Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of their opening-round series in 2002. They had dropped a record-tying seven in a row at home since then.
"It's an old building, but this place gets rocking and these people are passionate," Tavares said. "We've got some great sports fans in New York, especially on Long Island, and they care about their Islanders. We can't thank them enough. First, we've got a big game Thursday. But we're happy that to know that they're going to be back here on Saturday."
New York got on the board first when rookie defenseman Brian Strait scored his first NHL goal with 5:55 left in the opening period. With the teams at even strength, Strait, who was waived by the Penguins in January, took a pass from Lubomir Visnovsky and beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a wrist shot from just inside the left point as the Islanders took a 1-0 lead.
But that lead lasted all of 45 seconds. Pittsburgh tied it with 5:10 to go when James Neal, who returned to the lineup after missing Games 2 and 3 with a lower-body injury, one-timed Evgeni Malkin's feed from the right circle past Evgeni Nabokov to make it 1-1. It was Neal's first goal of the postseason.
"We knew we were in a series from Game 1," Neal said. "You go game by game. After that you just let it go and focus on the next one. We've got a lot of veteran guys in this room that have been through this. We just need to regroup here and we'll come out fired up and ready to go."
The Penguins got their first power play of the night early in the second period, when Strait was sent off for high sticking. Pittsburgh, which had converted on six of its first 13 chances in the series, kept the puck in the zone for nearly the full two minutes but couldn't find the back of the net. And when Nabokov made a glove save to finally get the Islanders a line change, the capacity crowd of 16,170 roared.
Moments later, Matt Cooke put the Islanders on the power play when he interfered with Nabokov. Streit put New York back in front at 6:19 when his slap shot from the point knuckled past Fleury to make it 2-1. The goal was originally given to Tavares, but it was changed after he said in a between-periods interview that he didn't make contact with the puck.
"It's what we expected from them," Fleury said of the Islanders. "It's frustrating, disappointing. But it's the playoffs and we've got to be ready for the next one."
Pittsburgh again responded almost immediately. With the teams back at even strength, Malkin caught Frans Nielsen trying to go off for a line change, which created a 2-on-1 for the Penguins. Malkin cruised into the offensive zone and ripped a wrister from the right circle past Nabokov for his second goal of the playoffs. The goal came 58 seconds after Streit had given the Islanders the lead.
Brandon Sutter gave the Penguins their first lead with 8:57 left in the second. Cooke laid a thunderous check on Matt Carkner that sent the latter flying into the end boards and freed the puck, Sutter took a cross-ice feed from Brenden Morrow and snapped a wrist shot over Nabokov's left shoulder to make it 3-2.
But despite all of their inexperience in the playoffs, the Islanders didn't crumble.
"You can see our guys growing," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "I think there's 17 players with no playoff experience. But they're in a series now. There's a lot of belief in that room. If we continue to play within our framework and our structure, we can have success."
Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald headed off to the dressing room with about seven minutes remaining in the second period with an upper-body injury after being hit with a slap shot by Penguins defenseman Douglas Murray. MacDonald was given a holding penalty during the sequence, which was served by Keith Aucoin.
MacDonald did not return to the game, which left New York with five defensemen. Capuano confirmed the injury, but did not provide a timetable for his return. Newsday's Arthur Staple reported via Twitter that MacDonald broke his hand on the play and would likely miss the remainder of the postseason.
"He's an integral part of our team," Capuano said. "It just gives somebody else an opportunity to step in for the next game."
Kyle Okposo, arguably the Islanders' best player in this series, evened things with 1:24 left in the second on another fortunate bounce as his backhand attempt from behind the net went off Fleury's blocker and over the goal line to make it 3-3. It was Okposo's third goal of the playoffs.
"I'm not happy, that's for sure," said Fleury, whose save percentage dropped to .891 after he stopped just 18 of 24 shots in Game 4. "I'm trying hard in practice. It went in and it's frustrating, but you forget about it."
Pittsburgh regained the lead 41 seconds into the third. Pascal Dupuis charged the net and redirected Brooks Orpik's wrist shot past Nabokov and the Penguins held a 4-3 edge. Dupuis has four goals in as many games.
But the Islanders got even again at 4:30 when Streit took a pass from Casey Cizikas and fired a slap shot from the point that went off the toe of Murray's skate and past Fleury to make it 4-4. Streit became the first Islanders defenseman since Denis Potvin in 1983 to score twice in a playoff game.
"There have been swings of emotion in this game," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "It's something we're having trouble with right now."
Tavares, the No. 1 pick at the 2009 NHL Draft, then scored the biggest goal of his career with 9:49 to go in regulation. After Boyes made a nice play to deny Malkin on a clearing attempt, Tavares seized control of the puck, made nifty moves around both Orpik and Malkin and fired a shot that Fleury stopped. But he grabbed his own rebound and rifled it home to send the Coliseum crowd into a frenzy.
"It's right up there, that's for sure," Tavares said when asked where this goal ranks in his career. "I've had a great four years and I'm just trying to stay focused on the moment."
"Your best players have to be your best players," Capuano said, "and that's what Johnny was tonight."
Cizikas sealed it when he muscled his way around Matt Niskanen before poking the puck past Fleury with 1:16 remaining for his second goal of the playoffs.
The Penguins, who won 5-0 in the series opener and appeared to be much the better team, denied that they had taken the Islanders lightly.
"We didn't come in and expect it to be a walk in the park. It's hockey," said forward Jarome Iginla, who was brought in at the NHL Trade Deadline to help Pittsburgh win a Stanley Cup. "The most important thing is we got Game 3 [a 5-4 overtime victory]. We had a chance to make it 3-1, but we didn't. Now we get ready for a best-of-3 at home. It's fun to be a part of. It's intense. We know we can get better. We just need to find a way to win Game 5."
The Penguins got a scare with 7:14 left in the first when Strait's slap shot from just inside the left point drilled Sidney Crosby up high, but below his face shield. Crosby hunched over in pain for a few moments and skated over to the bench to be examined by the trainer. The Penguins captain, who broke his jaw March 30, remained in the game. Crosby was held to an assist and three shots on goal in 20:58 of ice time -- but went 4-14 in the faceoff circle, where he usually excels.


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of degrees
& programs
Fall: January 15
[December 15 for international applicants]
Spring: November 1
[August 1 for international applicants]
Applications are processed as they are received throughout the year.
A supplemental application is required. To obtain the supplemental application, please contact the program at www.temple.edu/pathology/.
Number Required: 2
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should come from persons familiar with the student's academic competence.
Yes. biology, molecular biology, chemistry or genetics.
The GRE is required with a minimum score of 1600.
The GRE Subject Exam in Biology or Chemistry is required.
Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted:
600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test.
The Department will schedule individual interviews with qualified applicants.
A resume is required.
Students who enter the Ph.D. program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology may be considered for advanced standing based on relevant coursework. Each student is evaluated individually. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 15.
Students who enter the program with exceptional recommendation letters and extensive experience/knowledge may have the admission requirements waived with committee approval.
Health Sciences
Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m.
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 31
The Department of Pathology participates in the "Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences" described on the Temple University School of Medicine Graduate Studies Website.
The program requires Ph.D. and M.S. students to take a defined set of courses over the first two years:
-2 courses from the "Foundations of Biosciences Series" of the Interdisciplinary Program, comprising either a basic or advanced biochemistry course, and a course on Molecular and Cell Biology.
- 2 courses comprising Scientific Communication and Scientific Integrity.
-2 courses from the "Integrated Biosciences Series" from the following list:
Molecular Approaches to Research
Principles of Physiology
Principles of Pharmacology
Principles of Organ Pathology
Principles of Genetics
Principles of Development
Cancer Biology
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Cell Structure and Function
Proteins and Enzymes
Other Required Courses:
General Medical
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
700 Medical Research Building
3420 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Kathy Ayres
Program Coordinator:
Kathy Ayres
Graduate Chairperson:
Peter Wong, Ph.D.
The program offers students rigorous and advanced training in Molecular and Cellular Pathology. This will be achieved by providing: (a) a multidisciplinary pre-doctoral curriculum which emphasizes basic training in research in an environment where interdisciplinary collaborators are available for trainees and (b) a program which provides students with an overview of the clinical aspects of cancer, including information on detection, treatment, prognosis, therapy, prevention, and control, as well as opportunities in translational research. This program prepares trainees for positions as academians, practitioners, clinicians, and scientific positions in private industry.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years
Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m.
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
700 Medical Research Building
3420 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A common theme of the core investigators participating in this training program is their interest in the molecular basis of cancer and the understanding of the genetic processes involved in the initiation and development of cancer. A number of different molecular models are employed, ranging from DNA tumor viruses to stem cells, and students will develop a broad understanding of the cellular mechanisms that contribute to the development of neoplasia. Predoctoral students will, through the core investigators, have access to standard molecular techniques, as well as more cutting-edge technology, including retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, gene knockouts, and differential display. Students are exposed to the clinical aspects of cancer patient treatment and care to foster an appreciation of the practical impact of their research.
This program is primarily dedicated to producing well-trained scientists who work as academians, practitioners, clinicians, and researchers in private industry.
The Molecular and Cellular Pathology Graduate Program
provides vigorous training in basic science as well
as clinical medicine. In addition to taking regular
graduate courses, the trainees are also required to
take clinical pathology courses designed for medical
students. Several of the faculty members have affiliations
with other departments, including the Departments of
Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry and the Fels Institute for Cancer Research & Molecular
Biology. A joint M.D./Ph.D. is open to students accepted
by both the graduate and medical schools.
The program is not available to non-matriculated students.
All new trainees are required to rotate for a period of 2 months through at least three different laboratories during their first year of study. The trainee is expected to spend all available working hours, when not attending classes, engaged in research-related activities. Trainee positions include a waiver of tuition and a stipend. The program is open to students holding a bachelor's or higher degree. Applications may be submitted at any time. The required documents include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, copies of GRE scores, and a statement of interest. Applications should be directed to Kathy Ayres, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 700 Medical Research Building, 3420 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
January 2006


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P'ansori, sometimes called Korean folk opera, a genre of narrative song of Korea, typically performed dramatically by a vocalist, accompanied by a puk (double-headed barrel drum). Built from the word p'an, meaning "open space," and sori, meaning "singing" or "sound," the term p'ansori itself is a reference to the markets, public squares, and other such open venues where performances originally took place.
With a fan in hand, a p'ansori singer uses a combination of ch'ang (song), sasŏl (narration), and pallim (dramatic gesture) to tell a story. Meanwhile, the drummer provides the appropriate rhythmic setting for each song. A considerable amount of improvised interaction occurs between the drummer and the vocalist throughout the performance.
Only 5 of an original 12 madang, or song cycles, are still performed in the 21st century. These madang address a variety of topics. The Ch'unhyangga ("The Song of Ch'unhyang") cycle is a tale of love between an upper-class man and the lower-class daughter of a kisaeng (female entertainer), while the Simch'ŏngga ("The Song of Sim Ch'ŏng") cycle is the story of a woman who sacrifices herself in order to help her blind father regain his eyesight. The satirical and witty madang Sugungga ("The Song of the Underwater Palace") recounts the exploits of a hare in a sea kingdom. In a more serious vein, the Hŭngboga ("The Song of Hŭngbo") cycle concerns a brotherhood struggle between good and evil, and Chŏkbyŏkga ("The Song of the Red Cliff")—a madang based on the 14th-century Chinese novel Sanguozhi yanyi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), attributed to Luo Guanzhong—depicts the famous battle of Chŏkbyŏk (or Chibi ["Red Cliff"]) during the Chinese Three Kingdoms period (220–280 ce).
The performance style of the current five song cycles has changed significantly since the advent of the genre, as p'ansori singers have adapted the repertoire, both to suit their own singing styles and to satisfy audience expectations. Singers tend to enhance the most popular segments of the cycle while radically reducing the less-engaging passages. Moreover, they rarely perform any one p'ansori cycle in its entirety—a feat that would likely span 8 to 10 hours. Rather, singers typically select only certain episodes, often using them to create new sections or variations, called tŏnŭm. While these tŏnŭm inevitably contain textual adaptations, they also often incorporate changes to the rhythmic and melodic framework, which may alter the mood of the cycle (or cycle segment) as a whole. Historically, some tŏnŭm developed identities of their own and separated from their original song cycles and, ultimately, gave birth not only to new p'ansori repertoires but also to new genres in other areas of the literary and performing arts. For example, writers began to compose novels that were specially suited for delivery through the p'ansori medium. Innovative p'ansori songs became independent music, and the dramatic element of p'ansori spawned a new, more extensively theatrical genre called ch'anggŭk.
Musical features
The term cho (or jo) generally refers to the melodic framework—the mode or melody type—of a p'ansori performance (although the term also may be used to describe other aspects of singing). Most of the p'ansori repertoire is cast in one of three principal melodic modes: kyemyŏnjo, ujo, or p'yŏngjo. All these modes use an anhemitonic pentatonic scale (i.e., a five-pitch scale without semitones—e.g., e-g-a-c-d-e), with a distinctive contour and central (fundamental) pitch. Within each mode, each pitch has a unique character, which is reinforced through frequency of use as well as through conventions of ornamentation and approach. The modes also carry emotional associations that ultimately help to reinforce the potency of the narrative. Kyemyŏnjo radiates a feeling of pathos, ujo creates an atmosphere of magnificence and vigour, and p'yŏngjo embodies a sense of serenity.
The various metric frameworks of p'ansori are called changdan. Each changdan is distinguished by the number and subdivision of beats within a metric unit, by the pattern of accents, and by general tempo specifications. Like the melodic modes, the metres employed in p'ansori are evocative of particular emotional states. Some changdan, for instance, project a mood of lamentation, while others depict enjoyment, agony, or suspense. The appearance of certain characters—such as mythical creatures—in the story's plot also is accompanied by specific changdan. Different metres also mark narrative or lyrical passages, as well as the explanatory remarks that conclude a performance.
Vocal quality
The pitch range of p'ansori usually spans some two and a half octaves. In the lower and middle ranges, singers use a husky vocal quality, called surisŏng, produced by tensing the vocal cords while pushing the diaphragm upward. Because it is difficult to maintain this quality in the upper registers, performers typically employ falsetto techniques to reach and project the higher pitches. Certain vocal qualities, most notably a nasal tone and excessive vibrato, are considered unattractive in the p'ansori tradition. Similarly, extreme clarity of sound—which is perceived as superficial—and an overly harsh tone are avoided.
Styles and schools of performance
The term che (or je) refers broadly to the regional styles or schools of p'ansori that have developed over the course of the tradition's history, owing largely to the creativity of a handful of renowned 19th-century performers. These styles generally can be grouped into three categories: tongp'yŏnje ("east-side singing school"), sŏp'yŏnje ("west-side singing school"), and chunggoje ("middle-high singing school"). Tongp'yŏnje is associated with the eastern Chŏlla region (in southwestern South Korea) and particularly with the singers Song Hŭngnok, Chong Ch'unp'ung, and Kim Sejong. Hallmarks of the style include a deep controlled voice that is projected directly from the abdomen, an emphasis on the vigorous ujo melodic mode, a straightforward rhythmic character, and a specialization in the Hŭngboga, Sugungga, and Chŏkbyŏkga song cycles. Sŏp'yŏnje refers to a style from the western part of the Chŏlla region that was created and propagated in the late 19th century by the singer Park Yujŏn. It is highly ornamented (both melodically and rhythmically), focuses on the sorrowful kyemyŏn melodic mode, and concentrates on the Ch'unhyangga and Simch'ŏngga song cycles. Chunggoje was pioneered in the late 19th century by the performer Kim Sŏngok in the Ch'ungch'ŏng region, to the north of Chŏlla; this school of p'ansori had virtually disappeared by the early 20th century.
Many scholars have posited muga (shamanic songs) as the ultimate origin of p'ansori. This speculation is based largely on melodic similarities between p'ansori and the contemporary shamanic songs of western South Korea, particularly of the Chŏlla region. However, various local literatures, as well as non-ritual public entertainment traditions—generically known as p'annorŭm—also are believed to have been influential in the development of p'ansori. Indeed, in its many forms, p'annorŭm encompassed song, narrative, dance, and dramatic gesture.
P'ansori from the 17th through the 19th century
P'ansori began to emerge as a recognized form of entertainment for the common people in southern Korea sometime in the 17th century, but it did not appear in its mature form until the late 18th century. In the 19th century the tradition enjoyed immense popularity and gained a significant following among the upper classes. This golden age of p'ansori consisted of two periods, each centring on the work of several myŏngch'ang ("great singers"). During the early myŏngch'ang period, which spanned the first half of the 19th century, singers strove to expand the audience of p'ansori by employing vocal techniques and melodies that were intended to appeal to the upper classes. However, the melodic vocabulary of the genre also was broadened through the incorporation of regional "folk" tunes. The myŏngch'ang of the later period, which covered the second half of the 19th century, carried their predecessors' styles a step further, creating novel variations and versions in the form of new tŏnŭm.
In addition to the great singers, p'ansori enthusiast Sin Chaehyo (1812–84), who was a member of the middle class, played a major role in the genre's development. Most notably, he compiled narrative songs for six p'ansori cycles, recasting them in a style that would suit upper-class tastes. He also composed new p'ansori repertoire and was a pioneer in the training of the first notable female singers in the tradition. Owing largely to such efforts, p'ansori had by the late 19th century developed into a strong form of theatrical entertainment as well as a professional performance genre; as such, it drew the attention of the royal household of the Chosŏn dynasty, and many p'ansori singers were associated with the court.
P'ansori in the 20th and 21st centuries
During the early 20th century, which is often identified as the period of five myŏngch'ang, p'ansori declined in popularity, primarily in response to the presence of a Japanese administration (1910–45) and the rapid pace of Westernization in the region. Consequently, the tradition underwent a number of changes. Many singers began to focus their attention on ch'anggŭk, the more theatrical offshoot of p'ansori. The introduction of foreign sound-recording technology, moreover, transformed the learning and listening experiences of p'ansori by providing an alternative to live performance. Especially significant was the appearance of the first professional female p'ansori singer, Chin Ch'aesŏn (a pupil of Sin Chaehyo), in an arena that formerly had been the province of men. There followed a proliferation of female singers who not only brought new sounds and gestures to the tradition but also established female p'ansori troupes, some of which enjoyed considerable commercial success. Such troupes flourished through the mid-20th century, but in the 1960s they, along with p'ansori as a whole, began to lose their audiences to ch'anggŭk.
P'ansori was on the verge of complete collapse when the South Korean government declared it an "intangible cultural asset" in 1964. This official act of resuscitation proved to be a fruitful one. Since the 1970s there has been a notable resurgence of scholarly and practical interest in p'ansori, paralleled by an increase in popular awareness of local identity, traditional culture, and the arts as a whole. Two films—Sŏp'yŏnje (1993), which depicts the lives of two p'ansori singers in the 1950s, and Chunhyang (2000), which is an adaptation of the love story recounted in the Ch'unhyangga song cycle—have also been instrumental in stimulating international interest in the p'ansori tradition.
Learn More in these related Britannica articles:
South Korea: The arts
P'ansori, a sung narrative accompanied by virtuoso drumming, was created by professional performers during the Chosŏn period. Either a man or a woman could be the solo singer-dancer, and the performer was often a shaman. The current repertoire of six long stories was codified in…
Korean literature: Oral literature…found in the texts of
p'ansoriof the Chosŏn dynasty. These texts were first recorded in the 19th century as verse, but the written forms were later expanded into p'ansorifiction, widely read among the common people. This transformation from poetry to narrative fiction was easily accomplished, since p'ansoriwere…
Korean music: Vocal music…however, is the folk genre
p'ansori. It is traditionally performed by a singer-narrator ( kwangdae) and a drummer ( kosu), who marks phrases with rhythmic patterns on a barrel drum ( puk) and with vocal interjections ( ch'uimsae). Spoken narration and dialogue ( aniri) are balanced with songs ( ch'ang), body movements, and fan gestures as…
Korean performing arts: Chosŏn and modern periods
P'ansori, a sung narrative accompanied by virtuoso drumming, was created by professional performers during the Chosŏn period. Either a man or a woman could be the solo singer-dancer, and often the performer was a shaman. The current repertoire of six long stories was codified in…
Korean musicKorean music, the art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, specifically as it is carried out in Korea, or the Korean peninsula, where a strong indigenous tradition has been influenced by the Chinese and the Mongols. On a map the Korean…
More About P'ansori5 references found in Britannica articles
Assorted References
- cultural life of South Korea
- Korean literature
- Korean music


text:
When you walked into Charles Barkley's little slice of the locker room, you might as well have stepped into a whole different world. It was a world where heads were shaved, complimentary tickets distributed, insults hurled, jokes told, social commentary delivered, reporters sent away sated and one of the best basketball players on the planet had to prepare himself for the next game. All of it seemed to occur in the space of five minutes.
"There will never be another player like me," Barkley once said. "I'm the Ninth Wonder of the World."
You know? He was right.
Here is Barkley, 13 years after lacing up his sneakers in an NBA game for the final time, more popular than ever as a television personality, opinionator and, well, just plain liver of life.
If Michael Jordan's 50th birthday on Sunday felt like a royal occasion with seemingly everyone in the basketball world taking time to genuflect in the throne room, then Barkley's, coming just three days later, has all the trappings of the morning after a keg party. In other words, a lot more fun.
The Chuckster's persona — and at times, even his person — has almost grown large enough to be one of those floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and that's actually the perfect image, full of hot air, constantly changing course with the wind and barely tethered to earthbound reality.
He says so many things, and it is our job to figure out which ones he really means. For in these ongoing best days of his life, it seems that everybody still wants to know the real Charles Barkley. Trouble is, the answer has always been a lot more complicated than the question.
During his playing days, was Barkley the obnoxious, overbearing sort who once charged toward the stands to spit on a boorish fan and wound up hitting an 8-year-old by accident? Or the sincerely apologetic type who responded by buying season tickets for the little girl and her family?
Was he the nit-picking critic that found fault in every single thing done wrong by his teammates? Or the selfless, ideal team players who charmed the socks off everybody in the locker room and at the same time lifted them to heights?
Is Barkley the fun-loving fellow who likes to joke and cajole his way through encounters with the media? Or the guy who would always tackle the tough issues of race and child-rearing with his whip of a tongue?
Remember the stir he created with a simple phrase: "I'm not a role model."
How out of touch is that view today in an era of Tiger Woods, Marion Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Lance Armstrong and Oscar Pistorius?
His was the first voice you normally heard upon entering the locker room and usually the last you heard on the way out. And truth be told, for all the the times his teammates would roll their eyes at some of the things he said, that role of spokesman/court jester was one they needed him to fill almost as much as the slot as one of the greatest power forwards of all time.
"I know a lot of people say a lot of things about Charles Barkley," his former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich once said. "But I've never seen a guy who loves this league more than he does. He follows the game. He loves the game so much."
Who else but Barkley could sit there on the TNT set week after week on Thursday nights and be so outrageous? And who else but Barkley would constantly take the wildly popular show to new heights by allowing himself to be the constant butt of jokes.
There was the time Kenny Smith played the role of a bouncer controlling the velvet rope outside the "Champions Club" and kept taunting the ringless Barkley about the partiers inside.
"Hey Chuck, Zan Tabak's in here," Smith said laughing. "Look it's Jack Haley, Chuck. Jack Haley!"
And, of course, there was Barkley paying his "I'll kiss your ass" bet to Smith when the rookie Yao Ming hit the 20-point mark in a game.
Smith showed up the next week with a donkey in the studio, but only Barkley would have unthinkingly believed he had to actually pucker up to the back end of the four-legged ass.
He could have an MVP season and carry the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, grab a career-best 33 boards in single game (more than the entire opposing team) and, at an honest 6-foot-4 1/2, toil away to be the shortest player ever to lead the league in rebounding.
Mostly, Barkley could be himself.
Once, when pondering such a milestone birthday, he said: "I just want to be living the day after I turn 50."
In that case, check in tomorrow when The Chuckster will still be living turribly large.


text: Bode Merrill is probably the best thing to happen to snowboarding since the release of the Panosonic HVX. For the past few seasons NBD's have become Bode's MO as every session he enters seems to end with a daring stunt that puts him among a very select group of riders who truly are changing the perception of what is humanly possible on a snowboard. Yet despite being seriously good, Bode doesn't take any of it all too seriously. The Palmer Snowfield at Mount Hood is paramount within Bode's pedigree and in turn, the good times he had while coming up on the glacier inspired him to host his own event on July 31st, 2012. With the intention of putting a focus back on style, Bode rallied a group of like-minded shreds to take part in his Mini Pipe Invitational.


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Lesley Dill: Falk Visiting Artist, Faith & The Devil
- Sep 13, 2014 – Dec 7, 2014
- The Louise D. and Herbert S. Falk, Sr. Gallery
Devil", Weatherspoon Art Museum, the University of North Carolina
at Greensboro, 2014. Photo: C. Timothy Barkley.
Did you know?
From 2000-2001, Lesley Dill created a year-long community project in Winston-Salem called Tongues on Fire: Visions and Ecstacy.
Working in sculpture, drawing, photography, and performance, Lesley Dill uses a variety of media to explore themes of language, the body, and transformational experience. Her large-scale installation, Faith & The Devil, investigates the philosophical and existential conundrums of evil and underlying faith in the world.
The source and lynchpin for this investigation is Big Gal Faith, an eight-foot tall female figure whose wild hair of words and lavish twenty-six foot wide dress of drawn images and texts express themes of cruelty, violence, lust, forgiveness, reflection, and transcendence. Big Gal Faith is accompanied by an androgynous figure representing Lucifer, who has words of hate on his front and words of joy on his back. The project is a walk through a person's mind – encompassing a world in which unfathomable actions co-exist with times of reflection and illumination.
Lesley Dill received her BA from Trinity College in 1972 and MFA from the Maryland Institute of Art in 1980. Her work has been widely exhibited and can be found in the collections of the Weatherspoon Art Museum, the Albright Knox Art Gallery, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many others.
As the Fall 2014 Falk Visiting Artist at the Weatherspoon and the Art Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Dill will present a lecture and gallery talk on her work and participate in MFA graduate student critiques.
Lesley Dill: Faith & the Devil is organized by the Fine Arts Center Gallery at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Artist Gallery Talk • Wed Sep 17 @ 4pm (Open to UNCG students, faculty and staff)
Artist Talk & Conversation with Reverend John Mendez • Thu Sep 18 @ 5:30pm (Open to the public)
POV with Tom Patterson, Author, Independent Curator + Critic • Thu Oct 16 @ 6:30pm
This exhibition is a partner program included in the 2014 17 DAYS Greensboro Festival sponsored by ArtsGreensboro. 17 DAYS 2014 happens from September 19 through October 5, 2014. Expect the best of the best performances and exhibitions including music, dance, theatre, art and more. For festival updates, visit the official website http://17daysgreensboro.org.
We have six galleries located on the first and second levels of the museum, view our gallery map.


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[Re-]Making maps for humanists & interpretative social scientists
Event details
from 12:30 PM to 01:30 PM
Praxis: Doing Scholarship Digitally Speaker Series
Luke Bergmann
Department of Geography
University of Washington
I will offer reflections on two issues. First, I explore simple ways we can now make appealing maps. Then, I invite consideration of when it is appropriate for humanists and interpretative social scientists to embrace cartographies that are built upon positivist approaches to knowledge—approaching a singular world from above, plotting attributes assigned to individuated objects. Do generations of theoretical critique and interpretative practice suggest humanists [re-]make maps resonant with humanistic approaches to knowledge? Can we create cartographic practices that allow us to approach spaces, objects, knowers, and knowns in terms of relation, and process, and multiplicity?


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ArtGypsy wrote:Or those cool retro metal Christmas Tree Thingies.....
Tubular Toby wrote:I loved those trees you posted that hang on the wall and you found them for order through some business catalog. But that's about all I can remember about them.
mnp13 wrote:Oh, those trees... they are awesome, but I had to buy five of them minimum, and they were $100 each. So I didn't get them.
call2arms wrote:Turn that carpet around and feel like Santa is staring at you while you pee. Sounds like fun.
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text:
U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Federal Agency and Dial Announce Settlement
CHICAGO - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and The Dial Corporation (Dial) announce that they have agreed to resolve the claims brought by the EEOC alleging sexual harassment at Dial's Montgomery, Illinois, facility. The parties have reached a settlement that involves payment by Dial of $10 million pursuant to a Consent Decree entered today by the Court to resolve the case (EEOC v. The Dial Corporation, N.D. Illinois No. 99 C 3356).
EEOC's Regional Attorney in Chicago, John Hendrickson, said, "EEOC believes that the agreement reached in this case is in the best interests of both the Dial family employer and employees and the public. We are heartened by Dial's determination to resolve the litigation and to move ahead in providing a work environment that is safe and free of harassment. We are pleased to have worked with Dial to put together a Consent Decree which will meet the needs and aspirations of the parties and the Court."
Christopher J. Littlefield, Dial's Senior Vice President and General Counsel, said, "Today's announcement closes the door on this lawsuit, and we have agreed with the EEOC to put the past behind us. Instead of looking backward, we have made a business decision to move forward with our commitment to the moral and business importance of providing equal opportunity and a positive work environment for all of our employees. Simply put, Dial does not tolerate harassment of any kind. It is directly contrary to our No Harassment Policy, as well as our Cultural Contract and Code of Ethics and Business Responsibilities that guide our decisions and actions every day."
In addition to monetary relief, the parties have mutually agreed upon revisions to be made to Dial's existing policies and procedures that prohibit sexual harassment at the Montgomery, Illinois, manufacturing facility. Further, an independent third party will be mutually agreed upon to help resolve any future disagreements over the resolution of complaints at the Montgomery, Illinois, manufacturing facility.
Dial is represented by Michael Warner, Camille Olson, and Leigh Jeter of the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw in Chicago. EEOC is represented by Regional Attorney John Hendrickson, Supervisory Trial Attorney Noelle Brennan, and Trial Attorney John Knight.
EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), or national origin, and protects employees who complain about such offenses from retaliation; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects workers age 40 and older from discrimination based on age; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the federal sector; Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and state and local governments; and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Further information about the Commission is available on it's web site at www.eeoc.gov.


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By popular demand (again ), here is the official thread for the UFO Challenge of the Month 2012!
The way it works: anyone can be a member and there are no penalties if you're busy one month. Try to finish one UFO each month. Once it's finished, post a picture and description here. We'll ooh and ahh. Try to finish another one next month.
This can also work if you need ideas for how to finish yours or encouragement. I want this to be an area where we can support each other in getting through our UFOs for 2012.
A few rules/guidelines for the challenge:
"Finished" means all the way done and ready to use. If you give it away or trade it away, it counts since you're finished with it!
SWAPPING is NOT part of this challenge. If members want to trade between themselves that's just fine. I mean only that it isn't a part of this and should be done separately between individuals.
And the way I differentiate a UFO with a WIP - a UFO is something that you put down awhile ago and don't feel a strong desire to pick up again since there are more exciting things to do. So pretty much any of those projects that you put into your closet and forgot about qualify.
So everyone's challenge/goal: 1 UFO completed by January 31, 2012. Good luck! Here's wishing all of us good luck and LOTS of energy and enthusiasm in 2012!


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Oooh, That (USB) Smell
Being a programmer, a computer engineer, or an electrical engineer has one major challenge: You usually can't see what you are doing. If you build bridges or roads or car engines, you can see your design come to life. We have to rely on indirect evidence.
My lab is strewn with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and various other devices that try to be our microscope into the electronic world. I don't use my logic analyzers as often as I used to — everything is locked up on the microcontroller chips where I can't get to them. However, the proliferation of serial busses has made a particular type of logic analyzer — a protocol sniffer — very useful, if you have one.
A sniffer is just a colloquial word for a logic analyzer that knows how to eavesdrop on some kind of communication channel. That may involve some hardware and almost certainly requires some specialized decoding software. I have talked about logic analyzers that have capability like this a few times in the past. All of those require some kind of hardware connection.
Like everything else, though, a lot of sniffers are turning into nothing but software. That's handy, especially for data that is flowing on the PC already.
A case in point: sniffing USB traffic. You can get a hefty-priced hardware analyzer (which has certain benefits, I'll admit). Or you can use any number of software tools (including the ubiquitous WireShark).
I recently picked up an inexpensive device programmer on eBay called a Minipro TL866. It's just a small box with a 40-pin ZIF socket and a USB socket. It has a lot of features for such a small box — it will program EPROMs, EEPROMs, Atmel AVR CPUs, and Microchip PICs. It will even test logic family chips. Well, that is, it will if you can run the Windows software (see the figure below).
You may recall that I mostly use Linux. You can load the software under VirtualBox, so that's one answer. There's also a library that allows the Windows software to run under Wine. Those are both fine options, but the software has a few problems (notably, programming PIC ID words prevents the configuration words from being programmed). It also seems possible that you might want to add your own devices and that would not be simple with the closed source Windows software.
Naturally, there's an open source alternative. The developer, apparently, reverse engineered the protocol and developed a command-line interface to drive the programmer.
I expect the developer might be primarily an Atmel AVR user. There were a few minor issues with the PIC support. The beauty of open source, of course, is that I fixed the issues and contributed them back to the project.
There was one fix that wasn't so simple. The original code assumed that all PICs have a single configuration word. Many of the newer ones, however, have two. The original Windows software was able to handle the situation, so I knew the firmware in the box could handle it.
Since the Windows software could do the job, it seemed like a good job for a USB sniffing software. Turns out, the same developer that wrote the device programmer software also wrote a USB sniffer.
Armed with the Windows software running in VirtualBox and the USB sniffer, it was a simple matter to make the software write the PIC configuration words and capture the bus traffic.
lsusb command reveals the USB ID (04D8:E11C). Using the
usb_capture command reveals (in part):
BULK_OUT(0.1):13630200c83f00ff1fff3af622ff3f0fc00fe00f4000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 # 0.0018110275268555 BULK_OUT(0.1):12630200004000ff1fff3af622ff3f0fc00f # 0.0019600391387939 BULK_IN(0.1): 120202003e0202ff1fff3a # 0.0654678344726562
The 13 is a configuration word write (gleaned from the software's minipro.h file). The 12 corresponds to a configuration word read. I wrote 1FFF and 3AFF into the two words, so it was pretty simple to pick out the location of the data.
With that data, it was a relatively simple matter to figure out how to patch the existing software to send and receive the right packets. The hardest part was figuring out the entire list of PIC devices that take two configuration words.
Thanks to Github, my changes are incorporated in the original software. In a fit of boredom, I also wrote a simple script wrapper and a GUI wrapper (with Qt, see the figure below) to make it easier to use the software.
In and of itself, writing some device programmer software is no big deal. But the ability to sniff USB packets is a valuable tool to have in your bag of tricks. Next time, I'll show you some other viewing tools I have around the lab.


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Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from
One-hour videotape documentary produced by Prairie Public Television, and North Dakota State University Libraries, Fargo, ND, copyright 2000.
Documentary available at the following Germans from Russia Heritage Collection website: http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/order/tapes/foodvideo.htmlSelig, Barbara. "Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from Russia." German Life, February/March, 2002, 46.
Rezensionen - Reviews - Videos
Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from Russia continues the story of Russia-German immigrants begun in The Germans from Russia: Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie (see the December/January 2000/2001 issue of German Life), this time highlighting the contributions of women in the preservation of their cultural heritage and indeed their very survival. As the German people migrated from their homeland to Russia in the 18th century and to the United States and Canada a century later, the women managed to maintain an important aspect of their culture, namely their ways of preparing food.
In the cold and often forbidding lands of Russia, as well as on the American and Canadian plains, the women had to use what was at hand, often only flour, eggs, water, and salt, to create a myriad of delicious foods that prove the truth of the saying that for the Russia-Germans "food is love." One particularly touching testimony of this spirit shown in the video is the story of a mother who fashioned Easter birds for her children from a simple dough. Her now-elderly daughter shows us how.
This video teaches the uninitiated viewer how to make other dishes such as cheese buttons, spiced watermelon syrup bread, Fleischküchle, and watermelon pickles. Younger women are still learning the traditions though they are utilizing the conveniences of a modern kitchen. In an age of homogeneity, especially in the area of food, it is a delight to know that German ethnic foods are still flourishing. It makes the viewer, even those who were raised on different fare, want to get in a car, drive to the prairie and experience for himself or herself a Kuchen, some Knöpfla soup or, better yet, some wedding schnapps!
Some recipes come with the video and others can be obtained at the website: http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc.
To purchase a copy of the video call 1-800-359-6900 or visit the Prairie Public website at: www.prairiepublic.org. Mahlzeit!
Reprinted with permission of German Life.


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I've been looking for functional language with C-like syntax and static typing. So far my choice would be Nemerle. Is there anything else/better?
second choice would be Lua or Go.
Any pros and cons?
Stack Exchange network consists of 175 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.Visit Stack Exchange
I've been looking for functional language with C-like syntax and static typing. So far my choice would be Nemerle. Is there anything else/better?
second choice would be Lua or Go.
Any pros and cons?
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
In general functional languages do not have C like syntax, It comes down to the fact that functional languages do things differently than C type languages so the syntax tends to be very different (and often shorter). At least for me adopting to the new syntax has not been a big deal when picking up languages. Right now I'm spending most of my time on Erlang but also took a look at Haskell and have done scheme in the past.
I would say JavaScript
It can be used on a variety of operating systems (in both client and server mode), can be embedded in a lot of platforms (.NET, Java, Qt )
This can be useful.
Scala has a distinctly C like syntax, albeit with an Object-oriented layer on top which comes via Java. The language is a nice blend of functional programming in the Standard ML family with an object-oriented language whose type system is tightly built into the ML-style static type inferencer of the language.
This means that you can type inference and pattern match over objects of user-defined classes in configurable ways, while keeping the strong-typedness which the ML-family languages are known for.
That said, I'd agree with the other posters -- consider stretching yourself a little more; learn a lisp, which is to say a language which is almost without syntax, and you'll never be hung up on `which' syntax your next language has again. :-)
Single Assignment C is the first that comes to mind.
However, I agree with the others. The syntax of functional languages can often be the interesting part! For instance, you can embed BASIC syntax inside Haskell's!
For you purposes (from the second comment) you should pick a language as little similar to C as possible, IMHO. Prolog and Scheme are best match to you requirements (except C-style syntax, of cause).
Anyway, you should keep in mind that all languages in your list are general-purpose and industry-oriented. They are not intended to be used for learning.


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Of course you can start him, that was the whole point (or in the words of Frodo: we want to see the Ghan!), that doesn't mean it's like starting with Maggot, still need to draw Drughu.
Also Maggot can be used on AA's or on-guard creatures, this one can't.
Yes it would be good, but Ghan would be prime target (he already is), you need to use/waste supporter cards, and still it will mostly work for finetuned resource decks and/or if you have multiple mp sources in hand. If you move to a site with same site type, the hazard doesn't fizzle I suppose?
FW's can use only 2 Drughu's.
Can even add "remove from game."
I just think for the faction use I would probably not bother, or play it just from sb.


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Men Can Get Breast Cancer, Too
Breast cancer does not discriminate, even men can fall victim. Although men are much less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer it does happen. Males comprise about 1% of breast cancer diagnosis each year. According to the Susan G. Komen foundation for the cure, 2,140 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and of those approximately 450 will die from the disease.
There have been a few male celebrities that have been open about their diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and are helping to raise awareness about male breast cancer.
If you have ever seen the 1971 Iconic Film "Shaft" then you know who Richard Roundtree is. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. He now tours the country speaking about being diagnosed with breast cancer and the treatment he underwent to beat it.
Rod Roddy, The announcer of the Price is Right for over 17 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2003. Rod Roddy lost his battle with breast cancer in February of 2009. Before his death, he urged men to get mammograms because he now knew that even men can get breast cancer and is usually more fatal due to late detection.
Former NFL Fullback for the Cleveland Browns, Ernie Green was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2005 when he found a small lump in his breast. After two of his older sisters were diagnosed and one died from the disease, Green became an advocate to raise awareness for male breast cancer.
These are just a few famous men that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Although men's chances of getting breast cancer are a lot lower, it can happen. So men, do regular breast exams and be aware of any breast cancer in your family. If you think you feel a lump go get a mammogram, it may just save your life. Our friends at Washington Hematology - Oncology are here to help. They are the only private medical oncology practice in Yakima specializing in the treatment of all types of cancer and blood disorders. Their physicians believe strongly in providing a national standard of care in a private practice setting.


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Writing for the Gatestone Institute, Palestinian academic Mudar Zahran discovers that it is local Islamic authorities, and not Israel, that are truly threatening the future of Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
Long have local Muslims accused Israel of trying to "Judaize", destroy and cleanse the Islamic presence from the Temple Mount, which today is occupied by two large mosques, one of which, the Al Aqsa Mosque, is now claimed as Islam's third holiest site.
But Zahran, who recently visited the Temple Mount, found evidence that it is not Israel harming the holy site, and that some Muslim staff even wonder how much better the situation could be if the Jews were actually running the show.
"Upon entering the silver-domed mosque, one can quickly notice how neglected [it] is, and badly in need of maintenance," wrote Zahran.
He decided to find out why, and spoke to Muslim grounds keepers, who, naturally, insisted on speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
"This chaos and indifference rolls down from the senior officials here who enjoy huge salaries compared to the average staff member," a Muslim security guard told Zahran. "You see these scaffoldings? They [the officials] put them up to claim maintenance work is being done in order to beg donors for money. These scaffoldings have been there for years with nothing done... The sheikh here just takes photos of them to show to donors."
Indeed, the writer learned that the Islamic Waqf that oversees the Temple Mount collects donations in the neighborhood of $285,000 each month, but that not a penny is spent on renovations, maintenance or caring for the poor and needy.
One staff member was forced to consider, "Would those Jews do that to us if Al-Aqsa were under their management?"
Still, others continued to toe the party line, insisting, in spite of the clear evidence of Waqf wrong-doing, that "this is all the fault of the Jews."
But Zahran was not fooled, concluding, "It seems that it is we Arabs and Muslims who are harming Al-Aqsa, not Israel or the Jews."
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text:
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- Residential Professional Cleaning Services service
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You have got a lot of good reasons to turn to Cleaning Service Guys for your needs involving Professional Cleaning Services in Porter Ranch, CA. Our materials are of the very best quality, our cash saving techniques are sensible and effective, and our customer service ratings will not be topped. We fully understand your needs and intentions, and we are there to assist you with our experience. Dial 888-666-1846 to reach Cleaning Service Guys and explore all your goals when it comes to Professional Cleaning Services in Porter Ranch.


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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Junior Daniel Horseman (Cohutta, Ga.) of the Georgia College cross country team was named Bobcat Athlete of the Week for the week ending Oct. 17. This marks the first such honor for Horseman and the Bobcat cross country team this season.
Horseman finished first overall, helping Georgia College to a first place finish this past weekend at the Young Harris College Invitational. He set the pace for the Bobcats and the 8K race finishing with a personal best 27:52, destroying his previous personal best of 28:24.
The Bobcats are back in action Oct. 23 at the ASU Tri-Meet in Augusta, Ga.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/GCSUBobcats and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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Sheet music downloads have become the preferred method of acquiring classical music repertoire. Created by professional musicians, EveryNote.com presents classical sheet music download of over 20.000 popular and hard-to-find music scores over 1000 composers. A major Internet provider of classical sheet music files download online, EveryNote.com offers the largest and most complete digital sheet music download library on the Web in the world. Instantly download, view and print your favorite classical music score. Everynote.com currently offers thousands of classical music compositions for Piano, Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Voice, Chamber and Choral music.Many more instruments, composers, genres added every day! EveryNote.com has been featured in The New York Times, Globe and Mail, Musical America and many other publications.
John Alden Carpenter
1876 - 1951
John Carpenter short biography
Recognized and followed by many modern composers and musicians, John Alden Carpenter was performed worldwide during his lifetime. Carpenter was the first composer who combined popular song and jazz with the traditional classical form. Many of the world's greatest conductors, like Bruno Walter, Fritz Reiner, and others, performed Carpenter's orchestral music. Carpenter's songs were performed by the legendary Alma Gluck and Kirsten Flagstad. Carpenter's ballet Skyscrapers written for Dyagilev is considered equal to the ballets of Stravinsky and Prokofiev. Many of Carpenter's late works, Sea Drift and the Violin Concerto were commissioned by Whitman.
More Piano sheet music download on EveryNote.com
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Tire Size: 215/55R17/XL
Serv. Desc: 98T
Sidewall: BW
Max Load: 1653 lbs
Warranty (mi.) N/A
Availability: Call for availability
5 out of 5Submitted by CW in Alaska on 1/8/2017(2013 Chevrolet Tahoe LT)
Awesome on the snow and packed snow/ice roads of interior Alaska. Unbeatable stopping traction, very little wheel spin to get going. Better than blizzaks.
5 out of 5Submitted by Peter in Massachusetts on 12/23/2014(2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i)
Have about a 1,000 miles so far. No real snow yet, but they have been good so far in cold weather, freezing rain, and dry conditions.
4.85 out of 5Submitted by rhonda in British Columbia on 11/14/2014(2010 Honda Odyssey EX)
I've had these tires before on a different vehicle and I feel confident driving on these tires in the winter conditions.
4.85 out of 5Submitted by Conner in British Columbia on 1/14/2014(2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota ST 4x4)
good tires
5 out of 5Submitted by Steven in Massachusetts on 11/7/2013(2004 Honda Minivans Odyssey EX)
Just got these and haven't had snow yet. So far they have been excellent in dry and wet weather.
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Social programme
Simpson Grierson welcome receptionWhen: Sunday 15 July
Where: Christchurch Art Gallery, Montreal Street (4 minute walk from Christ's College)
Time: 6.00 - 7.30pm
Dress: Business or cocktail attire
Tickets: A ticket is included in a full registration. Additional tickets for partners may be purchased when registering at $70 each.
Kindly sponsored by
Transpower breakfast session with Robett Hollis
When: Monday 16 July
Robett Hollis is ranked as one of LinkedIn's Top 3 Most Influential New Zealanders. At 31 years old, he's the youngest ever Board Member of the NZ Tech Industry Association, Founder of the NZ Entrepreneurs Festival, a head judge at the Innes48 Business Start up competition and was also named on the Uber Pitch Panel. Click here to read more.
Kindly sponsored by
Fulton Hogan conference dinner and LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards
When: Monday 16 July
Kindly sponsored by


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Norah Jones Partners With Danger Mouse for 'Little Broken Hearts'
Singer Norah Jones and producer/musician Danger Mouse are continuing their collab! The pair worked together on his 2011 released album, 'Rome,' on which she tracked some vocals. But they didn't stop there. The chemistry between the artists was so great that Jones further collaborated with Danger Mouse on her fifth studio album 'Little Broken Hearts,' which is due to drop this spring.
'Little Broken Hearts' features songs that both Jones and Danger Mouse co-penned. As a result, they've fused their disparate personal styles and the results is a unique and new sound. Gotta love when that happens.
Jones and Danger Mouse have an interesting back story that makes us believe in that whole "meant to be" phenom. He knew he wanted White Stripes frontman Jack White to collaborate with him on 'ROME' when he realized that Jones would actually be a perfect fit and would strike a balance, too. She sang on three songs on the album and during that period, she and Danger Mouse began to working on material that would eventually take shape and form 'Little Broken Hearts' songs.
They began to record in Los Angeles in the fall, and Jones and Danger Mouse share all the songwriting credits and performed the majority of instrumental parts: she tackled the keys bass and guitar, while he played drums, bass, guitars, keys and arranged the strings.
What a musical marriage! They almost sound like a couple, don't they?
Jones will also hit the road, as she plans to tour extensively in 2012. She will return to the Hollywood Bowl in L.A. on Aug. 10. She will also play the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater in Rochester, New York, on June 29.


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Help with bread from The Village Baker (Pain de Seigle sur Poolish)
I need some help with a recipe in Joe Ortiz's "The Village Baker" book, in particular his pain de seigle sur poolish (sponge-method rye bread). It seems to me his recipe measurment is way off. I like to convert his recipe from volume measurment to weight measurment. The first time I made this bread, I first measured almost everything in volume and then recorded the weight measurment. Turned out the dough was so wet (like 88% hydration!) I had to keep adding flour (about 2 cups additional) to make this even work with the slap-and-fold technique.
Here is Ortiz's original recipe on page 114:
The Poolish
2 packages (2 scant tablespoons, 1/2 oz.) active dry yeast
2 cups water
1 cup organic, unbleached white (or all-purpose) flour
1 cup rye flour
The Dough
1 1/2 cups warm water
All of the poolish from previous step
2 cups rye flour
2 cups organic, unbleached white (or all-purpose) flour
1 tablespoon salt
Glaze: 1 egg wisked up with 1 tablespoon milk
Here is what I recorded after weighing almost each volume measurment:
The Poolish
1 tablespoon active dry yeast (I think it is a misprint to say 2 packages of yeast is 2 tablespoons. 1 package is only 1/4 oz, so two packages is 1/2 oz which is way less than 2 tablespoons! First error in Ortiz's recipe above).
473g water
125g white flour
128g rye flour
The Dough
355g cups warm water
All of the poolish from previous step
256g rye flour
250g white flour
1 tablespoon salt
Glaze: 1 egg wisked up with 1 tablespoon milk
When I got to the dough stage (i.e., after incorporating the poolish) the dough was still unworkable. I had to incorporate an additional 2 cups of flour to make this workable even for the slap-and-fold method. Turns out the dough, before the additional 2 cups of water, was 108% hydration!! (Total flour = 801g, Total water = 823g, which equals 108% hydration). No wonder it was not workable!
So, can anyone help me figure out where Ortiz's recipe error is, and how do I correct it? I like the method of making this rye bread.


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Venues & Locations
Here at BlueSky, we offer one of the most tranquil, picturesque and sprawling venues at our HQ in Methven, Perthshire for your team building & learning and development experience. From interactive treasure hunts to management training, our venues offer a rural environment that can provide a refreshing change of pace for many businesses, particularly those in city-centre offices on a daily basis.
However, in our fast-paced, time sensitive workplaces, it is not always practical to take time away from the office for training or team building. For that reason, we can come to a venue near you, whether you're in Perthshire or Portsmouth.
We can find the perfect venue near you…
The venue is an integral part of the team building & learning and development experience and we pride ourselves on sourcing the best venues to suit your company requirements. We have worked with venues in major cities and rural locations the length and breadth of the UK and overseas including castles, warehouses and five-star hotels. We can work closely with you to find the best environment for your team to enjoy and benefit from our diverse range of activities.


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Artist Erika Lizée re-imagines reality in twisted, magnificent forms that bend through our world and into the next. In her incredibly installations, she uses acrylic on Duralar, a translucent kind of film that allows light to pierce through some of the work. They are paintings that have sprung into the third dimension. Lizée's sculptures are like otherworldly beings, shifting in and out of our world's outer boundaries. By using Trompe l'oeil painting technique, she creates an illusion that you can see this other being behind the wall of the gallery. It is as if there is a magical world that we now have the chance to peer in to.
The mysterious and ominous mood that is created from Lizée's large, flowing installations reflects her intent to express the beauty and mysteries of life. Her work seems to be in a state of flux, shifting back and forth, expanding and contracting. The artist explains that this shift is like the collective consciousness that is continuously altered by scientific discovers and new experiences. The way in which we think of the world and understand our environments are constantly being redefined
All of this combines with the complex ways in which we internally create our own notions of reality based on perceptions, beliefs, and filter.
Erika Lizée's breathtaking installations pull us in to a foreign space of flux and transformation.
The installations serve as a metaphor for the journey of our personal and shared life experiences.


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VIDEO: Derrick Rose talks to reporters after USA Basketball practice
From NBA.com staff reports
Well, all those good warm and fuzzy feelings surrounding Derrick Rose lasted all of, what, four days? After nearly a week full of folks focusing on how good the 2011 NBA MVP looked back on the court, now the news regarding the Bulls' star has taken a negative turn.
The Chicago Sun-Times, reporting from Team USA camp in Las Vegas, posted a story Thursday centered on some interesting comments attributed to Rose. Here is the most notable chunk of the interview:
"I know it's been there,'' Rose told the Sun-Times, acknowledging there has been growing tension between the organization and his camp. "I heard there were some upset people.
"I'm happy I didn't personally see it. I don't want to see that. I kind of wonder where it was coming from because it seemed like whenever I was around, everything was all right. It bothered me because when I wasn't around, I would hear from certain people that everything wasn't all right.''
So notable were the comments and the story that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf made a move to address them in a team press release. Here is Reinsdorf's statement in its entirety:
"I am confounded by the irresponsible report in the Chicago Sun-Times suggesting there is anything approaching discord or confusion between the Bulls executive office, coaching staff, and Derrick Rose or any other Bulls player. To the contrary, I can remember no time when the organization has been any more focused, optimistic, and cohesive. I've got to assume suggestions otherwise are intended to undermine the goals and objectives, spirit, and reputation of the Chicago Bulls. I am deeply disappointed that unnamed sources and totally inaccurate statements and assumptions can be used to foment nonexistent friction. The report is totally without basis or fact. It is pure malicious fiction."
It seems like Friday's USA Basketball showcase (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) couldn't come at a better time for Rose and the Bulls, who will probably cherish the chance to talk about what happens on the court again. At least for one day.


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Location: Corner of 152nd Ave NE and NE 20th St
Project Phase: Complete
Timeline: Master Plan completed in April 2016; construction timeline TBD
Contact: Sarah Vanags, Planner, 425-556-2426, email@example.com
The City of Redmond has approved a master plan and development agreement for the redevelopment of the KCC Limited Edition site. The master plan calls for about 885 homes, 173,000 square feet of office, 28,000 square feet of retail, an 80-room hotel with optional conference center, and associated street and utility infrastructure.
Public benefits exceeding code requirements that will be provided as part of the development agreement include:
KCC Limited Edition Approved Master Plan (17 MB)
DRB Presentation from 6/5/14


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You can also scroll the mouse wheel up and down while holding Ctrl to increase/decrease zoom level.
Use your email address after upgrading
Superannuation is essentially a tax-effective method of saving for your retirement. For many of us, it is the largest asset we have, apart from our homes.
With a variety of contribution options, Superannuation is a complex area. It's important to form a strategy to make the most of the tax concessions, financial incentives and rebates.
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Contact us to find out more.
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It's been a while since we've posted cellphone charms, but these sushi, chocolate and ice cream screen cleaners pass the test for fantastic charms we'd actually buy. They're exactly what they sound like—soft, felty screen cleaners that hang from your cellphone, ready at a moment's notice to wipe the acne-causing facial grease from your screen. Only these are shaped like delicious foods that we really wish we were eating right now.
[Ideashow via Nerd Approved]


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For more than 25 years, Flexon's titanium-nickel alloy formula has blended technology and style to become the top-selling ophthalmic brand in the country. Ask your doctor about Flexon prescription frames when you use your VSP benefits.
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Flexon's titanium-nickel alloy returns to its original shape when bent and is remarkably resistant to scratches and dents.
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In 1961, U.S. Naval scientists discovered that the alloy they were creating for missile heat shields automatically returned to its shape after being bent and hit with a hammer. In 1988, the first Flexon patent is issued.
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Flexon's legacy continues today with updates to the beloved Icon 600 Series as well as the launch of the Evolution Series with two new concepts: Parallel Universe and Laser Precision:
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Between the third and fourth quarters of tonight's Hawks-Mavericks game in Atlanta, a Hawks cheerleader slipped and appeared to hit her head on the court.
It's hard to tell exactly what happened, her foot seems to just fly out from under her, but the broadcast crew suggests she hit her head and there was a brief delay to the start of the fourth quarter as she remained motionless on the court. She was eventually carted off and taken to Atlanta Medical Center where she is "receiving treatment" and "undergoing tests."
h/t Tom


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BANNER ELK, N.C. --- The fifth-seeded Pfeiffer University men's soccer team staged a pair of rallies, and scored late in the 82nd minute to edge fourth-seeded Lees-McRae College in the quarterfinal round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament after Jacob Copeland (Raleigh, N.C.) opened his collegiate account with a second-half strike on Tuesday evening on Tate Field.
The match proved to be a tightly contested battle fought almost entirely in the center of the park, with Lees-McRae (9-7-1) holding a 19-15 advantage in shots, including an 11-9 margin in the first half. The Bobcats attempted five corners in the match to three for Pfeifer (10-8-1).
Matthew Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Copeland each found the back of the net for the Bobcats, as Copeland netted his first collegiate goal to knot the score in the second half. Freshman Jordan Wright (West Lothian, Scotland) added a pair of assists, while Thomas Rusling (Sheffield, England) made five saves to pass Bobcat great Sean Paradise for fourth on the program's all-time list with 265 career stops.
Rusling caps one of the best individual careers in program history, finishing his four-year tenure with the Bobcats ranked third in shutouts (21), goals against average (1.09), and save percentage (0.764), and fourth in wins (36).
The senior goalkeeper kept at least five clean sheets in each of his four seasons, including a career-high seven shutouts this fall to lead the Bobcats to the fourth seed in the conference tournament. Rusling has named to two all-region teams in his career, while also earning all-Conference Carolinas Third team honors in 2011 and conference tournament MVP recognition in 2010.
Ryan Gillespie (Holly Springs, N.C.) put together an outstanding three-year career with the Bobcats, totaling five goals and two match-winners while playing in the midfield and along the backline. The senior defender has been a tremendous part of the Bobcats' success this season, wearing the captain's armband for the majority of the campaign while playing a leadership role in the defensive third.
Chris DeSanto (Greensboro, N.C.) closes out a four-year career in the Green and Gold characterized by tremendous work ethic and team spirit, appearing in 26 matches over the last three seasons while working his way into ever-increasing playing time. The Greensboro, N.C. native recorded his first collegiate point earlier this season, making a brilliant run down the flank before sending a cross to the back post to set up Isauro Estrada's (Newland, N.C.) first career goal.
Nathan Regis, Seth Dey, and Paco Cortez Vazquez each tallied a goal in the contest for Pfeiffer, with Vazquez providing the winning strike late in the second half. Dey also added an assist in the contest, as Aldo Ramirez chipped in a helper of his own. Nicolas Dulac made six saves to earn the victory for the Falcons.
The Bobcats got off to a flying start in the third minute, taking an early 1-0 lead when Cureton buried a blocked shot by Wright into the bottom corner for his fourth of the season. Pfeiffer leveled proceedings midway through the ninth minute, knotting the score at 1-1 when Regis converted from the spot after the Falcons were awarded a penalty kick.
Alford nearly reclaimed the advantage for the Bobcats in the 24th, forcing a skillful stop by Dulac before the Falcon keeper turned away a pair of successive attempts from Cureton, including a brilliant strike in the 35th after a run inside that the netminder just touched over the bar.
Pfeiffer received a turn of fortune in the 43rd minute, taking a 2-1 lead when a headed clearance fell to Dey 35 yards out. Dey then unleashed a driven strike off a quick settle, tucking the finish into the far top corner for his third goal of the season.
The Bobcats answered in the 67th minute, evening the tally at 2-2 when Copeland netted his first career goal just two minutes after coming on. Wright once again started the play with a neat flick on, putting Copeland in behind for the open-net finish following a deflection off the keeper.
Pfeiffer would respond with a concerted push forward, outshooting the Bobcats by a 3-1 margin over the next few minutes while spending much of that stretch in the attacking third. The Falcons' work rate and determination were rewarded late in the 82nd minute, when Ramirez flicked a long throw from Dey to Vazquez on the back post for the cross goal finish and a 3-2 lead.
The Bobcats nearly sent the match to extra time with a late push, coming within inches of the equalizer moments before the final whistle when Wright sent a close-range effort just wide of the woodwork.
Lees-McRae is expected to return 21 letter-winners from this season's squad which posted a 5-3 record in conference play, while limiting opponents to just six goals in league action. The Bobcats will bring a talented and seasoned corps into the 2014 campaign, led by rising seniors James Smith (Eastbourne, England), James Galvani (High Wycombe, England), Brandon Meade (Mocksville, N.C.), Andrew Shoemaker (Raleigh, N.C.), and Alford.


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Writers have it better than any other creative profession right now but it feels like we don't appreciate our good fortune and haven't adopted the mindset where we fully embrace change. The transition to digital is hugely disruptive – and not always in positive ways – but it's solving a number of long-standing problems, particularly the issue of author earnings.
It's easy to forget how bad things were before the digital revolution made self-publishing viable and gave us all more options. I was at the International Women's Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy at the end of September. It's a great conference in the most beautiful location and very well run, with all sorts of interesting panels and talks. It's also refreshingly small and you get to meet everybody.
Some of the most fascinating exchanges were when authors gathered for dinner and shared experiences. Many had been through a number of publishing contracts with different houses, and most were extremely scathing about their experience. When these writers are able to go public – i.e. when they finish up their contracts, break free of things like non-compete and option clauses, and/or get their rights back – they will have some disturbing stories to share about their "nurturing" publishers.
I was at a very different conference in York at the beginning of September. The Festival of Writing is great too, but it's aimed at newer writers who are seeking agents and publishing deals. They have some self-publishing stuff on the program, but it's more focused on the traditional path (and also has some truly excellent craft workshops).
When looking back at both conferences, I found it very interesting that the writers who had the most experience of traditional publishing were the ones with the least interest in pursuing that path. Newer writers, who hadn't yet seen how the sausage is made, were those in thrall with the idea of landing an agent and a publishing deal. But I think it's fair to say that both groups shared a lot of fear about the future.
I remember Dean Wesley Smith saying a few years back that the only thing that could kill a writer's career was giving up. Even an author who commits the most egregious sin can keep going under a new name. In other words, nothing can kill your career – except you. However, there are lots of things a writer can do to make their path much, much harder, and sometimes our own worst enemy is the three pounds of squishy grey matter between our ears.
Authors, for obvious reasons, tend to have very active imaginations. This can lead us to being quite skittish: seeing Reds under every bed and panicking at the drop of a hat. It might also explain why we cling to dogma, find various myths comforting, and happily trot out zombie memes that have died a thousand deaths. Writers are smart and creative, and can convince themselves of anything.
It makes having an in-built bullshit detector a pre-requisite for keeping your sanity and focusing on your core job: writing books and reaching readers. There are all sorts of people engaging in FUD for various self-serving reasons, but some of the most insidious untruths are the ones we tell ourselves.
Like people in general, I suppose, writers can go to incredible lengths to avoid admitting they were wrong about something, even to the point of making career-damaging decisions. It's the exact opposite of the start-up mentality that we should be adopting in this current climate, where change is embraced and failure is treated as a learning opportunity.
We all need to continually guard against dogma. It's easy to slip into lazy thinking when we see something being confirmed over and over again, but we should always be prepared for black swans and shouldn't attempt to reason them out of existence just because they force us to question a hypothesis which has served us well.
The one constant since I started self-publishing in 2011 has been change. It's not just the business which is changing but also the ways to reach readers. If you embrace change, instead of being fearful, you are in a much better position to take advantage of what's happening. But if you think you have it all figured out, and then become dogmatic about something like pricing or marketing, you will fall behind.
The authors who are growing really fast today tend to be very aggressive with marketing and are trying all sorts of crazy experiments, rewriting the rules as they go. When Ed Robertson released the fourth book in his post-apocalyptic Breakers series in August last year, he bundled up the first three books into a 99¢ box set. The series was selling well – around 30,000 copies – so I naturally thought he was nuts.
It turned out he wasn't so crazy after all. The box went ballistic and Ed tore up his plan to only have it discounted during the launch of Book #4, keeping the bundle at that crazy low price for six straight months. The box shifted 60,000 copies over that timeframe, helping the new release sell another 15,000 copies on top of that.
By being willing to take risks, Ed dramatically expanded his audience in a short space of time. Two books later, the Breakers series has now sold well over 200,000 copies.
And it was a gamble – Ed was risking solid income from consistent sellers – but he had been watching the really smart things that Urban Fantasy author SM Reine was doing and figured it was worth a shot.
If you aren't familiar with SM Reine, she had been making big plays likes this for a while, with astounding results too. I guess they both figured they were fast writers and, even if things went horribly wrong, they had plenty of books in the pipeline to juice their numbers again.
As my writing speed increases – I've graduated from very slow to merely slow! – I'm becoming less conservative. Having more titles out gives you more options with your marketing. It makes you less emotionally attached to each individual book. You start thinking more in terms of what increases revenue overall than what a particular title has sold.
In other words, it gives you room to fail. When you can afford to lose, you can afford to gamble. And the prizes are going to the risk-takers.
I'm taking a bit of risk this week myself. I only launched the new edition of Let's Get Digital in mid-September and it was pulling in good money at $4.99, but I've already put it in a discounted box set.
It's called The Indie Author Power Pack: How To Write, Publish & Market Your Book and it also contains Write. Publish. Repeat by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant and How To Market A Book by Joanna Penn, as well as some exclusive content too.
We've launched the box with the explicit aim of hitting the New York Times Best Seller list. We could easily fail, but I think we gain just by making the attempt. And if you want to check out the box set, you can pick it up at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo for just 99¢ (saving you $16).
The tech companies which are taking over publishing have a totally different mindset to risk-averse publishers. They embrace change and aren't afraid of failure. They innovate and iterate until they hit on the process that maximizes revenue. They work on a model of abundance, instead of one of scarcity. And it's the mentality we should adopt too.
Joe sez: There's a lot of wisdom here.
The difference between being wise and being smart if sometimes you have to stop being smart in order to be wise.
I call this phenomenon digital thinking. Examples of analogue thinking abound in this business. Pricing ebooks higher than paperbacks is analogue. Windowing titles is analogue. Pre-orders for books that are already finished, that's analogue (as soon as it is done it should be made available to buy and download).
Digital thinking means looking at how things have changed and adjusting accordingly. Here's a quickie example. Way back in 2009, I used Amazon DTP to self-publish the novels that the Big 6 had rejected. I priced these at $0.99, as a favor to fans. My idea was to use them as a loss lead, which would then make readers seek out my more expensive paper titles. Imagine my surprise when these started to make money. Very soon, they were making more than my print royalties. So I began to experiment with price, which was risky considering there was no data to look at to anticipate what might happen. Raising prices, when a product is selling well, is a risky thing to do, and there was no precident for it. But I gave it a shot. And it worked.
For a while, I was convinced $2.99 was the sweet spot for novels. And it was, for a while. Then I took a chance and tried $3.99 and liked it, and have stuck with it for about two years, putting titles on sale regularly via BookBub.
Reading David's post makes me realize I haven't taken any big pricing chances in a while. So why not give it a shot?
After you buy your $0.99 copy of The Indie Author Power Pack: How To Write, Publish & Market Your Book (buy it RIGHT NOW) please consider buying two of my bundles, each reduced from $9.99 to a mere $0.99.
A box set of my first three Jack Daniels thrillers, Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and Rusty Nail, is now $0.99 on Kindle.
A box set of my first three Jack Kilborn horror novels, Afraid, Trapped, and Endurance, is now $0.99 on Kindle.
These are six novels that sell well at $3.99 each. Am I cutting my own throat here? Does this seem like a stupid thing to do?
Yes. Yes it does. And that's how a person becomes wise. I can only guess how this experiment will work. Could go badly and I lose a lot of money. Could jack up my sales and give my backlist a boost.
But I won't know what will happen unless I try it.
I'll post the results as they come in.