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Auburndale, Fla. - March 11, 2018 - The Springfield College baseball team opeend up their annual spring break trip to Florida by splitting a doubleheader with UMass Dartmouth on Sunday. The Pride picked up a 3-1 win in the opener before falling 3-2 in the second contest as Springfield evened its record to 2-2-1 on the year.
Thanks to its one-of-a-kind Archie Allen Field on campus, Springfield already had three games under its belt before heading to warmer climates this week. Springfield will play again on Monday evening when it takes on Stockton at 5 pm.
Game One - Springfield 3, UMass Dartmouth 1
Both Chade Shade (Pittsfield, Mass.) and Peter Marsicano (Allentown, N.J.) had a pair of hits in the opener and accounted for the only four hits Springfield would have on the morning. Starter Brian Johnson (East Haddam, Conn.) scattered six hits in 5.1 innings of work, allowing one earned run while striking out two as he took the no decision. Cole Donovan (Holderness, N.H.) was impressive in relief for the victory as he struck out four and surrendered just one hit in 1.2 innings on the mound.
Playing as the visitor in the opener, Springfield struck first in the third as Shade singled up the middle, advancing Noah Bleakley (Holland, Mass.) to third after he had previously reached on an error. Marsicano then came up with a key two-out double to left center for the game's first run.
After the Corsairs answered with a two-out solo home run in the bottom half of the third, neither team could muster any offensive until the Pride took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Both Kyle Allen (Westerly, R.I.) and Bleakley earned walks to start the frame, and after a double play, Shade ripped a double to left center to plate Allen for the game-winning run. Marsicano followed with a single through the left side for some insurance, scoring Shade. In the bottom half, Donovan worked around a lead-off single by getting a pair of strikeouts and force out to hand UMass Dartmouth their first loss of the season.
Game Two - UMass Dartmouth 3, Springfield 2
UMass Dartmouth was the visitor in the second contest and produced the game's first run as a leadoff double by Kenny Michael would eventually result in a 1-0 score after a run-scoring triple from Nate Tellier. Michael again led off the fourth with a double, and would give the Corsairs a 2-0 edge on a sacrifice fly.
However, Springfield would not go quietly. Mark Joao (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) blistered a lead off homer in the bottom of the fourth before Jake Gleason (South Dennis, Mass.) followed with a double and would score following a pair of balks to tie the contest. The Pride nearly took the lead in the fifth with runners on second and third with two outs, but the Corsairs were able to catch Springfield stealing home to halt the threat.
In the sixth, UMass Dartmouth took advantage of an error by Springfield with two outs, and a single to left field two batters later by Josh O'Neil scored the go-ahead run. Springfield was unable to muster a rally as it was edged by one run.
Despite striking out eight batters in 5.2 innings of work, Springfield's Shawn Babineau (Ashland, Mass.) was charged the loss as he gave up three runs, two earned, off five hits.


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It's hard to write off this contentious specification when it is THAT high!
The Samsung technology assault is just relentless. Earlier this week it updated it's T9 range of MP3 players for the "third" time inside a year and now – weeks after releasing jaw dropping prices for the 32in LE-32R87BD and 42in PS42Q97HDX – it has come up with these…
The LN40M92BD, LN46M92BD and LN52M92BD are the latest 40in, 46in and 52in additions to Samsung's already hugely impressive PAVV line-up of high end LCDs. Like most PAVVs they support 1080p (1920 x 1080) native resolutions and come with three HDMI inputs. Unlike other PAVVs however they feature incredible 17,000:1 contrast ratios.
Now, I know what the techie minded amongst you are thinking: "Contrast ratio figures mean nothing" and to an extent you are right. There is no standard for measuring it and Samsung – more than most it known to increase this figure through its own controversial method of measurement. "That said" when a figure this high is produced it has an effect because while many 4,000:1 rated Samsung screens are thought to be closer to an industry norm 1,500:1, scaling 17,000:1 down by the same proportion still produces a remarkable level.
Of course such highly specced sets will come at a premium (even though this is Samsung we're talking about) and the 40in, 46in and 52 inchers are priced at 3,200,000 won (about £1,741), 4,200,000 won (£2,285) and 5,400,000 won (£2,938) respectively in its native Korean market so a note of caution while we wait for their UK RRPs.
That said, they look absolutely "'divine"'.

subset: commoncrawl


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The end is insight for Sen. Mike Duffy's long running trial. With that, I finally compiled all the colour digital sketches from my 61 days at the trial. (Actually 60, I missed one day to attend my son's Christmas pageant.)
Now I'm on to cataloging the corresponding pencil sketches that I used from my sketch book.


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Earlier today, we brought you a conversation with Stan Lee and Terry Dougas about their venture into the world of Shakespeare with Romero and Juliet: The War from 1821 Comics and POW Entertainment. In addition to their work on the graphic novel, Lee, Dougas and filmmaker Bill Hess have created a documentary about Lee's life entitled With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story that explores his career from the very beginning. It covers his first job as an assistant at Timely Comics (later to become Marvel Comics), working with Jack Kirby, enlisting in the United States Army, and even almost giving up on comics entirely before co-creating characters like the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.
To celebrate his contributions to comics, I had a lengthy conversation with Stan reflecting on his time in the industry, where it's been, where it's going, his dealings with the notorious Comics Code Authority and much more.
IGN Comics: Stan, in regard to the documentary, was telling the story of your career something you've been wanting to do?
Lee: No, I never wanted to do it!
IGN: [laughs]
Lee: I still think they're out of their mind. I mean, I'm interested in it, but why would anybody else be? But they wanted to do it and luckily it didn't take much from me. They interviewed a billion people and I didn't have to be there; it was almost painless. Now that it's done, I have no idea what they're going to do with it. Somebody will get stuck with it!
IGN: [laughs] What would you say is the biggest way that the comic book industry has changed in your lifetime? From when you started to where you are now?
Lee: To me, the two biggest changes are, one, they use computers now for the coloring and for the lettering. Another way is, it used to be you just had people that wanted to write and draw comics in the business. Now, you get people who are professional and highly selling novelists writing comics. You get the top artists drawing comics.
And the reason is, they're always thinking, "Gee, if this books turns out good they'll make a movie out of it and I'll become rich and famous!" Or, richer and more famous. So we have very important people now working on comics that wouldn't have gone anywhere near them a few decades ago. That's a big change.
IGN: When you started, was there any indication or thought in your head that the industry would grow to become what it is today?
Lee: I'll show you what a good prophet I am. I never had any idea that comics would be any more than what they were at that time.
IGN: A few months back I had the pleasure of listening to you speak about comic books as an educational tool at Dodger Stadium.
Lee: Oh yeah, that's right!
IGN: In terms of Romeo and Juliet, can you speak to what kind of potential a book like that has as an effective educational tool?
Lee: I think any comic book – or really, any book that you can read – in a sense is an educational tool in that it helps literacy. The more you read, the better you get at it. It almost doesn't matter what you read, the important thing is for young people to become readers.
A book like Romeo and Juliet not only is a great reading device, but is a worthwhile read because we tried to stay as close to Shakespeare's original plot as possible. We couldn't use his words, because nobody can write as well as Shakespeare, but we tried to give it that same classical feeling. I think that any young person reading this book will come away from it with a better sense of what good writing is and certainly what beautiful artwork is.
IGN: Something that I've always loved about Marvel Comics or any project that you're involved in is the approach that you take to the readership. Making them feel included in the process. Why do you think this feeling of inclusion is so important for the fans?
IGN: Is there any sort of advice you might give a kid today that wants to grow up to create comics?
Lee: Comics are stories; they're like novels or anything else. So the first thing you have to do is become a good storyteller. I think the way you become a good storyteller is to read a lot of stories and evaluate them in your own mind. Why did I like this one? Why didn't I like this one? What quality did this one have that made me like it? Whether you do that consciously or unconsciously, it's something that has to go on inside of you.
After a while, you should be able to tell when you yourself writes something, is this really interesting? Or am I just putting a lot of words on paper? Would I want to read this myself if I weren't me? It's very difficult for me to even say this, because there's no formula. Everybody learns differently and everybody gets to a certain point from a different direction. Basically I think the more you read, the better you're going to become as a storyteller.
IGN: I think that's true; there is no formula.
Lee: If there is, I can't think of any! I wish there was, it would make my life easier.
IGN: [laughs] But I think it's worth noting that a lot of your characters have become institutions; they're some of the most popular characters in the world. Do you think there's a key to creating this kind of character longevity?
Lee: One of the keys is, and it may sound funny, talking about characters with super powers, but one of the keys is to make your characters as realistic and believable as possible. Even if they have super powers, you say to yourself, "Well, if somebody had a super power like this, what would his life be like? Wouldn't he still maybe have to go to the dentist or wouldn't he have to worry about making a living? What about his love life?" You've got to make characters that your reader can believe exists or might exist.
I remember when I was a kid, I loved Sherlock Holmes. I thought Arthur Conan Doyle was one of the greatest writers, because I felt I knew Sherlock Holmes. He existed to me. When I went to England the first thing I did was go to Baker Street to look for his house. I think you've got to try to make all of your characters as empathetic and realistic as possible.
IGN: I watched the documentary last night, and I have to say I was glad that the film touches on Dr. Wertham and the whole creation of the Comics Code. And, quite famously, you ran a story about drug abuse in Amazing Spider-Man in the 70s that didn't get the Code approval but you went to print anyway.
Lee: Oh yes.
IGN: Can you talk a little bit about that situation and how the Comics Code affected creativity at the time?
Lee: Well, we had to submit all of our pages to the Comics Code Authority to make sure that they wouldn't harm young people or the rest of the human race. [laughs] One very funny story -- I had done a story, a western story called Kid Colt: Outlaw.
IGN: [laughs]
Lee: So we made a smaller puff of smoke, [the book] went out and everything was fine. [laughs] But that was the type of thinking that was going on. So what happened [with the Amazing Spider-Man story] was I had gotten a letter from the office of Health, Education, and Welfare in Washington, saying something to the effect of, "Due to the popularity of your characters, we think it would be great if you put an anti-drug message in one of your stories."
They said, "You're not allowed to mention drugs." I said, "Well, we're not telling kids to take drugs, read the story!" But apparently, according to the Code, you can't mention drugs. So I went to my publisher [Martin Goodman], and I was very proud of him. I said, "Martin, I think we ought to send these books out without the seal of approval from the Code." I mean, who cares about them? It's a good story – even though I wrote it. But he said, "You're right, Stan. Send it out."
There were three issues, it was a continued story; we sent those three issues out without the seal of approval, and we got mail from teachers, from religious leaders, and from government people, telling us how great they thought it was and that we should do more of that. After the Code people learned of that, they changed the Code and started to be a little bit more intelligent about what they objected to.
IGN: That's interesting, I believe it wasn't too long after that, DC had a similar story with Green Arrow's sidekick getting addicted to drugs.
Lee: Yeah, that's right. Because now we could finally have a story that said something.
IGN: Okay, so we'll end on a fun note. At the very beginning of the documentary, you mention that your first dream job was to be an actor; not to be a writer or create comics.
Lee: I thought acting was easier!
IGN: [laughs] Well what's it like for you now, being given roles in all the Marvel movies?
Lee: See, I'm practically an actor. Even when you do an interview, it's like you're performing a little bit, so yeah, I'm enjoying it, it's fun.
IGN: Well, that's great to hear. Stan, it's always a pleasure.
Lee: Joey, great talking to you, I hope we can do it again!
Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on MyIGN. You may or may not discover a profound number of cat pictures.


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I didn't know what to expect when I landed in Dubai. I knew the UAE was a country that did everything over the top. I had heard about the indoor skiing attached to a mall, the air conditioners on the beach, and of course knew they had the tallest building in the world…the Burj Khalifa, standing at 160 stories tall…over 2,700 feet. I didn't expect it to be so awesome! I could see it when my flight was landing, but up close, it's even cooler.
I knew there was a lot of wealth there, but really had no clue until I saw it with my own eyes. This Bugati was a good example…and wasn't the first one I saw.
The UAE is only recently rich, due to a huge oil discovery in the 1960s leading to the UAE now having the 7th largest oil reserve in the world today. It also happens to have the 7th largest natural gas reserves.
Dubai is not a backpacker type of place as there are zero low-budget accommodation options, but luckily my ex-colleague and friend Sherie who I'd known from RBS in the UK had relocated to Dubai about a year ago and is now running the GTS practice for the Middle East. She was kind enough to put me up in her villa for the duration of my stay. Her and her family's kindness allowed me to stay a lot longer than I would have been able to afford in a hostel or hotel and I can't thank her enough! Thanks soooo much! I also met up with a former Golden Gateway tennis player who had relocated to Dubai and was able to finally play some tennis in the Middle East. Thanks Dave!
I found the UAE to be a funny place. I was definitely NOT in the Middle East anymore. Definitely still a lot of Arabs, however it was different here. One thing that really jumped out at me is how ORGANIZED everything there seemed. It jumps right out at you in the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, which happened to be my first stop. You would think that shopping in the biggest mall in the world would make it tough to find what you're looking for. Not the case. The mall is mostly divided into sections or floors. If you want a watch, all the watch stores are right next to each other. Children's clothing, toys or appliances…all on the upper floor. High end kids stores like Baby Dior, Armani Junior and the like…all clustered together (and ridiculous!)
The mall was gorgeous, btw! This was in the luxury section, just before the exit out to the Burj Khalifa fountains.
Dubai has also organized its businesses into areas or neighborhoods. There is a Media City (where all the media companies have buildings), Internet City (for all the tech co's), Healthcare City, Learning City, Sports City, Studio City, and the list goes on. I found it really interesting!
Anyway…Eid, which is a huge Muslim holiday, was coming up in a couple of days, so I wanted to make sure to get most of the touristy stuff out of the way to avoid crowds, traffic, etc., so decided to take a trip down to check out Abu Dhabi early on and get it out of the way while I was still waking up pretty early naturally. I took a shared taxi down and headed straight for the Sheikh al Hussein mosque, which had an 11a walking tour…as long as I wore the traditional black abaya before going in.
I'm so glad I went. The mosque was absolutely GORGEOUS!
I think even I would pray more if I had a place like this to go to! Well…maybe not. But still…the mosque was only recently completed in 2007, and the Sheikh spared no expense. I would have expected it to be flashy or garish, but instead it was elegant, peaceful, classy…and really beautiful.
I also went to check out the Emirates Palace Hotel, the other major tourist site in Abu Dhabi, which was quite the opposite and totally ugly, in my opinion.
I did find it interesting when I got the quickie tour and was told that the entire top floor is reserved for "Rulers" only. I wonder what those rooms look like! Abu Dhabi has big plans for tourism in the future, with a new Louvre and Guggenheim museum already under construction, as well as plenty of other cultural and architectural feats in the works. Unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi has a nice corniche that makes the city more livable and would be good for evening walks, but it was way too hot when I was there to do much walking. I did manage to find a shopping mall, which is all too common in the UAE and caught the 2p showing of "Arbitrage" as I needed a place to stay cool for a couple hours before catching my bus back to Dubai..and I needed my popcorn fix!
The bus ride back went quickly and since I was still in tourist mode, I decided to hop on the Dubai-by-night tour, figuring I'd get to take some cool night shots and figure out the lay of the land so I knew where everything was to explore in coming days.
The skyline here is insane and very futuristic.
I know some people don't dig it, but I thought it was super cool.
Even the metro was nice. I especially like that they have a separate car for ladies and family. The workers, or "slaves" as Sherie's husband Dave refers to them, are mostly Indian or Pakistani and are apparently very good at making women uncomfortable. I didn't experience this here, but definitely did when I was in India. Anyway, they also have lady taxis, in case one of the Emirati women don't want to be alone in a taxi with a male driver. A lady taxi driver is a woman and she wears a cute pink outfit and drives a pink taxi! Too funny.
Sherie has a great place and a beautiful and generous family who took me in for the week, while I ran around being a tourist, but I knew they'd be busy with work and school, so I also reached out to the Couch Surfer community in Dubai to see if anyone was up for meeting for drinks. I ended up meeting up with a couple guys, and now think that maybe this will be a better way for me to utilize the CS website rather than staying in someone's house.
I don't mind doing most things on my own (obviously!), but I really hate going to a trendy bar or club alone. A sports bar or dive bar or a quieter place where I can pull up a seat at the bar and watch tv or talk to the bartender…no problem. But I wanted to check out some of the cool night-spots in Dubai, so went to CS to call in the reinforcements.
Luckily I met Walid, who was totally on the same page as me, who invited me to join him and his 6 lovely friends for dinner and drinks at the Buddha Bar, and then we went to another place across the street called Toro Toro. The next night he invited me to a BBQ at his apartment with another set of his amazing friends and he and his brother broke out their guitars and started singing. It was, in a way, surreal to be included in such a personal experience and I have a feeling this is exactly why so many people love Couch Surfing…and travelling…and living…and experiencing other people's cultures…and I could go on…and on…and on! 🙂
Anyway…the rest of the week went by in a drunken haze. I had an unbelievable time in Dubai and can actually see myself doing an expat tour-of-duty there someday…if a bank or other willing firm might have me. There were definite similarities to Scottsdale, AZ (where I grew up), and it seemed like pretty much everyone I met was living a REALLY NICE lifestyle. There are plenty of tennis courts, golf courses, great restaurants, amazing brunch places and fun clubs to keep me busy for awhile, that is for sure!
Dubai is definitely not cheap… so after just over a week, it was time to move on to Oman.


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Theoretically, I'm a big fan of germs. When I was little I regularly indulged in fantasies of romantic invalidism, in the way that only equine-constituted youth can. My wan, rained-upon, white-clad and somehow nineteenth-century self would sport heroic stoicism in the face of vague, consumptive wasting-away. Handkerchiefs, blood, jutting clavicles: you get the idea. The suffering would inevitably be deepened by betrayal, cruelty and a spot of mildly kinky sadism from some swarthy piratical cove. My imaginatively striken self was a kind of unholy mashup of Job, Goethe and Marianne Dashwood. In reality, I'm just unholy. Quite possibly the worst person at being ill, ever. While my body battles germs, I battle my body with all the equilibrium of a thwarted toddler. Forced to stay at home, my post-holiday zen has been destroyed in a sea of phlegm and other more southerly fluids, and I have taken to the aqueous invasion with neither grit nor grace.
I tried cleaning the entire flat, as if I could kill the bacteria within by blitzing those in the oven. I tried working manically until I started typing emails that appeared to be in demonic code. I tried a few yoga postures. I failed, messily.
I'm now trying a bit of rest, and fluids, and all that irritating, predictable, passive stuff. Except for writing a blog post, obviously.
The only redeeming feature has been the chance, in my more lucid and less lymphatic moments, to devour Pilcrow, the extraordinary novel by Adam Mars-Jones that has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. Narrated by John Cromer, a boy who suffers from the rare and debilitating arthritic condition Still's Disease in bleak 195os middle England, it is a dense, delicious tapestry of wordplay that hilariously and movingly locates searing emotional truth in the defamiliarised details of adolescent life, from Peak Frean to cold toast, Etch-a-Sketch to snatched boarding school sex.
I loved it, and you should read it, although deep down I'm not convinced that John suffers quite as much as me.
I'm moving onto a bumper collection of Ex Machina; nothing befits the sickroom better than a comic or two. If things continue their steady decline, I'll be on Imodium and Asterix in no time.


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Accidental Death Dismemberment Life Insurance
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance pays policyholders or beneficiaries a set amount of money in the event of death or dismemberment in an accident. AD&D is readily available and just about anyone can qualify for coverage. There is rarely a medical screening to qualify, and rates are cheap--often less than $10 a month, depending on how much coverage you purchase.
This type of insurance coverage is affordable because, unlike whole life insurance or term life insurance, it has many exclusions and restrictions. Injuries or death must occur within a certain time period after an accident, and losses must be proven to be a direct result of the accident.
When Does AD&D Payout?
AD&D policies payout when a death or dismemberment occurs due to an accident. Dismemberment refers to:
- The loss of one or both feet at or above the ankle
- The loss of one or both hands at or above the wrist joint
- The complete and permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Partial or complete loss of hearing and speech is also covered in some policies
Typically, 100 percent of the benefit is paid when "two members"--both hands or both feet or the complete loss of sight, hearing, or speech--are lost, and 50 percent or 25 percent of the benefit is paid for partial loss, such as one hand or one foot.
Most AD&D policies don't cover losses resulting from:
- Surgery
- Bacterial infections
- Hernia
- Illnesses
- Drug overdoses
- Accidents that occur from many high-risk activities, such as skydiving, BASE jumping, car racing or going to war
Where to Buy Coverage
AD&D insurance is often sold through banks to recent home buyers, but it's also available from credit card companies. You may also have coverage through your employer as part of your employee benefits package.
Some consumers chose to purchase coverage as a rider on their life insurance policies. Because term or whole life insurance policies cover more circumstances and have fewer exclusions, some chose to use what they would spend on AD&D coverage to purchase a larger insurance benefit amount.
AD&D is often included as part of a travel insurance policy. These policies typically cover your expenses if you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to illness. Many insurance companies also include AD&D coverage, as well as medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation. Trip planners and travel agents often sell these policies to their clients.
Is It a Smart Investment?
Although the premiums are low and the payout can be significant, many insurance experts don't recommend AD&D policies. The circumstances covered in an AD&D policy--losing a foot or a hand, for instance--are so rare that the odds of a payout are too low for the policies to provide much peace of mind.
Consequently, many experts feel whole life insurance or term life insurance is a smarter investment. Whole life or term life insurance policies pay out under a far broader set of circumstances and AD&D riders added to these policies are often just few dollars more a month.
Those who engaged in high-risk behavior may find that AD&D is a smart investment. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who are age 40 and above are more likely to die from natural causes than from an accident. In addition to life insurance, experts recommend investing in health insurance or workers compensation rather than AD&D insurance. However, other experts say an AD&D policy is a good complement to workers compensation.
Some AD&D policies cover the loss of an index finger or a thumb, while others only cover the loss of an entire hand. Some policies cover accidents that occur while mountain climbing, while others do not. Some policies pay additional benefits if the victim was wearing a seat belt or riding public transportation. Terms vary, so it pays to shop around and review the coverage and any exclusions before purchasing an AD&D policy.


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I couldn't find a duplicate to this question and hope there isn't one. I'm not concerned with methods of converting LaTeX documents to Word Documents (I know a few).
The question I have is why are the results often so shoddy? Where does the difficulty come in? Is it the proprietary nature of Microsoft technology? Is it that TeX has more robust functionality than whatever background mark-up language Word uses? Something else?


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I found an article on Huffington Post about a mother who changes her daughter's princess books a little bit. I like what this mom has done with the books, to an extent. I have no problem with feminism, obviously, but this mom may have gone a little far with some of these. I just feel that the children reading or being read these books are too young to hear "My body, my choice." You can teach children empowerment and equality without teaching them about adult issues.
I also think it's perfectly okay for a child, boy or girl, to read or be read fairytales. Especially if the parents of said child make it known that it is a fairytale and nothing else.
Here are some pictures of her altered books:
You can read the full Huffington Post article here.
What do you think? Would you alter your child's book? Would you or do you teach your children feminism? I want both of my boys to be feminists. I want them to want equality for men, women, and people of all races.


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The internal politics of a band can be complicated. The best metaphor is that it's like dating, but with three or more people in as many combinations as the number of band members allow. Then on top of that, sometimes members of the band actually start dating, and further complicate the process. Whose songs are played, who does the arranging, who does the booking, who does none of those things but drinks all the beer ... these can become bitter divisions that destroy partnerships and friendships alike. Which is regrettable, as good musical partnerships are just as elusive as good romantic connections.
But why does a band only have to be one band?
Jazz musicians have long been hip to something only recently catching on in rock: the idea that leadership can rotate and multiple groups can come from one. The guitar-focused John Smith Trio, can easily become the bass-centric Ralph Johnson Band or an experimental drumtacular. The bonuses are myriad. Everyone gets a chance to see their vision come to life rather than having it suppressed or lost in the shuffle. Bands can save money by touring together and sharing equipment. Sounds and audiences can be exponentially expanded. It's something of a mystery why it isn't more of the standard.
Quitzow and Setting Sun both played at The Bouquet on Monday night. Two bands of the same three members with sounds world apart from each other. Quitzow, lead by Erica Quitzow on analog synth and vocals is a dance party waiting to happen with a style reminiscent of The Sounds paired with touches of Berlin and Glass Candy. Setting Sun on the other hand, drops the keys in favor of an acoustic power-trio captained by Quitzow bassist Gary Levitt with a sound that falls somewhere between a less sugary version of The Rentals and a mellower Ted Leo.
Both headings of the same group are guilt-free pop of the best variety in the song-writing department, and practiced performers on stage. And the effectiveness of both groups despite their differences being such that they probably wouldn't even share a stage were they made up of different people only serves to underline the potential waiting to be explored within already existing bands.
Both bands should be coming back through Boise later in the year when you can see for yourself. Until then, you'll have to be content to check 'em out online.


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Sian Rowlad has written a fantastic piece of theatre in the form of Gazing At A Distant Star at Greenwich Theatre which runs from 13 to 29 January 2017. Here, Sian tells Break A Leg all about it:
Thanks for talking to Break A Leg. Tell me about the production, the inspiration for it and how easy it was to put down on paper.
Gazing At A Distant Star is a play about those who go missing and those who are left behind and opens this Friday 13th (luckily I'm not superstitious!) at Greenwich Theatre Studio in London. It was inspired by several things: I sing with my local Rock Choir and we did a lot gigs for the charity Missing People. Before each performance someone who had experienced a loved one going missing would talk to the audience and their stories stayed with me. It lent an extra poignancy to our singing! I thought of missing people as mostly young runaways but there are so many reasons people go missing- either voluntarily or through force. This hit home when the three schoolgirls from east London disappeared from their homes to join IS. The news focused on the girls themselves but I kept wondering how the families of the girls coped. Would they feel able to mourn the loss of their daughters or sisters while the world judged them? Did they go over every word and every action and wonder where it went wrong? There are thousands of stories that may not even make the news and that really got me thinking.
I'm also interested in how tough things are for young people at the moment. They live in a world of university fees, zero hours contracts and lack of jobs so I wanted to bring in those themes too.
I started with Karen's story as a stand alone monologue and then wove Arun and Anna's stories into the narrative. The play grew and grew and at one point I printed it out, sat on the floor and cut and glued bits together until it felt right. It's had many, many rewrites and edits and I've been lucky enough to have some readers along the way who have given me really perceptive feedback.
I'm also thrilled that it's having its debut at Greenwich Theatre. Greenwich Theatre is a real stalwart of the London theatre scene and under the artistic direction of James Haddrell has gone from strength to strength in recent years. The theatre recently received a grant to create a brand new studio space and my Gazing At A Distant Star is kicking off the spring season.
I was keen to give something back to Missing People so on the 19th we'll be having a special performance where a percentage of ticket sales go to the charity. The evening will be introduced by Bafta award-winning actress Monica Dolan (recently seen on our screens in Witness for the Prosecution) who got involved in the charity after playing Rosemary West in Appropriate Adult.
What were your ideas for casting? Did you know who you were looking for to fill the role(s)?
I'm really lucky that James Haddrell is directing the play himself and has created a perfect cast. Victoria Porter plays Karen and has been attached to the play since it was a short monologue. Her performance as a grieving mother is just astounding. Serin Ibrahim brings a real tenderness to the part of Anna and Television Workshop graduate Harpal Hayer is perfect as Arun who is caught between generations and cultures. All three have worked so hard to really embody the characters and create something special and moving. There are also some lighter moments and all three actors are able to bring light and shade to the parts.
Have rehearsals altered your perception at all?
For me, the joy of being a playwright is passing over the script to the director and actor who use it a starting point to create a world for the characters. I love the way actors take a bunch of words that came from my head and bring them to life. I've left them to it as it belongs to them now and besides, I'm self-employed so need to get on with the day job!
How does the space lend itself to the piece?
The studio has a fresh, open feel and seating is very flexible which works well as I want the focus to be on the actions of the characters rather than set. I like the idea of the audience feeling close to the action but still separate. It's also fully accessible which is great as many studios seems to involve steep stairs.
What do you hope the audience will take away from the piece?
It's human nature to try and neatly package people so the play reminds us to not make assumptions and to look at the complex stories behind the headlines. I borrowed the title from a line by Haruki Murakumi as it made me think about how we never really know what's going in someone's life. It's also a reminder that all our lives are irrevocably interlinked and if one part is removed then the whole can unravel.
Finally, what's your advice for budding writers?
Read, watch, listen and learn from those who are in the business. There are so many people out there who offer wise words of advice to writers at every stage. Try writing lots of different genres until you find your niche. I found my voice by blogging about my redundancy following government cuts!
Here's a link to the play and you can book tickets here too:


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Gaza conflict: Benjamin Netanyahu warns of drawn-out conflict as violence flares; Israel strikes house of Hamas leader; Hamas rockets target Tel Aviv
Israel's military pounded targets in the Gaza Strip after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country needed to be prepared for a long conflict in the Palestinian enclave, squashing any hopes of a swift end to 22 days of fighting.
Israeli forces hit targets across the territory in what the Reuters news agency said was the most widespread night of attacks in the coastal enclave so far.
The renewed fighting on Monday evening and into early Tuesday morning came after a day of relative calm which had raised hopes of a longer ceasefire.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive on July 8, saying its aim was to halt rocket attacks by Hamas and its allies. It later ordered a land invasion to find and destroy the warren of Hamas tunnels that crisscrosses the border area.
In a televised address on Monday night, Mr Netanyahu said any solution to the crisis would require the demilitarisation of the Palestinian territory, which is controlled by Hamas Islamists and their militant allies.
"We will not finish the mission, we will not finish the operation without neutralising the tunnels, which have the sole purpose of destroying our citizens, killing our children," Mr Netanyahu said, adding that it had been a "painful day".
"We need to be prepared for a protracted campaign. We will continue to act with force and discretion until our mission is accomplished," he said.
As the fighting intensified, Israel said 10 of its soldiers had been killed.
Five soldiers died during a firefight with Palestinian militants who emerged from a tunnel near the community of Nahal Oz, the Israeli military said.
Gaza's interior ministry said an Israeli aircraft had fired a missile at the house of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh before dawn on Tuesday, causing damage but no casualties.
An Israeli military spokeswoman had no information on the report but was checking for details.
Hamas said its broadcast outlets, Al-Aqsa TV and Al-Aqsa Radio were also targeted. The television station continued to broadcast, but the radio station went silent.
Earlier on Monday eight children and two adults were killed by an explosion in a Gaza park as the unofficial truce collapsed.
Residents blamed the explosion on an airstrike, but Israel said a misfiring militant rocket caused the carnage.
A number of rockets fired from Gaza were launched toward various regions in southern and central Israel, including the Tel Aviv area. At least one of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. No casualties or damage were reported.
As night fell over Gaza on Monday Israel's military had warned thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes in areas around Gaza City - usually the prelude to major attacks.
Some residents in Gaza reported they had received a recorded telephone message on Monday which said in Arabic: "Listen Hamas, if you are still alive, you should know that if you continue, we will respond, we will respond violently."
Israel also dropped leaflets over Gaza listing dozens of names of gunmen from Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, that the military says it has killed since the start of the offensive.
Some 1,087 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have died in the 22-day-old confrontation. Israel has lost 53 soldiers, and another three civilians have been killed by Palestinian shelling.
Speaking in New York, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon deplored what he described as a lack of resolve among all parties in the conflict.
"It's a matter of their political will. They have to show their humanity as leaders, both Israeli and Palestinian," he told reporters.
"Why these leaders are making their people to be killed by others? It's not responsible, (it's) morally wrong."
Mr Ban noted that "all sides must meet all obligations under international humanitarian law, both towards civilians ahead of impending attacks, as well as maintaining proportionality in any kind of military response."


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Maybe it's because I grew up with really frugal parents, stories from their childhoods of want, of needs unmet, of shame. I was often reminded of what we had that others including our parents, in thdid have. It wasn't that I didn't like nice things. I grew up with a keen sense of what we didn't have. I just understood that the newest style and the expensive clothes, the perfect lawn, these were out of our reach. I also developed a fairly good perspective on how much it mattered, which is to say not much. And mostly, except for those few miserable middle school years when hormonal forces conspire to make the right pair of jeans a really, really, REALLY important thing; mostly, I was okay about not having nice things.
We didn't go without food, which both my parents knew. We didn't live in an economic depression or a war. We had more food than we could eat, and we ate more than we should.
But there came a time when I realized that there were really nice things to be had, just out of reach. I still remember my first really expensive silk blouse. Nothing pulled, tugged or scratched. Instantly a light bulb popped in my head: THIS is what it feels like to wear really expensive clothes.
I grew up and learned to live on carefully collected and parsed out earnings from a patchwork of part-time and work-study jobs. Years later when I made a really fine salary, the likes of which I'll never see again, I did some smart things, like pay down debt and some fun things, like building a roof-deck on my very own top floor condo. I learned to appreciate and to acquire things that were both beautiful and useful.
But always, deep in my DNA lurks that horder. The pack rat afraid of the inevitable lean years, the ant who knows the folly of the grasshopper.
Luckily, I've found a way to channel the impulse to save things. There's no huge ball of string or rubber bands here, (let's not discuss the bag of bags, for the moment.)
Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Roberto Nogueron
I guess the messages of the ecology movement (as we called it back then) found some fertile soil in my head. Even while I enjoyed my first nice pair of Italian leather shoes. Learning the value of a well-balanced heel while thinking about how to save the planet. Hm.


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Survival Of The Kindest
Survival of the fittest. Fitness is about surviving! If you want to survive middle school, you have to fit into the status quo or live like a leper on the outskirts of the popular kids. If you want to survive adulthood, you have to train yourself in school or a workplace to fit into a job that pays. If you want to survive parenting, you have to be fit to care for the physical and emotional needs of another human being. If you want to survive old age, you have to adapt to the new aches and pains of each morning and stay positive.
If fitness is about adapting to ones environment or season of life, survival of the fittest, then what or who are we trying to be fit? If it's for America, it's being fit for Instagram and beach body. It's for the boyfriend or to make the other girls jealous. It's to fit into our clothes or have energy for the day. It's to keep up with our kids or lose weight to reduce the chronic pain.
Train to Serve
If we are only trying to survive the day, our view is too short. Even the disciples who argued about who would be the greatest in heaven were thinking ahead. Jesus' answer astounded them and still surprises me: "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:11-12). If we want to be fit for heaven, we must die to ourselves and serve others instead of stepping on one another to survive. Christ already made us fit by humbling Himself on the cross, so my response is not to make myself as big (or small) as I can in the gym, but to train for strength and energy to serve others to the best of my God-given abilities.
I want to show my toddler that working out is part of my life, so I will exercise and go on walks with her. I want to have enough energy to make dinner for my husband when he comes home each evening, so I go to bed early and workout instead of nap during the day because it energizes me more. If working out and being fit is not about self-preservation and instead about serving others, my motivation is deeper and longer-lasting than any 21 day diet or fitness program. When the world focuses on "crushing it" or crushing others to survive, Christ raises kindness as the higher priority.
Reflect and Respond
- Think about who you serve throughout the day. How can you get more fit to serve them better?
- If you are lacking in motivation, ask the Lord for help. He loves serving and encouraging us!
If you liked this post, sign up for my Fit For The Body summer series! You'll get an email each Sunday with workouts, a Scripture focus, and a link to a private Facebook group with meal ideas, discussion questions, and support. It ends July 12, so sign up and subscribe today!


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The Trick August 4, 2013Posted by J. in Domesticity, Genius.
Tags: body image, Christina Aguilera, diet, eating disorder, exercise, Fighter, fitness, inspiration, mental illness, music, self-image, self-love
5 comments
Okay, this is the blog post that's going to make you think I've lost my marbles. That's if you weren't already questioning how tightly I may or may not be wrapped as it is, and as the case may be.
The weight loss continues on in a forward direction. As of tonight, I'm down around 83 pounds or so. Give or take some ounces here and there. And it's getting me a lot of attention. It's funny to talk to people at church who don't see me that often because we go to different Masses and have them come up to me in surprise, actually eager to tell me how amazed they are. I won't lie: it is really nice to hear.
The next part is people asking "what I'm doing." What a great question. What method are you using to lose weight? What diet? What workout regime? One person thought I'd had gastric bypass surgery.
What is my "secret" to losing all this weight?
Eat less, move more. That's it. I know they're expecting to hear that I'm following the Diet of the Week, or that I've figured out some trick to making the weight come off. There's no real trick to it. You want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to eat less, and move more.
Though when I really thought about it more…"What are you doing?" I guess there are tricks of a sort that I do. I mean, I have lots of support, and sometimes reaching out to the people in my life who know my struggles and demons and can talk me through them is a trick. Learning how my body responds to different foods is a trick,too, I guess.
But when it comes down to bwass tacks, the reason I've been fat my whole life is because of one thing, and one thing only. All my other issues stem directly from this.
There's a voice in my head, a person who lives deep inside of me whose voice is the one I do battle with all the time.
Her name is Mean Jen, and she's a total Cuntasaurus Rex.
She is the voice of doubt. The voice that tells me I can't do things. She tells me I'm fat, and lazy, and stupid. Talentless. She knows I'll NEVER lose this weight, and as it falls away, she reminds me almost daily that it's just temporary. She has a smug look on her face as she reminds me of all the weight I've lost and gained back, and laughs when I put another garment in the donation bag, certain that I'll be needing that again someday.
She was the one who, when I'd bounce up to the gym doors feeling really good about myself and feeling confident and strong about my workout, would see my reflection in the glass and tell me that I'm the fattest person in the room and they're all going to laugh at me.
For awhile, I worked out every single day fighting back tears because of her.
She's the reason I went months without being able to look in a mirror or see a photo of myself. People would tell me how obvious my weight loss was, remark on how much better I must feel, but all I could see is a body ravaged by the excesses. The fat that used to be plump and round turned into flab–great hanging rolls of it. My tummy looked like pizza dough and my thighs…hell, they're still measuring the same size as an average man's waist.
I couldn't stand to be naked. I made myself sick.
Yeah. Thanks, Mean Jen.
The problem with that angry, mean, evil voice in my head is that she's so hard to fight. Maybe if what she was saying was patently untrue, that would be different, but everything she says comes from a place of truth.
For awhile, I was the fattest person in the gym. That's without exaggeration. "You won't always be" is small comfort. I know most people didn't notice me at all, but I know some did. And I know there were unkind thoughts. You don't spend your whole life overweight and not know that. You hear the whispers, and you know for every whisper, every unkind word, there are at least three unspoken thoughts about how your ass looks in those yoga pants.
I have lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds, and gained it all back, and then some. I've bought "thin" wardrobes and tossed my fat pants, only to need to buy them all over again. Not once. Hell, not twice, even. Mean Jen has reason to look smug. I have never lost weight and kept it off.
I am a quitter.
I am fairly lazy. I don't like to exercise. I resent not being able to eat anything I want whenever the hell I want.
I don't like to say "no" to food.
Mean Jen hurts because she's pretty accurate. She knows me better than anyone, and she points out all my worst qualities and tells me the God's honest truth. No softening it like a friend would. No generosity that a loved one would show.
She's fucking ruthless.
So, I guess my answer to "What are you doing?" to lose weight this time is "I'm fighting Mean Jen."
Her voice is always there, and depending on my hormonal state or whatever, she can be really loud.
The trick so far has been to drown her voice out with voices of my own. I have an amazing support team. People who build me up on low days. People who point out all the defiance I've shown her and tell me how proud they are of that fight. People who say my own words back to me–the same things I've said to them when their own Mean Inner Voice is raising hell with them. Their voices are loud, and raised in unison, they help me push back against the horrible truths that Mean Jen feels the need to remind me of.
But my biggest secret weapon is simple, and stupid, and kind of embarrassing, but here it is.
I can't believe I'm telling you this.
It's music. There are few songs that are like weapons against her. I don't know how it works. Or why. Or even what it is about those particular songs. But they're in my workout playlist, and I listen to them every day. And one I listen to even on my day off from the gym because I sing every damn word of it to Mean Jen. Right in her fucking mean, smug face.
And I'm not pretending that this is anything other than silly. I know it is. But I swear to you, it keeps her at bay. It keeps her from coming at me hard and fast and hitting me in the face over and over. Oh, she still sneaks up, and she changes her approach, but the full-on frontal assaults are few and far between.
It's important that I'm able to fight the assaults. I realize that she's what's held me back. That belief that I can't do this. The belief that I can't change. I believed it because she told me that over and over for years.
They say you're supposed to love yourself.
That's the part no one addresses. How do you love yourself when the voice in your head that knows you the absolute best tells you that you're not worth it? And not only tells you that you suck, but does it by highlighting the very things you know to be true, way down deep in your heart?
I'll tell you how.
You fight back. I have my faults same as anyone. And I'm taking what she tells me and I'm using them to my advantage. If I want to be a better person, I have to know the absolute worst things about me, and change what I can. I have to be a fighter.
I've always kind of liked this song. Give it a listen. I don't care if pop music isn't your thing, or you don't care for Xtina. And I know it's a really stupid video. All artsy and shit. Whatever. It's a breakup song, if you take it on its face. But there's something in the way she sings, "You won't stop me!" that makes me know that Mean Jen won't stop me. She can't. Not this time, not if I fight, and I'm a fighter now because she made me that way.
But in the end I wanna thank you,
'Cause you've made me that much stronger
Well I thought I knew you, thinkin' that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff time is up
'Cause I've had enough
You were there by my side, always down for the ride
But your joy ride just came down in flames 'cause your greed sold me out in shame
After all of the stealing and cheating you probably think that I hold resentment for you
But uh uh, oh no, you're wrong
'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do, I wouldn't know
Just how capable I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter
Never saw it coming, all of your backstabbing
Just so you could cash in on a good thing before I'd realize your game
I heard you're going round playing the victim now
But don't even begin feeling I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave
After all of the fights and the lies 'cause you're wanting to haunt me
But that won't work anymore, no more,
It's over
'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now and never back down
So I wanna say thank you
'Cause it
How could this man I thought I knew
Turn out to be unjust so cruel
Could only see the good in you
Pretend not to see the truth
You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself
Through living in denial
But in the end you'll see
I am a fighter and I
I ain't gonna stop
There is no turning back
I've had enough
You thought I would forget
But I remembered
'Cause I remembered
I remembered
You thought I would forget
I remembered
'Cause I remembered
I remembered
I warned you it was stupid, and I own that with everything I am. But that's my trick. It's that song. And all I know is that these days, I look in the mirror and think I look pretty. I looked at my vacation pictures and didn't wish I wasn't in them, or pick apart how I looked. I was happy with the images. I'm happy with my reflection. I get dressed and feel good that my waist is looking small, my ass is still big but taking on a nice, round shape, and even my tits are holding their own. Being naked is still hard…my body has a long way to go, and knowing that I'll never recover from the damage I did by being fat for so long is disheartening. It makes me sad and angry. That happens whether or not Mean Jen tells me. It's just something I know, and I'll keep dealing with. I'm far from perfect, but now I'm able to look past the flaws and see the good, and it's because I fight for that. I'm using her own weapons against her and it's making me better than I was before. And that's why I'm going to succeed this time, where I've always failed.
I am a fighter, and I'm not going back. I am changing those things that Mean Jen pointed out about me. I'm not letting the negative self-talk force me into a crying ball in the corner. I'm not letting it be an excuse to give up before I've started. She can hurt my feelings from time to time, but in the end, I'm going to keep proving her wrong.
Mean Jen can kiss my ass.


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Helpful advice
In school, your children are taught how to be safe online and visit age appropriate websites and games. If you allow your child to visit inappropriate games/sites you are breaking the law.
If you are worried about your child, remember you can always talk to your child's class teacher. The designated teacher in school to help with any online issues or questions you may have is Mrs Watson.
Below are a couple of documents you may find useful in ensuring your children are safe in the cyber world we live in.


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I just got home from work and was craving something savory without a lot of calories (I had some walnuts and a protein shake at work today in between client).
After looking around in the fridge for a while I decided I would experiment and make a Mexican Pita Pizza.
Mexican Pita Pizza
What you'll need: 1 whole wheat pita, pepper jack cheese (organic if you can), hot pickled peppers, your favorite salsa and green onions.
Turn the broiler on high.
Spread your favorite salsa onto the pita
Sprinkle on the Hot Pickled Peppers (I love these)
Next add some cheese (I usually would have shredded the cheese- I think you use less when its shredded- but didn't shred it today).
Add the green onions
Broil on high for 5-8 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Serve and enjoy!
The Husband and I shared this and loved it! My only change for next time would be broiling the pita for a hew minutes before putting the salsa on it. I think it would have come out a bit more crispy on the bottom.
What do you use pita for other than sandwiches?
Here is a snapshot of my morning concoction, we have a love- hate relationship!
I think we are heading out to grab a cocktail and an app! There is a restaurant called Firehouse that has a great happy hour starting at 3pm. We usually go once every two weeks, typically a Saturday, for a glass of wine and calamari. They have the most amazing calamari I've ever had! We are so excited to show the Husband's parents the calamari and enjoy this rain with a good glass of wine! This is a great Tuesday!


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It's probably fair to say that the big rise in Bitcoin this year has caught many by surprise.
Today, the value of one Bitcoin hit $100. In early March, they were trading below $35. In January, they were trading below $15.
We've noticed a lot of interest from readers and investors in recent weeks as the virtual currency has gone parabolic.
However, as of yet, we only know of one Wall Street analyst who has taken up writing about Bitcoin: ConvergEx Group Chief Market Strategist Nick Colas.
Naturally, we were curious what Colas was hearing from his clients, who we figured must be asking some questions as well.
Here is what Colas told us (emphasis added):
The reaction from clients has been pretty uniform: it must be a bubble. Too far, too fast, too new … you get the idea. Moreover, it's very hard to short Bitcoins, so there's no real way to express that pessimistic point of view, which is saving a lot of people some real money, since Bitcoin has some solid momentum just now.
Where is all of the momentum behind the Bitcoin trade coming from?
Colas bullets a few points:
- An increasingly tech-savvy base of savers all around the world don't think it is any stranger to trust an open-source piece of software than it is to put your money in a commercial bank
- Lots of people around the world are uncomfortable with central bank policies, which seem to give money away to a global banking system which remains fundamentally broken
- Worries over heavy deposit taxes in various European countries (Spain, Greece, and even Italy), courtesy of the resolution to the Cypriot banking crisis
- Some clarification of U.S. regulations, bringing Bitcoin long-needed legitimacy
- A naturally constrained and predictable supply through the issuance process
The term "perfect storm" fits here, even if it is a bit of a cliche at this point, says Colas.
Where it goes next is anyone's guess, but Colas thinks the next big thing to watch out for will be whether mainstream businesses start accepting Bitcoin as payment in a more widespread fashion.


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Realising that I've let social media warp simple things like saying "please" and "thank you".
I'm going to take what I think is a fairly safe bet and guess that you, my darling reader, are pretty good with that whole social media thing. Right? And thus, I'm going to assume that you know a fair bit about social media and its continual impact upon communication and so many other related spheres of our 21st century lives. Blah blah blah. For the love of peanuts, tell me something new!
Well, despite having read plenty of articles on the subject and having spent many hours doing utterly arduous first-hand research in the field, there have still been times when I've been surprised by just how much social media had affected my relationships.
An example?
Well, I can think back to a time during the age of social media when I went out of my way to make my friend's day. Good lord, I busted a gut. I spent quite a bit of cash. Hours were spent planning it. There were tears just getting my arse there. And I'm glad to say that I think I made her pretty happy.
And do you know what I wanted (and expected) in return? A social media shout out. Yes, that's right: I wanted her to thank me publicly by posting a photo, tweeting or writing an update about what I'd done – which is f-ed up on so many levels that it is giving me mild brain damage. How the hell did I get to the stage where I not only wanted, yet also expected social media glorification in return for what I've done? How did it get to the stage where this would be my first response if a friend had done the same for me?
One source of influence which pops to mind are the handful of fashion bloggers I follow on Instagram. Perhaps you follow some too? If so, you'll notice that when they are gifted another gorgeous skincare collection/bunch of flowers/handbag they make sure to post beautiful images of said gift whilst ensuring to tag the gift-giver, thus directing their followers to the company's activities, as a way of thanking them.
A particular example of someone who does this on a regular basis is Margaret Zhang: a chick who goes to the same uni and me… and, whom at the ripe old age of 20, also happens to be a prominent fashion blogger (the type that gets to attend New York and London fashion weeks). And yes, I do sometimes feel like a bit of an underachiever when I see what she's just posted.
An aside in regards to Miss Zhang: in some ways I find it funny that I enjoy her work so much, seeing as my taste is so very different to hers – but I always enjoy seeing how she pairs really interesting pieces and I guess observing someone else's style develop from a distance has a beauty of its own… In addition to this, I love the way she writes – it's always a beautiful combination of irreverence, substance, depth and a sort of lyricism.
Ok. Margaret tangent over. We were talking about social media shout outs.
Here are some photos she has posted over the past couple of weeks:
You're smart enough to figure out which Insta and description correspond with each other:
A belated Valentine's Day shout out to her bf. #cupcakes.
A shout out to Tommy Hilfiger for her pre-show flowers and trench coat. #asyoudo
A shout out to her friend who sent her roses.
A shout out to the hotel booking site (and subsequent hotel) used during her stay in London. #LFW
Firstly, how come I don't get showered with flowers and cupcakes and trench coats?? Hmm?? Answers, people!
Secondly, perhaps seeing posts like these from various sources multiple times a week could help explain my shockingly entitled mindset. See, I've allowed this to become my normal…
But the thing is that for Margaret, this is part of her work as a fashion blogger as every time she gives a company or brand a shout out it's generating them the positive publicity they desire. What's more, my guess is that some of these brands pay her to post these shout outs as part of their PR strategy and if not, it's her way of her reimbursing them for their free products.
Except, Alex, you are not a fashion blogger who is being showered in free shoes. Although I obviously wouldn't complain if that was the case. Duh. No, instead I am me. The thank yous I give and receive are not driving a potential 124,000+ people to my website with a single post.
Fashion blogging aside, most importantly I've realised that in this process I lost all perspective. Rather than making my friend's day, what I was doing for her became an opportunity for me to look good in the eyes of others. If I remember correctly, that's the opposite of what gift-giving is about – it should be about the other person and not myself and what I can gain from it.
What's more, now that I've thought more about this particular instance, it has become increasingly clear to me that, it was I who should've been thanking her, not her thanking me.
So, to my lovely friend, it may be belated, but I hope you had a great day. Thank you for letting me share it with you and, in doing so, for making my day. Thank you for making my soul blossom.
Alex x


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Sorry, couldn't resist!
So, its the final hour of the readathon and I'll soon by summing up what's been going on here in the last 24 hours. In the meantime please do consider entering at least one of the three giveaways currently running on 'The Story Factory Reading Zone'- they all close at the end of the readathon!
What will you be doing to mark the end of the readathon?
Reading Review
Hour 23- 30mins
Total so far = 11hrs


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Chatter, a black comedy, explores a very specific kind of solitude, the solitude of being in your 20s. Claire moves to New York. She knows that this is supposed to be the best time of her life, when she'll meet her true friends and her soulmate, but, somehow, nothing is happening. She fails to truly connect with her friends – her girl gang – and the person she falls in love with turns out to be just another illusion.
Written by Sam Kahn
Directed and designed by Alexandra Dashevskaya
Roxanna Kadyrova
Stacey Weckstein
Whitney Harris
Derek Stratton
Michael Tyler
Music by Vanessa Gould


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As a business user of Sharepoint, I have the following user experience whileattempting to open a MS Office document in a wired or wireless corporatenetwork.I have to enter my credentials 3 times the first time I can open the firstdocument. While opening subsequent documents, the user experience is smooth.Is there a way to request the SP administrator to change the configuration sothat a user has to enter their credentials only once (and not 3 times)?If the latter, I'd like to understand the rationale.
from what you describe, it seems to be a configuration issue with InternetExplorer. In IE navigate to Internet Options on the menu bar. Then click onthe security tab, and select Local Intranet. Under Local Intranet, selectsites, and then advanced. Make sure that your sharepoint site is listedthere. Click close, and then okay. Still under the Local Intranet Tab, clickon custom level, and scroll all the way to the bottom of the menu, and makesure that Logon with Current Username/Password is selected.some of these settings may be controlled by your network team, so you mayneed to contact them for assistance. If this doesn't work, we can look atother options.
MS will tell you that is a function of a layer of security. Usually, the trusteddomain settings on IE take care of it. We had talked about a GPO to set this foreveryone but we are too diversified to manage that globally. And, the averageuser can't handle setting the permission levels in IE.Don't forget to set your "Browser File Handling" in the CA under the "WebApplication General Settings". A setting of "strict" specifies an added level ofsecurity headers on every document.


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Mechanical Piping Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 1781, Tomball, Texas 77377-1781 Phone - 281-357-8008 Fax - 281-357-5899
Projects About MPS Careers Home
Mechanical Piping Systems is a full-service mechanical contractor providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services to Houston, Texas and the surrounding areas. We specialize in commercial construction, renovation, and service of all types of HVAC equipment. Mechanical Piping Systems has developed a team of employees that can offer their expertise with all HVAC applications and guarantee successful results to all of our customers. We work closely with Owners and General Contractors to establish and obtain goals. Whether the obstacle may be equipment procurement, budgetary constraints, or precise time schedules our staff has the experience and know how to accomplish the task at hand. If you are building a hospital or just replacing a chiller, Mechanical Piping Systems can help you achieve your goal.


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By Jessamyn Lau
The depth to which we are involved with each of our partners varies. Some organisations are newer and have a list of things we can help them find/do, others are very well established and for the most part we just get out of their way and watch with awe. Each partnership is defined by the situation and needs of the organisation.
One unique partnership is with BYU (Brigham Young University). Before I joined the PF, Dave and the Peery family had noticed an opportunity at BYU. A number of the family are BYU grads and they were very familiar with the student body who are highly entrepreneurial, have diverse international experience and language skills, and firmly believe in the school's motto of 'Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve'. It's obvious, right? Social Entrepreneurship fit! While there were a few solid SE activities already established on campus, they recognised an opportunity to coordinate the existing efforts, as well as build a robust program that would serve students and faculty across campus more completely.
Currently, this is what about 40% of my time is spent on, as we prepare to launch the program. This will dramatically decrease over the next year but for now BYU is the one partner we are in communication with almost daily. I'm a BYU grad myself, so it's extremely gratifying to be able to continue to build what I wanted to see while a graduate student there. I work with the program's director, a founders group of professionals all volunteering their time to create the program, and many faculty and student leaders. As with most of what we do at the PF, it's gratifying work -just in a different way.
The program will be launching in February, the week of the 7th. I'm pretty sure you'll get to hear a little more about all the goings ons, then.
And if there are any funders out there working with universities already doing or currently thinking about doing a similar thing, we'd love to hear from you. We've learned quite a bit over the last couple of years we've been working on this partnership, and we are still trying to figure out how the relationship will change as the program becomes more established with time. Always open to learning/sharing.


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How CIOs are meeting the needs of customers in the 'mobile moment'
Customer journey maps, responsive design and a mobile-first mindset are key elements to a mobile IT strategy.
Sign up now to get free exclusive access to reports, research and invitation only events.
Customer journey maps, responsive design and a mobile-first mindset are key elements to a mobile IT strategy.
Here's a look at how three CIOs are cultivating a business-focused outlook among the up-and-coming IT leaders who report to them.
Three CIOs discuss how they balance traditional and unconventional approaches to keep projects on track and deliver on their promises.
Learn how three innovate CIOs are minimizing the risks of shadow IT, optimizing opportunities and building better partnerships.
Tech execs boost IT credibility by educating their peers about the business benefits they deliver.
Too much security -- or too little -- could bankrupt a company. These IT executives offer advice on finding the right balance.
Three IT leaders share their strategies for telling the technology story to the board of directors. In short, you need to be focused, compelling and straightforward -- and a little humour doesn't hurt.
These CIOs are engaging the next generation of IT workers with programs that energise, inspire and educate young students about the real world of IT.
When these companies went global, they leveraged IT to unify, localize and lay the foundation for future growth
Scenario: Enhancing IT's reputation by using business intelligence to help make better decisions
Scenario: Convincing C-suite peers
Scenario: Keeping IT Staff at the Business Table
Your ERP rollout is global. But as you work with offices around the world, remember that all ERP is local, say IT leaders who've been there. Consider this expert advice from IT leaders on the CIO Executive Council:
Chris Patrick is the global CIO practice leader at executive recruiter Egon Zehnder International (EZI), and co-author with EZI Partner Steve Kelner, of a new online series for cio.com--Your Leadership Portfolio--which examines the key leadership competencies that IT executives must cultivate over the course of their careers to meet the future demands of the role. Patrick sat down with Rick Pastore, managing director of the CIO Executive Council, for a discussion on the evolving role of the CIO, the impact of the worldwide recession, and the progress IT leaders are making in meeting the expectations of the CEO.
How can CIOs demonstrate their ability to lead business initiatives that transcend IT?


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The family values that shaped a King
Fifty-one years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. touched many hearts and changed the course of American history as he stood before thousands at the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his unforgettable I Have a Dream speech.
Finding a place to call home
Nearly 6,000 children have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect by their parents or caregivers in Dallas County. Some children eventually return home. During that waiting period they are placed in foster care, if one is available.
Building the PQC village
Paul Quinn's student living center, first building since 1990
Paul Quinn College is the only Historically Black College and University in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Jackson: Young men follow your dreams
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson encouraged boys to follow their dreams and shared with them words of wisdom during his visit to the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, a preparatory secondary school for boys located in Oak Cliff, on the last day of school.
Dr. Jeremiah Wright: Christians should work together, uplift Black community
Religious leader Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr., the retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and former mentor to President Barack Obama, urged Christians to unite and work together as the Body of Christ, during his speech at the 108th Annual Session of the National Baptist Congress "A School of Methods for Christian Training." He also stressed the importance of people combining their efforts to correct the problems affecting the Black community.
Mardi Gras Nights supports West Dallas center
Despite its recent changes, the West Dallas Community Center said it's ready to continue the mission of strengthening West Dallas neighborhoods.
Jackson urges technology giants to recruit more minorities
Rev. Jesse Jackson recently pushed his way through Silicon Valley to bring attention to the lack of African Americans and Latinos working in major tech companies, especially at the executive level. So far, he has targeted the big players: Hewlett Packard, Google, Apple, eBay, Facebook and Twitter.
Southern Dallas highway in danger of demolition
Drivers who use Interstate 345 to travel from Southern Dallas to Northern Downtown can relax – at least for now. The Texas Department of Transportation has decided to repair the 1.4-mile-long freeway, that connects Interstate 45 and Interstate 75, until officials determine whether to replace or demolish it.
Dallas ISD's successes, challenges
Superintendent announces more changes to come
Since taking over as Dallas ISD superintendent, Mike Miles has made several notable changes in the district. There are more changes to come, he announced during his speech at the third Annual Education Summit presented by the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce on April 24. He also discussed what the district has achieved within the past 10 years, as well as the challenges it has to overcome.
Parkland CEO meets with community to determine hospital goals
Parkland Health and Hospital System's new CEO and president, Dr. Fred Cerise, already has his plate full as the new man-in-charge.
Sugar, spice and everything STEM
Black Girls CODE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage girls of color to get involved in technology, in hopes of inspiring them to build a tech career or become an entrepreneur.
We Over Me: Lunch is Served!
Paul Quinn College advocates farm-to-table concept for healthy eating
Setting the table with delicious food made from farm-fresh production was the mission of Paul Quinn College and local chefs during the college's annual "A Community Cooks" on April 17.
The Happy Wives Club
Happy marriage study, a Black woman's world-wide campaign
Even though divorce rates are high, happy marriages do exist, according to Fawn Weaver, The New York Times bestselling author of Happy Wives Club
Dallas communities hit the parks for 'It's My Park Day'
The city of Dallas Park and Recreation Department called citizens to nurture their favorite neighborhood parks for "It's My Park Day" last month. The annual event was a citywide beautification project that took place at 50 Dallas parks, including Pemberton Hill Park, White Rock Lake and Fair Park.
Bright Lights on Dark Days
Indie films dramatically highlight reality of Black life
Movie lovers viewed and critiqued more than 170 independent films and attended a series of panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, galas and more at the 2014 Dallas International Film Festival, held April 3 through April 13.
Striving for Excellence
Tutoring, mentoring company helps students achieve
Tutors and mentors can have a tremendous impact on a student's academic success. Carl Dorvil, founder and CEO of Group Excellence, a company that collaborates with schools to offer students tutoring and mentoring, understood this well when he started the company – as a student in college.
Liberian flag, promotes hope for the economy
Representing hope for the economic future and future endeavors between Liberia and Dallas, the Liberian flag now hangs in Dallas City Hall's Flag Room.
The Original Big Mama: Actress Irma P. Hall reflects on 40+ years in drama
"One finger pointing the blame don't make no impact. But you ball up all them fingers into a fist, and you can strike a mighty blow. This family got to be that fist." – Big Mama in Soul Food
Conversation about race, economics
The issue of racism and its impact on economic opportunity was the topic of round two of Conversations about Race, a multi-part discussion with community members and selected panelists, held Feb. 22 in the Dallas City Hall Council Chambers
STEMulating the Mind
Dallas ISD encourages, informs students about STEM careers
Whether conquering new maps on the latest video game, performing less invasive robotic surgeries, configuring risk factors, or exploring the solar system, STEM-related fields touch every aspect of today's world. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.
Fruitvale Station screening, discussion on race and class
The injustices that affect children residing in low-income neighborhoods was the topic of discussion during a free public screening of the film Fruitvale Station, on Feb. 3 at the Texas Theater in Oak Cliff.
STEM: Are we as a community ready?
Last Saturday, I took my sons to attend the first ever STEM Day in Dallas ISD. It was held at my alma mater, Skyline High School. For those who do not know, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
Monday Night Politics: Candidates spar for judicial seats
Candidates running for Dallas County judgeships expressed their qualifications and views before a crowded auditorium during Monday Night Politics – Meet the Candidates on Jan. 27 at the African American Museum in Fair Park.
Tamela Mann rocks music charts
Tamela Mann, acclaimed gospel singer and actress, ended 2013 with a bang by securing top spots on Billboard's 2013 Year-End Charts with her fourth and bestselling album, Best Days. Dominating the gospel genre, she received four number one positions including Top Gospel Album and Top Gospel Artist.
Empowered: Alicia Keys hosts living with HIV/AIDS chat
Grammy Award-winning singer and actress, Alicia Keys, joined five women who are HIV positive to discuss women in the U.S. with HIV/AIDS in a half-hour conversation that aired on VH1.com on Jan. 19. Their mission was to break the silence and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.
Rebuilding Oak Cliff one house at a time
As Dallas County continues to revitalize its southern communities,
Mandela Movie Mania
Six movies chronical the life, love and work of a legend
Last month, iconic figure Nelson Mandela was laid to rest at the age of 95 and was remembered as a champion for human rights. After being imprisoned for 27 years
The Height of Fashion
Entrepreneur puts tall fashions in department stores
Being 6 feet 1 inch, Lameka Weeks was tired of not finding clothes that fit. She barely had enough properly sized clothes in her closet. As a corporate professional, she had an even harder time obtaining business attire. Thus, she decided to create Height Goddess, an online fashion boutique that sells clothes designed for tall women.
Creatively constructing a new career
Sharon Douglas, who is now the CEO of Bradley Construction Services LLC, decided to leave corporate America after years of being unrecognized for her work and efforts.
Young poets 'slam' to express themselves
Young poets competed for prizes at Impossible Possibilities' third annual youth poetry slam on Nov. 9 in the Moudy Auditorium at Texas Christian University.
Dallas ISD teacher evaluation proposal
Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles informed educators, parents and community stakeholders about the district's proposal for a new teacher evaluation system, named the Teacher Excellence Initiative, on Nov. 12 at the African American Museum.
Living fearlessly
The reopening of the civil rights era's cold cases
Not all racist killers that got away with murder in the past were able to escape trial and conviction completely. Through the efforts of one man, justice prevailed for a few African Americans whose lives were taken for no other reason than hatred.
Breaking addiction, finding joy
Family members and friends may wonder, "Why can't they just stop?" While a number of individuals may be thinking, "Just one more drink."
Dying Alone
A daughter's quest to find answers
Why would anyone choose to die alone? – a haunting question that led one young lady on the journey of her life in the stage play, Dying Alone.
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!
I'm not a writer, I just have something to say. Bob Marley used the lyrics, "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights." He was not someone who bit his tongue. He said what needed to be said when it needed to be said. At no time in our recent history has this lyric been so relevant.
Dallas, Let's Talk About Race
City leaders host Conversations about Race
With a population of over 1,800,000 people, Dallas is an intricately constructed metropolis made up of several ethnic and racial groups. Its rich diversity can be a blessing when all groups work together for the benefit of the city, or a burden if one or more groups feel slighted or left behind – usually repetitively or something as important as employment or education.
Remembering: Four little Birmingham girls
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the deaths of Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins, following the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963, actors performed a staged reading of Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963 at the Clarence Muse Café Theater on Sept. 15.
Surviving childhood diseases
One of Keenan Green's fondest childhood memories is playing basketball with Michael Jordan. Jordan was hosting a mini-basketball camp for cancer patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital located in Memphis, Tenn. Green was one of the patients. He was 12 years old at the time.
An Unlikely Hero
Memories of a daughter's stand during the Civil Rights Movement
Watching her, one couldn't tell that she's 91 years old. Sitting on an elongated sofa in her quaint house filled with antiques, Julia K. Jordan, a retired Dallas ISD educator and counselor, flips through an album of old photographs. She stops at a page featuring a picture of a beautiful teenage girl dressed in a white debutante dress. The girl is Julia's daughter, Leiwanda, who would later become a champion for equality during the Civil Rights Movement.
Oprah Winfrey, Bishop T.D. Jakes tackle fatherlessness during Oprah's Life Class
Oprah Winfrey and Bishop T.D. Jakes tackled the issue of fatherless households before thousands of people in two episode tapings of Oprah's Lifeclass, which was held at the American Airlines Center on Aug. 29 during Jake's three-day MegaFest festival.
Woman Thou Art Loosed empowers, inspires during MegaFest
Thousands of women gathered for the Woman Thou Art Loosed conference held during MegaFest, Aug. 28 through Aug. 31 at the Omni Hotel and the American Airlines Center at the Dallas Convention Center.
Engineering solutions for DFW's biggest challenges
Water conservation, environmental safety and restoration, as well as education in science, technology, engineering and math, have been at the top of the state's list of concerns in regard to the immediate and distant future of Texas. Behind the scenes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been active in engineering and implementing solutions to meet these challenges.
Mentoring Rwanda, Afghanistan entrepreneurs
With a mission to empower women who have suffered oppression and marginalization, and whose homelands have been devastated by genocide, war and poverty, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women held its Peace Through Business program last month. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Terry Neese, an entrepreneur, pilot and political strategist, IEEW promotes women's leadership and entrepreneurship through education and mentoring strategies.
Millions awarded to assist health insurance enrollment
In an endeavor to allow health centers to reach uninsured Americans and assist them with enrolling in health insurance, $150 million was awarded to 1,159 health centers across the country, according to an announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Health Resources and Services Administrator Mary Wakefield on July 10.
Virtual rally pushes early learning investments
Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius led a national effort last month to highlight the importance of a high-quality education for every child, from the start. During online panel discussions, experts urged viewers to demand that early learning investments begin with babies and toddlers during a virtual rally on July 8. The event, "Rally 4 Babies: Learning Happens from the Start," was streamed live on YouTube using Google + Hangouts on Air.
Become united: A worldwide call to Africans
Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr., pastor emeritus of Trinity United Christian Church in Chicago, gave the keynote address during a town hall meeting themed "Africans Must Unite at Home and Abroad: Revisiting Principles of Pan-Africanism." Hosted by the Dallas Chapter of the National Black United Front as apart of NBUF's 34th annual convention, the meeting was held at St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church on July 11 through July 14.
Exploring STEM careers for girls
With careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in high demand, it has become increasingly important to prepare junior high and high school students to enter these fields of study.
Celebrities host freestyle battle of aspiring Dallas MCs
Ice Cube, Bun B, and DJ Drama were the judges of a freestyle battle between aspiring Dallas-area MCs, Beach Boy and D. Green on June 13 at the AT&T Plaza of the American Airlines Center.
Roosevelt alumni to celebrate 50th anniversary
Franklin D. Roosevelt High School turned 50 this year, and all alumni have been invited to celebrate their Mustang pride in a reunion this weekend.
Sticking to tradition: A Juneteenth celebration
Visitors to this year's Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, can expect to play games of tug-of-war, sack racing, limbo and more, on Wednesday.
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text: See what a healthier you can do If you're struggling with your weight or nutrition goals, we know how frustrating it can feel. Especially when it keeps you from a life you love. At Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute, we offer everything you need to live your healthy best. From weight-loss surgery to diabetes education, we've got you covered with a range of options to meet your unique needs. Our nurse navigator is your personal guide and will help create a plan that works for you. Our program is known nationally for excellent care and expertise. See below, or call us at 503-413-7557 for more details about how we can help you reach your goals. Join us at a free seminar Programs that fit your life Wherever you are on your journey, we're here to help you find your way. Our specialized services include: Weight loss surgery Weight management Diabetes education Nutrition counseling Dedicated team Our compassionate team of weight loss experts includes bariatric surgeons, registered dietitians, behavioral health specialists and physical therapists. Together, we care for the whole you to promote lifelong success. Learn more about our program Personalized support Choose from one-on-one counseling, group support or a combination. We also offer a variety of classes and seminars, online risk assessments and more programs to take charge of your health. Nationally recognized care If weight loss surgery is right for you, rest assured you're in skilled and caring hands. Our program has earned national recognition for providing the highest standards of care, from education before surgery to long-term follow-up support. One convenient setting Best of all, you have access to the region's most trusted team, tools and resources—all at one location. That means fully coordinated, consistent care at every step. We'll also help you arrange multiple appointments with specialists on the same day. So you have the time to stay focused on you. Take a free health assessment Have questions? Resources LINK Calculate your BMI LINK How to manage your diabetes Stories VIEW MORE Our World Creating a legacy of clean air for all READ MORE > Our World Healing gardens help refresh mind and spirit READ MORE > Our Patients Family is on a roll after mom's weight-loss surgery READ MORE > VIEW MORE


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An audience with Iron Erna/
September 26, 2014
Earlier this week I attended an event featuring the Prime Minister of Norway. Until I received the invitation from the New America Foundation I candidly admit I had no idea who ran Norway, let alone that she was a woman. Her name is Erna Solberg, and she heads a conservative government. I went along because I'm fascinated by women who do unusual things – and running a country is still unusual for a woman.
Here's what I took away from the talk:
The first thing I noticed is that Solberg is not slim. I was surprised and excited by this because as every woman in public life knows, the pressure to look 'good' by western standards is unrelenting. She's plump and she wore quite a loud print dress, which, again, seemed bold. I imagine a Hollywood stylist would be horrified, but Solberg clearly dresses (always professionally) to suit herself. Hats off to her. She is a female head of state who hasn't tried to lose 50 pounds to please the tabloids.
Being British I can only imagine what the British press would do to a woman of her size who wanted to become prime minister of Britain. Every other article would make some snide remark about her weight.
Solberg admitted during her conversation with Liza Mundy of the New America Foundation that a female PM did have to put up with more questions and comments on her appearance than a man would. But she believes there is a positive side to this, which is that "people get to know me better as a person."
Known in some circles as 'Iron Erna', she said on the one hand the nickname conjured up images of someone who's 'too' tough, unfeeling even. But on the other if it let people know she was able to make difficult decisions, 'Iron Erna' was fine with her.
Years ago she watched another female politician cry when she lost an election. At the time she thought, "You can't let your feelings show in front of other people. You'll come of as weak." But she's had a change of heart over the years. Now, she says, who cares? You're a person with feelings. So what?
Several of my guests on The Broad Experience have echoed what Solberg said next, when asked about why there are still few women in powerful positions in the Norwegian workplace: yes, there are structural impediments, but women are also perfectionists. We are so busy trying to excel in every area that essentially we don't have the energy to scale a company's heights.
"I'm a big fan of getting people to lower their shoulders," she said in her rather charming English. In short, you cannot do everything, so concentrate on the things that are most important to you and leave the rest.
The divorce rate in Norway has dropped lately. Solberg believes this may be because Norwegian fathers get so much paternity leave relative to men in other countries (currently 10 weeks). She thinks that leave helps families bond and stick together.
But Norway is not perfect. Yes, it has a much higher number of female politicians than many other countries and yes, 40% of board members at Norwegian companies are female thanks to a quota system. But in other areas of the workplace, the number of women has not increased. There are fewer female CEOs in Norway than in the US.
Solberg said, "There is a structural problem in our society," and that is gendered jobs. 48% of Norwegian women work in the public sector, while only 19% of men do. Women continue to do traditionally female jobs such as teaching, nursing and cleaning and men continue to be engineers.
I'll be talking more about Norway's gender policies and its attitude to work/life balance in the next episode of the show. Tune in on October 6th.


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Marvel Matrix
- This event has passed.
January 2 @ 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 9:00pm on Wednesday, repeating until March 31, 2019
Games : Marvel vs Capcom Infinite
Time: Estimated 9pm start
Cost : $10 per tourney entered
Standard double elimination bracket unless players request a round robin format and time permits
Brackets posted on www.challonge.com day of tourney.
Live streamed at www.twitch.tv/superarcade


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Tournament Format: All participants must be a member of USA Archery and must show proof of membership.
USA Archery memberships can be purchased at USA Archery's website
Archers may register for USA Archery Membership onsite if necessary.
18 Meter FITA I Indoor Round, 60 arrows. Target face will be a 40 cm single spot, 40 cm 3 spot or 60cm Single Spot depending on division and discipline.
Archers should arrive and check in 1 hour before shooting time, shooting time is for first scored arrow. Practice begins 1 hour before shooting time.
FITA Rules for shooting and equipment will be used at all times. USA Archery dress code will be enforced.
Tournament Fee: $25 per archer $15 late fee will be applied after January 28th, 2017 NOTE: 1:00 pm Shooting Line is FULL.