text:
So, the last time I emailed you, I had the hype but not the trophies. Now I've got both. Why is it that American editors ignore writers from New Zealand who aren't Margaret Mahy or Joy Cowley. Down under, our buyers (readers) are piranhas. But, unfortunately for NZ authors, they are tiny piranhas.
I also review the YA books which that come out of the US and the UK and most of it, which, yeah, I know, sells, is actually formulaic which my students (I'm a high school teacher) turn their noses at – preferring to read ADULT literature.
Is this a 'mam, this is a gentlemen's club…' kind of thing? Cos it sure does feel like it.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Big Fish, Small Pond? Or Big Fish, Wrong Pond?
43 comments:
- Timothy Power said...
That sheep joke comment was baaaad!
- March 5, 2011 at 3:25 PM
- catdownunder said...
And of course if you cross a sheep with a kangaroo you get a woolly jumper.
I am agent hunting and the general view is that it would be wiser to find an agent in the northern hemisphere and seek publication there. I have been told the odds on getting published are about the same but the end result is likely to be a much wider market.
- March 5, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Aren't the very successful Rangers Apprentice Series written by a guy in Australia?
- March 6, 2011 at 10:55 AM
"I also review the YA books which come out of the US and the UK and most of it, which, yeah, I know, sells, is actually formulaic which my students (I'm a high school teacher) turn their noses at – preferring to read ADULT literature."
I don't quite understand this comment. Do you mean, "My students, having read every single YA book published in New Zealand, all of which are stellar, are now disappointed in the uniformly low-quality YA books they see from the UK and US"? Or do you mean that they prefer adult literature to YA, regardless of where it comes from?
If the latter, they are exactly like high school students in the US. Generally, YA is read by kids in the 11-14 age range. Older teens move on to adult books, until they're old enough to go back to YA (and MG, and picture books) and appreciate those as well.
If the former, I would like to hear some titles of the "formulaic" YA books you've been reviewing.
- March 6, 2011 at 12:01 PM
- Melinda Szymanik said...
It's a very different story with an overseas agent but as a New Zealand children's author with several titles published here it seems very few titles published in New Zealand ever get picked up overseas, yet many, many overseas titles are distributed in NZ. Getting picked up in Australia can be a springboard but it is rare and i would love to know (if the quality of my work is not the issue)what the barriers are?
- March 6, 2011 at 5:01 PM
- JS said...
Melinda, the key barrier is market size.
Doing well in a market of 4 million people is a fantastic achievement, and kudos to you. But America is a market of 300 million people--heck, New York has twice the population of New Zealand.
And then, US publishers generally want North American rights, so add in another 30 million for Canada (distribution of English-language books in Mexico generally isn't a huge factor).
So US publishers are never going to be looking to New Zealand for The Next Big Thing.
- March 9, 2011 at 5:43 PM
- JS said...
Which isn't to say that US publishers wouldn't be open to The Next Big Thing if it came from New Zealand, but saying that someone has to put it in front of their eyes first--they're not reading the New Zealand publishers' lists in the hope of acquiring something awesome.
Agents are key to international sales. If your NZ agent doesn't have a good partnership with a US agency, that's going to limit your access to the US publishing market.
- March 9, 2011 at 5:45 PM
- Melinda Szymanik said...
Hey thanks JS. I think the bottom line is visibility. I don't have a NZ agent. With a population of 4 million they are thin on the ground and overworked and the one I had wasn't the right fit for me. Can i get a US agent with the books i already have published or do I need to find one with new material??
- March 10, 2011 at 5:01 PM
- Sherryl said...
Some of my books have been sold on to the US, which was a foot in the door. But last year I sold a middle grade novel to a US publisher I met at a conference, and this was a book no Australian publisher was interested in. I think it is about how you can get your book in front of US publishers, and an agent is a key element.
I've found SCBWI has been a big help, especially in terms of the up-to-date publisher and agent information they provide to members. The US pool is huge so it's much harder to get noticed.
- March 10, 2011 at 6:29 PM
@emay. Gosh, didn't I sound arrogant? It was the latter I was meaning in that my students read anything good but I have to say my juniors are now putting aside the vampire, zombie, angel looking books (which I bring in because I haven't time to read and review them and try to get my students to do it) but they grab the mythology works or the social realism or dystopia books.
I am sorry my comment seemed to make a criticism of American titles because that was not my intention at all (I have so many books on my shelf which I adore and who have come out of the US) but I have read a number of UK and US titles these past months and 3/4 of them left me cold - as a reader, as a teacher and as a writer.
My NY agent is as frustrated as I because my main character is 21 when the trilogy begins and the other key characters are 17-21.
I was advised to take out any sex scenes by my wise representative and though, in the first book, I really did enjoy the wee tussle in the meadow, the deletion of it has not harmed the story.
It's now been two years that my agent has been trying to find this trilogy a home in the US. During that time, I've received hundreds (that's a big number here in New Zealand) of letters and emails from people from ages 12 to 82 who loved the first two books (book three is currently being written)
EA has some good points but I do know my agent is passionate about this story and has been 'on the case' to get it published in the states.
Afterall, isn't the sequel to Macbeth an appealling idea?
- March 12, 2011 at 11:45 AM
- JS said...
Can i get a US agent with the books i already have published or do I need to find one with new material?
Do you still have the North American rights to any or all of those books? If so, then I would definitely approach US agents, leading with the top-selling title (or the one that is most likely to have appeal in the US and Canada--if your top-selling title is one about a teen who realizes her dream to be the assistant equipment manager for the All Blacks, that probably isn't going to be the best one to lead with in the North American market).
- March 16, 2011 at 5:11 PM
- Melinda Szymanik said...
JS you can check out one of my titles - The Were-Nana in the Boston University Libraries
- April 12, 2011 at 10:45 PM
- write my essay said...
Nice article. Thanks for it.
- September 28, 2011 at 10:10 AM
- essay help said...
wrong pound xD
- November 25, 2011 at 11:24 AM
- buy research papers said...
leave xD
- November 26, 2011 at 2:29 PM
- buy dissertation said...
Thanks for sharing such an interesting information. I think this is really a very nice post. Thanks for the great content!
- December 17, 2011 at 6:19 PM
- academic papers said...
Thanks for posting this useful info. It really helped me
- December 17, 2011 at 6:19 PM
- cruise in maldives said...
Many thanks for such a write-up. I undoubtedly cherished reading it and talk about this it to my friends.
- January 11, 2012 at 12:05 PM
- essay help said...
wow... cool! Thanks!
- January 11, 2012 at 1:37 PM
- buy research papers said...
Good job. All of them are useful
- January 11, 2012 at 1:37 PM
- order custom essay writing said...
Unbelievable, the title of your article was so amazing, so many things are consider under this head, i feel very bad for sheep's bad joke but dont be upset every thing happen in this world, but i appreciate your writting style and the theme of the article attracts me more.
- February 22, 2012 at 3:49 AM
- research papers said...
That's so weird if i am there so i hit the nail on his head how he speaks like this,no one has right to hit our feelings thanks for sharing with us,the theme of your article was so amazing and exactly related to this matter.
- February 28, 2012 at 2:29 AM
- book report writing said...
I like the theme of your article so much there are so many things which i came to learn from your article,actually people never happy to see others working,you just concentrate to your work never listen to others.
- March 9, 2012 at 4:56 AM
- termpaperstar.com said...
Thanks for the interesting interview
- March 24, 2012 at 3:43 AM
- term papers said...
some time we are just waiting for right time or right person without it we cant ready to do more by your self but if we think to move our step at our own pace so its not difficult for us to move.Guys read this article so many things are added in this article which we have to learn.
- April 16, 2012 at 4:25 AM
- kinda proposals here said...
I would have made a suggestion to somehow rename this thing afterall!
- June 7, 2012 at 11:31 AM
- jogos do friv said...
I think the bottom line is visibility.
play game jogos friv online free | jogos de friv | jogos do friv
- March 24, 2015 at 3:38 AM
- descargar whatsapp para android said...
Thank for sharing!Great! Thanks for such post and please keep
descargar whatsapp para android | descargar whatsapp gratis para android | descargar whatsapp gratis
- March 31, 2015 at 3:57 AM
- jogos da friv said...
- April 5, 2015 at 9:25 AM
- Keisha Azzalea said...
Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. no problem no life, no matter did not learn, so enjoy it :)
Obat TBC Ekstrak Paru
Aerobic Baik Bagi Penderita Diabetes
Cara Menghilangkan Pendarahan Pasca Persalinan
Bahya Wasir Saat Hamil
- August 13, 2015 at 10:58 PM
- obat tato said...
- February 21, 2016 at 2:21 PM
- Joselin Smitt said...
Your site is amazing! And article very interesting!If you need quality essay you can visit this site http://essay-professors.com and order it here! I assure you get your essay in very short time!
- May 16, 2016 at 10:09 AM
- Joy Morgan said...
Thanks for this post. I don`t know that there are many female publishers. You`re always posting some interesting facts. by the way, if you feel tired of writing and want to spare time with your friend or family, here essays-shark.net is the best agency to order an essay and just wait for a paper of high quality.
- July 8, 2016 at 5:08 AM
- Karoline Page said...
Very interesting and actual article. I agree that sometimes a book that can make a big splash in a smaller publishing market would be in danger of disappearing in a larger one. That is why it's so important to make your text absolutely original and with the highest quality. Enter high-quality grand-essays writing source if you want your writing to be excellently done and effective.
- July 13, 2016 at 7:42 AM
- blogspot said...
Mycket intressant blogg. Många bloggar jag ser dessa dagar inte riktigt ge något som jag är intresserad av, men jag är mest definitivt intresserad av en. Tänkte att jag skulle skicka och låta dig veta.
- January 18, 2017 at 4:47 AM
- قمة الدقة للخدمات said...
شركة قمة الدقة للخدمات المنزلية
شركة المثالية للتنظيف
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بالدمام
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بالخبر
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بالجبيل
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بالقطيف
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بالاحساء
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بسيهات
شركة المثالية للتنظيف ببقيق
شركة المثالية للتنظيف بصفوى
شركة المثالية للتنظيف براس تنورة
المثالية للتنظيف
شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالقطيف
شركة تنظيف كنب بالقطيف
- July 31, 2017 at 4:40 AM
- juegos de twizl said...
Herr Cashman, ich danke Ihnen für diese Information. Friv Kizi Juegos Friv 2 Wir danken aber auch Ihnen Juegos Friv 2.0 Juegos Friv 2019 liebe Leserinnen und Leser, fur Ihr Interesse und Ihre Mitwirkung Friv 20 Yepi Friv 4 Friv 3 die Informationsgesellschaft in der Schweiz voranzubringen.
- August 9, 2017 at 7:20 AM
- fofy online said...
gracias por la detallada información. Friv 2019 Friv 2018 Friv 3 Gracias por vuestras reacciones a las transmisiones que os han hecho. Friv 3 Jeux Friv Gracias por compartir sus ideas con nosotros. Friv Friv 2019 Acogemos con agrado los comentarios de los lectores
- August 29, 2017 at 8:55 AM
- رنيا محمد said...
- July 15, 2018 at 4:33 AM
- Sophie Grace said...
Thanks a lot for sharing kind of information. Your article provide such a great information with good knowledge. Thanks again 192.168.l.l
- April 26, 2019 at 3:54 AM
- edubirdie said...
Many times students are tensed for their projects and assignments, so at that time they can take assignment help to complete it on time. There are experts available online who prepare the perfect assignment for you. visit excel homework help
- May 28, 2019 at 5:07 AM
- jacklinemelda said...
When a student custom assignment writing services they expect them to be professionally written. With our cheap term paper writing service, we ensure that they receive a paper of the highest quality.
- July 25, 2019 at 2:38 AM
- tony said...
Nuevos juegos friv gratis, te presentamos lo nuevo de friv empieza a jugar ahora…
Friv 2020
juegos friv 2019
Juegos de autos friv
Mods Minecraft
- December 5, 2019 at 9:16 AM


text: / Dictionary Meaning of steepen Find definitions for: steep•en Pronunciation: (stē'pun), [key] — v.t., v.i. to make or become steeper. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: steepen (Thesaurus) steep steeple Related ContentDaily Word Quiz: opprobriumAnalogy of the Day: Today's AnalogySpelling Bee: Today's Spelling BeeKids' Word Quiz: preparatoryCrossword: Crossword Puzzle GuideFrequently Misspelled WordsFrequently Mispronounced WordsEasily Confused WordsWriting & Language

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My name is Nikki and I have been making chess pieces for 20 years. It Started as a hobby and has slowly grown into something more commercial. Pictures in the galleries are some of the sets I have made over the years.
As part of my chess making experience I learnt how to produce moulds to help expand my range. Over the years I have been asked more for the moulds I produce so I now have turned my attention to producing a wide range of moulds, which is how the birth of Moulds & More came about.
If it's something a little different you are looking for then please take a look at the Featured Sculptor page (link at top of page).
I will be adding links and pictures to others peoples work over the coming months.
If you would like your work adding to my site please use the contact page to get in touch.
As a chess collector myself, I often buy unusual sets from around the world when I come across them. Ive been asked quite a few times If I could make/aquire an Erotic themed chess set for customers, so seeing there was a market for such an unusual item I have decided to add a few sets in varying degrees of *Rudeness* to my chess set inventory. I have trialed these sets already via e.bay, selling off some of the demo sets I made a while ago and these have proved very popular (pictures below) If you would like to purchase a set or would just like price info etc, please use the contact page link above, or you can purchase a good range of chess sets from Etsy .
I have tried to include a variety of options to buy my products from which will hopefully give everyone who is interested the availability at a venue they feel comfortable with.
You can Buy Direct from this site using the shop links above/below for both Chess Moulds and Erotic Chess Sets.
Etsy Store. This is a new venture and at the moment I am just listing Chess Sets and a few moulds but will add other designs if requested.
You are viewing the text version of this site.
Need help? check the requirements page.


text:
If you are looking for a good place to serve for court ordered community service, come check us out, and make a difference in our communities. One hour training is required before serving in any other capacity. You will receive one hour credit to go towards your community service hours.
Date(s) - 9/11/18
3:15 pm-4:15 pm
Metro Relief DFW
We currently need 0 volunteers.


text:
Singing Along to Disney Songs with Music Videos & Lyrics
Disney Songs is a tribute to the best animated movies created where you can watch your favorite clips or sing along to your favorite disney tunes from movie classics like Aladdin, Lion King, and more!
Growing up, I could watch Disney movies over and over again. Now that I'm older, I find that I can watch these classics with a greater appreciation. Disney animated movies will always be fun to watch for everyone to watch, including future generations to come.
Latest updates to Disney Songs:
10/04/2009 - Mulan
10/02/2009 - The Little Mermaid
10/01/2009 - Beauty and the Beast
9/28/2009 - Lion King (added movie videos)
9/26/2009 - Aladdin (added movie videos)


text:
NORTON, Mass. – It was another successful venture on the road for the MIT women's tennis team as it defeated New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference foe Wheaton College by a final of 8-1. With the win the Engineers remain undefeated and clinched the regular season conference title for a second straight year.
MIT (7-0, 7-0 NEWMAC) got off to a fast start with a sweep of the doubles matches. The Engineers picked up two quick 8-1 decisions in the Nos. 2 and 3 matches before seniors Lauren Quisenberry (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Julia Hsu (Knoxville, Tenn.) completed the sweep with an 8-3 decision over junior Alexandra Marlowe (Mesa, Ariz.) and senior Lyndsay Cooke (Bakersfield, Calif.).
In singles play Elysa Kohrs (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) scored the first point for MIT with a convincing 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 over senior Morgan Bell (Gloucester, Mass.). Playing at No. 5 junior Vynnie Kong (Cupertino, Calif.) clinched the team victory for the Engineers, surrendering just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 win over sophomore Caroline DiNicola-Fawley (Brattleboro, Vt.).
Wheaton (6-2, 4-2 NEWMAC) picked up its point in the No. 1 match when Quisenberry was forced to retire in her contest with Marlowe after taking a 7-6 (2), 1-0 advantage. Freshmen Wendi Kong (Cupertino, Calif.) won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6 for the sixth point of the day for MIT, with freshman Krystal Lai (Irvine, Calif.) and sophomore Victoria Tam (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) also scoring straight sets wins for the Engineers at Nos. 4 and 3 to complete the scoring.
MIT will play its first non-conference dual match in its next outing as it hosts Tufts University on Tuesday, October 8 at 4:00 p.m. Wheaton will take on Babson College on the road in its next contest on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.


text:
Is there the same symptom when you switch channel?
How to fix
If there is noise in a particular channel, it may be more on antenna/cable. Have a check with the antenna/cable company.
If there is still noise after you connect peripherals, you need to have it inspected by a service engineer.


text:
FREE SHIPPING on retail orders over $70! (Free shipping applies to 48 contiguous states only)
This is a collection of the hottest hot sauces around, including those off-the-chart extracts that are not recommended for direct consumption. If you're looking for pain, you'll find it in any of these bottles. Cowards need not apply.
King of Fire


text:
Arkansas Razorbacks Novelties:
Shop Arkansas Razorbacks Novelties from The Ultimate Sports Fan, we offer a variety of officially licensed novelties such as drink-ware, flags, signs, plaques and blankets. But we don't stop there; we also carry a great selection of items for your home, office and man cave. Great customer service and fast shipping makes The Ultimate Sports Fan the best place to shop for all your Arkansas Razorbacks merchandise.


text: I purchased this lovely wooden box to display with Christmas handkerchiefs and now it's time to share! Box measures 9 ¾" x 5 ¼" x 1 ¾". It has a hinged lid and the lid has a poinsettia with leaves on both exterior and interior. The exterior has color, interior flower doesn't. box is in very good condition for its age with minor scuffs, etc. This would be a wonderful gift for a hanky or glove collector (or for yourself!).


text:
Will never be released, at least not the one in the video. I have google apps in it which would be illegal to distribute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T304h2Qo ... bTqAzbSRqw
tanmay.01 wrote:Sorry to say... but why ultimate android .... why not ultimate (ubuntu )phone/touch...?
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


text:
The concept of individual rights based on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is unique in the world.
By MICHAEL MCCALLION
I guess my understanding of America is similar to that of Alexis de Tocqueville�s report to the French government after his tour in 1831-32. He reported America was a dynamic nation moving forward by individual effort to bring success. My impression of American society after five decades of close association: America remains � for now � a dynamic nation.
America is different from all other nations. The concept of individual rights based on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is unique in the world. Even in my beloved Canada happiness is promulgated on the premise of P.O.G.G. � peace, order and good government � a foundation that begs the question: What happens if there is not good government?
In my lifetime one of the most sophisticated, educated European nations allowed a small group of antisocial leaders to initiate terror and use bigotry for atrocities. This was ignored by the populace or only discussed within family, due to fear.
America, a very large country, maintains a lifestyle beyond all other countries as a result of its inherited personal freedom. An amazing combination of individuals, supported by sacrifice and blood, founded the principles of individual independence as the deterrent to tyranny.
These Founding Fathers recognized the two most important constitutional amendments were freedom of speech, through the First Amendment, and the ability of the general populace to maintain, through force if necessary, the arms to protect the First Amendment with the Second Amendment.
Benjamin Franklin�s admonishment �a republic, if you can keep it� rings true in the ears of all Americans who have received a liberal education of U.S. history. This concept �if you can keep it� also rings true to Canadians. Equality is shared with the significant majority of Americans. The one difference is the Canadians are dependent on the historical benefice of P.O.G.G. � �good governance.�
Stringent laws regulating handguns have been in place in Canada since 1934. We still have handgun murders. The usual supposition is because of the ease of illegal guns coming into Canada, probably from the U.S.A.
An examination of major Western countries shows the nation with the highest number of guns per capita is the U.S.A. The country with the second-highest number of guns per capita, out of a listing of a hundred countries, is Switzerland; Canada ranks 10th. The highest numbers of murders per capita rest with mostly Hispanic countries and a few Baltic nations.
Canada�s good government attempted to control long guns with regulations comparable to handguns. The Canadian owner of a rifle or shotgun has been required to have a license for many years. The additional long-gun regulation attempt was a politically motivated effort after the massacre of young female engineering students in a university classroom.
The parliamentary majority good government of the day claimed the program will be cost effective. The additional regulation revenue of long-gun owners would cover the initial regulation installation costs except for $2 million, and the long-gun licensing revenue will make the program self-sustaining.
It took 10 years of effort and an election defeat of the good government who made the long-gun registration law to find the actual installation cost was over $2 billion. Right from the beginning individual gun owners refused to participate on a massive scale. The regulation made almost every long-gun owner in Canada a felon. The total program was an expensive failure.
Aware Canadians and Americans understand how difficult it is for elected representatives to ignore the political pressure of vested interests when a government-funded program is cancelled.
My closing comments must begin with the wise words of an American friend: �The only reason to have a handgun is to protect yourself and others against someone with a weapon, until you are able to reach a long gun.�
The First and Second Amendments recognize and define that a good government is not likely to remain so forever. Please remember the purpose of a handgun is being a convenient and immediate way of individual protection. The intent of the Second Amendment is protection from a not-good government, and the weapons required for this includes long guns and beyond.
Michael McCallion is a winter resident from Wainfleet, Ontario.


text: Good Enough For Granddad Chords by Squirrel Nut Zippers #----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE--------------------------------# #This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the# #song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.# #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------# Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 10:47:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Casey Connor firstname.lastname@example.com Subject: s/squirrel_nut_zippers/good_enough_for_granddad.crd Good Enough For Granddad the Squirrel Nut Zippers James Malthus and Don Raleigh Transcription by firstname.lastname@example.com >From the album "The Inevitable" Chords from left->right = bass string->"soprano" string :-) 466444: G#m/G# 335353: C7/G 224242: B7/F# x65640: Eb7 464544: G#7 x46464: C#7 242322: F#7 x24242: B7 x21202: alternate B7 020102: E7add9 x02022: A7add6 x2102x: B9aug5 076750: E7 020122: "E7maj7min7add9" :-) 076770: E7add9* 575655: A7 686766: A#7 797877: B7* x02022: A7add6 "Intro" part (repeat four times, bass last two times) | E7 G#m/G# | C7/G B7/F# | (bassline notes, double up: E G# G F#) Play twice: (call it "Verse A" except for the Intro at the end) | E7 | Eb7 | G#7 | G#7 | C#7 | F#7 B7 | Intro Once | Play Once: (call it "Verse B") | E7add9 | E7add9 | A7add6 | A7add6 | F#(7?) | F#(7?) | B7 | B7 | ^^^^^^ (doubled bass notes B C# D D# | Verse A again: | E7 | Eb7 | G#7 | G#7 | C#7 | F#7 B7 | Intro Twice | Verse A twice with singing: |E7 |Eb7 |G#7 | | If it's good enough for granddad it's good enough for me |C#7 |F#7 B7 | Way it was that's the way it's got to be |E7 |Eb7 Told me all about the good times that he had |G#7 | |C#7 |F#7 B7 | Even when the times were sad ... was good enough for granddad. "Intro once", then |E7add9 | |A7add6 | Been to all kinds of places ... been to every old foreign land |F#7 | |B7 | | Ain't a man alive sure can jive better than granddad can |E7 |Eb7 |G#7 | |C#7 All the good times that he had they were good enough for granddad, |F#7 B7 | they're good enough for me (horn solo, Verse A under it, one "intro" at end) Play Verse B for this: Been to all kinds of places ... been to every old foreign land Ain't a man alive sure can jive better than granddad can Play Verse A: All the good times that he had even when the times was sad they was good enough for granddad. Bridge: | A7 | A#7 | B7* | B7* | F#7 | F#7 | B9aug5 | B9aug5 | (yeah dad!) Verse A: All the good times that he had they were good enough for granddad they're good enough for me Play Intro 3 times, and then the ending which is something like ---2-3-4---------- ---2-3-4-----------| ------------------ -------------------| ---2-3-4---1-2-3-4 ---2-3-4-----------| ------------------ OR: -------------------| ------------------ -------------0-1-2-| ------------------ -----------4-------| Then the ending strum which is something like Emaj7min7add9 or simply E7add9.


text:
Shyla Jones
Flirt of the Year 2019
Shyla Jones's Current Rankings*
Viewers Choice Voting
Vote for Shyla Jones to win the Viewer's Choice Award.
Shyla Jones's Details
Shyla Jones's Likes
I`m sexy, restless, funny, talkative and always looking for fun. I enjoy the company of gentlemen with a taste for devlish little things in bed like me. I`m here to show guys and girls how to lose inhibitions and just experience the most sensuous or/and wild experiences *wink*. I like wearing sexy lingerie, I love the touch of nylons on my skin, I am a Mistress in bed and I love having my "joy-stick" gagged on.
My Fantasies
Fucking perfect strangers in dark corners of the street or parking lots, picking up guys in bars and not letting them know i have a cock until it`s too "late". People take me for a real woman all the time so it`s easy ;).
My Obsessions & Desires
I'm a Perfect Mistress ,I am widely recognized for my unique chameleonic and distinctive beauty, which oozes natural vivid sexuality whether wearing sexy lingerie or rubber latex suits accentuating every curve of my shemale body. Men always said that I look like a good girl, something between sweet and seductive, or maybe the girl next door, but I like to think about me as the good-girl-gone-bad – somehow someone who you can explore the most unrealistic taboos desired. I only can think of me being simply an ultra feminine Lady with a wild side who adores fantasy and role plays in a playful sort of way, with a natural talent for constant re-invention of my powerful style and experimentation.
Additional Info
A beautiful, smart and special woman with a big SURPRISE between my legs.I will be your lover, your confidant, your friend, your "partner in crime" *wink*. I AM KINKY, WITH A DIRTY MIND FULL OF IMAGINATION AND AN ENTIRE COLLECTION OF REAL EXPERIENCES THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU.
Special Info
I am a very skilled listener and I know how to make people feel comfortable in my presence. The key of a good relationship is communication so I appreciate guys who are willing to tell me their desires and needs before jumping to action. I dislike lack of regard for my desires, my feelings and for the fact that i am not a cyber doll but a human being. You can`t hurt me physically, but fucking with my brains hurts just as much. So please be nice!
My Fetishes
Discipline, Domination, Feet, Humiliation, Jerk off Instruction, Sissy Training, Slaves, Smoking, Total Power Exchange
Featured Recorded ShowsMore
Top 10 Fans
The display of Shyla Jones's top fans is limited
to customers who have spent $100 or more on Flirt 4 Free.
Top Gifters
Shyla Jones's Awards
My Recent ReviewsMore Reviews Post Review
Largest Tip
Virtual Gifts Received More
|Gift Info
|December 9, 2019
10 Credit Tip
Purchased for 10 credits.
|View Details
|December 5, 2019
10 Credit Tip
Purchased for 10 credits.
|View Details
|December 5, 2019
25 Credit Tip
Purchased for 25 credits.
|View Details
|November 29, 2019
10 Credit Tip
Purchased for 10 credits.
|View Details
|November 29, 2019
10 Credit Tip
Purchased for 10 credits.
|View Details


text:
50 Things That Are Only Possible In Australia
- published: 25 Jun 2019
- views: 1064038
What do you know about Australia? Which country has the longest fence in the world? How about the 2nd largest Greek population? Three times more sheep than people? One word will give it away: kangaroos. Yes, it\'s the Land Down Under. Australia is the world\'s 6th largest country and the only one that's also a whole continent. But with all that territory, over 80% of Australians live within 60 miles of the coast. Before humans arrived, the continent was home to mega-fauna. If you'd lived there about 46,000 years ago, you'd be dead today. But you would've seen 10-foot-tall kangaroos, 23-foot-long goanna lizards, and ducks the size of an adult horse. Other videos you might like: What Every Country In the World Is Best At? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkLsAJ2TEEE& Never Do These Things in Foreign Countries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vllWyVBHnyM& 15 Strange Things That Seem Normal Only In South Korea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT0xEelCd-I& TIMESTAMPS: Grab your skis! 0:43 The world's longest national highway 0:56 The Great Fence of Australia 1:13 How big the country is 1:35 A loooot of beaches 2:09 The biggest property in Australia 2:21 The largest living structure on the planet 2:57 Why kangaroos and emus are painted on their coat of arms 3:09 One of the most livable cities in the world 4:21 What Batmania is 4:41 Pink lakes 5:21 More sheep than people 5:47 50 million kangaroos 6:00 The most ancient fossils in the world 6:57 No hoofed animals 7:15 Burger King turns into Hungry Jack\'s 7:21 Mount Disappointment 7:35 1,500 spider species! 8:03 National floral emble...


text:
libmatroska is a C++ libary to parse Matroska files (.mkv and .mka).
Matroska is an audio/video container based on EBML.
Interested parties can build the library with staticlibs by passing
STATICLIB=yes to the script.
This requires: libebml
Maintained by: Ozan Türkyılmaz
Keywords: libmatroska,matroska,mkv
ChangeLog: libmatroska
Download SlackBuild:
libmatroska.tar.gz.asc (FAQ)
(the SlackBuild does not include the source)
|Individual Files:
| libmatroska.SlackBuild
| libmatroska.info
| slack-desc
© 2006-2019 SlackBuilds.org Project. All rights reserved.
Slackware® is a registered trademark of Patrick Volkerding
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
Web Design by WebSight Designs | Managed Hosting by OnyxLight Communications


text:
HGTV "Design Star" finalist Jason Champion has Halloween decorations out at his Siesta Key home: a 1960s orange tree with black ornaments.
"No pumpkin," he said. "I wasn't feeling pumpkin."
But at the Johnson estate on Longboat Key, Champion spent Monday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 20 prepping the dining room of the home for the holidays. The room will be featured in Coldwell Banker's "Previews Magazine."
The Johnson estate, which went on the market today and is listed by Barbara Ackerman, of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, has more than 10,000 square feet of living space and 150 feet of private, Gulf-front beach access.
Champion says the look he created for the Johnson dining room using more than 190 flowers and 50 candles can be replicated on a smaller, less expensive scale. He used various shades of white and gold to create a modern Christmas look.
"Christmas is becoming more modern," Champion said. "It's not that the red-and-green stuff is not popular, but the overall scenes are more monochromatic."
Champion said his own Christmas decorations will be mostly white with some chocolate — and, of course, a touch of the shiny stuff.
"I like the shiny," he said.
Here are a few of Champion's do's and don'ts for Christmas decorating.
• Save money by mixing glass ornaments with plastic ornaments. They often look the same.
• Use various shades of a few colors instead of lots of different colors.
• Set your alarm early on Christmas to hit the sales Dec. 26. Champion plans to be in line at 5 a.m. at Target that morning to score Christmas ornaments at 75% to 80% off.
• Use small pops of bright colors and shiny material.
• Use too many colors.
• Buy fake flowers.
• Be afraid to get rid of old decorations.
Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].
HGTV "Design Star" finalist Jason Champion has Halloween decorations out at his Siesta Key home: a 1960s orange tree with black ornaments.


text:
Anselmo C.
United States
Maths, Accounting, Economics, Spanish
Hi, I was born and lived in the United States for many years. I taught Spanish and Mathematics in Bo...
Satisfaction guaranteed
If you're not completely satisfied after your first class, we'll refund your purchase.
Change the date at any moment
You will be able to reschedule the class if you can't assist.
Pay once you've received the lesson
We will make the payment of the lesson when finished
She's from India
over 3 years of experience teaching online classes
I am in this field of online tutoring from last two years having experience with students all over the globe and I feel that this is the best way a child can learn from the comfort of their home.I strongly believe in the saying that a teacher is person who opens up the mind and touches the heart .My methodology depends on student to student as everyone has different capabilities and strong and weak areas.It will definitely include assessments,homework,tests etc.My aim is to develop the interest in students towards the subject so that they can understand it well
Shivangi K. accepts booking with at least 48 hours in advance.
• Can I cancel a booking?
Yes, you can cancel booking up to 8 hours before the lesson starts, indicating the reason for the cancellation. We will study each case personally to carry out the refund.
• How do I pay for the lesson?
At the time you select a lesson or package of hours, you will make the payment through our virtual payment service. You have two options:
- Debit / Credit
- Paypal
Once the payment is settled, we'll send you an e-mail with the booking confirmation.
• Can I modify a booking?
Yes, something unexpected can always happen, so you can change the time or day of the lesson. You can do it from your personal area in "Scheduled lessons" through the option "Change date".
• How does a lesson at Classgap happen?
The class is done through classgap's virtual classroom. Classgap was developed specifically for educational purposes, including many useful features such as: digital whiteboard, online text editor, webcam, screen sharing and many more.
United States
Hi, I was born and lived in the United States for many years. I taught Spanish and Mathematics in Bo...
Hello! I am Mar, I am a Bilingual Electrical Engineer with International Advanced English, Business ...


text:
1 Bedroom Residential Property in Dillon, Colorado
- 1 Beds
- 1.0 Baths
- 738 SqFt
Dillon, Colorado
Uptown 240 is Dillon's newest luxury condos. Centrally located between 6 world class ski resorts, with a unique offering of handpicked amenities, and high-end finishes, Uptown 240 has it all.
S1012520 is a residential property located in Uptown 240, Dillon, COLORADO. This condo home is located at 240 Lake Dillon Drive 406, 80435, and features 2.0 bedrooms and 2.0 bathrooms throughout 1094 square feet. Found in the Dillon/summit Cove area, the location is close to a variety of amenities. Built in 2020, this property for sale is listed at $699,000.00.
Cable Tv, Common Area Maintenance, Common Taxes, Internet / Wi-Fi, Snow Removal, Trash Pickup, Water / Sewer
Golf - Public, Hiking / Pedestrian Trails
Cable Tv, City Sewer, City Water, Electricity, Gas, Phone, Satellite, Snow Removal, Trash Pickup
Lake, Mountains, Ski Slopes, South Facing
Cable Available, Deck, Elevator, Fireplace - Gas, Patio, Wired for Cable, See Remarks
Cooktop Electric, Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave, Range Electric, Refrigerator
|Price Increased from $649,000 to $699,000
Dillon, Colorado
Dillon, Colorado
Dillon, Colorado
Liv Sotheby's I.r..
Listing information last updated on December 13th, 2019 at 10:03pm MST.


text:
SALISBURY, MD – The seventh-ranked Salisbury University Sea Gulls used a six-goal first half to down the York College Spartans 8-1 in Capital Athletic Conference play on a rainy Wednesday night in Salisbury, MD.
The Sea Gulls improve to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the CAC while the Spartans are now 0-2 in the conference and 3-8 overall. The Spartans have now lost five in a row after a three-game win streak in mid-September.
Salisbury scored early and often as they scored four goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. Courtney Jantzen tallied the first two goals of the game, her ninth and tenth goals of the year. Stacy Lamboni and Summer Washburn scored goals three and four. Hannah Miller scored with 11:30 left in the half to make the score 5-0. Yumi Kim struck just 20 seconds later to provide for a six-goal margin for the Gulls.
Lamboni opened the second half with her second goal of the game. Hannah Castelow tallied Salisbury's final goal with just over 17 minutes left in the game.
York senior Kailey Brewer (Hartly, Del./Smyrna) prevented the Spartans from being shutout when she scored off a Laken Bull (Glenville, Pa./South Western) cross with 1:45 left in the game.
Salisbury outshot York 28-6 including 16-6 in shots on goal. The Gulls also held a 7-5 margin in penalty corners.
Rachel Clewer earned the win in goal for the Gulls as she registered four saves in 60:30 of action. Kate Russo played the remaining 9:30 and allowed one goal with one save.
Abby Baker (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) started in goal and surrendered six goals in 26:43 of action. Baker made five saves in her stint. Brittany Alvarado (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) played the final 43:17 and made three saves while she allowed two goals.
The Spartans return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Frostburg State University to face the Bobcats in CAC action. Game time in Frostburg is set for 5:00 pm.


text:
Linebacker Drops in theTraditional 3-Deep ZoneChadd BraineDefensive Coordinator, Northern Michigan UniversityNMU Team Clinic
There is a reason that the traditional 3-deep zone is one of the oldest and still most used coverages at all levels of football - because it works.The 3-deep zone is an important part of our defense, and the under-coverage is the key. Here is an overview of linebacker play in the 3-deep zone including adjustments to one-back sets and trips. In our base 40 front the linebackers are responsible for four basic underneath landmark zones: curls and hooks.However, formations and routes will have an affect on defender alignments and assignments. ... To read this article, and for full access to all CLN resources, get your MEMBERSHIP NOW.
Warning: main(http://www.haja.com/global/ise_tag.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
in /www/home/coaches/html/index.php on line 2270
Warning: main() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.haja.com/global/ise_tag.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/pear') in /www/home/coaches/html/index.php on line 2270


text:
Williams Sonoma Blueberry Pancake & Waffle Mix
- Only at Williams Sonoma
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 2x Rewards4 That's 10% back in rewards when you use your Williams Sonoma Credit Card at Williams Sonoma 12/14 - 12/21.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
Our mix yields fluffy homemade waffles and pancakes for a memorable breakfast or brunch. Wild blueberries provide a sweet yet tangy taste and appealing texture.
- Made with dried wild blueberries for intense flavor and enriched with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla.
- Just add milk, butter and eggs.
- 1 lb. 4 oz. (makes approx. 13 servings).
- Made in USA.
- A Williams Sonoma exclusive.
- Ingredients
- Unbleached enriched flours (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, wild blueberries (blueberries, sugar, less than 2% malic acid, canola oil, tartaric acid, natural flavor), buttermilk powder, blueberry pieces (sugar, corn syrup, corn cereal, food starch, palm oil, natural flavor, dried blueberries, fruit and vegetable extract), leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, monocalcium phosphate), leavening (sodium bicarbonate), natural flavors, canola oil (ascorbic acid and rosemary added to preserve freshness), sea salt.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Deehi from So delicious and full of blueberries Easy to use and create freshly made waffles. Crisp on the outside and blueberries burst with flavor.Date published: 2016-01-20Rated 5 out of 5 by snobird39 from Love Love Love W-S's blueberry pancake mix is my very favorite blueberry mix. Easy to use. Great taste. Makes beautiful golden pancakes.Date published: 2015-10-16Rated 1 out of 5 by Santasi from Metallic Taste Terrible tasting waffles. Had a metallic taste that stayed with me throughout the day. Some of the blueberries were still hard even though I let the mix stand for 30 minutes. I had to throw away the remaining mix and even the container with the rest of the product.Date published: 2015-05-21Rated 5 out of 5 by RichardoftheLake from Great with additional blueberries Another great pancake mix worthy of use as often as one feels the need for pancakes!Date published: 2015-02-21Rated 4 out of 5 by NutriHack from Picky Eater's Dream Ordered this to make a special breakfast during the holidays but was worried that my picky eater may not like the flavor I picked. I hedged by buying both this and the plain. Was pleasantly surprised that they loved it and it's now the new favorite. Saw other reviews complaining about the mix formulation now requiring that you add eggs and milk as they saw this as inconvenient. I could not disagree more; I appreciate the ability to add fresh ingredients to make this as we are very careful to limit our processed food intake, even on special occasions.Date published: 2015-01-12Rated 5 out of 5 by Binta from Crowd pleaser A reviewer mentioned 'artificial taste'. I don't know that I agree, but I did allow my batter to sit over night in the fridge and used diluted whipping cream instead of milk. I could not believe how the blueberries popped back to life over night. they were full, round and juicy. They were REAL blueberries. I couldn't believe it! I've only made pancakes with the mix but everyone LOVES the panacakes. These were such a crowd pleaser, I can't wait to try (and review) the others flavors: Blackberry Lemon and Maple Pecan.Date published: 2014-05-31Rated 1 out of 5 by chicautke from Artificial Taste The flavor was awful! The batter has rosemary added to preserve freshness which I would never add to pancakes. Texture was fine albeit a little flimsy. After eating my pancakes I had such a gross artificial blueberry taste in my mouth despite the can stating it's all natural. Sorry would never buy again.Date published: 2014-01-05Rated 4 out of 5 by Lushlife8862 from Better than average for a blueberry waffle! The batter had a good taste. Slightly sweet. In fact we didn't use syrup....just a few strawberries on the side. I did add a little cinnamon to the batter to give it a lift. Followed the instructions and it yielded 5 medium Belgium-size waffles that were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. (I have to interject that a good waffle maker plays a big part in how the waffle turns out.) That being said, I do have a couple of issues. 1) The mix could stand more blueberries so I added some dried ones that I keep on hand for my muffins. 2) you don't get a lot of mix for the money.Date published: 2012-12-28


text:
Donor kids must not be forgotten: MTR in Sunday Herald Sun
Time to end the subterfuge
WHEN Lauren Burns listened to the Prime Minister's national apology to those who suffered forcible adoption, she wanted to ask: what about me? It wasn't that the 29-year-old Melbourne woman didn't find the speech moving. She believes the mothers and children so cruelly separated deserved the apology.
But she, and so many like her, felt left out. Lauren is one of thousands of children (exact figures are not known — in the beginning records weren't kept) born as the result of donor sperm or eggs, who believe they too have been denied an opportunity to know their biological parents.
It was these words which most affected her: ''To each of you who were . . . denied the opportunity to grow up with your family and community of origin, we say sorry. We acknowledge that many of you still experience a constant struggle with identity, uncertainty and loss and feel a persistent tension between loyalty to one family and yearning for another.''
''I found it incredible that the Government was apologising to adopted people for the very things that are still happening via donor conception and surrogacy,'' Lauren says. ''It was frustrating that almost nobody except us could see that by simply inserting 'donor conception' for 'adoption', the PM could have been speaking to us. She promised no generation of Australians would suffer the same pain and trauma they did. But it's not true.''
Many donor-conceived children feel they are treated as inferior citizens, especially when secrets continue to be legally protected. There are no uniform regulations in Australia. In Victoria you're guaranteed access to your donor's identity only if you were born after 1998. Those born from 1988 to 1998 get access only if the donor consents. The rest have little hope. All they can do is put their names on a voluntary register and hope their donor does too.
Melbourne father Ross, 35, (surname withheld by request) describes an ''enduring yearning'' to know his genetic father.
''I know how tall he was, his eye and hair colour, complexion and blood type. A pretty lousy list when you consider what a father has the potential to be. But at the moment, it's all I have,'' he says.
Some think that's enough. Dr Doug Keeping of the Queensland Fertility Group says: ''The code of secrecy has worked well for 25 years. Why spoil it for fairly theoretical reasons?''
Donor offspring don't think their reasons for wanting to know their biological parents are theoretical.
Lauren says: ''There is a commonly held belief that since we were so wanted by our social parents, our biological kinship links shouldn't matter. But there is still a loss experienced from not knowing biological family and not being able to trace where your looks, personality or interests come from.''
Ross describes the battle of the donor conception community against the profitable reproductive technology industry as being like an ''anchovy against a whale''.
Lauren says she knows of a donor-conceived man who felt so much like a product he had a bar code tattooed on the back of his neck. And how is someone conceived from an egg donated in Eastern Europe, sperm donated in the US and born to an Indian surrogate mother supposed to find all the people involved in creating them?
Lauren found her father three years ago after a five year search. Holders of her records refused to hand them over because of legal advice. With the intervention of the then Victorian Governor, David de Kretser, (her mother's treating doctor), her donor was found. While Lauren still has time to develop the relationship, a friend had merely four weeks.
Lauren and other donor-conceived offspring are grieving the loss of Melbourne social worker Narelle Grech, who died this week of cancer, aged 30. An advocate for retrospective rights to information about their biological identity, she was denied information about her biological father, Ray Tonna, for whom she searched for 15 years. But because she was dying, former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu intervened and her father was found. Tonna and son Zac found and lost a daughter and sister in the space of a month.
The co-ordinator of the Donor Conception Support Group, Caroline Lorbach, says she is sad and angry the system made Grech fight for information which should have been hers.
The group is waiting for Victoria's response to the Parliamentary Law Reform Committee 2012 report's recommendation that all donor-conceived people know the name of their donor, no matter when they were born.
''I hope the Government decides it needs to open up all the records so that no one else has to go through what Narelle did,'' Lorbach says. If we acknowledge the pain of those forcibly removed from parents, then the pain of these children must be acknowledged also.
Published in the Sunday Herald Sun March 31, 2013
Call for Victorian Government to ensure equality for donor conceived children: Change petition
Melbourne woman Myf Cummerford has created a Change petition calling on the Victorian Government to protect the interests of donor conceived children.
"The welfare and interests of persons born or to be born as a result of treatment procedures are paramount".
This is the first guiding principle of the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 the legislation governing ART practices (including Donor Conception) in Victoria.
Donor conception is conception using donated gametes (sperms and eggs) or embryos.
There are likely several thousands of donor-conceived people who were conceived in Victoria prior to 1988, and more than 5500 have been born since then. Many of these people will be unaware that they are donor-conceived.
• People who were conceived from gametes donated in Victoria after 1998 are entitled under legislation to obtain identifying information about their donors when they reach adulthood.
• People conceived from gametes donated between 1988 and 1997 can only access identifying information about their donors with the donor's consent.
• However, people conceived from gametes donated prior to 1988 have no legislated right to obtain identifying information.
This means that if you are donor conceived, your ability to access vital information about your genetic parentage and identity entirely depends on the date the gametes used to conceive you were donated. This has created a complex and confusing situation of differing rights and abilities with many serious implications. Read full petition wording here
Watch Myf's appeal here:


text:
Looking Back on Tomorrow
This music was released in 1994 with David Friesen on bass and Ed Soph on drums. I still feel strongly about this recording due to the very personal and passionate style of David Friesen and the melodicism of Ed Soph. These are all original compositions.
This album is available for download from the following stores:
Or – click "Add to Cart", below, to be taken to the iTunes Store to purchase.
Afternoon of the Soul
This was recorded in India, Seattle and Texas in 2009 during my sabbatical leave from the University of North Texas.
It features Tarun Bhattacharya on Santoor, Nikhil Kamti Roy on tabla, Marc Seales on piano, James Driscoll on bass, Rob Avsharian on drums and Ed Soph on drums. It is a work of love for the music and for my good friends who recorded with me. I love playing duets with Marc and Ed Soph.
The lack of bass on those cuts gives it a very transparent sound. James and Rob play so well together, the trio tracks groove like crazy! Finger of Flame is the one piece included from my recordings with Tarun and Raja (Nikhil) at Tarun's studio in Calcutta, India.
All of the music are my own compositions, half of which were written while spending two weeks in the Cave House in southern Illinois in March, 2009.
The cover art is a painting I commissioned from my talented daughter who is a professional artist. She also did the graphic design for all of the CD.
This album is available as either a CD or a digital download MP3. You will receive a link to download the album after payment has been completed. CD price includes shipping fee and you will receive it by mail as soon as possible.
Peace In Time
These tracks were recorded with some of the same musicians from Afternoon of the Soul. Marc Seales on piano, James Driscoll on bass, Rob Avsharian on drums and Ed Soph on drums. Poovalur Sriji played mrdangam, which is sort of the South Indian version of tabla on the First Twin Prime.
During the sessions in Texas and Seattle, we recorded a lot of really great music and I wanted to make it all available. In addition to one of my compositions, I played the Allemande and Corente from the Partita no. 1 in B minor by J.S. Bach as solo pieces. Bach's melodies that he wrote for solo violin work great for guitar and he wrote very rich melodic lines that he develops in amazing ways.
As always Ed Soph is such a pleasure to play with. He is one of the most creative and melodic drummers I have ever heard. He brought a gong for Peace in Time that to me was a call to worship at the beginning and a benediction at the end. His drum solo on that composition killed me!
Gideon's Army showcases Rob Avsharian and James Driscoll's abilities to lay down an awesome groove in a very trance-like repetitive manner for eleven minutes. It is inspired by Africa and minimalism. Marc Seales is one of my favorite pianists and he is a wonderful friend.
Peace to all of you!
This album is available as a digital download MP3 only. You will receive a link to download the album after payment has been completed.
The Calcutta Sessions
I traveled to Calcutta India in January 2009 to record and perform with the legendary santoor master Tarun Bhattacharya.
After arriving and resting for a day, we were in Tarun's studio for four days to record four ragas and two of my compositions.
Nikhil Kamti Roy played tabla on all of the tracks. We both felt that it was very important for an American jazz musician to record with an Indian musician steeped in the classical traditions of India and demonstrate that there is harmony between seemingly different cultures and music. The result is peace.
The music is sometimes very restful and meditative and at other times fiery with an intense groove. It burns very brightly with the love we both have for God, music and people.
This album is available as a digital download MP3 only. You will receive a link to download the album after payment has been completed.


text:
Raw Javascript Event Handling
If you've done much programming with javascript you're familiar with event handling. In its most rudimentary form, it looks like this:
Click Softly
Click Softly
Registering Multiple Events Handlers
If you want multiple events handlers, you have to use the more modern event registration model. Internet Explorer's event registration is different then all the other major browsers. Also IE doesn't handle the 'this' keyword within triggered functions the same way other browsers following the W3C model do.
jQuery takes these differences and abstracts them away, leaving a single model for all supported browsers. Attaching an event looks very similar to the basic event attaching method I described earlier. Here's an example:
$('#X').click(function() { alert('Ouch!'); }
jQuery Event Handlers - $.bind()
There are three basic event handler methods in jQuery: $.bind(), $.live(), and $.delegate - each works differently. To get the most out of them you need to understand what they do.
$.bind is the basic workhorse of event handlers, along with its many shortcuts. The example in the previous section using $.click is actually a shortcut for $.bind. The same line could be rewritten like this:
$('#X').bind('click', function() { alert('Ouch'); }
$('#X').bind({ click: function() { alert('Ouch!'); }, mouseover: function() { alert('Don\'t Click Me!'); } });
$('#X').bind('mouseenter mouseleave', function() { $(this).toggleClass('entered'); });
Event Object & Default Actions
If link #X had a target - say another page, and you clicked it, it would still take you to that page. In many cases when binding events you don't want that to happen. You want the default action to be replaced by your programmed action. To do this we use the event object. The event object is passed into your event handler function by default. To make use of it, you can provide for it in the function call.
$('#X').bind('click', function(event) { .. do stuff .. });
$('#X').bind('click', function(event) { event.preventDefault(); alert('I\'m not going anywhere.'); });
This can be used to prevent a form submission or a link from firing. It's possible that you'll never need a type of event binding other then .bind - but it's unlikely. Why? Here's an example of what $.bind won't do.
$('.link').bind('click', function(event) { event.preventDefault(); $('body').append("More!"); });
jQuery Event Handlers - $.live()
Enter $.live() - live binds events to all current and future elements that match the selector. How does it do this? No, it's not psychic.
When you pass an event handler to .live() it doesn't attach the event to the element - it attaches it to the root node of the document.
When an event occurs it bubbles up the document tree, eventually reaching this root node. When it gets there, it's handled by the code set up by live. This is how it can handle elements that don't exist when the binding is created.
$.live() has some shortcomings. You can't use live in a method chain - very un-jQuery like.
// This will NOT work $('.bindmme').find('div').live('click', function() { ... }); // Don't chain with live, and it's fine $('#myDiv').live('click', function() { ... });
// These examples fail, don't do them! $(document.body).live( ... $(this).live( ...
A new addition to jQuery is $.delegate, which is meant to be a replacement for $.live().
jQuery Event Handlers - $.delegate()
Internally, jQuery uses $.live to implement $.delegate, but $.delegate has a better API and in most cases will be the better choice if you want handlers that attach to all current and future elements.
The basic syntax for $.delegate takes three parameters: the element to which you wish the event to be attached, the event type, and the function.
$('table').delegate('td', 'click', function() { alert('No Clicking Tables!'); }
Using a context allows the handler to be closer to the originating event, but allows future elements to still be bound. If you wanted functionality akin to $.live you could give the document body as the context.
$('body').delegate('.link', 'click', function(event) { ...
$(document.body).delegate('.link', ...
Remember to wrap your event bindings in a $(document).ready block -- you can't bind events if there's no DOM to bind them to!
Binding javascript functions to DOM events - click, hover, mouseover, etc - is what allows you to add interactivity to your site. Once you've learned this first building block, you're ready to start enhancing web pages with jQuery and javascript.
In our next jQuery article, we're going to use $.bind and learn how to create a basic plug-in -- its a pattern you'll use over and over to make your jQuery code easy to reuse!


text:
TPW needed a new twitter background design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 31 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
I'm a Dutch marketing student who started this wedding website 2 years ago. The concept/idea behind theperfectwedding.nl is to give as much inspiration and information to couples with wedding plans without being a sissi website. e.g. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048624/ I dont like those sites/weddings at all!
I'm targetting people who are looking forward to their wedding and want to make the it THE best day of their life with the budget/imput they have.
So not the people who're getting married because tax-wise this is a better option etc..
The twitter profile is located on: http://twitter.com/bruiloft
I'd like the background to look like the cartoon like twitter.com bird and is has to have a wedding like theme.
-Perhaps you can do something funny with the twitter bird and tiara or something?
-I've included a picture of me throwing a wedding bouquet, perhaps it's possible to make me and the bouquet cartoon like?
-I've also included our logo in JPG and PSD, i'd like the logo in the left or right corner.
I'd like the background to be sparkling, fresh, cool and to have the WOW effect.. Dont make it to busy/crowded.. we need the twitter web 2.0 style!
Stuff I like:
considering colours, like my website background something like blue-ish and white; for the cartoons you can use every colour you like..
Files: http://www.theperfectwedding.nl/99d…isuals.zip
2nd File: http://www.theperfectwedding.nl/99d…w-Pics.zip
(added 27/5, more pics of me and a eps illustration I like)
3rd File: http://www.theperfectwedding.nl/99d…dboard.jpg
4th File: Our Logo in EPS http://www.theperfectwedding.nl/99d…edding.eps
I'd like to receive the background in PSD and JPEG so it can be uploaded straight away
Updated Brief:
You can illustrate me any way you like, as long as my head/face looks the same and is recognisable, e.g. different clothing position is all OK.
I like bright colours like the examples I've given above, contrast etc is all very cool. Colours dont have to blend in to each other.
I like this twitter design the most: http://twitter.com/djuro (the illustration of djuro looks fit and sexy) and the funny rss button on her desk.
I Like simple designs (web 2.0) and they have to be wedding related, so people know it's a wedding twitter without reading the tweets. I'd like to see some funny things in the design, wedding related, like tin cans on a rope (they tie them behind cars over here), the twitterdbird+veil whatever.. just some thoughts.. use your own inspiration!
Since the twitter design wont show the middle background, dont place stuff in your design behind the white twitter space :)
Since my account is a wedding Twitter, Perhaps you can use the Twitter logo @ the top + my Logo and make them connect. ThePerfectWedding Twitter (together) just a thought and thinking out loud.


text:
The 2013 TxDOT Hurricane Evacuation map
The 2013 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Hurricane Evacuation map is now available. A detailed map can be seen at the TxDOT website at http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/traffic/safety/weather/hurricane.html. Activated evacuation routes will be reflected in current road conditions or by calling (800) 452-9292.
According to the website, the time to be prepared and make evacuation plans is now. Start by reviewing the hurricane evacuation maps available and selecting an evacuation route for you and your family. Unless you are physically unable to evacuate, TxDOT urges you to obey evacuation orders. According to TxDOT, the longer you wait, the more likely you are to get stuck in evacuation traffic. If you are elderly or disabled and need evacuation assistance, you can call 2-1-1 for assistance. TxDOT recommends that if state or local officials order a mandatory evacuation that residents leave immediately. Be sure your home is secure, and take your pets with you.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) also warns that residents should be prepared for the hurricanes. According to a press release DPS is reminding residents about the upcoming hurricane season and urging individuals to start preparing now for any possible storms. Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30.
"Hurricanes and tropical storms can wreak havoc on the lives of residents in a storm's path. Although Texans living along the coast are the most vulnerable, powerful storms can have far-reaching effects on the state as a whole," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "Since early planning and preparation can greatly increase the protection of life and property, residents should begin taking precautions now."
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Because the strongest winds in a hurricane are not located precisely at the center, it is possible for a storm to affect conditions over land even if landfall does not occur.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and areas several hundred miles inland, and winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. In addition, hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes, create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from flooding.
Here are several measures residents can take now to prepare for potential storms:
- Assemble an emergency kit that includes essential documents, supplies and provisions.
- Review hurricane evacuation maps, and select a route for you and your family.
- Plan how all family members and pets will evacuate safely.
- Consider any special needs for individuals with disabilities or the elderly.
- Stay informed about changing weather conditions in and around your area.
For more information on these tips and other ways to prepare for the 2013 hurricane season, please visit: www.texasprepares.org.


text:
Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa
1. Overview
Sources indicate that around 12,700 people identified as Roma in Poland's 2002 census, but that the actual number of Roma is believed to be higher (EURoma n.d.; MRG n.d.a; US 24 May 2012, 23). Estimates range from 15,000 (Council of Europe 14 Sept. 2010) or 20,000 (EURoma n.d.; Poland Aug. 2003, I) to as many as 60,000 (MRG n.d.a; Council of Europe 14 Sept. 2010). Sources note that the majority of Polish Roma live in cities (HFHR Mar. 2009, 4; EU and UN 2012, 30). Census data indicates that 93 percent of Roma live in cities, compared to 62 percent of the general Polish population (Poland 2007, annex 2). In terms of regional dispersion, census data shows that 13 percent of the Roma population lives in the Malopolskie region, 10 percent live in the Dolnoslaskie region, 10 percent live in the Mazowieckie region, while the remainder live dispersed throughout the rest of Poland (ibid., annex 3).
There are different groups of Roma (EURoma n.d.; HFHR Mar. 2009, 25). The Bergitka Roma [also known as Carpathian Roma] have historically been sedentary (HFHR Mar. 2009, 25; EURoma n.d.), and live primarily in the Malopolskie region (ibid.). Other groups, such as the Polish Roma, Keldrashi [or Kelderari] and Lovari, have historically been nomadic but settled in the 1960s due to policies initiated during the communist era (ibid.; HFHR Mar. 2009, 25). Members of these three groups live mainly in cities, such as Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw, Lodz, Krakow, Mielec and Pulawy (EURoma n.d.). According to the European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey (EU-MIDIS), in which 500 Roma respondents in Poland were interviewed in 2008 (EU 2009, 4), 90 percent of Roma indicated that they speak the Romani language as their first language (EU Oct. 2009, 15).
2. Violence
Sources indicate that Roma in Poland are sometimes subject to racially-motivated verbal abuse and physical attacks (Freedom House 2012; US 24 May 2012, 23; AI 28 Nov. 2011, 3-4). According to the EU-MIDIS survey, 28 percent of the Roma surveyed indicated that they had been victims of an assault, threat or "serious harassment" within the past 12 months (EU 2009, 8). However, of those victims, 72 percent did not report the crime to the police (ibid.).
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) reports that extremist violence towards Roma is a problem in Poland (MRG n.d.b). Similarly, the "Never Again" Association, a Warsaw-based organization that monitors racism and xenophobia in Poland (n.d.), indicates that Roma are one of the groups most affected by hate crimes in Poland ("Never Again" Association Mar. 2011, 3). The association explains that perpetrators of hate crimes are often members of far-right or skinhead groups and that while one group, the National-Radical Camp (Oboz Narodowo-Radykalny ), was banned, other extremist groups in Poland operate freely (ibid., 4). The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011notes that Poland has laws against hate crimes and incitement to violence based on ethnicity, but that the implementation of those laws were "sometimes ineffective" (US 24 May 2012, 22). In addition, the report states that extremist groups, whose numbers are small but growing, are active on the Internet and participate in high-profile marches (ibid.)
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR), a network of European NGOs that combats racism and promotes anti-racist policy development in the European Union (ENAR n.d.), reports that in July 2010 in the town of Limanowa in the Malopolskie region, approximately 100 people tried to break into a Roma family's apartment after a pregnant Polish woman was attacked by a dog owned by a Roma person (ENAR Mar. 2012, 22). The police intervened to stop them and requested reinforcements from Krakow to prevent further escalations (ibid., 23). Authorities reportedly did not initiate prosecution for incitement to hatred on the grounds of nationality and discontinued proceedings of the threats against the family (ibid.). ENAR reports that there were repeated conflicts between Roma and non-Roma in this town between 2009 and 2011 (ibid., 22-23). The East Europe Monitoring Centre and the "Never Again" Association, as part of a project monitoring racist and xenophobic incidents in 2010, report that, according to a Katowice daily newspaper, two Roma families in Bytom were subject to extortion, threats and physical assaults (East Europe Monitoring Centre and "Never Again" Association 2010, 25). The Council of Europe's European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) reports that there have been attacks against Roma in Nowy Sacz, without providing further details (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 114).
3. Discrimination
In their submission to the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review, Polish state authorities describe Roma as "one of the groups most at risk of discrimination and socio-economic exclusion" (Poland 8 Mar. 2012, para. 103). Similarly, ENAR describes Roma as the group most discriminated against in Poland, noting that poverty and high unemployment among Roma contribute to their social exclusion and marginalization (ENAR Mar. 2012, 3, 10). According to a 2012 survey conducted by the Polish Public Opinion Research Center, 50 percent of Poles surveyed said that they did not like Roma, while 24 percent liked them and 20 percent were indifferent, and 6 percent didn't know, making Roma the group facing the highest level of antipathy from society (Feb. 2012, 1).
In a 2011 survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) of 670 Roma households (totalling 2,558 people) in Poland, approximately 62 percent of respondents over the age of 16 said they had experienced discrimination because of their Roma ethnicity within the past 12 months (EU and UN 2012, 26, 30). Similar findings were reported by the European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey (EU-MIDIS) (EU 2009, 4). Of the 500 Roma respondents in Poland who were interviewed by EU-MIDIS in 2008, 59 percent said they had experienced at least one form of discrimination based on their ethnicity within the past 12 months (ibid.). Specifically:
- 19 percent when looking for work or at work;
- 10 percent by a housing agency or landlord;
- 22 percent by healthcare personnel;
- 18 percent by social service personnel;
- 20 percent by school personnel;
- 48 percent in private services, such as cafés, restaurants, bars, shops or banks (ibid., 4-5).
Sources note that Roma are subject to discrimination in various sectors including banking (US 24 May 2012, 23), the justice system (ibid.; PAP 2 Feb. 2012), social services (US 24 May 2012, 23), and accessing goods and services (ENAR Mar. 2012, 27; Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 80). Roma are also reportedly portrayed negatively in the media (PAP 2 Feb. 2012; US 24 May 2012, 23).
4. Employment and Socio-Economic Conditions
Sources indicate that unemployment is high among the Roma population in Poland (ENAR Mar. 2012, 3; EURoma n.d.; US 24 May 2012, 24). In the EU FRA survey, approximately 35 percent of the Roma respondents between the ages of 20 and 64 described themselves as unemployed, as compared to approximately 15 percent of the non-Roma respondents living in the same area and sharing the same social and economic infrastructure (EU and UN 2012, 10, 17, 30). The survey also show that 25 percent of Roma respondents in the same age range had paid employment, excluding self-employment, as compared to 55 percent of the non-Roma respondents (ibid., 16). According to the US Country Reports 2011,Roma unemployment in Poland is 80 percent (US 24 May 2012, 24). In some areas of Poland, 100 percent of Roma are reported to be unemployed (ibid.; ENAR Mar. 2012, 3). One such area, ENAR reports, is the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship (ibid., 13).
According to the EU FRA survey, approximately 62 percent of Roma respondents over the age of 16 claimed that they experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity when looking for work within the past 5 years (EU and UN 2012, 19).
Sources indicate that many Roma live in poverty (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 131; ENAR Mar. 2012, 10). According to the 2011 EU FRA survey, approximately 82 percent of Roma in Poland are at risk of poverty, meaning that they have an income below 60 percent of the national median equivalised disposable income (EU and UN 2012, 24-25). The survey also indicates that approximately 37 percent of Roma households had a member go to bed hungry at least once in the proceeding month, compared to approximately 4 percent of the non-Roma respondents (ibid., 24).
5. Housing
The majority of Roma reportedly live in housing of a low standard (EURoma n.d.; HFHR Mar. 2009, 5; Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 69). Sources indicate that Poland has a general shortage of affordable housing, which poses difficulties for Roma and other vulnerable groups (ENAR Mar. 2012, 14; HFHR Mar. 2009, 5). The Warsaw-based Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), in a report commissioned by the EU FRA about housing conditions of Roma and travellers in Poland, notes that most Roma live in poor quality communal housing, but that there are also some Roma who own expensive homes (ibid.).
The HFHR report indicates that some Roma dwellings lack running water, electricity or sewage disposal (ibid., 5). According to the EU FRA and UNDP report, approximately 21 percent of the Roma surveyed in Poland lacked one of the following basic housing amenities: indoor kitchen; indoor toilet; indoor shower or bath; or electricity (EU and UN 2012, 23). In comparison, approximately 12 percent of the non-Roma surveyed lacked one of the same amenities (ibid.). HFHR notes that many Roma dwellings are in "a terrible state of disrepair" due to a lack of funds for necessary maintenance such as painting, removing mold from walls, and repairing broken windows, heaters, plumbing and electrical fixtures (HFHR Mar. 2009, 30). In addition, some Roma squat in structures that violate building code standards (ibid., 32).
The HFHR report indicates that some Roma accommodations are reported to be overcrowded (ibid., 5). According to the EU FRA 2011 survey, Roma families have approximately 2.5 occupants per room (excluding kitchens, hallways, toilets and bathrooms), while non-Roma have approximately 1.5 occupants per room (EU and UN 2012, 22). HRHF notes that there are cases in which 10-member multi-generational families occupy a single room; in one case a 21-person family occupied a one-room apartment (HRHF Mar. 2009, 30).
The HFHR reports that some of the Roma settlements in southern Poland are spatially segregated and located away from Polish towns, but that the majority of Roma in other areas of Poland live dispersed among the general population rather than in large Roma-concentrated areas (ibid., 5). The same source notes that Roma have experienced hostility from non-Roma neighbours, including cases in which non-Roma have protested when Roma families were moved into social housing (ibid., 33). For example, in 2008, 69 people in Zary signed a petition against plans to house Roma in social housing in a particular neighbourhood claiming that it would "'result in continued devastation and degradation of an already unseemly area'" (ibid.).
The HFHR explain that the housing conditions are the most difficult for the Bergitka Roma in southern Poland (ibid., 5). According to ECRI, authorities in the Malopolskie region needed to suspend the demolition of illegal Roma buildings until they could find alternative housing for the Roma families occupying them (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 69). The HFHR highlighted examples of particularly poor housing situations among Roma in Maszkowice , Koszary and Krosnica (HFHR Mar. 2009, 30-31).
According to the EU-MIDIS survey, 13 percent of Roma experienced discrimination based on their ethnicity in accessing housing within the past 5 years (EU Oct. 2009, 9).
ENAR notes that improving housing conditions for Roma is viewed as one of the priorities in the government's overall plan to improve conditions for the Roma (Mar. 2012, 15). According to ENAR, the government provided funding for 535 Roma homes to be refurbished with electricity and sewage disposal in 2010, but that this was fewer homes than in 2009 (ibid.). ECRI reports that government efforts to implement projects to improve housing have been criticised by Roma NGOs for having complicated procurement procedures, for "lacking focus" and for being managed by noncompliant mayors (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 69). Meanwhile, some projects were reportedly hindered by town planning and land registry issues, and some authorities complained of a lack of cooperation among the Roma (ibid.)
6. Health
HFHR explains that unsanitary living conditions, caused by a lack of amenities such as running water, sewage disposal and heating, as well as overcrowding and poor housing structure quality, have led to an increase in the spread of disease and health problems among the Roma (HFHR Mar. 2009, 27). HFHR notes that some Roma are afflicted with some diseases that have been eradicated among the general population, such as tuberculosis (ibid.). According to the 2011 EU FRA survey, more than 50 percent of Roma between the ages of 35 and 54 had a health problem affecting their daily activity, compared to approximately 18 percent of the non-Roma population (EU and UN 2012, 20).
7. Education
Roma in Poland reportedly have low levels of education (EU and UN 2012, 15). According to the 2011 EU FRA survey, less than 30 percent of Roma respondents aged 20 to 24 had completed at least general or vocational upper-secondary education, compared to more than 80 percent of non-Roma respondents (ibid.).
Some sources expressed concern at the low level of compulsory school attendance among Roma children (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 50; US 24 May 2012, 23). The Ministry of the Interior and Administration, as cited by Country Reports 2011, indicated that 2,764 of 3,369 Romani children between the ages of 6 and 16 were enrolled in school during the 2009-2010 school year, amounting to approximately 82 percent (ibid.). The 2011 EU FRA survey indicated that approximately 7 percent of Roma aged 7 to 15 were not in school, compared to approximately 5 percent of the non-Roma population (EU and UN 2012, 14). In contrast, ECRI stated that as many as 50 percent of Roma children were not attending school (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 50).
Sources indicate that Roma children are disproportionately placed in schools for children with mental disabilities (ENAR Mar. 2012, 17; US 24 May 2012, 23). According to ENAR, a 2011 survey by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration found that 17 percent of Roma students attended special classes and schools for children with mental disabilities: 70 percent for mild cases; 25 percent for moderate cases; and 1.2 percent for severe cases (ENAR Mar. 2012, 16-17). In comparison, only 1 percent of Polish students attended special schools for any degree of mental disability during the 2009-2010 school year (ibid.). Country Reports 2011notes that, according to the Roma Association, two-thirds of Roma children who are placed in such special schools are intellectually capable of studying in regular schools (US 24 May 2012, 23).
ECRI noted several improvements in education for Roma, including:
- the phasing out of separate Roma classes;
- the recruitment of Roma assistants, elected by Roma communities, to aid with the integration of Roma children in the educational system
- free school books for Roma students;
- the availability of some scholarships for Roma students (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 48)
8. State Protection
The Roma are a recognized ethnic minority in Poland (EURoma n.d.; US 24 May 2012, 22; HFHR Mar. 2009, 10). As such, the Polish constitution affords them rights to maintain and develop their language, culture and traditions (ibid.; US 24 May 2012, 22). Also, Article 6 of the Act on National and Ethnic Minorities of 2005 specifically prohibits discrimination based on national or ethnic minority status (HFHR Mar. 2009, 10).
Sources indicate that the Polish government has developed the Programme for the Roma Community in Poland [also known as the Programme for the Benefit of the Roma Community] to improve the situation of Roma in areas including education, civic society, access to employment, health, living standards, security, and cultural preservation (Poland Aug. 2003; Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 131-132). The program has a ten year duration spanning from 2004-2013 and a budget of 100 million Polish zloty for the whole period [C$ 29,526,118 (XE 4 Sept. 2012a)] (Poland Aug. 2003, annex 3; Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 132). ENAR cites the program as "a good example of social inclusion and increasing civic, political and cultural participation of ethnic minorities living in Poland" (Mar. 2012, 38). ECRI describes the program as "well-funded," noting that authorities have "serious intentions" regarding its implementation, and that there is Roma involvement with the program, which includes funding for projects submitted by Roma NGOs (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, summary, para. 133). However, ECRI also notes that the program is unevenly implemented by local authorities (ibid., 8). ENAR reports that as part of the program in 2010, the government funded 773 projects by 316 agencies, including 77 Roma NGOs (Mar. 2012, 38). According to Country Reports 2011, the government provided around 10 million Polish zloty [C$ 2,953,968 (XE 4 Sept. 2012b)] in 2011 for projects to improve education, health, living conditions and access to employment for Roma (US 24 May 2012, 24).
ECRI notes the establishment of a Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, which oversees the National Programme for Counteracting Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, a program that was extended through 2013 (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, 7).
In addition, ethnic minorities can bring their complaints to the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) (Poland June 2011, 60). According to the Human Rights Defender's summary of annual report for 2010, their office took actions to improve the living conditions of Roma, such as defending Roma families who were living in six unregulated buildings in Koszary (ibid.).
8.1 Police
ECRI indicates that they receive reports that Roma are subject to police misconduct and racial profiling (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, para. 161). According to the EU-MIDIS survey, 20 percent of the Roma surveyed were stopped by the police within the past 12 months in Poland (EU 2009, 10-11). Of those, 51 percent believed that they were stopped because of their Roma ethnicity, while 44 percent did not think that their ethnicity was the issue and 5 percent were not sure (ibid.). In addition, 44 percent of Roma stopped by border control agents believed that they were stopped because of their Roma ethnicity (ibid., 11).
8.2 Judiciary
According to ECRI, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers have received training regarding racially-motivated crimes, and victim support centres have been established (Council of Europe 15 June 2010, 7). Further information about the training and victim support centres could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Media sources report that, in 2012, the appellate court in Poznan fined a nightclub owner more than $3,000 for denying a Roma man entry to the club based on his ethnicity (CP 29 Feb. 2012; The Advertiser 2 Mar. 2012). According to Canadian Press (CP), the case was initially dismissed by a lower court (CP 29 Feb. 2012). ENAR, which also reported on this incident that happened in December 2010, noted that the prosecutor's office at the Regional Court in Poznan did not investigate or charge the owner with racism because there was "no violence and no one was insulted in public" (Mar. 2012, 27).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
The Advertiser [Adelaide, Australia]. 2 March 2012. "Poland Win for Roma." (Factiva)
Amnesty International (AI). 28 November 2011. "Poland: Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 13th Session of the UPR Working Group, May-June 2012." <http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/session13/ PL/AI_UPR_POL_S13_2012_AmnestyInternational_E.pdf> [Accessed 13 Sept. 2012]
Canadian Press (CP). 29 February 2012. "Reports: Poland Court Slaps Fine on Club Owner Who Refused Entry to Roma Man." (Factiva)
Council of Europe. 14 September 2010. Roma and Travellers Division. "Statistics." <http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/romatravellers/default_en.asp> [Accessed 13 Sept. 2012]
_____. 15 June 2010. European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). ECRI Report on Poland (Fourth Monitoring Cycle). <http://hudoc.ecri.coe.int/XMLEcri/ENGLISH/ Cycle_04/04_CbC_eng/POL-CbC-IV-2010-018-ENG.pdf> [Accessed 24 Aug. 2012]
East Europe Monitoring Centre and "Never Again" Association. 2010. Brown Book 2010. <http://ksiega.nigdywiecej.org/BROWN_BOOK_2010.pdf> [Accessed 17 Sept. 2012]
European Network Against Racism (ENAR). March 2012. Maciej Fagasinski. ENAR Shadow Report. Racism and Related Discriminatory Practices in Poland. <http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/publications/shadow%20report%202010-11/20.%20Poland.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
_____. N.d. "About ENAR." <http://www.enar-eu.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=15278&langue=EN> [Accessed 6 Sept. 2012]
European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma Under the Structural Funds (EURoma). N.d. "Poland - Main Page." <http://www.euromanet.eu/facts/pl/> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
European Union (EU). October 2009. Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Housing Discrimination Against Roma in Selected EU Member States. An Analysis of EU-MIDIS Data. <http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/Roma-Housing-Analysis-EU-MIDIS_en.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
______. 2009. Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey. Data in Focus 1: The Roma. <http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/EU-MIDIS_ROMA_EN.pdf> [Accesed 27 Aug. 2012]
European Union (EU) Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 2012. The Situation of Roma in 11 EU Member States. Survey Results at a Glance. <http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/FRA-2012-Roma-at-a-glance_EN.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
Freedom House. 2012. "Poland." Freedom in the World 2012. <http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/poland> [Accessed 24 Aug. 2012]
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR). March 2009. Agnieszka Mikulska and Dorota Hall. Poland RAXEN National Focal Point. Thematic Study. Housing Conditions of Roma and Travellers. <http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/RAXEN-Roma%20Housing-Poland_en.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
Minority Rights Group International (MRG). N.d.a. "Poland: Roma." <http://www.minorityrights.org/1866/poland/roma.html> [Accessed 6 Sept. 2012]
_____. N.d.b. "Poland Overview." <http://www.minorityrights.org/1861/poland/poland-overview.html> [Accessed 24 Aug. 2012]
"Never Again" Association. March 2011. Rafal Pankowski. Racist Violence in Poland. Brussels: European Network Against Racism (ENAR). <http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/Racist%20Violence%20Poland%20-%20online.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
_____. N.d. "Who We Are?" <http://www.nigdywiecej.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&Itemid=50> [Accessed 6 Sept. 2012]
Poland. 8 March 2012. National Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 5 of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21. Poland. (A/HRC/WG.6/13/POL/1) <http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4fcc9ded2.html> [Accessed 24 Aug. 2012]
_____. June 2011. Office of the Human Rights Defender. Summary of Report on the Activity of the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman of the Republic of Poland) in 2010. <http://www.rpo.gov.pl/pliki/13113275370.pdf> [Accessed 27 Aug. 2012]
_____. 2007. Ministry of Interior. Second Report for the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the Realisation by the Republic of Poland of the Provisions of the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the Protection of National Minorities. <http://www.msw.gov.pl/portal/en/10/54/Ethnic_and_national_minorities_in_Poland.html> [Accessed 13 Sept. 2012]
_____. August 2003. Ministry of Interior, Department of Ethnic and National Minorities in Poland. "Programme for the Roma Community in Poland." <http://www.msw.gov.pl/ portal/en/10/55/Programme_for_the_Roma_community_in_Poland.html> [Accessed 4 Sept. 2012]
Polish Press Agency (PAP). 2 February 2012. "Roma Tell Ombudsman of Discrimination." (BBC Monitoring Europe 3 Feb. 2012/Factiva)
Public Opinion Research Center. February 2012. "Attitude to Other Nationalities." Polish Public Opinion. <http://www.cbos.pl/PL/publikacje/public_opinion/2012/02_2012.pdf> [Accessed 14 Sept. 2012]
United States (US). 24 May 2012. "Poland." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011. <http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/186602.pdf> [Accessed 24 Aug. 2012]
XE. 4 September 2012a. "Currency Converter Widget." <http://www.xe.com/ ucc/convert/?Amount=100000000&From=PLN&To=CAD> [Accessed 4 Sept. 2012]
_____. 4 September 2012b. "Currency Converter Widget." <http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert/?Amount=10000000&From=PLN&To=CAD> [Accessed 4 Sept. 2012]
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Decade of Roma Inclusion; ecoi.net; European Roma Rights Network; Factiva; International Federation for Human Rights; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Transitions Online; United Nations – Refworld, UN Development Programme.


text:
Calendar | Community
| Family & Friends in the Armed Forces
| Milestones
Community Action |
Humane Society | YMCA
Gail's Pumpkin Patch Opens Sept. 1
Fall Farm Day to be Sunday Sept. 14
Send a link to a friend
[August 25, 2014]
LINCOLN - Gail's Pumpkin Patch, Beason,
IL will be opening for their 9th season on Monday, September 1,
2014. The pumpkin patch will be open Sunday to Friday from 1 to 5:30
and Saturday 10 to 5:30. The final day of the season is October 31,
The pumpkin patch has over 60 varieties of pumpkins and gourds,
corn, Nate's honey & apple cider donuts, straw, apples, cider, mums,
barrel train, toddler maze, antique tractors, baked goods and lots
of crafts. We are loaded with fall decorations and fun for the whole
family. New this year is the Barn Slide and Tike Track! Free
admission and U-Pick or We-pick pumpkins available.
Fall Farm Day will be Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 1 to 5.
Gail's Pumpkin Patch is a family owned pumpkin patch in Logan
County. You will be able to find the "perfect pumpkin." For more
information call 217-447-3409 or visit us on the web at
www.gailspumpkinpatch.com or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Come join the fun!
[Text received; GAIL APEL-SASSE,
Back to top