text:
Plotting a referendum - Postcodes
Following the shock decision by the UK to leave the EU, many ideas were put forward as to the reasons behind why so many people voted the ways that they did.
In an effort to learn more about data handling in python, using pandas, matplotlib and other fun stuff I scoured the internet for data and set about plotting graphs.
- Overview
- Sourcing data
- Mapping data
- Scatter plots
We need to collect information on the relation between postcodes and voting districts as the CAP data is indexed by postcode prefix and is not available with the ward data. In this file we construct a 'map' which takes postcode prefix to a corresponding (approximate) district ward.
The OS Codepoint data is provided as a huge number of different
csv files,
each containing information about a number of postcodes.
Loads OS Open Code Point data and combines all postcodes into one DataFrame.
This maps each postcode to its ward code, and then also creates another which
maps the postcode prefix to its ward code.
import glob
import os
import pandas as pd
codepoint_dir = './raw/codepoint-open_1418967'
header_file = codepoint_dir + '/docs/Code-Point_Open_Column_Headers.csv'
one_let_dir = codepoint_dir + '/one_letter_pc_code'
two_let_dir = codepoint_dir + '/two_letter_pc_code'
The column headings are stored separately to the data, so load into a DataFrame.
Each postcode directory contains various
csv files containing the data, so
using a glob to list each of these files we can concatenate them together into a
single DataFrame using the headers extracted earlier.
def get_header():
""" Get the column headers for all the postcode data """
return pd.read_csv(header_file, header=1)
def get_all_csv(d, headers):
""" Get data from all csv files in the directory d """
files = glob.glob(os.path.join(d, "*.csv"))
return pd.concat( (pd.read_csv(f, names=headers) for f in files),
Concatenate the one-letter postcode data with the two-letter data to give the full dataset.
def combine_all():
""" Combine the headers, one letter and two letter postcodes """
h = get_header()
all_one = get_all_csv(one_let_dir, h)
all_two = get_all_csv(two_let_dir, h)
return pd.concat([all_one, all_two], ignore_index=True)
The only columns we really care about in the dataset is the district codes and the postcodes, so throw away everything else and give the columns nice names.
a = combine_all()
a = a[['Postcode', 'Admin_district_code']]
a.columns = ['Postcode', 'Ward']
So far we have a list of all postcodes from the UK, each of which has a district
ward code. The CAP data is provided with only the prefix of the postcode, so we
extract the first 4 chars from each and set that as a column
PC Prefix.
prefix = a['Postcode'].str[0:4].str.strip()
prefix.name = 'PC Prefix'
a = pd.concat([prefix, a], axis=1)
Each postcode belongs to a district ward, however the postcode boundaries do not
match the ward boundaries. Ideally we would
groupby postcode prefix and each
prefix would have a single corresponding ward code, but this doesn't happen.
I chose to select only the most prevalent ward to represent each postcode. This does mean that any data 'translated' using this will be entirely accurate.
b = a.dropna(how='any').groupby('PC Prefix')['Ward'].agg(
lambda x: x.value_counts().index[0])
The whole file is available in this gist.


text: PHOTO GALLERY: Send us your Fall Photos Photo Galleries by: Claire Johnson Posted: Oct 10, 2019 / 04:15 PM CDT / Updated: Oct 10, 2019 / 04:14 PM CDT It's officially fall in the Tennessee Valley and we want to see how you celebrate! Send us your fall photos and yours may be selected to be featured on-air! Close Modal Suggest a Correction Your name(required) Your email(required) Report a typo or grammatical error(required) Submit Suggest a Correction no iframe support!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Copyright © Gary and Kathy Young. Cost: F-R-E-E
We don't accept advertising. We don't share your email address.
December, 2005
Whats Inside:
1. Archived newsletter - newsletter graphics
2. Why have we changed the name of our newsletter; about the Lifetime Achievement Foundation
3. Changes in the newsletter
4. Holidays
5. Sharing support group information
6. SEMINARS: Our next ESALEN weekend, this April.
7. ON HOLD - the MYTH of Male Maturity,
a one-person show
written and performed by Gary Young
8. SALE! Galley copies of Loss and Found
LOSS AND FOUND WORKBOOK to our newsletter recipients
10. YOUR WORDS - SHARING SUPPORT and TRIBUTE.
Your comments or questions about LOSS AND FOUND, the loss of a partner, or the Lifetime Achievement Foundation goals/ideas/honoring people for their service to others
11. Closing remarks, privacy guarantees
1. ARCHIVED NEWSLETTER - newsletter graphics
Newsletters are disseminated several ways - snail mail, email, email with attachments, and email with a link that goes directly to our site.
We are experimenting with this method, so that we can more easily archive the newsletters. We hope to send the newsletter differently in the future, but emailing a simple notice, with a link built in, so you can click and see a full version of the newsletter, with graphics. If this method presents problems for you, please let us know, so we may reconsider the method of delivery of our newsletter. We hope that the extra step that is required to click on the link is not a bother. We can offer a nicer looking newsletter this way, and we can even include graphics.
This newsletter as emailed, is complete. You do not have to click on the link, but if you do, youll see the graphics and a slightly nicer form.
Here is the link. Click on http://www.lifetimeachievement.org/page17.html
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2. Why have we changed the name of our newsletter; about the Lifetime Achievement Foundation
Its simple, really. Weve expanded our scope. The Lifetime Achievement Foundation (www.lifetimeachievement.org) was founded to
Honor service to mankind, mentoring, and excellence in the arts.
Honoring those who have shown an ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of people's lives.
Celebrating excellence in the Arts.
Recognizing positive, good works within the atmosphere of negativity throughout the world.
Providing scholarships for the children of young widows and widowers who have demonstrated a need.
Offering seminars, symposia, and workshops covering Human Rights, Wellness, Mentoring,
and other uplifting topics.
Mentoring in the arts and letters
On Friday, April 29, 2005, the Lifetime Achievement Foundation
proudly presented Mr. Ray Bradbury with its highest award,
at a ceremony at the Sheraton Universal in Los Angeles.
(left to right) Top row: George Clayton Johnson, Gary Young, Digby Diehl, Signe Olynyk.
Bottom row: Steven Barnes, Ray Bradbury
The Lifetime Achievement Foundation, founded by Gary Young, presented a Lifetime Mentoring/Artistic Achievement award to Ray Bradbury. A discussion was moderated by Digby Diehl, acclaimed writer, and founding editor of the LA Times Book Review. His 16th book,
the biography of Coretta Scott King, will be
coming out soon. George Clayton Johnson, author of
, and the prolific, award-winning author, Steven Barnes (
, and
) shared their insights into Rays life and letters and his mentoring influence on their lives. The audience consisted of TV and film producers, plus writers from all over the country. Shane Black
) lent his humor and insights about Hollywood and the related fields.
Friday, April 28
Sheraton Universal Ballroom
to be announced
The Lifetime Achievement Foundation is a not for profit corporation. Contributions are tax-deductable.
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Our mandate has always been the support of those who have lost a partner. However we will be expanding this to conform to the goals of the Lifetime Achievement Foundation. We will continue to support those with loss, and we will be including information about people who have made a difference in the world, as well as a few pithy comments about the world.
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Here is a reprint of our Thoughts for the Holidays. We sent this last year, but we thought it relevant for this year too.
Its the signature article in the holiday edition of BEREAVEMENT MAGAZINE this month.
If you would like copies of the magazine, you may want to visit the Bereavement website at
As the Holidays approach, we are constantly reminded that things have changed. Some things
are better -- yes, weve gotten to that place. Some things, just ARE. And something is missing.
Were comfortable in our new life, not so new now, but we still think about the missing person.
Not missing in the larger sense, of course. Still with us in spirit. And we know that if they have
an understanding of what is going on in our lives now, they are content that we have found a
wonderful mate, a great family, an active life, and that were handling the ups and down in at
least a semi-sane manner.
But were at a place where we dont dwell on that. Yes, it still sometimes hits us hard, always
when we least expect it. But thats part of the journey. Theres no real end to this journey, but
there is an oasis that can provide much comfort and solace, if not complete understanding.
The holidays are times for established routines, legacies. These traditions can provide comfort.
And they can turn poignant when someone is not there to share the event. But there is still the
underlying tradition.
Lets all try to see that - see the beauty, appreciate what we have. If you are newly bereaved, you
may feel as we did in those early years (yes, more than one), and the sadness may crowd out the
joy, especially if you are still adjusting to an unexpected catastrophic life change.
If you have people around you, use them. Not in a bad sense. They will appreciate your pain
and feel good for helping you, as much as they can. Dont expect miracles from them, just little
Allow yourself to enjoy the sights, the smells, the good news that comes from the Holiday season.
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If you know of any groups in your area that support grief/loss issues, please send us that information so that we may send it along to those who need to know. We're compiling an up-to-date list. You can send the info to:
. Thanks for your help!
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6. SEMINARS: Our next Esalen weekend, this April.
Survival: Taking Back Your LifeMoving Forward After Losing a Partner
Gary Young & Kathy Young
The death of a partner can affect you in illogical, unpredictable ways, for an unpredictable length of time. Countless myths exist about the condition of grief and loss. Reality, nurturing, and support are needed. The issues are many and the work toward recovery is difficult. The goal is quality survivalpreserving the cherished memories for yourself and for the legacy of the person you lost.
You are not alone. Gary and Kathy Young are national support leaders who both lost young spouses. Using simple exercises, support methods, and guidance, they will help you reclaim function as well as the mystery and beauty of life. Physical and verbal interactions will serve to clarify your understanding, opening you to new, unexpected personal growth. Verbal guidance, improvisation, journaling, and hands-on techniques will bring you back to community. The seminar is designed to heighten your spirituality and engage your confidence.
The workshop will cover issues ranging from what is and is not grief to "seeing" the future, from other people's expectations to fear of happiness, from anniversaries, debts, and humor, to children and dating. And much more.
The January - July Esalen catalog will be out in December, and reservations will be accepted starting at that time. We will update our own link to Esalen for your convenience. Once the information is available sometime in December, you can
, and type into the search form at the top: Gary Young.
Esalen Institute is situated in beautiful Big Sur, between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Esalen does allow a free or greatly discounted work-study position for a certain number of people.
The course will be available for continuing credit if you are working toward a degree, but it is geared to anyone who can benefit from some kind support.
If you have any questions that are not easily answered by catalogs or email, you may call Gary at 818-222-5554 or toll free at 866-238-2840. It is important to understand Esalen before committing to this workshop. Its a very friendly, no pressure environment; the food is superb and healthy; and the accommodations comfortable.
General Information about Esalen:
The Esalen Institute was founded in 1962 as an alternative educational center devoted to the exploration of what Aldous Huxley called the "human potential," the world of unrealized human capacities that lies beyond the imagination. Esalen soon became known for its blend of East/West philosophies, its experiential/didactic workshops, the steady influx of philosophers, psychologists, artists, and religious thinkers, and its breathtaking grounds blessed with natural hot springs. Once home to a Native American tribe known as the Essalen, Esalen is situated on 27 acres of spectacular Big Sur coastline with the Santa Lucia Mountains rising sharply behind.
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7. ON HOLD: the MYTH of Male Maturity
A one-person show
written and performed by Gary Young
is a somewhat autobiographical account of a maturation process which is admittedly ongoing. There are loss issues in the play, but the focus is a theatricalized introspection of what it takes to grow up and whether or not growing up is a good thing, a necessary thing, or even possible. It is funny and heartfelt. Gary has begun a series of try out performances, which are free performances of the whole show, or sections, with the purpose of receiving feedback from the audience. Anyone in the Los Angeles area interested in becoming a member of this audience, can contact us at email@example.com. Once the show opens, at a time to be announced soon, anyone receiving this newsletter will automatically receive a discounted rate of $10, 50% discount from the regular rate of $20.
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8. SALE! GALLEY COPIES of LOSS AND FOUND
For a limited time, we are offering galley copies of LOSS AND FOUND, at a highly discounted price. If you or your group are interested in purchasing very inexpensive copies of LOSS AND FOUND, for a limited time we are offering galley copies at $6.00. This includes book rate postage.
These galleys have ALL of the same content and cover; the only difference between galleys and the final version of the book is that the galleys contain a very few typographical errors, the margins are a little narrow, and the cover art is not quite as crisp.
You may pay for the copies by check, money order or credit card. You may email us or call on our Toll-free number: 866-238-2840. Galleys cannot be purchased from Amazon or our website.
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LOSS AND FOUND WORKBOOK to our newsletter recipients
As an added bonus to our stalwart newsletter recipients, we have a new 46 page workbook that will be in use at Esalen when we do our ten-hour residency in March.
Normally, well be selling this for $9.50, but if you would like to download the first version of this (not necessarily the final version, but close), you can go to http://www.griefandrecovery.com/ideabook.html, and download it free of charge. Its available right now, but just as a hint, look back soon as we add an essay that Kathy is finishing now. Its fascinating reading, and its all true. You can re-download the workbook at that point, if you desire, also free of charge, for a limited time.
Youll find lots of hints, lots of topics listed, and suggestions. The topics are not fleshed out as they are in the book, but the range of topics is somewhat wider than in the book. If the Idea Book brings up any questions, well be glad to answer them, if you email us.
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10. YOUR WORDS - SHARING SUPPORT and TRIBUTE.
Your comments or questions about LOSS AND FOUND, the loss of a partner, or the Lifetime Achievement Foundation goals/ideas/honoring people for their service to others
We're very interested in what you have to say. If there is something that you would like to contribute to the newsletter, for your benefit or the support of others, this is your chance. Well be happy to include your thoughts in upcoming newsletters. This can be on the subject of loss or to honor someone who has made a difference in the world, or anything that addresses the goals of the Lifetime Achievement Foundation.
If you would like to contribute -
no longer than the length of our longest article on this newsletter
, send your thoughts in an email to:
. We may edit for spelling, punctuation, or brevity, but we will not edit your ideas. We cannot guarantee that every letter will be appropriate for the newsletter or that there will be room for every letter.
But please share!
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11. CLOSING REMARKS (privacy guarantees below)
We wish you and yours a very smooth, productive, and happy holiday season. Try to see everything in its perspective - the glass half-full, rather than half-empty. Share the warmth, and allow the warmth to surround you. Let us know if we can be of help.
LOSS and FOUND: Surviving the Loss of a Partner
by Gary and Kathy Young (Calabash Press)
ISBN: 0-9715092-0-4 $14.95 272 pages
YOU ARE RECEIVING this F-R-E-E newsletter because you are on the Loss and Found or Lifetime Achievement Foundation mailing list.
PLEASE RECOMMEND THIS NEWSLETTER to anyone who has suffered any loss or might be a friend or relative of someone who has suffered a loss -
Just click on "Forward" in your email program.
BACK ISSUES are available upon request.
TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER F-R-E-E, sign up at firstname.lastname@example.com
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute your email address to anyone. Period.
TIME TO SHARE. Please send your ideas to email@example.com
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please send a reply with "REMOVE."


text:
What is MOPS?
MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It is an international organization with chapters throughout the world where moms meet together to grow, learn, support each other, and have fun! MOPS is for moms-to-be through moms with kindergartners. For more information visit www.mops.org
Who Can Come?
If you're an expectant mom, or have children, infant through kindergarten, MOPS is the place for you. Do you want to be the very best mom you can be? You're not alone! Whether you're urban, suburban, rural, stay-at-home, working, homeschooling, teen, adoptive, special-needs, single or married, MOPS is for you!
We offer MOPS Kids childcare on a limited basis for ages infant through kindergarten (must be entering kindergarten in the Fall 2019).
What To Expect
Meetings are twice a month and include practical teaching from speakers, table discussions and videos.
But most importantly, you'll get to have honest (uninterrupted) conversations with other local moms who understand the joys and frustrations of motherhood. All of this without your toddler attached to your leg – if nothing else, you can use the bathroom by yourself!
Membership Dues
Membership is $100 per year and is due upon registration and includes your MOPS Int'l dues. It is non-refundable. If you transfer to another MOPS groups, you can transfer your MOPS Int'l fee ($31.95).
This fee covers the operating costs of our MOPS group (hospitality supplies, postage, MOPS Kids curriculum and craft supplies, speakers, special events, marketing and MOPS International fees). You will receive a membership kit sent from MOPS after we receive your payment. Payment is online only with a credit card. Please contact us regarding scholarships availability.
Group Meetings
Starting September 5, we meet from 9:30am – 11:30am on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, September – May. We are located at Lake Sawyer Church in Black Diamond, Washington.
Getting Started
Completing the registration form below is the first step of your registration process. Our space availability in MOPS is determined by childcare availability in our MOPS Kids program for any children that will attend with you.
Once we receive your registration form, we will verify available space in MOPS Kids. If space is available we will send you a link to pay your membership dues and complete your MOPS registration. If space is not available, we will let you know and move your registration to our wait list until an opening becomes available. WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE WALK-INS AT MEETINGS. You must be registered BEFORE attending a MOPS meeting.
Want To Volunteer With Black Diamond MOPS?
From MOPS Kids to mentor moms to influential speakers, we have a diverse range of opportunities. Select "Women" on the volunteer form, and someone will be in touch with you. Thank you for your interest!
Please e-mail email@example.com or contact Jennifer Lawless at (360) 886-8045 ext 109.


text:
Company Details
Shenzhen Lingmin Technology Co., Ltd.
|Payment Type:
|Min. Order:
|2000 Piece/Pieces
|Delivery Time:
|7 Days
Plastic Cement: Gutta-Percha
Hardware: Small Bell
Type: Electronic Accessories
Electronics: Boxing Liner
Vinyl: Horn
Mobile Phone Rope: Spire Lamella
Suitable for: Adult
Material: Silicone
Weight: 0.3 Ounces
Compatibility: Fit For Nintendo Wii Remote
Name: Nintendo Wii Remote Skin Protector Blue&White
Color: Customized
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Packaging: carton box
Productivity: 100000 pieces per day
Brand: OEM
Transportation: Ocean,Air
Place of Origin: Shenzhen,China
Supply Ability: 100000 pieces per day
Certificate: RoHS,ISO9000,ISO14000
Port: SHENZHEN
Silicone Skin For Nintendo Wii Remote Controller
Brand new transparent silicone case for your Wii controller protection.
Specially design for Wii remote controller . Protect your controller from dirts and dust. Made from non-toxic food grade silicone material. Safe enough for daily used. Oil injection quality, ergonomics design, touches smooth and comfortable, reduce burden for your palms. Enhance your game experience.
Certificate of silicone material
Our main products are Wii remote skins,Wii U remote skins and silicone skins for PS4, PS3, PS Vita controller, Xbox One and Xbox 360 controller, DS controller silicone skins and so on. The Wii remote skins are one of our main products which sell very well in America and Japan. Our products enjoy a high reputation among our customers.
We have a series of advanced professional equipment for video game products silicone skins production and a large number of experienced engineers, technicians, manufacturing and managing specialists. We can design products as per your requirements, all products are made from 100% pure environmentally silicone material, all meet the European instruction of RoHS.
We adhere the concept of quality focus and customer first", with rich industry experience, serious working attitude and perfect manage system, we have won absolutely support and trust from a bunch of our customers.
We are factory, can give you the lowest price and OEM is supported here. Product quality must be 100% tested before leaving factory,welcome your inspection! Contract can be sign to protect mutual interest, doing business with us your honey is safe.
Factory introduction:
Shenzhen Lingmin Technology Co,.Ltd was founded in May 2014, in Shenzhen of China, is an innovative company in the research, development and manufacture of silicone and rubber products. Mainly focus on electronic game industry, products like silicone skins for all kinds of consoles controllers, such as PS2, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One&One S, Xbox 360, Wii&&Wii U, 2DS, 3DS,Switch etc. Our products are popular all over the world,each of which comes with RoHS, ISO9000, ISO14000 and OHSAS18000 approvals.
We have two manufacturing facilities in Huizhou and Shenzhen. Thanks to our R & D team, which consists of 5 experienced engineers who have been engaged in silicone industry for more than ten years. "Quality First" is our principle, a very strict QC team is consist of 10 professional staff. We meet your requirements no only by professional staff but also by a series of advanced equipments including electric QC tools and production equipment, such as Shaw sclerometer, micrometer, heat test chamber, rubber mixing machine, CNC bale cutter, vulcanization molding machine,water transfer printing production line, oil injection line, laser etching machine, screen print transfering machine and so on.
Product Categories : Wii&Wii U Silicone Case > Wii Silicone Case


text:
Amsale Fall 2019 Runway Show Debuts Collections By Margo Lafontaine
Continuing its mission to make women feel their most beautiful selves on the most special days of their lives. Amsale New York debuted three Fall 2019 Bridal Collections. At the Eventi Hotel in New York City at Bridal Fashion Week. The runway presentation marked the first season designed by Amsale Aberra's hand-picked successor. Margo Lafontaine. Lafontaine's featured designs include the Fall 2019 collections of Amsale, Nouvelle Amsale and the re-launch of the Little White Dress Collection.
First Collections Debuted by New Design Director, Margo Lafontaine
Beginning with the Fall 2019 Collection. Margo Lafontaine oversees Amsale's extensive design and development team. Lafontaine joined the Amsale design team in 2017 and spent precious months with the beloved late founder and creative director, Amsale Aberra. She was most recently senior studio director of Vera Wang, where she worked for more than a decade.
"Amsale was the creator of the modern wedding dress. As I help carry that legacy forward, I am threading her unmistakable Amsale aesthetic. Into each aspect of my designs" said Margo Lafontaine, Design Director at Amsale New York. "This season's collections are designed with the Amsale bride in min. To celebrate and enhance each woman's energy, personality, and her natural style."
Nouvelle Amsale Fall 2019
Inspired by the modern and effortless bride who understands fashion but stays true to her personal style, the Nouvelle Amsale Fall 2019 collection shows bold textural details in the form of graphic floral laces offset with delicate layers of tulle. Clean necklines are carefully detailed with sheer borders and trailing lace appliques. These effortlessly elegant gowns are designed to create endless versatility.
Amsale Fall 2019
Designed to embody an understated take on old school glamour. The Amsale Fall 2019 collection reflects a mix of dramatic design and simple silhouettes to cater to every bride. Draped crepe sheaths are presented alongside handcrafted tulle and Lyon lace ball gowns. Working with the signature interplay of opacity and sheerness. With striking necklines that are featured in elegant fronts and backs. With sculptural counterpoints of bow and draping details. Decorations remain subtle yet luxe with delicate hand-painting, tonal embroidery and hand-cut Lyon lace that lend a modern texture to the collection.
Little White Dress Re-Launch
Celebrating timeless Amsale silhouettes. The iconic Little White Dress collection has re-launched after its original debut in 2009. Effortlessly elegant details are reimagined for each occasion. Surrounding the modern bride's wedding. Designed with sheer illusion overlays, draped bow detailing, graphic lace, and crisp tailored faille.
These dresses underline the unmistakable Amsale aesthetic. Classic but not ordinary. The Little White Dress Collection re-launches at the Madison Avenue salon with 11 silhouettes beginning at $385.
Amsale Fall 2019 Runway Show Debuts Collections By Margo Lafontaine
"The modern wedding has evolved to encompass multiple celebratory events, each with its own wardrobe opportunities," says Neil Brown, CEO of Amsale New York. "Our purposefully simple solution, the Little White Dress."


text:
Our Perceptual Motor Programme for Prep aims to develop a child's perceptions and understanding of self and of his or her world around them. At Algester this is done through movement and motor experiences that get progressively more challenging for students.
It is more than just a Physical Education programme; rather it has used facets of music, fitness, dance, gymnastics and strength activities to develop the children.
Much of the focus in PMP is the development of Gross Motor Skills, providing students with opportunities to master their body so that movement through the environment around them is done with control and confidence.
To compliment this, the use of Fine Motor Skill activities throughout the programme is aimed at providing students the skills of manipulating objects within the environment they move through.
We have four sporting houses:
Waratah (red)
Hovea (purple)
Banksia (orange)
Cassia (yellow)
At the time of enrolment, each student is placed into a sporting house. Students who have siblings at school will be placed into the same house as their sibling. Prep students [without Algester Primary siblings] will be advised in Term 1 which sporting house they belong to. Students are required to wear their team colour T-shirt on sports days. Coloured sports shirts are available from the Uniform Shop.
Students in Prep to Year 6 participate in the school cross country at the end of Term 1, Students who are 10 or older have the opportunity to represent the school at the District Cross Country competition.
There are two school sports days for Athletics – one for the Junior School Prep to Year 3 and separate sports days for the Upper School Years 4 – 6. The Junior Sports Day has an emphasis on participation and skill development. The Senior Sports Days comprise a day for the track and field finals for High Jump, Long Jump, Discus, Shot-Put, 100m and 200m races and relays. The other day is for participation for all students in track and field events. Students, who are 10 years or older, have the opportunity to represent the school at the District Athletics Carnival.
Students in Years 5 to 6 are invited to take part in the Interschool Sporting Competition called Gala Day on selected Fridays throughout the year. Students are invited to try out for various sports, depending on the season, eg. Netball, Cricket, Touch Football, AFL, Soccer, Basketball, T-ball and Softball etc. These teams compete against other schools in our District on the Gala Days. Students will be given an Algester Sporting Shirt to loan for these days. There is a sporting fee involved to cover the costs incurred and will be outlined in a note sent home early Term 1.
For those who do not represent a sporting team, there is an "at school" program where students rotate through many different sporting activities, eg. Lawn Bowls, Basketball, AFL and Badminton.
Students in Years 2, 3 and 4 have the opportunity to participate in a
swimming program in term 4. The program takes place at AJ's Sports Club and is run by their qualified learn to swim instructors over 8 consecutive days. There is a reasonable fee involved for students to participate in this program (a note will be sent home early in Term 4 with the exact amount). Students are assessed on their first lesson and are then placed into ability groups to help them further develop their swimming skills, from water safety to stoke development. Students will require: swimming attire, swimming shirt, thongs, towel, goggles and swimming cap.


text:
Active Launceston is proudly managed by Healthy Tasmania Pty Ltd. To find out more about Healthy Tasmania click here
RETRO ROCKERS is a club where our interest is 50's and 60's Rock 'n' Roll music and our hobby is Rock 'n' Roll dancing. We offer beginners to intermediate dance instruction. Regular social dances and activities as well as some advanced workshops with mainland teachers throughout the year. CONTACT: email@example.com or http://www.retrorockerstas.com/


text:
Learn More About DrChrono EHR
Stay up to date on the latest product features, whitepapers, case studies, and more.
Oncologist Study
See how Dr. Gold can satisfy all her patient needs while on the move with the DrChrono EHR app. She has optimized her practice end-to-end from patient intake to billing.
Download Case Study


text:
LRL Home - Committees - Committee overview
Committee Members
Clifton E. Beasley, Chair
John Forsythe Wallace, Vice Chair
John Maurice Adams
Gustavus Adolphus Atkinson
James David Avis
Oscar Lindsey Baker
John Logan Bird
Richard Mortimer Chitwood
T. Gee Collins
Frank M. Cowen
Henry Benedict Dielmann
William H. Driggers
J. Roy Hardin
John Frank Harrington
Thomas Kirk Irwin
James Patton Lane
A.L. Lewis
Forace Bass Russell
Robert Ervin Sparkman
L.C. Stewart
Joseph Edwin Winfree
Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.


text:
Which is the best file format for SNS HDR when using the Lightroom plugin for exporting?
The choices are
1. JPEG, sRGB, Adobe RGB or ProPhoto
2. TIFF, sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto
3. The original RAW file
Sebastian Nibisz wrote:It's not about performance. TIFF 8bit and JPEG are sufficient to provide smooth tonal transitions when using more exposures.
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text:
Primary Sport
Healthy & active bodies for active minds
Sport is an important part of school life in Primary, enabling students to develop essential gross motor and team-work skills, as well as general health and fitness.
All students in Years 3-6 are given the opportunity to participate in sport in a weekly school sports program, with seasonal sport choices.
We cater for varying abilities and interests. Students are able to try out for various representative teams to compete in PISA (Peninsula Inter-school Sports Association), with other member schools from the Northern Beaches area.
Students who are not selected for a representative team can take part in a recreational sports program.
Sports offered in Primary
The following options are available during different Terms across the year, depending on the season:
Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Dance, European Handball, Flippa Ball (water polo), Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Kayaking, Mini Olympics, Netball, Newcombe Ball, Oz tag, Slider Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Surf Awareness, Swimming, Tabloids, Tag games, T-Ball, Tennis Coaching, Touch Football, Ultimate Frisbee
European Handball
Flippa Ball
(water polo)
Mini Olympics
Newcombe Ball
Oz tag
Slider Hockey
Surf Awareness
Tag games
Tennis Coaching
Touch Football
Ultimate Frisbee
School Carnivals are held for swimming, cross country, and athletics.
Students in Years 2-6 participate in the Primary Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, with all K-6 students participating in the Cross Country Carnival, held at NBCS.
Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 participate in their own Athletics Carnival at school.
Elite Level Competition
There are several ways the NBCS students can compete in elite level sport. NBCS is a member of the Christian Schools Sports Association (CSSA), a state-based association that encompasses over 80 schools.
Students who are placed first or second at the Swimming or Athletics Carnivals will represent NBCS at Zone Carnivals, involving CSSA schools in the Northern Metropolitan Zone. Students placing first or second at the Zone Carnival qualify to compete at the CSSA State Carnival. In Cross Country, students placing first, second, third or fourth in their age group will represent NBCS at the CSSA State Cross Country Carnival.
NBCS also regularly enters teams in CSSA Zone and State Gala Days and competitions for other sports, including soccer, oztag, netball, basketball, touch football, softball, cricket and gymnastics.
NBCS is also a member of Combined Independent Schools (CIS). This organisation allows students to be selected in State and National sporting teams. Students who achieve high placings at a CSSA State Carnival go on to compete at CIS level. NBCS students in Stage 3 who are elite at a particular sport, are also able to trial for select CIS teams directly, such as rugby union, rugby league, hockey, golf, tennis, cricket, diving, gymnastics, equestrian, softball, soccer and netball.
Any student who is particularly gifted in sport has every opportunity to achieve at the highest level.
Co-curricular Sport
Primary students are also able to participate in various co-curricular opportunities including, basketball, snow sports, swimming and various sports clinics across the year.
Here at NBCS we make the transition to school positive and supportive, enabling your child's first introduction to the world of school full as one of wonder and excitement.
Here at NBCS we make the transition to school positive and supportive, enabling your child's first introduction to the world of school full as one of wonder and excitement.
NBCS offers a breadth of creative programs and workshops to enable students to develop skills, follow passions and nurture talents.
Students and their families are well supported within our community, so they can thrive academically and personally.
Give your child a bright future
Discover the difference at Northern Beaches Christian School


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Sorry I haven't been updating so often. I'm in the midst of gathering all the info I need for my hormone post, when I realized that that these posts are like assigning myself college papers… That I try to squish into highschool paper size and comprehension.
(Because it's important.)
Hopefully that realization speeds things up.
Until then, enjoy this article on how baths can be an effective mood booster! Now go enjoy a hot bath!


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Peony 'Angel Cheeks' has cracking double bomb-shaped flowers in soft pink with raspberry flashes. It flowers in early-mid season (May-early June). Any fertile, moist, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered position. Height: 90cm Spread: 50cm.
Fragrant, large flowers, all-time favorite
Easy to grow if in good soil.
This popular peony is currently out of stock. However it is available to pre-order for next Spring.


text: 0 We're really sorry... ...we don't currently have that one in stock Please add your email and we'll notify you when it's back Store Home » Precut Mesh Grills » Hyundai » Veloster » 2012-2017 2012 - 2017 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Fog Light Mesh Set Discounts Apply !SKU Hyun_Velo_T_12FogUPC: 682604772462Availability: In StockFree ShippingPrice: $39.99 Quantity:-+ Product Information This is a 2 piece mesh grill set for a Hyundai Veloster Turbo from 2012-2017. Our mesh is pre-cut and ready to install in the factory fog light grille after the inner portion has been cut out (as shown in our video installation below). Only the mesh and vinyl template pieces are being sold, and modification of the factory bumper is required for installation. This does not fit the non-turbo model, this is made specifically for the turbo version. Please click on the tabs below for more information. Mesh Styles Gloss Black Perf GT Installation Video Customer Pictures Tech Specs Mesh Raw Material:Aluminum Size:4" x 7" x 1" Thickness:0.065" / 14 Gauge Open Area (GT):65% Weight (GT):~1.5 oz Finish Type:Powder Coat Country of Origin:U.S.A. Deals & Offers Discounts New Product Launch: Coupon Code: VELO 5% Off Tweet Product ReviewsNo Reviews For This Product.Click to review this product


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By Jeff Wozer, Buffalo Sports Page Humorist
While it appears that no deal on Jeff Skinner's new contract has been officially reached, sports humorist Jeff Wozer has discovered that some parts of the new deal have been agreed to by the Sabres and their leading scorer.
• As a fond reminder to his figure skating days he's handed a bouquet of flowers after every shift.
• During road trips Terry Pegula has agreed to feed his fish.
• On team skit night he gets to play Lady Gaga.
• Team agrees to never reveal that the sticks he tosses over the glass to fans are Marco Scandella's.
• Use of Pegula's private jet for impressing babes.
• On team flights his drum set will no longer be counted as a carry-on item.
• In the event of hats being tossed on the ice following a hat trick he gets first dibs on sombreros.
• In between shifts he gets his choice of water bottle or thermos filled with delicious lobster bisque.
• Doug Allen, while singing "And the home of the brave," points only at Skinner.
• Terry Pegula has agreed to confront Dan Dunleavy about never chipping in for carpool gas.


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North Atlantic ecosystem sensitivity to Holocene shifts in Meridional Overturning Circulation
Douarin, Mélanie; Elliot, Mary; Noble, Stephen R.; Moreton, Steven G.; Long, David; Sinclair, Daniel; Henry, Lea-Anne; Murray Roberts, J.. 2015 North Atlantic ecosystem sensitivity to Holocene shifts in Meridional Overturning Circulation. Geophysical Research Letters, 43 (1). 291-298. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL065999Before downloading, please read NORA policies.
Douarin_et_al-2015-Geophysical_Research_Letters.pdf - Accepted Version
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Rapid changes in North Atlantic climate over the last millennia were driven by coupled sea surface/atmospheric processes and rates of deep-water formation. Holocene climate changes, however, remain poorly documented due to a lack of high-resolution paleoclimate records, and their impacts on marine ecosystems remain unknown. We present a 4500 years absolute-dated sea surface radiocarbon record from northeast Atlantic cold-water corals. In contrast to the current view that surface ocean changes occurred on millennial-scale cycles, our record shows more abrupt changes in surface circulation. Changes were centered at 3.4, 2.7, 1.7 and 1.2 ky BP, and associated with atmospheric re-organization. Solar irradiance may have influenced these anomalies, but changes in North Atlantic deep-water convection are likely to have amplified these signals. Critically, we provide the first evidence that these perturbations in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation led to the decline of cold-water coral ecosystems from 1.2 to ~ 0.1 ky BP.
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See what questions
a doctor would ask.
Agapanthus poisoning: The agapanthus is a flowering herb with long leaves, long thick stems and a cluster of blue or white flowers. The plant originated in South Africa. Skin and eye exposure to sap from the plant can cause irritation and eating the plant can cause severe mouth pain. The skin irritation tends to be short-lived. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Agapanthus poisoning is available below.
See full list of 8 symptoms of Agapanthus poisoning
Read more about treatments for Agapanthus poisoning
Home medical testing related to Agapanthus poisoning:
Read more about causes of Agapanthus poisoning.
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Prognosis for Agapanthus poisoning: Severity of symptoms vary depending on the amount of plant material consumed and the body size of the person. Children tend to suffer more severe symptoms due to their smaller body size.
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Still A Bad Idea
Via Pithlord, I see that Prof. Bainbridge has commented on this story about a Dutch bishop proposing that Dutch Catholic churches use the name Allah in their services "to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians." Pithlord is, of course, right that the concession, such as it is, is actually only a linguistic one. Allah does mean God, or literally "the God" in Arabic. As far as it goes, the change is fairly innocuous as a matter of literal meaning, but therefore all the more unnecessary and symbolically discouraging in that it is another example of Dutch natives accommodating and assimilating themselves to the immigrant communities rather than vice-versa. The Islamic understanding of God is obviously quite different and opposed to that of Christians, but the bishop was not proposing introductions of Qur'anic passages, such as Ma qataau-hu wa ma salabu-hu during Communion and La taqu thaalatha during the Sanctus. It is a trivial proposal in a way, but this makes it all the more foolish and pointless. It is the ultimate in condescending tokenism while also managing to introduce a pointless change into the liturgical life of the bishop's flock. Should Anglicans begin saying Khuda Hafiz to make their Muslim neighbours feel more at home?
It is not exactly an embrace of relativism, as Prof. Bainbridge fears, but it is fairly stupid all the same. It is an example of the embrace of rather pointless symbolic gestures that are intended to foster ecumenical dialogue and such, but which routinely backfire and are viewed either as insults, attempts to muddy the waters or even aggressive attempts at appropriating someone else's beliefs. Do you suppose that a Muslim in the Netherlands will have a better view of non-Arabic-speaking Christians if they begin using the name Allah? Would this not, in fact, inspire some resentment against those using this name to refer to the Trinity or to Christ Himself, when Muslims recognise neither the existence of the former nor the divinity of the latter? At best, it would not achieve the intended goal, but would become one more episode in European Christianity's own self-marginalisation.
Update: On the other side of the world, there is apparently no small controversy over the changing usages from Khuda Hafiz to Allah Hafiz, as this older article also relates. I had noticed that Allah Hafiz had been cropping up in more and more Bollywood movies over the past few years, but I suppose I had not realised that this reflected such significant changes in South Asian Islam.


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On April 6, David Barnes, Jr., a lifelong resident of Lenoir and a nature enthusiast, passed away. His family has deep roots in the farmlands of Alexander County and the Blue Ridge Mountains and his childhood was spent primarily outdoors.
"Those days, there wasn't much else to do but be outside," said Greg Hamlyn, Barnes' son-in-law. "The forests and creeks of Lenoir were his playground and where he spent every day."
Upon his passing, Barnes' family asked for donations to Foothills Conservancy in his memory, to honor his love for Wilson Creek and the surrounding foothills. Donations made in his honor included nearly $3,000 from Red Hat, Inc. in Raleigh, which was raised by coworkers of Barnes' daughter Laura Hamlyn, as a surprise to her and her family.
"When we asked Greg what would be best, he said that the family had selected a nonprofit that encompasses everything [Laura's] dad loved about where David grew up and the outdoors," said Leigh Blaylock, who works with Laura Hamlyn at Red Hat. "The family specifically chose Foothills Conservancy because of the work the conservancy has done at Wilson Creek, David's favorite spot."
Memorial gifts like those made in honor of David Barnes are meaningful to Foothills Conservancy's ongoing work preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills.
"We're so grateful that David's family chose to honor his love of nature with donations to Foothills Conservancy," said Beth Willard-Patton, the conservancy's associate director. "Our organization is proud to carry forward his legacy in the work we do conserving important land and waterways in this region."
Barnes loved the mountains of Western North Carolina and always held particular affection for Wilson Creek. He cherished the time he spent at his sister's home in Sugar Grove where her family lived surrounded by dogs, greenhouses and a trout pond. He lived his entire life with a love for the outdoors and natural things. He also lived for his family.
"He never missed anything in his children's lives," said Greg. "His children lived primarily in South Carolina with their mother while he lived in Lenoir. It didn't matter if they had a 15-minute recital or a birthday party—he made the trip and was there for it all."
Additional donations in memory of David memory can be made at www.foothillsconservancy.org/donate.


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The soirée
She was nervous and arrived a little late. She had never been to an exclusively pagan gathering like this before. Of course she had attended pagan conferences and pagan festivals, but this was a private soirée held in the home of a woman who was but a new acquaintance. She had been surprised to receive an invitation at all.
"Darling, lovely to see you. Thank you for coming. Let me take your cloak," said the hostess with the mostess… most of which was bulging over a medieval wench style corset that creaked at the seams from holding in so much bosom. Her chenille skirts glistened and crinkled in the candlelight. This was the first thing she noticed; no electric lights, just candles everywhere throwing mobile shadows while warming and softening faces so everyone looked at least a little beautiful, even if they were not.
She was given a glass of champagne, one of her favourite drinks but she really wished it was water. She loved the way the bubbles fizzed up her nose and gave her hiccupy burps, but looking around at this conglomeration of esoteric elites she was suddenly sure that none of them had ever, ever giggled over champagne burps and a tickly nose. This was a crowd of people she wished to remain sober around.
"Here, let me introduce you to some people. This is Edmund, he's a druid, lives near Glastonbury."
Edmund smiled though his eyes contained a tad of suspicion and distance. He wore a white robe and manfully juggled stang, drink and canapé.
"What are you?" he asked rather gruffly.
Before she could answer, Busty Corset said, "Seshat is a witch, dear."
"Oh, I won't ask what kind, just not interested in the politics. Stick to the land, the land will tell you everything you need to know."
"Erm, thank you?" said Seshat with a questioning lilt as she wasn't sure if she had been insulted or awarded the benefit of another's wisdom.
Busty Corset took her elbow and propelled her to the far corner of the dark and flickering room.
"You must meet Cynthia, she communes with angels."
"Oh Lordie", thought Seshat, very ungraciously.
"Hello," said Cynthia with a sweet smile that immediately made Seshat feel bad for pre-judging her. "I'm Cynthia. I see you surrounded by angels of light. You are so lucky. Would you like me to speak with them?"
"Erm, thank you?" said Seshat, again unsure whether this was a desirable thing or not. "I … if you like."
"There is one beautiful angel with his hand resting on your head. He loves you, especially that one outfit you wear that has a split up the …"
"I'm sure Seshat doesn't want to hear about that, dear. Let her commune with her own angels for tonight, okay?"
Cynthia, who had taken on a slightly predatory look and was licking her lips, looked disappointed.
"There's someone over here you must meet. Michael, darling, this is Seshat. She talks to spirits too."
"Do you see them?" asked Michael whose eyes darted from place to place like he was trying to keep track of fireflies.
"See who? Now you mean? Or in general? I…"
"Do you see, hear or feel them, or all three?"
"I, kind of, well, I don't really like to talk about it much."
A candle at Michael's right shoulder exploded a bit of wax over his velvet jacket.
"Get away, I tell you. I won't speak to you." Michael started batting the air around him.
Seshat smiled, baring perhaps a little too much tooth and excused herself. She headed for the drinks table. Maybe she was going to need more than champagne to get through this evening.
She started chatting to a Hedge Witch at the buffet table. The woman seemed sane and normal, and soon they were discussing when was the best time to plant certain herbs. Suddenly, Seshat felt something large attach itself to her leg. She looked down and saw a man clinging to her leg like a koala to a Eucalyptus tree. He was moving up and down in a manner that looked suspiciously like …
Seshat turned to the Witch. "Who's that? What's he doing to my leg?"
"Oh, that's Fred. He's a sex magician, that's just how they say hello."
"Oh," said Seshat, looking down. "Hello."
The sex magician looked up at her and gave her a wink. "Alright?"
"Yes, um, fine. Please don't ladder my tights."
"I know Tantra, special techniques for avoiding that."
Two minutes later he detached himself, winked again and walked off.
"What a, um, friendly man," said Seshat as she saw him walk across the room only to attach himself to another person's leg.
"Yes, awfully nice. Good in bed apparently. Has lots of practice so you'd bloody hope so, hey?!"
The Hedge Witch sniggered and Seshat smiled feeling entirely out of her depth.
A man with a fulsome beard sidled up to her. "Hi, I'm Phillip, I'm a lycanthrope."
"Of course you are…" said Seshat
"I hear you're a witch."
"What kind?"
"Just a witch. Nothing special. Nothing in particular. Not hereditary. Not entirely solitary, but not in a coven…" Seshat stared into her drink with embarrassment, she was good at saying what she was not but stumbled to say what she actually was. She felt that everyone at the party carried some kind of credentials even if it was just the recognised acceptance of the group that they were 'such-and-such'. They had the certificates, the initiations, the handshakes (or leg-humps), the badges, T-shirts and car bumper stickers ("My other vehicle's a broom" or "Satanists do it with horns on"). Phillip looked at her kindly.
"You don't feel too comfortable here, do you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"I felt totally on the fringe when I first started coming to these parties. You get used to everyone. They're just very honestly what they are, you know? No hiding it behind a facade of administrator, personnel manager or social worker. They can just be themselves here. WE can just be ourselves."
Seshat looked around. Everyone was in conversation … all with visible conversation partners except Michael who stood conversing with the shadows thrown by the curtain. There was colour, vibrancy and outright kooky weirdness. "Maybe this is where I belong," wondered Seshat to herself.
"Fancy a walk?" asked the Lycanthrope. "There's a beautiful full moon outside and a nice woodland just at the back of the house."
"Erm, thank you?" said Seshat… She paused. A lycanthrope by moonlight in a forest… She downed her refilled glass of champagne in one and promptly burped at Phillip.
He grinned. "Good bubbles, huh?"
She smiled at him, suddenly sure of herself. "Great bubbles."
Yes, she probably did belong just where she was.
©StarofSeshat 2009
This is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living, dead or other is entirely coincidental :-p
The day I met a Thelemite
I was visiting a friend in a coastal town. Finally I had time to relax and just take in the sea air. My friend is a non-pagan with an open mind to all of my ways. Her partner calls me a Wiccan and I don't object; it is a conceptual handle on what I am, as anything beyond that starts to sound a little too Middle Earth for him.
It was a bright but cold day when we headed to the sea. We found a café along the pebbly beach and settled in to be chilled by the wind and warmed by coffee. I offered to buy the second round and headed to the small wooden hut that served as kitchen and counter. A man stood there already waiting for his double latte with chocolate sprinkles. He eyed me suspiciously, a look that became rather sharper when he noticed my unicursal star broach. He nodded at the broach and said, "Love is the law… " Suddenly I felt like a German spy from the Quiller Memorandum, "No, zes are not ze braend of zigarettes dat I normally smoke …" I replied "Love under will" and then stood awkwardly looking at him, feeling like we should now do some kind of black ghetto secret handshake ending with us bumping shoulders.
He grinned and I wondered if I should have just feigned ignorance and said my broach was a pretty star and that it went with a super-duper outfit I had at home.
He asked me if I was from the area, I said no and studiously avoided saying exactly where I was from. No need to worry about intrusive questions, he was more interested in telling me about himself, ending with, "Don't you think I look like Crowley?" You and all the other overweight bald Thelemites, I thought. "Oh, yes," I said. "Definitely a resemblance." I made regretful noises about how I must return to my friend who was starting to look in need of coffee-defrosting. I saw him gearing up to ask to swap contact details. On his in-breath I jumped in firmly and said, "SO nice to meet you. LOVELY talking to you. MUST go." And I trotted back to my friend, coffees in hand. I prised her chilled fingers off the old cup and slotted in a new cup which started to send heat up through her arm, enough for her to bend her elbow and swig a few gulps.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"Oh, just another Aleister wannabe."
"Aleister who?"
She looked at me confused. I gave a big 'never-mind' smile and toasted her with the coffee.
"Is that how much I owe you? I thought it was your round …"
I leant across and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.
"I must teach you the Secret Handshake of Middle Earth at some point …"
©StarofSeshat 2009 This is a work of fiction, any resemblance to persons living, dead or other is purely coincidental.
In the Beginning …
In the Beginning there was Nothing; and the Nothing had a Voice and spoke my Name.
My Ren (name) came into being and dwelt with Nothing, until Nothing spat and breathed upon the void and I was not alone.
The water moved and a serpent arose. Typhon, the chaos demon, swam and split the waters.
Then I knew fear, and fear was my Sekhem (immortal power).
The waters shifted and there arose the primeval hill: my Khu (immortal light of the mind) flew from the darkness and was a Light resting upon the hill.
I was before Atum, but Atum knew me.
I was before Atum, and I proceed through him.
I hold the darkness in my mortal Ba (heart) and Typhon protects my mortality so that my Khu may fly freely over the waters and rest at will in the hands of Atum; there, my immortal parts shall merge: my Ren, my Sekhem, my Khu, and I shall become the first Sunrise.
The mating habits of witches
"Come hither little Wiccaling…" he said in enticing tones.
"Who? Me?" said the little Wiccan, batting her eyelashes as if beating back a sandstorm.
"Hmm," replied the magician, tossing his lank locks deftly over his shoulder.
She felt her little knees tremble.
"Oh," she sighed.
"I haven't seen you 'round here before. Are you new to the path?"
Her eyes widened at his acknowledgement that she HAD a path.
"Why yes, how did you know?"
"I know many things. It's a gift. Fancy a shag? I mean, a coffee?"
Her mouth dried up in expectation and she managed but a mute nod.
Two witches stood and watched.
"He scents his prey, watch him swoop for the kill."
"Shouldn't we warn her?"
"And rob her of a learning experience? We're not Christians dear."
"The magician shall be known by his chat-up line…"
"Fancy being my virgin sacrifice?"
"Ah, the hopeful magician!" laughed the witch.
"Wanna do it with me in circle?"
"Oh, crass, very crass."
"I have a big wand, come watch me use it?"
"Eewww. You know where he could stick his wand!"
"I can initiate you into great knowledge."
"Yes, most likely the inside knowledge of an STD clinic!"
"Okay, so how about: be my priestess?"
"Shades of Valiente. Stamp me with a shelf-life and trade me in for a younger model when I've expired. No thank you."
"So how should a pagan man approach a witch without the fear of having his scrotum turned into a spell pouch?"
"He should tell me things I don't know. He shouldn't underestimate my own knowledge. Don't show me a symbol that you swear is mysterious, when actually it's known to everyman and his dog. Show me the dark, guide my hand through the shadows, let me touch the unknown."
"And the chat-up line to launch such a magical mystery tour?"
"Who knows? But part-time pervs like Magister Eros over there don't even know the alphabet let alone the words."
"You are a mare. Be prepared for spinsterhood, sister. A man of words AND magic?"
"C'est vrai. He will be nothing less than a god to me."
"So mote it be."
"And so it shall be."
© starofseshat 2008
The demonic in me
In Arthur Versluis' The Philosophy of Magic he writes:
"There is one aspect of invocation that must be reiterated: the difference between expulsion of the demonic and invocation of the daimonic… the invocation of devic or celestial influences implies the expulsion of the lower, bestial or demonic creatures which ordinarily inhabit the mind of man – the demons of desire and hatred… Each time we manifest desire or aversion, we are bringing to life, signing a pact with, one of the demons of ego.
The reason the true magus – in the vernacular – 'consorts with demons' is to expulse those inner forms of ego. Every instant, every day that one lives without having expulsed those demons is a day lived in a tacit pact with them…For these reasons, the popular image of the magician as one who 'consorts with demons' is at once ironic … and accurate…"
This passage struck a chord with me, not least because it was a topic I was discussing with a friend not too long ago. He said that anything in your life which controls you instead of you controlling it, is demonic and calls for some kind of exorcism. That in itself resonated as I feel that I am undergoing an exorcism of my past at the moment which is freeing me physically and mentally. I know a couple of people who have confided in me that they are scared of their own alcohol intake that it is potentially problematic and yet they do nothing to change the situation – this could be classed (according to the above definition) as a form of demonic possession. Compulsive eating is demonic as the sufferer of this condition is most definitely under the control of the disorder, not the other way around. The uniting thread seems to be compulsion, a forcing of our will away from the middle path, often away from what we know is good for us: a compulsion to self-harm through excessive food, excessive alcohol, dangerous relationships or >insert your chosen 'sin' here<. Although I know that some people may get their knickers in a twist about me suggesting even indirectly that their 'weaknesses' are demonic and they are in need of an exorcism, I hope that they can overcome the knee-jerk response (which may indeed be the inner demon recoiling at being uncovered!) and consider the concept. I find the idea of almost personalizing the compulsions within very interesting. We can often recognise the compulsion, the end-product as it were, but not know the origins which is why we throw ourselves into therapy or compulsive repetition of our errors – so easily one demon can become legion within us if we don't deal with the original intruder; after all, once demon number one has settled into the comfort of an entrenched ego, why wouldn't he send out a general invite to his mates?
Yes, I am being flippant, but the concept still holds and it is helping me compartmentalise a mess of feelings inside me. So once the demon is identified, the question is, what to do? I think that is a personal decision, and I would not give a generalised answer to that when someone may take it as law and run with the idea right over a cliff (metaphorically speaking … although isn't that what Jesus did with the devil whose name was 'Legion'?). I am still pondering the nature of my demons, and bizarrely the thought of them doesn't scare me. Colin Wilson wrote a fantastically interesting novel called The Mind Parasites – creatures that have colonised the minds of all men [sic] and who control the fate of mankind by remaining hidden in the depths of the unconscious. After reading that book you never look at the dark, quiet corners of your own mind in the same way again! But where as these parasites frightened me, the concept of the demonic doesn't. I am keen to know them, because once known, once I have their name, I will be able to oust them from my being and I find that a very positive thought; just as once I admitted that my illness was psychosomatic, rather than clasping a sweaty hand to my forehead and curling up in victim mode at the wasted years and torments of my own mind (!) I felt hugely rejuvenated and empowered. Real chronic physical ailments are sometimes manageable but never curable. By admitting the potential psychosomatic origins of my illness, I have unleashed a flood of energy and uncovered some dark corners with the light optimism: if it is in my mind, then I can conquer it and be well. If the compulsions are demonic, I can know them and expel them. Of this I have no doubt.
The other aspect to this concept is that ego and habit energy is the resting place and breeding ground for such demonic energies. So logically, a two-pronged attack both on 'knowing your demons' and on breaking down ego and habit energy would be the most successful. I feel that the last month when I was riding on an artificial high (as genuine as it felt at the time, it was un-real), I was actually surfacing the wave of my ego. It felt good, it felt great, if felt compulsively, addictively wonderful – like too much chocolate, too much coffee, too much sex. And ultimately it was 'too much' of everything, it took me away from the middle path and I lost myself in 'feeling'. I brought a lot back from the journey – there are things I learned – but it showed me once again how deceptive the path of ego can be. We think we are being true to ourselves, when actually we are living a fantasy.
So there are a few essentials for me that come from the concept of the demonic: as Dion Fortune indicates in her book Psychic Self-Defence, the greatest protection is being very grounded in this life, being grounded enough to give a belly laugh at a good film. I am finding my Kundalini yoga supremely grounding; it is what broke the cycle of flying high-higher-highest and brought me gently back to earth. I am now incorporating a minimum of two meditation sessions a day, where I can tune back into myself and check how far I have strayed off the Beauty Path. And this new moon I shall be beginning some ritual work to face my demons. I have Sobek to my left and Anubis to my right, and I am more than ready to stare into the mouth of Apophis. May Osiris bless me and my path. It's time to know the demons, and really know my Self.
© starofseshat 2008
Pagan Dude – Pagan Dud
"Thanks, I'll take these please."
I place the book and crystal pyramid on the glass counter, and turn my head as a young man enters the shop. He stares intently at me with an openness I usually only see in the mentally impaired. Normally people steal a glance, lock eyes momentarily with a non-committal expression before looking away. He greets the assistant and looks at my purchases.
"A crystal pyramid. Awesome".
"Er, yes."
Oh, I get it. He's The-Man-Who-Walks-Up-To-You-In-The-Pub. The stranger, perhaps seeing something too open in my expression, seizes the opportunity to connect.
"I just got back from a mad Summer Solstice festival, yeah, down in Breinton. Course, Covent Garden is the business. That's where you can get all the proper pagan clothes. You see I'm a pagan and I HAVE to celebrate the solstice."
"Oh, right."
"Yeah, Celtic gods, An'allthat."
Ah, An'allthat, that's a new Celtic god to me, but I bow before his enthusiastic knowledge.
His assumptions prickle, and I can't help but say, "We did our ritual this morning." My goodness, am I really thumbing my metaphorical nose at him? Who is the youngster here?
At which point he starts groping inside his shirt and pulls out an ankh, nodding and grinning at my chest.
"Oh, yes." I wear an ankh as well.
"Yeah, mine's got a garnet in. My birthstone. So, yeah. This festival, it was so …"
Don't tell me, awesome.
"… cool."
"I hadn't heard of a pagan festival nearby."
"Oh, yeah, an' then we've got The Big Chill coming up."
I think the organisers of The Big Chill would be surprised to hear they are a pagan festival. Suddenly I wonder if the Summer Solstice festival he attended wasn't actually a music festival. And my suspicions are confirmed as he reels off more known music events, that are about as pagan as the Pope.
"So," say I. "Will you be going to the Ludlow Esoteric Fair?"
"Eastnor Castle?"
"No Ludlow Esoteric Fair."
"Is that at the castle."
I explain where it will be, and mention the main aims of the conference. I mention Madeleine Montalban and The Regency Group.
"Oh, yeah," he interrupts. "I went to the Conservationist Group thing in London. Thousands of people there. Well cool."
I pause mid-breath and feel very old. Is this the generation gap that is yawning before my feet giving me vertigo?
He looks at me blankly. I start shoving my purchases into my bag. This conversation is going nowhere fast. He flips out a phone, and dials MD for Major Distraction, as I wave and smile at the assistant. He studiously avoids my gaze and pretends not to see me leave.
I walk away and wonder when it became so "awesome" to be pagan and so easy. Buy the clothes, go to the festivals, wear an ankh (that archetypal symbol of all things … Celtic?) and proudly tell whoever will listen, "Cos I'm pagan, yeah."
© starofseshat 2008


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How a search engine created by two PhD students became one of the world's biggest companies is already the stuff of legend. But Google is looking forwards not back, says Lino Cattaruzzi, managing director in the MENA region
Given its omniscient presence in our online world, Google has passing similarities to some of the massive businesses that have helped shape Dubai and other cities in this region.
Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the $760bn internet giant began just as the World Wide Web was in its infancy. The idea was simple: to find and determine the importance of individual pages online.
Like those aforementioned Gulf conglomerates that grew along with their respective cities, Google mushroomed with the popularity of what became the internet.
It created products that are synonymous with everyday life, such as Gmail, Chrome and its maps; acquiring others that you will almost certainly know belong to it, such as YouTube; and other applications that you might not, such as Waze, the navigation app that helps drivers alert traffic jams and accidents to other road users.
Google has been one of the world's biggest success stories. Alphabet Inc, its parent company created in 2015 following a corporate restructure, reported sales of $32.32bn and profits of $9.70 per share in Q4 last year.
In Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA), revenues were $10.3bn in the same period – up 24 percent year-over-year. The core ad business accounted for $27.27bn of its revenue, an increase of 24 percent year-on-year.
That core business model is quite simple and open. Google collects data from searches and from the use of its 'free' products. It then sells ads against that data – allowing businesses to specifically target customers and users.
For that reason, many who join the company and head up departments have a background in sales. This region's managing director, Lino Cattaruzzi, is slightly different in that he was with US-based web portal AOL, building its operations firstly in his native Argentina, and then across the Latin America region.
In his ten-year career with Google, Cattaruzzi has moved from country to country, heading the tech giant's online sales for Germany, Switzerland and Austria while based out of Dublin, where the country's European operations HQ is located.
He also spearheaded the global sales strategy team for online media solutions at Google's headquarters in California, and led the Google business in Argentina and Mexico as country director in each, before arriving in Dubai just over a year ago.
As with Facebook, that other digital leviathan, Google doesn't release any financial figures for the region. But as managing director for Middle East and North Africa [MENA], Cattaruzzi describes revenues in the region as "very healthy".
Nevertheless, he says the diverse nature of the MENA region means it's a challenging business environment. He describes a high-income Gulf region and a North African one that is "on the other extreme", where "the quality of connectivity, the number of devices and GDP per capita is much lower".
Then there is Egypt, which has its own characteristics, and the Levant, where the language is different. "We try to cater for all," he says of this diversity.
"I haven't seen a region with so many people across such a broad spectrum, so we need to adapt and prioritise."
He outlines those priorities, and top of that list is Arabic language content and being able to provide the correct search results across the region. "The quality of Arabic search results should be equal everywhere, even with such different dialects," he explains.
"We need to use the best technology to understand exactly what you need, and machine learning has been great for making this a scalable process that adapts to the changing dynamics of language."
To this end, a new neural translation service was launched in Google last year, which uses an approach similar to human intelligence to translate a language.
"So I can define what a cat is, or I can tell you that cats go 'meow', or I can show you cats with images and sound," he explains. "Our process will understand finally that I'm talking about a cat as opposed to defining exactly what a cat is, and this is what we're trying to do with Arabic."
Despite the large-scale investment into Google Translate – which now numbers over 100 languages – Cattaruzzi insists there's still value for the company in developing 'free' products such as these.
"We do this with many of our products because our focus is on the users," he says. "Don't get me wrong, we monetise some of our products very well but that is not the only reason why we create products." Instead, he says, "We understand the value that we create and the impact that this can have."
He is undoubtedly right about Google's impact, whatever the motive. You could probably list over 100 of its products that have become part of everyday life, including Gmail, Chrome, Maps, YouTube and many more. Then there's the line of products such as Google Home, the Android phone and its associated operating system that powers most of the phones in use today.
While Apple's latest iPhones regularly top the charts when it comes to popularity among users in the UAE, its iOS operating system accounted for just 15.5 percent of overall market share last year, leaving the vast majority for Google's Android operating system.
"It's an open platform that I'm extremely passionate about because businesses can expand easily by creating apps and mobile websites to reach users," says Cattaruzzi.
"It's also a great way to get low cost devices to everyone. The combination of a great device and operating system is fantastic. We all love the new phones that are coming out [For example, Samsung's new S9 uses the Android Oreo]. But what we really focus on is what you do with the information and the value that you can extract from the device afterwards."
Cattaruzzi says that despite the region's high mobile penetration, many websites are not mobile-friendly. "The number of companies that can properly engage with mobile users is not even half," he says. "The time it takes for those sites to load is not what it should be, and not necessarily because of connectivity, but due to the technology they use to create their site."
For Cattaruzzi, this represents an opportunity for Google and he says that helping businesses get online is a key priority. He cites the example of Egyptian mobile app Vezeeta – where users can search for a medical specialist and book online – as one of the more disruptive ideas in the region. "They are doing 80,000 bookings per month, so it's getting traction."
So where does Google fit into a scenario such as this? Cattaruzzi replies that the tech giant focuses on how it can maximise the readiness of programmers and business individuals to be ready to tackle transformational opportunities such as this one.
"We've launched a number of programmes with different governments and we have active sessions on coding for businesses," he says, outlining a few examples.
"We trained 1,300 programmers in Egypt for our Mal Mobile Application Launchpad, which we ran in partnership with the government to improve the quality of mobile app development."
Google also works with the Misk foundation in Saudi Arabia to help young men and women browse the internet smartly and safely. In the UAE it has signed a partnership agreement with Dubai Chamber of Commerce to make businesses with an online presence more accessible in an easy and scalable way. "We are lowering the barrier for regional businesses to be easily found online," he says of the initiative.
His advice for businesses looking to get online is to first have a digital strategy. The second one is to "move fast".
"You see the difference in the results of companies that are moving faster than those who are just waiting, and then one day realise that they have lost time."
The third step is to capture the full opportunity to grow from a local business to a regional, and maybe even a global, business. Cattaruzzi says the potential to scale is easier than ever before. "Payments are becoming very easy to do from around the world; logistics are getting better as well, and that also applies to most of the countries in this region."
Another massive potential growth area is in the cloud technologies space. Google Cloud Platform service might be a long way behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure in terms of market share – in Q4 2017 AWS had 62 percent, Azure stood at 20 percent, while Google's share increased from ten to 12 percent – but the market is rapidly evolving at a rate where it is impossible to say who will dominate in future.
"There is a huge shift in the industry where computing is moving from individual servers to cloud-based services where you can freely scale up and down and implement in a very different way," he says. "We help on that journey as you move away from traditional infrastructure, and that includes things like machine learning, for instance. We are developing algorithms to apply this technology to improve your processes."
Purchased by Google in 2006 for $1.65bn in stock, YouTube is now worth more than $70bn on its own – and the surge in video use is probably only just really starting in earnest.
The MENA region ranks as one of its biggest success stories, and is ranked second in the world by the number of daily views. Google is set to grow this further with the opening of a YouTube Space for content creators in Dubai Studio City. Not intended for UAE use only – KSA, for example, is a much bigger market – Cattaruzzi says people from across the region will have access to the facility.
"The purpose is to provide the best quality platform for creators to produce their content and also to provide training," he explains. "We will give recommendations so their videos are more effective. And when you get these best-in-class examples, other people get inspired in the way they create their own content, so you raise the bar for everyone."
Once again, Arabic is a massive focus for Google in developing its YouTube presence. "Saudi Arabia is one of the most successful countries in the world in the number of hours of internet use, and we have a team specifically dedicated to developing the creators there. We really want a lot of Arabic content that is mostly catered for this region," he says.
To aid that process he says that Google has a developers' relationship team and multiple events to engage with programmers and engineers on how to improve their coding and applications. And once again, he says, "It raises the bar on how this region is equipped to go out and take their solutions further."
Google's hardware products –ranging in scope from phones, tablets, laptops and desktops, to wearables, speakers and homeware IoT products – are directly available from Google in 32 countries around the world, none of which are in the Middle East.
While it's possible to buy them on the grey market, there are no specific plans for Google to launch its products here. Even when the Nest Learning Thermostat – an energy-saving product that learns what temperature suits you best – was launched in the UAE recently, it was only sold through the likes of Noon.com and Etisalat.
"It's something that we will explore in the future," Cattaruzzi reveals, before explaining why they're not yet officially launched here.
"You see in many of countries where they're available that there are already waiting lists. The issue we have is that we don't produce enough, because the products have been such a big success, so we have to prioritise markets.
"And you need to make sure that when you do introduce stock, you give the users the right experience, because then you need to have units and you must provide effective after-sales care activity. It's more complex than just putting the boxes on shelves here, so that's why we are taking this very seriously."
From a business perspective, Google's most important products are still those that drive its sales. In all, 15 of its global products are available here, while Google Surveys – a customised market research product – is due to come to the market soon.
It is no surprise, then, that in the Dubai office, most of the 180 people a work in the commercial side of the business, though Cattaruzzi is keen to stress that these aren't cold-calling sharks.
"We call it consultative sales. What we do is partner with small, medium and large companies in many different ways to help them in this transformation onto the digital journey."
And make no mistake, this journey is something that every business, regardless of scale, needs to make according to Cattaruzzi. "If you think about how much time you spend with your mobile phone today as opposed to five years ago, or how you spend your time and the way you do things, this change has affected everyone in society."
Google sees its role as helping companies to transform and adapt to this new era.
It does this with large companies directly and then with a number of scalable online programmes for small outfits. "Ideally we can touch even a single professional trying to acquire new customers."
In the battle for digital revenues, Google and Facebook have the market cornered at this stage, with the two companies accounting for about three-quarters of US online advertising – a trend that is increasingly mirrored in this region. Traditional media companies find themselves having to boost content in an effort to garner a greater audience for their own advertisers – in effect giving away their content and paying for the privilege of doing so.
Cattaruzzi insists that the relationship works both ways. Google helps publishers earn revenues through products like Ad Sense, Doubleclick, Ad Mob and Accelerated Mobile Pages ads. "We can help you define your strategy, best practises and the type of ads that you need to have," says Cattaruzzi. "We can also place ads into your site and if the ads perform well you'll get more and more of them coming to you."
He summarises the strategy as this: "Creating more and better quality content, focusing on the region and on Arabic content." All this, he says with some understatement, adds up to "a lot of value".
Virtual reality
"Dubai is a perfect example of how the government drives innovation. We've seen that with its drone races, you're seeing the start of virtual reality goals… it's happening in a number of areas. I think we will see more and more of these things, but some others will be lagging. But in terms of VR, I don't think this is going to be the mainstream in the next two years in this region."
Augmented reality
"I'm not a saying it's not happening; I'm saying that it will not be the focus for the region, though I think AR will be very useful for specific businesses and will have a high adoption. If you're going to buy a new piece of furniture, you take a picture with your phone and you understand how your new piece of furniture will fit in your house. But is this going to be the transformation at a country level for businesses? I don't think so. We need to meet the basics first."
Smart cities
"We do engage with Dubai's smart city officials on a regular basis, as well as those in different countries. We don't disclose what the conversations are. We think it's up to governments to tell the story of what they want to achieve. Centrally, as Alphabet, not as Google, we created a company called Sidewalk Labs specifically to think about the design of cities, so there's a lot of expertise that we could try to leverage in this region."
Fake news
"I don't see it as being particular to this region. I think the scope will be much more global. We take this extremely seriously and I hope you have noticed that there is no specific initiative that goes on here. Obviously the complexity of the Arabic language means that we need to make sure that we cover that base as well."
Top ten 2017 searches in UAE
1. Indian Premier League 2017
2. iPhone 8
3. Dangal
4. Ramadan
5. Bitcoin
6. Louvre Abu Dhabi
7. Despacito
8. Diwali
9. Fidget Spinners
10. VAT in the UAE
YouTube success story
- The MENA is in the top five countries globally in terms of total watch time.
- YouTube today has the highest reach amongst millennials (97 percent in UAE and 95 percent in KSA)
- More than 85 percent of millennials visit YouTube at least once a day.
- YouTube is redefining Arabic entertainment and is home to hundreds of thousands of hours of local original content as well as traditional broadcast content extremely popular during Ramadan.
Mapping the region
Google has mapped seven Arab cities using Street View (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Tunis) and has 20 special collections, including Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Liwa, Giza Pyramids and Petra.


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Minnesota Recruiter Jobs
February 12, 2011
The following new Minnesota Recruiter Jobs have been added to the Minnesota Headhunter Recruiter Jobs Page:
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It was great to escape the deplorable, scary election news to spend Friday evening in conversation with Bill Ayers, on a tour to promote his new book, Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto. Ayers is best known for his activity during the turbulent 1960s in the Weather Underground. He spent an entire career after that as distinguished professor in the Department of Education at the University of Illinois, Chicago. On Friday, Ayers said while he thinks many activists on the left are good at explaining what's wrong, we need to be better at declaring our deepest values and asking: "What if?" Ayers' new book makes a plea for re-framing and mobilization across myriad issues, but on Friday he talked some about public education, and one of his new chapters examines ideas about bringing people together to support the great American institution of public schools.
Asked on Friday night how we can go about making a radical turn away from corporate school reform—8 years under Bush—8 years under Obama—and the years that led up to our current catastrophe —Ayers explained what he calls three pillars of corporate school reform—measurement by the single metric of standardized test scores—destruction of the collective voice of teachers, not only their unions but also their voices as professionals—and the privatization of our nation's great public system of education. In the book he defines the wave of privatization—"The eclipse of the public, the frantic pace of privatization and the fire sale of the public square—the public schools and public housing, prisons and the military, and in Chicago, the bridges and parking meters—all of which represent the triumph of corporate power and a kind of fatal entangling of corporations with the state, leading to a thieves' paradise in government with the arid ideology of capital and the 'market' promoted as the truest expression of authentic participatory democracy." (p. 11)
To challenge corporate school reform, Ayers suggests, begin with a simple question: "Is education a product to be sold in the market or is it human right?" Some other questions follow. What if we define education as a right for every child? How would that change things? "In what ways is education liberating, and in what ways can schooling be entangling and oppressive? Can learning be cast as a creative act, enjoyable and social, or is it always framed as competitive and brutal?" (p. 152)
"Education for free people is powered by a particularly precious and fragile ideal. Every human being is of infinite and incalculable value, each a work in progress and a force in motion, each a unique intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, moral, and creative force, each of us born equal in dignity and rights, each endowed with reason and conscience and agency, each deserving a dedicated place in the community of solidarity as well as a vital sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, recognition and respect. Embracing that basic ethic and spirit, people recognize that the fullest development of each individual—given the tremendous range of ability and the delicious stew of race, ethnicity, points of origin, and background—is the necessary condition for the full development of the entire community, and, conversely, that the fullest development of all is essential for the full development of each. This has obvious implications for education policy." (p. 161)
And what about our determination, especially in the urban schools that serve our poorest children, to organize our schools around obedience and conformity? "As young people in New Orleans or South Central LA or Oakland or Philadelphia or Cleveland or many points in between discover and intensify their own sense of agency, they can start to see themselves as actors in the world and not merely adjuncts in society. Schools would be organized around an ardent faith in human agency—in individual as well as collective capacity. They would work to align themselves to children and youth in their infinite and dynamic diversity, as opposed to forcing the child to fit the school as if school were immutable and fixed in stone… In interrogating the real conditions of their lives they step out of subjugation and into history as subjects themselves. They realize as free and full human beings that they are inherently (and not contingently) valuable, that both they and the world they inherit are works in progress and still under construction, that as humans they are paradoxically completely unique and simultaneously the same as all others—we are all born into a human culture, we all experience pain, we all die—and finally that they don't need anyone's permission to interrogate the world." (pp 157-158)
Prospective teachers study these ideas in their required class on the philosophy of education. In the education chapter in this new book, we all have a wonderful introduction to the educational philosophy of Bill Ayers, with undertones of John Dewey and Paulo Freire—a philosophy entirely antithetical to the technocracy of today's U.S. Department of Education, that just announced new rules to require states to rank and rate teachers colleges by the academic performance of the students their graduates will teach once they get a job.
Ayers considers, "When education is posited as a product like a car or a refrigerator, a box of bolts or a screwdriver—something bought and sold in the marketplace like any other commodity—and schools are conceived as businesses run by CEOs with teachers taking the role of assembly-line workers and students playing the part of the raw materials bumping helplessly along the factory floor as information is incrementally stuffed into their little upturned heads, then it's rather easy to suppose that 'downsizing' the least productive units, 'outsourcing' and privatizing a space that once belonged to the public is a natural event." (p.164)
Instead, Ayres suggests we wonder: "What if this school/classroom/experience were for me, or for my child? Are these the schools a free people require? This is a clarifying starting point for discussion." (pp. 164-165) On Friday night, in an aside, Ayers noted that while his book's title is "A Radical Manifesto," his ideas don't really seem so radical. The problem is that we get used to the way things are and forget to ask, "What if?"
Thanks to Mac'sBacks on Coventry in Cleveland Heights, Ohio for sponsoring Friday's refreshing conversation. If you are looking for a copy of Bill Ayers' new book, I know Mac'sBacks has a stack of Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto in stock.