text:
|Tuesday, January 18, 2000,
Chandigarh, India
slides into dark
diplomat with a difference
polls: dual battle of allies
January 18, 1925
UP slides into dark
NOT all of India has marched into the new knowledge and technology-driven millennium. One big part, UP, has instead slid back to an earlier age when there was no electricity and piped water supply was a distant dream. The long-suffering people of the state have to thank the government and the trade unions of the power plants for their plight of cold days and dark shivering nights. The provocation for the strike is difficult to understand. The engineers and workers say they are opposed to the three-way division of the state electricity board to manage hydel and thermal generation and distribution. They fear that there would be loss of jobs and this can be the first step towards privatisation. A hidden factor is the perception that their Minister, Mr Naresh Agarwal, leader of the Loktantrik Congress, is authoritarian in outlook and is needlessly impatient and brusque. While their stated objections are too ridiculous to merit even a minutes consideration, their assessment of the political master has a large grain of truth. He did not consult them, nor did he send for them to talk things over even after they threatened direct action. Logic and the experience of neighbouring Haryana are on his side and he could be open-minded and accommodating. He could well have sent a small delegation of engineers and employees to both Haryana and Andhra Pradesh to see for themselves how safe and painless is corporatisation. But then that is not his style and the employees had to carry out their ill-thoughtout threat and plunge a major part of the state in darkness. UP has a long tradition of stretched-out strikes and government crackdown as was the case with school teachers last year. It is living that nightmare all over again in the coldest month of the year.
Having begun the work
stoppage, the employees are behaving like a fighting
army. Daily bulletins are issued to claim victory and
disclose casualties on the other side. On Sunday the
people were told that five of the six power plants had
been successfully captured or shut down,
generation pushed down to a miserable 450 MW, which is a
fraction of the daily demand, large parts brought under
the powerless shroud, and nearly 6000 strikers have been
arrested. A pretty good showing on the very second day of
the war! The government is not lagging behind
either. It has sent for reinforcements from the Army and
central electricity organisations. It runs one plant with
the help of the NTPC, which built it only recently. It
has threatened to transfer the plant on a permanent
basis. It has also issued an ultimatum surrender
by Tuesday or else. Both sides are parading a mindset
that rightly belongs to the dark age. Economic reforms,
globalisation and all the rest of the dramatic changes
have passed them by. Electricity is a basic necessity
these days like food or air. And two mighty forces
the nearly one lakh strong engineers and other workers
and the state government have joined hand to deny
this energy to helpless people. When will a commitment to
the welfare of the people guide them, instead of both
getting lost in shapeless fears and ego hassles? Even
those fiercely opposed to the invocation of Article 356
will fervently hope that the only exception will be to
dismiss a government that cannot provide electricity and
water to its people for whatever reason. The reality of
the new century demands a drastically reformed approach
to work and administration.
Links in a dubious chain
PAKISTAN has stepped up its anti-India activity in several ways. One would like to convey to Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah a word of genuine appreciation for stating in anguish and anger in Chandigarh the other day: We show a lack of guts in dealing firmly with the hostile neighbour... We can begin with the latest instance of unfriendliness and cowardice of Islamabad. Mr P. Moses, an officer at the Indian High Commission, was assaulted on Monday (January 17) and falsely accused of trying to deliver an explosive device and some money "to unknown persons". The imaginary items were, according to Pakistani officials, to be used for a blast in the busy Raja Bazar market in Rawalpindi. Mr Moses was shown with his bruised face on the state-run Pakistan Television. The Indian High Commission was not informed about the concocted incident. Electronic media bulletins with self-falsifying commentaries were the sole source of intimation of the torture of his staff member for the acting High Commissioner, Mr Sudhir Vyas. The crude act does not lose its inhuman and impolitic sting just because the victim has been now released. It is needless to invoke the Vienna Convention and the acknowledged bilateral code of conduct for the treatment of diplomatic or consular personnel. That this incident was a reaction to the timely detection of a 500-rupee fake currency note sent to a school in New Delhi by a Pakistani official as part of the fee of his ward is a well-known fact. The scale and extent of the large-scale printing and distribution of Indian currency notes of high denomination by Pakistan were noticed in Kathmandu causing much embarrassment to the mountain kingdom which has, unfortunately, become a major transit point for drug, currency and arms smuggling.
The facts are known.
There is a counterfeit Indian note-printing factory in
Peshawar which operates under the supervision of the
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) set-up. Fake notes have
flooded the Indian market and posed a grave threat to the
economy, besides giving a financial boost to terrorism.
This racket has to be ended by printing high-quality
currency bills which, like the dollar bills, cannot be
technologically forged with ease. The Reserve Bank of
India can find alternative non-metal-currency modes and
withdraw the deceitfully photocopiable or duplicated
notes from circulation. But this step will not cure the
mindset malady. What about the black deeds of ISI agents
detected earlier in the Model Town area of Delhi? What
about the assault on a senior diplomat in a busy
marketplace in Islamabad? Have we forgotten the treatment
meted out to Mr Rajesh Mittal and Mr D.P. Shrivastava,
also senior diplomats, on earlier occasions? There is no
difference in the bizarre and undiplomatic conduct of
Pakistan during the rule of Mrs Benazir Bhutto and Mr
Nawaz Sharif, and in that of General Musharraf. Pakistani
rulers have made diplomatic courtesy a one-way street
which begins and ends in India. We must not allow our
economy to be sabotaged after witnessing unending
terrorist acts and intelligence failures from Kargil to
Amritsar. It would be better to prove that we have guts
and gumption by using these in time. Pakistan has widened
the scope of its proxy war through terrorist and fiscal
"jehads", a word the meaning of which it does
not understand. We must hit back decisively on the
terrorist front and expose Pakistan in the financial and
diplomatic fields. The supply line of the enemies within
and without should be cut off.
Cops as killers
ON Friday a posse of policemen in Meerut killed in cold blood a college girl, Smita Bhaduri, and seriously injured her friend Mohit Tyagi. The policemen later claimed that they mistook the well-dressed college students, in their teens, to be wanted gangsters and, therefore, opened fire. The Meerut killing is a re-run of a similar incident in which two businessmen were shot dead in the car by trigger-happy policemen in Connaught Place in Delhi in March, 1997. The explanation for the killing of Smita is as unconvincing as the one which was offered in the case of the killing of two businessmen. The Station House Officer who led the attack on the innocent college students and later went into hiding before being arrested from a hospital, should be tried for murder and not culpable homicide. There is evidently more to the case than meets the eye. Even a novice fiction-writer would not buy the story the Meerut police is trying to sell on the circumstances leading to the killing of the girl. Had her boyfriend not had the presence of mind to get out of the car and raise his hands, as shown in films, Meerut may have reported a case of double murder involving policemen with normal eyesight who mistook the young pair to be the Indian version of Bonnie and Clyde on the run. The explanation that it was a case of mistaken identity has several holes. For making their version of the incident plausible the police would first have to manufacture evidence of teenaged girls having taken to a life of heinous crimes in Meerut and its neighbourhood. If they are unable to do so, their superior officers would have to explain why blind men are given jobs in the police force and also the licence to kill on sound without giving the so-called gangsters an opportunity to surrender. Or, has it become an acceptable procedure for the police to shoot at sight without trying other less violent methods for nabbing suspected gangsters?
In a broader context,
incidents of police highhandedness in investigating
crimes and arresting suspected criminals have made
ordinary law-abiding citizens lose faith in the integrity
of the men in uniform. Senior serving and retired
officers and the commissions set up for suggesting
reforms in the police force have recommended from time to
time the need for giving each of its personnel the image
of a people-friendly cop, on the pattern of the loveable
British Bobby. But the lack of political will to act is
holding up the process of giving Indian policemen lessons
in how not to behave like they used to during the
colonial era. It must be understood that the consequences
of the loss of faith of ordinary citizens in the
integrity of the police force are as dangerous as the
highhandedness of policemen in discharging their duty.
Both cause serious damage to the principle which
recognises the rule of law as an integral part of civil
society. For instance, at about the time the police
killed Smita in Meerut on suspicion of being a gangster a
more bizarre incident of mass killing was reported from
South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. It is almost
unbelievable that an angry mob took the law in its hands
and stoned to death 10 alleged robbers in broad daylight
and in full view of a large number of people who egged
them on to dispense instant justice. Why? Because they
had lost faith in the ability of the police to provide
them protection against robbers and other criminals. The
common factor between the killing in Meerut and the act
of lynching in 24 Parganas is that both lacked legal
sanction. If the political class is unwilling to take
such steps as are necessary for effectively combating all
forms of lawlessness, why not disband the police force
which in its present form has become adept only in
breeding criminals in uniform who end up providing
valuable service to the organised underworld?
THE flight of Tibets third living Buddha to India presents Chinas President Jiang Zemin, who once said that peace in Tibet is crucial to the success of reforms, development and stability throughout the country, with the opportunity to reconsider whether the late Deng Xiaopings astute one-nation-two-systems formula does not also hold the key to Chinas vexed Tibetan question.
The 14-year-old Karmapa Lamas dramatic eight-day trek in deep winter through 900 miles of high mountains and icy blizzards could have serious implications for six million Tibetans under Chinese rule, the 100,000 Tibetans in exile, mainly in India, and for slowly improving Sino-Indian relations. But if Mr Jiang can rise to his predecessors stature and seize on the scope for constructive diplomacy, he would probably find an ally in the 14th Dalai Lama. The latter responded 11 years ago to Dengs other statement that except for the independence of Tibet, all other questions can be negotiated by dropping the long-standing demand for independence and saying that he would be content with a self-governing, democratic, political entity in association with the Peoples Republic of China. That moderate stand has alienated many younger Tibetans, including his own youngest brother, Tenzin Choegyal, a former Indian Army paratrooper, and a hawk among the exiles.
China only understands the language of violence, declared Mr Choegyal when he learned that Ugyen Trinley Dorje, 17th incarnate head of the Kargyu Black Hat sect, which is the majority religion in Bhutan, and the third highest leader in Tibets Mahayana Buddhist hierarchy, had abandoned his Tsurpu monastery near Lhasa and reached Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lamas government-in-exile is based, on January 5. I definitely think that its time that the Tibetan movement took a military approach, and that India took an active interest in it, he said. Mr Choegyal sees Tibet as an essential buffer for Indias defence.
The Karmapa Lamas defection represents Chinas third major setback in Tibet. He was something of a showpiece for the Communist regime which had presided over his enthronement and no doubt hoped that his great spiritual influence and authority would help it to win over the restive population of what Beijing calls the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The first failure that struck a shocked world in 1959 was the Dalai Lamas escape from the Potala when he found that the Chinese were reneging on all the promises of regional autonomy and religious and cultural freedom that they had made when they overran his country in 1950.
Buddhisms second-highest figure, the 10th Panchen Lama, whom Beijing tried to use against the Dalai Lama, suffered jail and re-education before he died in 1989. The continuing wrangle over his successor exposes the weakness of Chinas control of Tibet.
For, as soon as the Dalai Lama recognised Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the six-year-old boy who headed Beijings list of 28 candidates, the Chinese spirited him away and installed another child, Gyaincain Norbu, the son of registered members of the Communist Party, as the Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lamas nominee has been kept closeted since then for security reasons. Tibetans boycott the ceremonies when the Chinese parade him at the Tashilhunpo monastery, the Panchen Lamas official seat since the 17th century.
Ironically, Beijing and the Dalai Lama agreed in 1992 that seven-year-old Tibet-born Ugyen Trinley Dorje was the incarnation of the 16th Karmapa Lama. That also made him heir to the handsomely endowed Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, where his predecessor had lived since he, too, fled Tibet, as well as to a rich international network of Kargyu establishments. However, the boy lama must be 21 before he can be enthroned. The sponsors of a rival candidate, an India-born Tibetan called Thinley Thai Dorjee, created quite a disturbance at the time and are now accusing Beijing of stage-managing the flight to enable the youth to plunder Rumtek. Its most prized possession is the black hat that the head of the Kargyu sect wears on special occasions.
Playing down the flight, the Chinese say that the Karmapa Lama is only visiting India to collect ceremonial hats and drums. He himself has given no reason for leaving Tsurpu surreptitiously with only his 24-year-old sister and five attendants, all in only the clothes they stood up in. The Dalai Lamas establishment is being close-mouthed. So are the Indian authorities. Between them, the Indians and Tibetans escorted the boy from the Dharamsala guesthouse to another destination, possibly a nearby monastery, four days after he reached Dharamsala. The stakes, spiritual as well as material, are extremely high, and the boy lamas security is bound to be of the utmost concern to millions of devout Buddhists as well as to New Delhi.
India finds itself in a particularly sensitive position. On humanitarian grounds alone, it cannot refuse asylum to such a high incarnate lama, certainly not if the request comes from the Dalai Lama himself. At the same time, the government must be acutely aware of the political implications of harbouring yet another nationalist leader of the Tibetan people who has, by his implicit action, defied and opposed the Chinese authorities. With Sino-Indian relations on the mend and India-Pakistan ties at an all-time low, no one in India save hotheads like Mr Choegyal and some militant young Tibetans wants to provoke Beijing.
Whether the Chinese will admit this circumspection and Indias desire for continued good relations is another matter. For, if the Karmapa Lamas successful journey exposed lax security and intelligence, his decision to defect was itself an indictment of Chinese rule. It reflected on the patriotic education campaign which two years ago swept through 1,780 Tibetan monasteries considered hotbeds of revolt, brought coercive pressure to bear on 46,000 monks and nuns, and forced people to remove portraits of the Dalai Lama from their walls.
Since then, Beijing has expanded the range of targets to include civil institutions, minority groups, independent trade unions, artists, singers and even software developers. Religious sects are being singled out for savage attention, as evident from the Falun Gong cults suppression and the defiant ordination of Catholic bishops without papal approval. But the Karmapa Lamas flight should remind the Chinese that he, like the Panchen Lama, refused to turn against the Dalai Lama, just as ordinary Tibetans cannot be forced to ignore their god-king. These failures indicate that even if Beijing is able one day to abolish the living Buddhas who are foci of nationalist sentiment, abolition may not yield political dividend. For, if an official puppet is appointed the Dalai Lama, the 500-year-old institution, which is today the most poignant symbol of Tibets identity, will forfeit public respect. Tibetans will then look for and probably find other totems to which to rally.
Rather than risk the
emergence of populist leaders like Mr Choegyal and other
young extremists and potential guerrilla resistance, a
China that has absorbed Hong Kong and Macau relatively
harmoniously should be confident enough to handle
Tibetans on the same basis. As the Dalai Lama says, he is
waiting for positive signals from Mr Jiang to
whom he sent a reasonable nine-point proposal for talks
as long ago as 1988.
A diplomat with a difference
T.N. KAUL, whose death was sadly announced on Sunday, was an important figure in the shaping of the present Indian Foreign Service. He was among the earliest crop of ICS officers inducted into the new IFS, a service in which Nehru took particular interest. But T.N. Kaul universally known as Tikki was unlike the normal, heaven-born ICS officer. He did not labour to be clubbable or to adopt the style and manner of the English rulers. Unlike many others of the breed, he was not born to privilege. He was one of the very few of the Kashmiris who have adorned the highest ranks of the civil service to have been born and bred in the vale and to have spoken the language.
At some stage in his early training he acquired a marked radicalism in his intellectual sympathies. This was not to be a mere passing youthful phase in his life; till the end he retained his empathy with the causes of the political left. It was not a narrow, doctrinaire alignment but nevertheless strongly felt. It brought him into line with the nationalist ethos of the time and made for an easy transition from imperial service to the service of free India.
In the heady early days of the External Affairs Ministry, everything had to be built from scratch, for there was no useful precedent from the previous era quite the reverse, in fact. A more indigenous diplomatic style had to be established, new relationships had to be fashioned, in keeping with our freshly redefined vision and interests. Kaul was close to the core of this process. He pushed for the use of Hindi in our international dealings. The 1954 Agreement with China on Trade with Tibet, negotiated by Kaul in Beijing, was a landmark in many respects. It was the first time that an international agreement was framed in the national language. It is now a standard practice to have a Hindi text of any international agreement, but that was the start. Some years later when I joined the IFS I recall that unlike many other senior officers, Kaul tended to address meetings in Hindi, which he was perhaps more capable of doing than many of his colleagues. The same 1954 Agreement set out the Panchsheel principles, which still remain valid, and in it was also embodied Indias position on the status of Tibet as a region of China.
Tikki Kaul was most closely identified with our emerging relations with Russia. In the Cold War context, this was a sometimes deceptive area but Kaul handled it with aplomb. Unlike many of his compatriots, who shrank from the austerities of Moscow and the harshness of its winters, he seemed to relish life in Russia. He created a personal following at both ends of the relationship, in Moscow as well as in New Delhi, which served the country well.
Early in his career Tikki Kaul was identified as a doer, a live wire personality who never sat on his hands. He got away with disregarding Talleyrands famous dictum that a diplomat above all should not suffer from the excess of zeal. He was irrepressible and unstoppable, overflowing with self-confidence. No wonder, he usually got his way and his virtues commended themselves to the countrys leaders. Jawaharlal Nehru gave him several prize appointments as did Indira Gandhi. His official career reached a climax with his appointment as Foreign Secretary late in the 1960s. This was particularly a momentous time for the country. It was during Tikki Kauls tenure that the Bangladesh war took place, to be followed by the Simla Agreement with Pakistan. By this time the Prime Ministers Secretariat under P.N. Haksar had assumed a dominant role in the formulation of foreign policy, but even so Kaul was a vital part of the team that guided the country through those dangerous times.
Unlike most civil servants, Tikki Kaul did not just fade away after he retired. He continued in the diplomatic front rank, with ambassadorial assignments to Moscow and to Washington. And when these were done, he remained a strong activist in his chosen field. The high reputation he had built for himself made him a valued adviser even when he was not holding any formal position. He also enriched public discourse by writing a stream of books on foreign policy-related subjects, in his characteristic, forceful and outspoken style. A further volume was due to be launched in the coming week. But now, alas, the function will have to be posthumous.
Greatly to his credit was the unwavering friendship and support he offered to those who had become close to him. He would help them find occupation and help sustain them once they were appointed. But he went well beyond; he gave of his time and disregarded personal convenience in looking after his friends. This was done not for effect but out of his natural inclination and human warmth.
Age did not slow Tikki or rob him of his elan. In his last years he took a good deal of interest in the Chandigarh-based Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID). Indeed, he was at CRRID the day before he returned to his home in Rajgarh on what was to prove to be his last journey. He will be deeply mourned by his many friends and admirers. The loss of his imposing personality is not replaceable.
State polls: dual battle of
ELECTIONS to the four State assemblies next month may not have a direct bearing on the BJP government at the Centre. Even in the unlikely event of the NDA partners losing all the three major states, the Vajpayee dispensation can continue without any fear of losing majority. At the worst, it could be viewed as a political setback to the ruling NDA.
This is because the ensuing elections in Bihar, Orissa and Haryana are being fought in an entirely different context. The issues at election widely differ and the personalities involved are so dissimilar. Therefore, if Om Prakash Chautala manages to retain Haryana or the BJD or Samata Party wrest Orissa and Bihar from the Congress and RJD, respectively, it should not be trumpeted as a popular endorsement of the Vajpayee Governments actions. Its most rational explanation can be the failures of the local NDA adversaries like the Congress and the RJD.
One only has to look at the complexities of the factors at work in the three states. Unlike Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and UP the BJP does not enjoy political superiority in these states. In Haryana, it is a marginal party subservient to the domineering Om Prakash Chautala. In Orissa, its ally Biju Janata Dal admittedly enjoys a bigger support base. Even if the BJP seeks half of the seats for itself in Bihar, it will find itself highly handicapped by the multi-dimensional factional pulls among its own allies. Nowhere is the BJP in a position to dictate terms with the allies or go it alone against the rival Congress or Laloo Prasad Yadav.
Local animosity has become the sole foundation of contemporary Indian politics. Each of the regional outfits that have joined the NDA bandwagon did so to settle score with its main local political adversary. Since they do not nurse any prime ministerial ambitions, they could support any arrangement at the Centre that helps them counter their sworn foes. If the National Front and United Front were the first beneficiaries of this local animosity syndrome, the BJP has now been able to do so with better sophistry.
The local animosity syndrome, that helped the BJP earn the support of the regional outfits, often works against itself in States. Compulsively, regional parties are highly possessive and zealously guard against any political poaching, including those by the allies. On this, they cannot compromise. In States where the regional parties have conclusively established their domineering position Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, etc the BJPs option is limited to appealing to their generosity. The real tussles for control crop up in the course of the assembly elections in marginal states like Bihar and to an extent Orissa. That which motivates Nitish Kumar to fight Laloo Prasad Yadav and for which he sought the BJP support, might force him to do so to a Susheel Modi or Kailashpati.
If the regional constituents of the NDA support Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister, they expect similar kind of reciprocation in states. This is the message Chautala, Navin Patnaik and Nitish Kumar have sent to the BJP leadership. Even before the talks on seat sharing began, these local satraps have made it clear that there will be no compromise on the chief ministership. Thus the whole attention has been on grabbing the maximum number of seats. Political bargainers no more raise a veneer of policies and programmes to justify the alliances or their breakup.
This politics of power has landed us in a few paradoxes. For every one, Laloo is a political devil, an usurper and a mindless dictator. But each of his NDA adversaries in Bihar tries to be a Laloo by resorting to the same treacherous methods he had used to perpetuate his rule. Nitish Kumar, Ramvilas Paswan and George Fernandes seek to emerge as megalomaniac and dictatorial as Laloo Prasad Yadav. In Orissa, J.B. Patnaik was described as a ruthless Chief Minister who had crudely suppressed his party rivals. Now Navin Patnaiks BJD adversaries charge him with indulging in the same kind of authoritarian methods. Last year, the BJD had been on the verge of a split over Navin Patnaiks high and mighty methods.
The birthplace of many political experiments, Bihar is experiencing the worse kind of power conflicts and ugly bargaining. Bitter factional war on so many controversial issues dog the NDA parties. Acute tussles for chief ministership is the root cause of the troubles. Samata Party boss Nitish Kumar, by far the most popular NDA leader, considers himself as the sole claimant to the Magadha throne as much as he endorses Vajpayees position in the Delhi sultanate. With this is entwined Ramvilas Paswans chief ministerial ambitions, Samata Partys refusal to endorse the merger, JD(U)s fears of Sharad Yadavs replacement as president by George Fernandes and the BJPs arms twisting on the issue of seats sharing.
Paswan was the first to begin the groundwork with his dalit rallies. Smelling a rat, the Samata Party suddenly decided to suspend the merger with the JD(U) and Lokshakti. They feared that in a merged party Paswan could easily grab more tickets. If the Samata remained a separate entity, it could also tightly keep its flock after the polls. Earlier, it had also opposed the continuance of Sharad Yadav as President of the unified party as he could have influenced the distribution of tickets. This week, it led to a fierce war of words between Ramakrishna Hegde and Digvijay Singh over the nasty role of Fernandes in breaking the unity efforts.
The Samata Partys position is that it would alone contest a bottomline of 130 out of the 324 Assembly seats in Bihar. If the BJP wants to allot seats to JD(U) or Anand Mohans party, they could do so from the rest of the seats. Since the BJP has staked the claim for half of the total seats, i.e. 262, it will be left with about 30 seats for the two minor partners as against the JD(U)s demand for 80 seats. The BJP argues that when it alone had fought the polls, it had got 41 seats against the Samata Partys seven. But the Samata claims that it had increased its percentage of votes from eight to 24 in the last Lok Sabha elections.
The Samata Party counters the BJPs argument by citing the latters dwindling support when it failed to retain its own Lok Sabha seats in the last leg of the election. The BJP, on its part, says it had lost only due to the betrayal by the Samata-JD(U) groups. The BJP had originally tried to scuttle Nitish Kumars moves by suggesting that the issue could be taken up only after the elections. The BJP thought that since it is contesting more seats than the Samata, it could claim chief ministership on the basis of the majority view. The Samata Party would not buy this theory.
BJP Vice-President J.P. Mathur added fuel to the fire by propounding a new theory under which no central Minister could contest for the chief ministership. It was a ploy to thwart the chances of Nitish Kumar and Paswan. The Samata retorted by asking the BJP to enforce the same rule in Orissa where the Chief Minister aspirant Navin Patnaik is also a serving Union Minister. The Samata Party has also reasons to suspect a secret design by the BJP to hoist Paswan as Chief Minister. It will be easier for the BJP to tackle a pliable Paswan than a Nitish Kumar with a firm support base. Some central leaders in the BJP even hope to eventually assimilate Paswan in the party as was done in the case of Yashwant Sinha.
With all such acrimony and bitterness, even a last-minute understanding might lead to the Karnataka syndrome in Bihar. The BJP alliances poor performance in that state was attributed to the non-cooperation by the angry partners. In Bihar, the Samata fears that a determined Paswan group might selectively sabotage the chances of the Samata candidates so that a weakened Nitish Kumar could be eased out. Rebel candidates under a multi-party alliance could prove more deadly as they could expect the support of an entire constituent. In Bihar, Laloo Prasad Yadav is still a force. In case the NDA parties fail to conduct a harmonious campaign, it is bound to give new hopes for the RJD.
In Orissa, the BJD is sharply divided on the issue of allotting half of the seats to the BJP which had only ten out of the 147 seats in 1995. A big section in the party had insisted on the BJP contesting 107 seats even if it meant a break in the alliance. Some even see a secret understanding between the BJP and party chief Navin Patnaik under which the former would get half the seats in exchange of the chief ministership for the latter. Partymen have warned Patnaik that once the BJP wrests a majority within the alliance, it would ditch him.
In Haryana, the BJP finds Om Prakash Chautala a harder nut to crack. A past master in realpolitik, Chautalas game plan is to get his own majority and have a one-party rule. He has thus offered only 20-25 seats to the BJP out of 90. At one stage, the infuriated BJP leaders were even threatening to fight the polls on their own.
For the NDA, the issue
at stake is the success or failure of a complex political
experiment. Unlike in the Lok Sabha elections, the allies
are now forced to simultaneously fight dual battles
both against the respective anti-NDA adversary and
among their own allies. This marks the early facet of
non-stabilised political alliances. The durable Left
Fronts survived this problem by honestly sticking to the
originally allotted seats. With its accute
contradictions, the NDA partners will find it difficult
to adopt this norm.
18, 1925
"WE are being treated to the usual misrepresentations of the Indian National Congress, writes our London correspondent, by the gentlemen in India, who act as correspondents of the London newspapers. Why cannot they give the British public a fair and reasonable summary of the proceedings instead of cabling a lot of rubbish designed to convey the impression that Indian politicians are all either knaves or fools?
The reason is obvious. By transmitting misleading and not unoften fabricated accounts of happenings in India these gentlemen not only pander to the taste of reactionaries in England but also help to create an atmosphere which helps them in perpetuating bureaucratic rule in India.
The need of
counteracting this campaign of mendacity cannot be too
strongly emphasised. Some of our leaders may not care
what the outside world thinks about us, but the
systematic propaganda on the other side has already done
grave injury to the national cause and, if left
unchecked, will do incalculable harm to the cause of
Indian self-government.
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GENERAL HOSPITAL's Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky) announced via Twitter last night that he and wife Touriya Haoud-Vaughan are expecting their third child! "We're so excited about his new addition to our world," he confirmed to Soaps In Depth today, adding that the baby is due late spring/early summer. "It's been in the works for awhile, but we were waiting to talk about it until everything was a green light."
Already parents to sons Jathan, 4, and Cavan, 19 months, the couple's hoping for a girl this time around. "My wife said that if it's a boy, then we're going again," Vaughan shares with a laugh. "She's determined."
For more about the actor's expanding brood, as well as a sneak peek at his role opposite ALL MY CHILDREN's Natalie Hall (ex-Colby) in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie Event, Love's Christmas Journey -- airing Saturday, November 5, at 8 p.m. EST -- look for an upcoming Keeping Track interview with Vaughan in Soaps In Depth!

subset: commoncrawl


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Since her 1998 election to the Miami-Dade County School Board, Marta Pérez, Ph.D., has distinguished herself as a champion for ethical and accountable government, narrowing the achievement gap between disadvantaged and more advantaged students, and preparing children of all backgrounds to start their school careers on an equal footing. A graduate of Riverside Elementary, Citrus Grove Junior High and Miami Senior High schools, Dr. Pérez is a product of the school system she now helps lead.
First elected to public office in 1996 as a community councilwoman for Miami-Dade County's Area 10, Dr. Pérez served as the council's first chair. Two years later, voters in Miami-Dade County School Board's District 8 – which includes parts of Coral Gables, West Miami, Westchester, Sweetwater and West Kendall – chose her to represent them. In 2002, she ran unopposed for her seat on the board and was re-elected to a four-year term. In 2006, 2010, 2014 and lastly in 2018, she was again elected to additional four-year terms, thanks to the continuous support of her constituents. Dr. Pérez is especially proud of having led the school board to adopt stronger ethics and accountability measures, including the establishment of an inspector general position and ethics commission, both dedicated to Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
She served as president of the South Florida Consortium of School Boards and co-chair of the Working Group on Public Schools Overcrowding Relief, and was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the South Florida Regional Planning Council. She was subsequently reappointed by Governor Charlie Crist, and has served on the executive board of this prestigious council. She was recently appointed to Barry University's Educational Leadership Department Advisory Board and serves on the Actors' Playhouse Board of Directors.
Above all, Dr. Pérez is the proud mother of Virginia and Rene, and devoted grandmother to Valentina and Rene, Jr.
Term: Serves as long as designated by the chair of Miami-Dade Public Schools.


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Rapper and record producer Logic toppled Kendrick Lamar from his three-week hold on the top of the Billboard 200 album charts with his new release "Everybody," according to Nielsen SoundScan figures on Monday.
"Everybody" sold 247,000 units for the week to take the No. 1 spot, while country singer Chris Stapleton had his best sales week ever with new album "From A Room: Volume 1," which sold 218,000 units to take second place.
Lamar's "Damn." added another 134,000 to land in 3rd place.
The Billboard 200 album chart tallies units from album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album).
On the digital songs chart, which measures online single sales, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi's "Despacito," in a version that features Justin Bieber, finally rose to the top spot in the United States with sales of 104,000.
The song, recorded with fellow Latin star Daddy Yankee and first released in January, has already proved a global sensation.
The new romantic single from Miley Cyrus, "Malibu," managed a disappointing 22nd place on the digital songs chart in its first week of release.


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Stock sectors group all the stocks in the stock market according to their line of business into generally accepted names. The underlying purpose of putting stocks into sectors is to make diversification of investment easy. Structural classification of an economy into different categories makes an in-depth analysis more efficient.
According to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), there are eleven stock sector classifications. Two can be considered "defensive" and nine can be considered "cyclical." The NASDAQ uses a similar methodology to group stocks into sectors, which is based on the ICB classifications. We use the NASDAQ's methodology to classify sectors, industries and stocks. The NASDAQ sectors are listed below.
Understanding stock sectors is one of the stock basics that help in the formulation of effective investment strategies. It is crucial to know the differences between each stock sector.
Defensive stocks tend not to go down in price as much as the rest of the stock market in a bad economy, since people are always in need of the services and goods they offer. However, stocks in this sector do not necessarily rise with a rising market.
Comprises companies that specialize in the production of consumer products designed to be used Immediately, food products, beverages, drug retailing, tobacco, and personal products. Learn more about consumer non-durable sector stocks
Consists of companies such as gas utilities, electric utilities, independent power producers, multi-utilities, and energy traders. Learn more about public utilities sector stocks
Belonging to this sector are companies such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, healthcare equipment and services. Learn more about the health care sector
There are a total of eight stock sector in this category, plus miscellaneous and other sectors. They are characterized by how they move in accordance with the stock market and economy.
Companies in this category include such as diversified consumer services, media, restaurants, leisure, and hotels, etc. Learn more about consumer services sector stocks
Companies belonging to this sector include office electronics, wireless telecommunication services, information technology services, computers and peripherals, internet software and services, communications equipment, etc. Learn more about information technology sector stocks
Companies belonging to this sector are metals and mining, containers and packaging, construction materials, chemicals, paper and forest products. Learn more about the basic industries sector
Companies in this group include construction and engineering, autos, auto components, aerospace, and defense, electrical equipment, conglomerates, marine, airlines and building products. Learn More about the capital goods sector
Companies in this group include that develop and produce drilling and energy-related services, crude oil and natural gas. Learn more about the energy sector
Companies in this category include thrifts and mortgage finance, consumer finance, capital markets, commercial banks, insurance, and diversified financial services. Learn more about the financial sector
These are goods that are not immediatly consumed or have a lifespan of three years or more. Examples include cars, washing machines and clothes. Learn more about consumer durables
These are companies that move stuff. They include air freight and logistics, trucking, road and rail. Learn more about the transportation sector
Pretty much anything that does not fit into the other sectors goes here. More miscellaneous sector information
These are sectors not included in the NASDAQ or GIC classification
These are investment products that hold assets. Usually, they attempt to mimic an index or a certain sector or industry. Learn more about ETF's, ETNs and Funds


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The Hidden Risks of Virtualization
Like so many bloggers I am here to talk about lurking issues with virtualization. However, I'm not here to talk about the technical details of items like promiscuous mode on a vSwitch or setting proper permissions in Virtual Center (which by the way these are both important). I'm here to talk about a more fundamental issue that plagues many IT shops–proper process around change management.
I talk with many customers today about their change management process and the vast majority still struggle to effectively manage change. They all have a change management process but they have varying degrees of success with it. Most customers enter change information into a change management system but for the most part the data entered is inconsistent. If I ask a few probing questions like can you tell about all the changes that took place to a particular asset or how do you know a ticket was completed successfully they generally do not have this information.
One of my favorite examples of a poor process was a very large customer who used an enterprise ticketing system yet could really not track anything of relevance with this system. It was not the change management system's issue because it had all the bells and whistles. It was the customer who had put a terrible work flow around this system. I sat with the customer to understand their existing procedure for submitting a ticket and was astounded to see that when it was time to fill in the asset name/group that was getting the change they used a drop down to select "Production." This is an organization that had 2000+ production servers so their filter was just to say production versus staging or QA. Suffice it to say this left some room for improvement.
I'd like to say this was an anomaly but it really is not. In many cases when I sit with a customer to understand their change process I see similar results. They do not enter the asset's name or instead put it in a giant memo field so this obviously makes it impossible to report upon. They may or may not document what exactly is going to change or keep it very generic like "Updating the Firewall Rules." Well, if I need to roll back a change that definitely tells me what I need to know!
So why is this relevant to virtualization? Obviously, this is a process framework that should not only govern the physical world but also the virtual world. So, if an organization manages changes poorly today this problem will grow by a large factor. It so much easier to make changes in the virtual world and these changes often go under the radar. Since you can easily add a brand new machine or even add a new network with a few mouse clicks most people do this without the proper authorization. This leads to undocumented changes but even when people do document the changes they put in the bare minimum that is required for the change system.
One of the greatest features of virtualization is that it runs at lighting speed and you can react to the business' needs faster than ever possible. However, in this case its greatest strength could become its greatest weakness if it paired together with an organization that does not have a well defined and mature change process.


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Chobe river crocodile, one of the oldest species on earth. It plays the waiting game, targeting its prey on the banks of the river, inside Chobe National Park, Botswana
An Aldabra giant tortoise roaming around Curieuse Island in the Seychelles. There are around 500 specimens in this island first discovered by Portuguese sailors in the 1500
Capuchin Monkey, or white-faced monkeys, occupy the wet lowland forests on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, but are also found elsewhere from Colombia to Belize
Two-Toed Sloth mother and cub in Manuel António National Park in Costa Rica. This species is found mostly mostly in tropical forests from Costa Rica to Ecuador
Less than 80,000 koalas remain in Australia. Habitat loss is the greatest threat to these marsupials Down Under
Female green basilisk lizard hanging from a tree in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. These are commonly spotted in other tropical rain forests of Central America
Two lions savour the shade, while eying a prey: a warthog. Less than 300 lions remain in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Two male gemsbok fight near a waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Gemsbok are antelopes native to arid regions of Southern Africa which can live up to 20 years
A hippo walks on the banks of the Chobe river, Botswana. Hippopotamus are hunted by lions when on land and crocodiles may also prey on smaller ones
Two Yellow-billed Oxpeckers take a ride on the back of a Cape Buffalo in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The buffalos graze between the Chobe region and the Okavango
Brown Falcons shot around Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia. The falcons are found throughout Australia and feed on mice, rabbits, small birds, lizards or snakes
Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, over the Hudson river, New York City, United States of America. The bridge, opened in 1883, is a National Historic Landmark
The chapel of São Pedro das Cabeças, Castro Verde, Portugal. A historical place where King Afonso Henriques defeated five Moorish kingdoms in a bloody battle
An plane flies over Tower Bridge, and the River Thames London, United Kingdom. The bridge by London City Hall and the Tower of London, has been operating since 1894
Detail in one of the many colourful houses in Burano, Venice, Italy. Burano Island is one of Venice's most picturesque and popular destinations for tourists
Water fountain at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. First a church, then a mosque and now a museum, it's a reference for both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. At Castle Rock, the monument is part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is the iconic symbol of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The Gothic façade was designed in 1880 by self-taught architect Zeferino Gutierrez
Queretaro main square, Plaza de Armas, at night and Casa del Corregimiento in the background. Santiago de Querétaro is an old historical city in central Mexico
Night setting over Sydney Harbour bridge and Sydney Opera House. The latter is an iconic multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, Australia
Creative editing of an aerial view of Castro Verde, a small town in the Alentejo, southern Portugal. 4,200 people inhabit the town
A person crosses a snow covered football pitch in Raynes Park, southwest London, England
The ruins of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico, a Unesco World Heritage Site that dates back to 100 BC
Founded in 1753, the British museum, in London, England, was the first national public museum in the world. Nearly 6 million people visit it every year
1 Shelley Street is a new development in Sydney, Australia, by fitzpatrick + partners architects. It features a white diagrid façade and comprises 33,000 square metres of office space
Finished in 1984 at the cost of £500 million, the Thames Barrier, London, spans 520 metres across the River Thames. It prevents most boroughs of Greater London, from flooding
Sunset at Sydney Harbour bridge and Sydney Opera House. The latter is an iconic multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, Australia
The metro Lisbon airport underground station. Opened in 2012, it connects the airport with the city centre passing by Oriente station, a hub for trains to Porto and Faro
Artists, in Coatepec, Mexico, dancing on the streets to gather funds to pay for the trip to perform in Europe
A mother holds a child amid colourful clothing for sale in the street market of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Before the oil is extracted, dried coconuts are hand picked by local workers on the island of La Digue in the Seychelles. Most of it is exported to the USA and Europe
A Damara goat herder, in Namibia, takes a break amongst the scorching heat to smoke a cigarette. Usually, Damara men care for the livestock
Every year in November, in Madrid, Spain, thousands of people descend to the streets to celebrate their patroness, the Virgin of Almudena
Three men dressed in traditional clothing await the annual worship of Maximón, a folk saint, during the Easter season in Santiago Atitlan, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
A local resident posing for the picture near Otjikoto Lake, a tourist attraction in Namibia
Two catholic men leaving Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The gothic monument receives more than 13 million visitors every year
A muslim man washes his feet at Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. The ritual is known as Wudhu. Muslims must be clean before the prayers
An old man drives an oxcart on the national roads of Costa Rica, on the way from San José to Poás Volcano
A fashionable man sells luxury clothing at the Leadenhall Market, in the City of London. Leadenhall Market, at Gracechurch Street, features many shops, cafes and pubs
Himba are indigenous people living in Namibia. A Himba child takes a short break from school to meet foreign travellers


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The Special Powers of a Sober Coach
Sponsored adThis sponsor paid to have this advertisement placed in this section.
One of the most frustrating aspects of Intervention is that the once the addict has been trundled off to rehab or refuses to go, the only real follow-up is a couple of stark white sentences on a black background. "Annie left rehab after 12 days—her boyfriend/pimp paid for her plane ticket back home." Or "Jerry successfully completed treatment and has been sober since May 12, 2010."
That's where A&E's new series Relapse comes in. Leaving the nuts and bolts of televised rehab and detox to Dr. Drew, Relapse begins when the addict graduates from treatment and lapses back into their old, bad, familiar habits. This time, instead of Candy Finnigan laying down the law, every show features two different users, each of whom is matched with their own sober coach whose mission is to help the addict figure out how to integrate sobriety into their lives.
We spoke with one of the coaches, New Yorker Patty Powers, about her stint on the show and her 22 years of sobriety.
What made you get clean?
I was going to die. I knew in my heart that I wouldn't make it one more day and I didn't have an extra 24 hours to decide. I was a heroin addict but I would also go in and out of periods when I'd shoot a lot of coke. There was drinking, but most of my drinking was when I was trying to not do heroin. If I moved to a different country and couldn't find heroin, I'd drink until I could find it.
How did you become a sober coach?
I didn't even know that term when I started. I have a lot of friends in the entertainment industry and there were times they'd be just getting clean and have to go on tour. They'd want me to go with them to help them stay clean. I'd tell them I couldn't afford to take off that much work, so they would they pay me for the work time I missed. At a certain point, people began to recommend me to clients.
What does a day in the life of a sober coach entail? On one of the episodes, the coach would stay in a hotel, but then in another, you stayed in the hotel with Keri, a young heroin addict, as she detoxed.
Every situation is different. It depends on what they need from me and what I think is the best. Most people who hire sober coaches have been to treatment—sometimes up to 14 times. They do the basics of what they're told, but they keep relapsing and often their therapist won't understand what's happening between treatment and relapse. Sometimes I'll live with them and make sure they're doing what they need to be doing to help this work in the long-term. With other people, I could be spending 12 hours a day with them, and then bring it down to six hours, then every other day. Along the way they're building a support system and getting involved in the program, so when I leave them, they're not alone.
But shouldn't they be getting that out of AA anyway?
Addiction creates all this social anxiety—many times, they'll go to meetings, but get more stressed out by talking to strangers. And talking to strangers is what's going to help them get sober. A network is the key to getting sober because an addict alone is in bad company.
Do you feel like shows like Relapse and Intervention are exploiting the addicts they feature?
Not at all. They're really educational, and I think they really impact the addicts that are on the show. It changes their lives in a positive way.
What if the person who hires you turns out to be a nightmare?
With a lot of addicts, if that's the part of their personality they're presenting, it's the disease talking. They're trying to keep help away. But I know underneath is someone I can completely relate to. They might have a lot of armor, but underneath it, they're just like me.
Relapse airs Mondays at 9/8C on A&E. Judy McGuire is a Brooklyn, NY-based freelance writer and a columnist at the Seattle Weekly. You can find her at dategirl.net.
Please read our comment policy. - The Fix
- sober coach
- Arts
- Judy McGuire


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Liver diseases are frequently neglected due to a simple fact: liver doesn't "hurt" until it's too late. That's why most people in need of liver supplements don't use them. This is the communication theme highlighted by the launch campaign for the new Fortifikat Forte brand. The campaign is developed by Tempo for Terapia – a SUN PHARMA company.
In a crowded market, with more than 70 competitive products with hepatoprotective action and well-known brands, the communication campaign propelled Terapia on the second place in the category within the first 7 months from its launch.
* Cegedim source, MSP value


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Today is the day that most of you have been waiting for – FREE Disney Dining Plan offer! The plan is being offered on select dates starting on Aug. 28 and running through Dec. 21, 2015. Below are the details.
Free Disney Dining Plan Travel Dates
Aug. 28 – Oct. 2, 2015
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2015
Nov. 8 – Nov. 19, 2015
Dec. 15 – Dec. 21, 2015
Booking: NOW – July 10, 2015
Free Dining is being offered to guests ARRIVING during the dates listed above.
Disney Resorts
Guests staying at a Disney Value Resort will receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE. Guests may upgrade to the Plus Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.
Guests staying at a Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort will receive the Plus Disney Dining Plan for FREE. Guests may upgrade to the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.
Offer excludes The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard View Rooms, campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort (from October 25 – December 21.).
The Fine Print
- The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
- Guests must book a MINIMUM of 3-nights stay and MAXIMUM of 14 nights.
- Guests must purchase at LEAST a 2-day Magic Your Way Disney World ticket with a Park Hopper OR Water Park Fun & More Option. Tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use.
- All guests staying the same room must be on the same package.
Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
- Advance reservations required.
- Disney Dining Plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages.
- Children ages 3 – 9 must order from children's menu, if available.
- Some table-service restaurants may not be included, or have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.


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The Pro-Sexual Nutrient with Numerous Health Benefits
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 43% of women and 31% of men experience sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal or orgasm. This condition can exhibit itself as an aversion to, and avoidance of, sexual contact with a partner. In men, there may be failure to achieve or sustain an erection, or it may be a lack of excitement and pleasure in sexual activity.
Stronger Libido … Greater Endurance
L-Arginine is an essential amino acid and one of the building blocks of proteins in the body, and based on hundreds of studies, it is also known as a safe and effective pro-sexual nutrient for men. Both men and women report that L-Arginine seems to increase their libido or desire for sex, and some also report that L-Arginine gives them greater endurance and stronger, more powerful orgasms.
Here's How L-Arginine Works
One of the main causes of erectile dysfunction in men is poor circulation. L-Arginine improves blood flow to the extremities, including the genitals, by dilating blood vessels and helping the penis to enlarge to its full capacity, thus increasing the size, hardness and frequency of erections.L-Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) in the human body. In the 1990s, scientists discovered that not only is Nitric Oxide an essential compound that helps blood circulation, but it is important to normal sexual function in both men and women. Without L-Arginine there would be no Nitric Oxide, and without it, men would not be able to have erections.
Nutritional expert, Dr. Jonathan Wright, explains the mechanism in men: "Molecules of Nitric Oxide (NO) are generated when an enzyme called NO synthase (NOS)—which is abundant in the nerve and muscle cells in and around the penis—strips away a nitrogen atom (N) from a passing molecule of the amino acid L-Arginine … and combines it with an atom of oxygen (O)."In other words, in order to produce nitric oxide in the body, a nitrogen atom must combine with an oxygen molecule in the blood. The enzyme called nitric oxide synthase controls this reaction. L-Arginine, the featured ingredient in Vydox Plus™, makes this happen and allows you to have harder, stronger erections.
The Positive Benefits of Arginine Go Beyond Sexual Enhancement
This remarkable amino acid helps build muscle mass, enhance immune function, improve blood pressure, increase memory, and speed wound healing. Arginine-derived nitric oxide has also been found to play a supporting role in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems and has been validated by hundreds of studies. The daily dose of Vydox Plus™, contains 900 mg. of L-Arginine!
Scientific Studies
The potent effect of L-Arginine was demonstrated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the British Journal of Urology International in which researchers evaluated the nitric oxide levels of 50 men with erectile dysfunction. The men were given either L-Arginine or a placebo for six weeks. Nine of the 29 men (31%) given L-Arginine reported a significant improvement in their sexual performance. These nine men had low nitric oxide levels at the start of the trial, but their levels doubled by the end of the study.
Animal Studies
Studies done on animals provide some evidence for effectiveness as well. In a laboratory study, two groups of rats were given free access to L-Arginine which was dissolved in their drinking water. Both groups had greater serum and penile concentrations of L-Arginine, and exhibited a significant increase in intra-penile pressure or "hardness."
Serum and penile tissue levels of L-Arginine in the treated rats were increased by 64 – 148% compared to control animals. The penile nitric oxide levels also increased nearly 100% in the L-Arginine treated groups compared to the control groups. The researchers concluded that these data support the use of dietary supplements for treatment of erectile dysfunction.
L-Arginine is Essential to Several Systems in the Body.
Among its Many Roles, L-Arginine:
Among its Many Roles, L-Arginine:
• Is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO)
• Supports male fertility, improving sperm production and motility
• Increases muscle mass, while reducing body fat
• Helps reduce growth of cancerous tumors
• Promotes circulation resulting in improved blood flow
• Helps recovery after heart attack
• Stimulates the release of growth hormone
• Helps prevent and treat cardiovascular disease
• Improves immune function
• Reduces healing time of injuries
• Improves vascular function for patients with angina
• Plays a role in the formation of bone and tendons
• Reduces risk of blood clots and stroke
• Supports normal blood pressure
L-Arginine is an excellent supplement for anyone wanting to increase his or her sexual arousal, improve performance, and overall health. The huge advantage this natural and safe supplement has over Rx erection pills is that both men and women can take it, it's considerably less expensive (Rx ED pills costs as much as $20 a pill!), and it's been proven to work in numerous double-blind studies!
For maximum results, we suggest that you take Vydox Plus™ every day for at least 90 days in order for the ingredients to become concentrated in your body.
1. Laumann et al. Sexual Dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and Predictors. JAMA. October 6, 1999; 281: 537-544.
Abstract ↑
2. Wright, J, M.D. and Lenard L PhD, Maximize Your Vitality & Potency For Men Over 40, Smart Publications, Petaluma, CA, 1999, p. 225.
Abstract ↑
3. Meston, CM, Worcel M. The effects of yohimbine plus L-arginine glutamate on sexual arousal in postmenopausal women with sexual arousal disorder. Arch Sex Behav. 2002 Aug; 31(4): 323-32.
Abstract ↑
4. Ito TY, Trant AS, Polan ML. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001 Oct-Dec; 27(5): 541-9.
Abstract ↑
5. Chen, J. et al. (1999). "Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor L-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study." British Journal of Urology International; 83(3): 269-73.
Abstract ↑
6. Klotz T, Mathers MJ, Braun M, Bloch W, Engelmann U. Effectiveness of oral L-arginine in first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction in a controlled crossover study. Urol Int. 1999; 63(4): 220-3.
Abstract ↑
7. Moody JA, Vernet D, Laidlaw S, Rajfer J, Gonzalez-Cadavid NF. Effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on the rat erectile response. J Urol. 1997 Sep; 158(3 Pt 1): 942-7.
Abstract ↑
8. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Kenneth H., Advanced Nutritional Therapies (Nashville: 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers), pp 87-88, 93, 94. ISBN 0-7852-7302-6.
Abstract ↑
9. Hendler, M.D., Ph.D., Sheldon Saul, The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia (New York: 1990, Fireside), pp 209-215. ISBN 0-671-66784-X.
Abstract ↑
10. Mindell, Ph.D., Earl, Earl Mindell's Anti-Aging Bible (New York: 1996, Fireside), pp 23-24. ISBN 0-684-81106-5.
Abstract ↑
11. Broeders MA, Tangelder GJ, Slaaf DW, Reneman RS, oude Egbrink MG. Hypercholesterolemia enhances thromboembolism in arterioles but not venules: complete reversal by L-arginine.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002 Apr 1; 22(4): 680-5.
Abstract ↑
12. Lin PH, Johnson CK, Pullium JK, Bush RL, Conklin BS, Chen C, Lumsden AB.L-arginine improves endothelial vasoreactivity and reduces thrombogenicity after thrombolysis in experimental deep venous thrombosis. J Vasc Surg. 2003 Dec; 38(6): 1396-403.
Abstract ↑
13. Michelakis ED, McMurtry MS, Sonnenberg B, Archer SL. The NO – K+ channel axis in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Activation by experimental oral therapies. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2003; 543: 293-322.
Abstract ↑
14. Maxwell AJ, Zapien MP, Pearce GL, MacCallum G, Stone PH Randomized trial of a medical food for the dietary management of chronic, stable angina. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002 Jan 2; 39(1): 37-45.
Abstract ↑
15. Amrani M, Gray CC, Smolenski RT, Goodwin AT, London A, Yacoub MH.The effect of L-arginine on myocardial recovery after cardioplegic arrest and ischemia under moderate and deep hypothermia. Circulation. 1997 Nov 4; 96(9 Suppl): II-274-9.
Abstract ↑


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2020 Registration is open, Click Here »
Join us in 2020
The Fun Run will be held on Saturday, January 11th, at 8:00am. We look forward to seeing you at the start line.
8.2 miles of beautiful ocean view running. Beginning at W.R Hearst State Beach and following Highway 1 South. In Cambria, take Moonstone Dr. and Windsor Rd. finishing at Shamel Park. Shuttles provided for transport back to start. The course is well marked and plenty of enthusiastic Cuesta volunteers monitor the course. Water provided at start, 4 miles and finish. Bathrooms at start and finish. Runners and walkers welcome within 2 hrs of start time.
Course MapsThe Course follows Highway 1 from San Simeon Dr to Shamel Park. Click here to view course maps.
Previous ResultsTo view previous Castle to the Coast Fun Run Results, click the links below.
2019 Results
2018 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results


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Tag Archives: California Raisins Modern Christmas Cake
Make Edible Gifts More Special
with California Raisins
CHOOSING the best gift for everyone who is special to you is always a dilemma come Christmastime. Somehow, it is difficult to pick the proper present for each member of the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. So, how about … Continue reading


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ICMI is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC
This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
Watch the webinar video below.
Newly released ICMI research uncovers a disconnect between customer expectations and contact center priorities. Is your contact center focused on what matters most? Join us as we share five facts your contact center doesn't know about customers.
Leading a contact center is more complex than it's ever been. Traditional methodologies, metrics, and mindsets are under scrutiny as business leaders examine their relevance to the modern customer. New channels have emerged, technology has evolved, and customer expectations have shifted. Most customer service professionals realize this, but how should the contact center react to the changing landscape?
The dynamics of this "new normal" present an incredible opportunity for contact centers to provide stellar customer experiences. The true challenge lies in understanding what customers really want and expect from service interactions.
A few things you will learn during this webinar:
Join us for this interactive and informative webinar—complete with audience polls, case studies, best practices and live Q&A.
Pete is a Senior Director with the Customer Contact Leadership Council of the Corporate Executive Board. In his role, Pete provides support to member executives identifying and applying insight to address their most critical customer-facing challenges. Pete provides advice for executives across a number of critical decision areas, including: strategy, planning, talent management, issue resolution, loyalty and channel management.
Pete joined the CEB in 2007 after spending nine years in a financial services contact center, ultimately leading the commercial & retail centers.
Pete received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Teaching from the University of Portland. Pete lives in Wilmington, Delaware.
Sarah joined KBM Group in February of 2011 and has 25 years of experience in call center operations including 4 years in data fulfillment and strategic sourcing. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of the BPO call center, data entry and fulfillment center as well as account leadership for two key KBMG clients. Prior to KBMG, she started her career as a credit management trainee with Sears and helped to launch one of the first consolidated national credit call centers in Dayton, Ohio. With the launch of the Discover Card in 1988, Sarah moved to the Merchant Services division, leading the call center teams supporting the business owners that accepted the Discover Card in their place of business. She continued with Discover Card, relocating to Salt Lake City and then Chicago, where she serviced Discover customers in both customer service needs as well as in the outbound Collections division. In 1999, she joined America Online as the General Manager for their 700 seat call center in Ogden, Utah supporting AOL members in sales, retention and technical support. Just prior to joining KBM Group, Sarah was the Vice President of Customer Service and Call Centers with H&R Block out of Kansas City where she was instrumental in establishing operational improvements and key performance metrics, driving improved customer service and satisfaction. From 2007 to 2010, she led the Northwest Division, supporting 1200 company and franchise owned retail outlets in eleven western states, driving innovative hiring strategies, talent management and revenue growth while improving margins through operational improvements.
Justin Robbins is a customer service expert, professional speaker, and business consultant that helps organizations maximize the strategic value of their customer experience initiatives. Over the course of his career, he's coached and consulted with thousands of individuals around the globe on contact center and customer experience best practices.
Today, Justin works with organizations to improve the impact of their performance management programs, drive more meaningful outcomes from their data, and align their customer service teams from the executive office to the front line. He is a frequent author of industry research, articles, and best practice content, and featured expert for media outlets including the New York Times, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, and Fox News. Learn more at www.jmrobbinsassociates.com
In her role as VP of Strategic Marketing at inContact, Madelyn is responsible for market intelligence, demand generation, channel development, product positioning and messaging. Prior to joining inContact, Madelyn worked for Fortune 50 firms to small startups, including Sprint, Hallmark Cards, and H&R Block. During that time she's worked in Marketing, Product, Sales, and Operations. Madelyn has worked in and managed teams in blended call centers at Hallmark and Sprint.
Erica Marois is the Content Manager at ICMI. With a background in marketing, public relations, and social media, she brings more than ten years of community management experience to ICMI. Having been at ICMI for more than 5 years now, she's also become a thought leader in the customer experience space. Erica manages ICMI's robust network of community contributors - 500 strong! She also hosts ICMI's weekly tweet chats that feature dynamic, interactive discussions with thought leaders and innovators in the contact center community. In addition, she produces ICMI's webinars and many other content initiatives like Contact Center Insider newsletter. Lastly, Erica employs her creative viewpoint on community engagement at ICMI events, managing ICMI's Global Contact Center Awards Program, and Movers & Shakers initiative, as well as working with attendees to enhance their event experience. Erica is a connector of people - in any medium - and loves bringing contact center leaders together to solve problems.
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Thursday, October 3, 2013
Out on the Town||Lunch/Shopping/Friends
7 comments:
Looks like a blast! I really hope that someday.... we can do that together.... but I know you all have such a busy life... but maybe just maybe it will work out! Enjoying all the post Chelsy! This is so wonderful!! <3 MaryReplyDelete
this is a fun post! Chels I like hats too! you are cute with hats on. ;) and i like Alli's Purse. -sarahReplyDelete
umm, LOVE this.ReplyDelete
def will have to check out that amazing crepe place sometime!!Replies
hey! we should go there together! yes? =)Delete
you would love it..the couple who owns it is from somewhere in south america but they grew up in france..or something like that if I remember correctly. So they have this gorgeous dark skin w/ these incredible accents. wow. =)
incredible speaking accents. not skin accents. just to clarify. =)Delete
Lovely post, Chelsy!ReplyDelete
Making memories with sisters-in-Christ is so wonderful. =) And a nutella strawberry crepe sounds pretty fabulous, too. =) Blessings!ReplyDelete
Comments containing profanity and/or hateful language will not be published. Also, anyone with a question must provide their full name. Feel free to email me with questions on topics not pertinent to the post. Thanks y'all!


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A yearling male gray wolf was hit and killed by a passing vehicle July 7 on Highway 26/89/191 (Hwy 89) near Elk Ranch Flats in Grand Teton National Park. The black-colored wolf, weighing 75 pounds, is likely a member of the Phantom Springs wolf pack that frequents the eastern portion of Grand Teton.
This pack has existed since 2008 and maintained a territory in this area since 2010, according to information released by the park's public affairs office. Park rangers discovered the dead wolf lying in the road at 11:45 p.m. and later received a call from the driver who stated that the wolf suddenly darted out into the traffic lane and he could not swerve to avoid hitting the animal.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations, a motor vehicle operator is required to report an accident involving property damage, personal injury, or death—which includes the injury or death of wildlife.
The expanse between Moran Junction and Triangle X Ranch, which includes Elk Ranch Flats, is a wildlife-rich area of the park. Stretches of Hwy 89 in this area contain dense roadside vegetation that can reduce the visibility of animals that may be lingering nearby. Wildlife are frequently found near riparian areas, and motorists should slow down, be more alert and use extra caution while driving through riparian areas with limited roadside visibility. Two such areas lie south of the Moran Junction and also Gros Ventre Junction.
Vehicles take a significant toll on park wildlife, resulting in the deaths of well over 100 animals per year.
In the past five years, five wolves and 12 bears (grizzly and/or black bears) were involved in vehicle collisions in Grand Teton National Park that resulted in the injury or death of the animal. The tally includes: 2010, two wolves and five bears (one grizzly bear); 2011, one wolf and two black bears; 2012, two wolves and four bears (two grizzlies); and 2014, one black bear. In addition to wolves and bears, other wildlife such as elk, moose, bison, deer, pronghorn antelope, and smaller creatures such as beavers, marmots, and porcupines have been killed in vehicle collisions, as well. Encounters between vehicles and bears or wolves—among other wildlife—serve as a reminder that animals actively use areas near park roads and also cross these roads without warning.
In 2012, Grand Teton park managers lowered the nighttime speed limit to 45 mph in an effort to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Many collisions with wildlife occur from dusk to dawn when a combination of low light and speed increases the chance for hitting an animal. It is important to note that driving defensively and lowering vehicle speeds can increase the margin of safety for both people and wildlife. Collisions with wildlife may result in severe damage to a vehicle, serious or fatal injuries to the occupants of that vehicle, and/or death for the animal involved.


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Mobile Garter & Mobile Cocktail Making Hen Party in Milton Keynes
Two fantastic Milton Keynes mobile hen party activities in one great hen party bundle. The Milton Keynes mobile Garter making & cocktail making activities can be held at a venue of your choice, whether it's your home, a cottage, apartments or a larger venue the choice is yours. Just let us know and we are ready to go and we bring everything with us.
By booking both the Milton Keynes mobile Garter making and mobile cocktail making hen party activities together you'll benefit from great value, as well as a fabulous balance of crafty and classy entertainment for your hen party.
This Milton Keynes Mobile Hen Party Bundle includes:
- Mobile Garter Making
- Mobile Cocktail Making Party
Mobile Garter Making
Why not have a hen party to remember with a unique mobile garter making hen party activity? Get all the girls involved in this fun and a little bit cheeky hen party idea.
Whats Included
- Create your own garter from lace and ribbons!
- Expert craft instructor
- First make your garter from scratch
- Choose from a large selection of laces, ribbons, trims & charms to make your garter unique
- All the materials & craft equipment is included
- Plus a beautiful presentation box to take away and keep your garter safe
- Make it a Vintage class for an extra £3pp
- ADD a cheeky naked butler for £150 for 2 hours (available if venue close to city centre)
- We come to you!
- Create your own garter
- Fabric flowers, bows, beads
- Cottages, Apartments, Homes
Mobile Cocktail Making
Enjoy a Milton Keynes mobile cocktail making hen party at your home with your family and friends. Our home and mobile cocktail making class will teach you all the skills you need to be a true master show off behind the bar.
- We bring the cocktails to you
- Learn to make & shake cocktails
- Introduction to your bartender & equipment
- Everyone will drink between 3-4 cocktails each
- Fully trained cocktail bartender
- Includes ice, alcohol stock, garnishes, bar tender and everything needed for the day.
- Travel cost to be added once we know your location
- Make cocktails at your own venue
- Learn to mix & shake cocktails
- Includes all drinks & equipment
- Cottages, Apartments, Hotels
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Nursing assistants render direct care for residents in long-term care facilities. They spend much time at patients' bedsides, offering constant physical and emotional support. While they typically work in residential care facilities, they may also work in home health care, hospitals, and other acute settings.… Read the rest
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Employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, a rate that is faster than the average for all occupations. Nurse assistants are needed to care for the growing elderly population in personal homes, adult daycare centers, and long-term care facilities.… Read the rest
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The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) placed Certified Nurse Assistants among the top six occupations with record job openings. Tough economic times that impact other industries negatively, resulting in layoffs and cutbacks, seem to have little or no effect on health care.… Read the rest
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An analysis by researchers at the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) placed Nurse Aides among the six occupations that have historically high numbers of growth openings. In spite of tough economic times, the health care industry continues to experience steady growth, and Nurse Aides along with Dental Assistants, Registered Nurses, Pharmacy Technicians, and Medical Assistants, have experienced an industry growth that exceeds the number of graduates and trainees entering the workforce.… Read the rest
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The healthcare sector remains one of the fastest growing industries in Missouri, demanding an extensive number of professionally trained individuals. The current demand for healthcare workers is reflected in the number of training programs designed to produce workers to fill vacancies for entry-level positions such as certified nurse assistants and home health aides.… Read the rest
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A CNA's job is extremely challenging and fulfilling. CNAs provide important emotional and social support at a time when patients need it most. They are a critical link between patients and other healthcare professionals on the patient care team. Serving on the front lines of healthcare, they are often the principal caregivers for residents in long-term care facilities.… Read the rest


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I am an accomplished information technology professional and educator living in the St. Louis area with my beautiful wife, jealous dog and a very ugly student loan debt. Also, the author of "Technology Planning for School Leaders" published by Lambert Academic Publishing.
In 2008, I learned my mother suffered from Alzheimer's dementia and the resulting grief led me to start writing my thoughts down to help me process the news. Those thoughts became "Mama Is Still Here!" an inspirational tribute to my mother and a guide for those who find themselves in a similar situation.
Like so many other tragic circumstances in life, seeing a loved one suffer from Alzheimer's feels deeply personal, but involves struggles that are universal. In Mama Is Still Here! The book is about my mother's experience with the disease now plaguing more than five million people in the United States captures both sides of the struggle. Throughout the book, readers gain a clear picture of who Daisy (the Mama in question) is. A great cook with a special skill for making coconut cake, the "family's memory maker," a doting mother and a loving wife; the woman at the center of the story shines through even as she sometimes fails to recognize those parts of herself. With this book, I celebrate all the things that make my mother special, while at the same painting a clear picture of the challenges most Alzheimer's patients and their families face. For anyone who doesn't know what to expect from an Alzheimer's diagnosis, this book covers many of the basics.
Excerpt from Chapter 1 - My Name is Daisy!
Check out book trailer.
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Narrated and produced by Dirk Watson featuring Eva MarionChild.
Media Formats: Hardback, paperback and e-Book.
Media formats available for purchase: Hardback, paperback and eBook.
Media Formats: Hardback, paperback and eBook.


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You can trust us at PhotoVideoGo with capturing the photos of your event because we can guarantee that you will receive the highest quality photos and the best customer service. Our photographers have over 11 years experience shooting all types of events; Weddings, Corporate, Sweet 16's, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Fashion Shows, Birthdays and much more; over 2000 events and counting. We are professional Photographers and we take pride in our work. Click here to see our portfolio.
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Basically what happens is that a twelve-year-old genius, T.S. Spivet, is obsessed with mapping the achingly ordinary world around him, until it stops being quite so ordinary – he wins a major scientific prize and has to decide whether to stay on the dry Montana ranch he calls home, or somehow travel two thousand miles across the country to claim his place among the scientists he so reveres.
Guys, it was so good. If you missed my hints on the blog and twitter, here's how freakin' good it was:
Guys, it was so good. If you missed my hints on the blog and twitter, here's how freakin' good it was:
|TWO THUMBS UP KINDA GOOD! [Doing two thumbs up while holding heavy book: unsuccessful.]
You know what I loved? The experimentation with sidenotes and illustrations. I literally got this book because I saw it and went "Ooh! Pictures!" and I definitely wasn't disappointed. The little maps, sketches and graphs all add to the story and appeal to my incredibly short attention span.
Reading a sidenote, even at the very end, feels like you're unlocking a secret layer in the narrative. It creates an intimacy with the reader that isn't easy to come by in contemporary lit.
You know what could've been better? The language didn't strive to be childish at all, but there were glaring times when the voice was all "hello, I am an adult self-consciously writing from a child's point of view." Luckily those moments were few and far between.
Another thing that irked me is the micro-story in the middle, which had its thematic appeal, but dragged on a bit too long. It was compelling at first, but I got through the whole thing only by devouring the side notes. There's also an annoying deus ex machina that pops up towards the end to iron over some dodgy plot points. But hey, this stuff is forgivable.
This isn't an action-packed story, but it's certainly a compelling one. Though T.S. is a little genius, he's far from cold, and there is a pervasive curiosity and clarity of vision that sticks with you after you've put the book down. What's most fascinating is the way he charts and maps his family – from the traumatic accident that killed his brother (this broke my heart a little bit, because it was never fully fleshed out, but constantly hinted at in the narrative) to the series of muscle contractions that make up his father's expressions. Larsen's also a kickass illustrator when he's not doing the whole measuring-and-charting thing, too.
|One of my favourite pages, a swarm of sparrows.
Much of the book is set on a very long train ride, and it was described so well that I felt a little fatigued and motion sick whenever it was mentioned. I don't generally recommend books that make me sick, but there you go.
I loved it, not only for the rich, endearing story, but because it's so visually interesting I couldn't wait to turn each page. I could argue that the tangential structure hints at the way a genius' brain works, but to be honest it felt very natural and not at all contrived to prove some abstract literary point. It's a brief and intoxicating return to picture books mixed with the secret thrill of reading someone's journal and turning the page sideways to check what vital insight is squished along the margin.
I recently got a Kindle (yay!) but The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet is exactly why I'll never stop buying print books. I may be downloading classics I'm not sure about, and new stuff that'd take ages to ship to S.A., but something as beautifully crafted as this book could never really live on a screen. It's meant to be held, the weight of it showing how much talent and hard work went into it.
Also, I cried at the end. SO YOU KNOW IT'S GOOD.
I give it a 4/5, or 8.2/10, or :) / 9000. Do pick it up if you get the chance!


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You cannot deny the fact that Ancient Greek is also famous in creating remarkable theatrical plays. However, compared to Hamilton and Elizabethan theatre costume, the apparel that the characters wear on stage is completely different. If you want to know that the ancient Greek clothing is like, here are the following characteristics that are worth noting down.
1. The use of masks
Ancient Greek is very famous for their use of masks in performing a dramatic play. The masks are usually made out of wood, leather cork, linen, and sometimes, real human hair. The mask should be lightweight as to not cause any inconvenience to the performer playing on stage, but it should be durable to remain intact all throughout the play.
However, these masks are not made to last for an extended period of time. There is only a few to zero masks that have lasted for quite a while. It's hard to find original masks nowadays that were used during the time of Ancient Greece.
2. Body-painting
There is also less to no apparel that was used in Ancient Greeks because they are fond of body painting. Body painting is used to emphasize the characterization of a particular actor in a play. It also helps the audience to determine what gender, class, age, and even social status the actor is just by looking at his body paint.
These factors will vary in the style of the garment, the colors used, and the materials intended for the costumes as well.
3. Costume pieces
They are also seen with some costume pieces. It includes a Chiton (which means a robe), a Chlaiana (an over-wear for females), Chlamys (a short cloak for both sexes), a Kothurnus (Ankle boots with some laces), and Himation (an over-wear).
4. Males portraying female characters
Just like in Elizabethan theatre, there are times when males portray female characters. Hence, they tend to wear lengthy white sleeves and a posternada and progastrin worn across their big chests to differentiate themselves as females.
5. Athenian and foreign characters
As for the Athenian characters, they are required to wear fancier versions of the common clothing and apparel worn by a normal ancient Greek individual. As for foreigners, they tend to distinguish themselves from other characters by rocking t outlandish look. It also helps the audience to determine that this specific character is foreign to the country and society.
6. Sandals and elevated boots
Ancient Greek is also known for their sandals and elevated boots. It's their sandals for regular use. And more often than not, it is usually characterized by lace. Gladiator sandals are most commonly seen in males wearing short white apparel. It usually comes in color gold and brown or other neutral colors.
7. Introduction of onkos
Over the time, ancient greeks tend to emphasize the importance and social status of a particular character on stage by letting them wear onkos. Onkos is a pair of shoes that add a head to the character's height on stage. Therefore, the taller the character appears on stage, the more important he is to the drama.
The concept of Ancient Greek theatre costume is more on standing above the crowd. It's a manner of wearing a fancier version of regular clothing that can separate himself from the lower class. Hence, using a heat press to make shirts for this kind of theatre costume is not very effective. Ancient Greek is religious. Their clothing does not only define their characters on stage, but it can also make them convince themselves that once they wore the apparel and stepped on the stage, they are completely different persons.


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The warm-ish weather is back in Edmonton, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect for Earls' recent Spring Menu launch. Just like in the past, Earls hosts local media at the flagship location (Tin Palace) and treats them like family. From cocktails to burgers, wine to shortcake, the staff and chefs continue to make … Continue reading
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Earls Kitchen + Bar – Fall Menu Preview
Earls Kitchen + Bar continues to impress me. Preview after preview. Kitchen tour after kitchen tour. From the first page of the menu to the last, almost every dish is a hit. On top of the food, I've been around the group long enough to appreciate the level of engagement and culture that Earls brings. … Continue reading


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Talking of the history of Mallorca, an island of Spain has to make us recall its history of invasions before we can learn how it came to be what we know of it to be, today. Its history may be as long as its shoreline should we say. What actually makes it attractive to a cornucopia of conquerors, invaders, settlers, and tourist that have all contributed to its richness and vital history is its long coast measuring about 5,547 km or 3,439 miles.
It was about the 13th century when the Catalans took back the island from the moors that its history began through a strain of active trade, which in a way was then still primitive with others in the western Mediterranean in which time as well quantity of arms were found in their dwellings. Hence, it only does mean that the island is far from being calm during that period. Later, it was noted that the place had been then called the "island of Calm".
Since it is within and through the great trading routes crossing the Mediterranean Sea it became an important commercial center first with the Phoenicians, and then the Carthaginian traders. During the 7th to the 8th century it has been told that the Mallorcan honderos (stone slingers) fought for the Carthaginians in the Punic wars.
A time came when piracy was rife in the Balearas in where the winning Romans tired of it finally went on to conquer Mallorca through and organized expedition and settled there. It was Quinto Cecilio Metelo who led the conquest around 123 BC. From then on, in about five and a half century its fortune and its changes rested with Roman history. Historians believe that at the time there were two major centers; Pollentia (beside Alcudia) and Palma. After a few centuries more of 'ups and downs' under the successive domination of the Vandals and the Byzantines, the Muslims began 200 years of attacks on the island at the beginning of the 8th century. In 902 the entire archipelago was annexed to the Emirate of Cordoba.
If it was Roman culture that did much impact on the social norms and patterns of the Mallorcan it was the influence of the Moors that probably brought about the advance of agriculture, craft and commerce, and contribution to the island's folklore, language and cuisine.