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2019-05-08 - In about two weeks, Italian orchestral-death metal juggernauts FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE will release their 5th record, »Veleno«, on May 24th via Nuclear Blast Records. Today the group has unveiled the sixth part of a supporting video trailer series, in which frontman Francesco Paoli explains the meaning of the album title and how it connects to all of the songs on the new record. Check it out over on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mp4YKnC71Xw
Watch the recently launched 'Healing Through War' live video, which is taken from their bonus Blu-ray entitled »An Evening in Perugia«, that will be included in the album's digipak version: https://youtu.be/mviUmbrvAP0
More on »Veleno«:
'Sugar' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Xmq3iyW02b8
'Carnivorous Lamb' OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/3RMEoOl80SM
Trailer #1 - About The Song 'Sugar': https://youtu.be/2lXTqJLIuxI
Trailer #2 - About The »Veleno« Album Artwork: https://youtu.be/EXWn0yobSuY
Trailer #3 - The 2019 Band Line-Up: https://youtu.be/PcttT-yKpc0
Trailer #4 - »Veleno«: Writing And Recording: https://youtu.be/23xBJa8q52M
Trailer #5 - About The Song 'Carnivorous Lamb': https://youtu.be/VwUjw63xG1A
Pre-order »Veleno« now: http://www.nuclearblast.com/fleshgodapocalypse-veleno
Pre-order the album digitally to receive 'Carnivorous Lamb' and 'Sugar' instantly (amazon and iTunes only)!
Listen to both tracks in the NB New Releases Playlists: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNewReleases / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNewReleases
|Linked bands
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - drum playthrough video!
2020-05-26 18:00 - Today, the oldest release of Italian orchestral Death metallers comes to new life: FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE release a drum play through for "Thru Our Scars". Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - bass playthrough!
2020-05-12 18:00 - Today, Italian orchestral death metallers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE release a bass playthrough for one of their most demanding songs - "The Fool". Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - Release video!
2020-04-16 18:00 - FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE reveal a very special gem for their fans today: The band recorded a stunning video with their interpretation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 'Lacrimosa'. Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - launch live stream!
2020-03-28 11:00 - FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE launch live stream tonight! Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - unveil new video!
2020-02-26 17:00 - Italian orchestral-death metal giants FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have unveiled a stunningly beautiful new cinematic masterpiece video for the band's latest single "Monnalisa." Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - EU tour with EX DEO!
2020-01-09 19:00 - FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE announce "Veleno Across Europe Tour 2020" w/ EX DEO! Details
KATAKLYSM + FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - Tour!
2019-07-03 11:00 - Reanimated three years ago, the iconic »MTV Headbangers Ball Tour« is set to haunt European stages once again in November and December 2019! Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - chart entry / trailer!
2019-06-12 18:00 - FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE new album »Veleno« storms the global charts + band talks about the goal of working with a full symphonic orchestra in final album trailer! Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - new album trailer!
2019-06-05 18:00 - Today the group has unveiled the ninth part of their album trailer video series, in which Francesco Paoli talks about the addition of David Folchitto and Fabio Bartoletti. Details
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE - discuss bonus Blu-ray!
2019-05-29 18:00 - This time, Paolo Rossi speaks about the evening where the group recorded the bonus Blu-ray »An Evening in Perugia«. Details


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While I understand the DDC editorial committee's explanation, I'd still class the Jean Genies: Travelling Pants project under the number for "jeans" in my library. Call me a rebel, but in a fashion library we don't get a lot of patrons browsing the 021.7 section. We do, however, have lots of students interested in denim and jeans and what people are doing with those products.
It might be against the rules, but I'd rather class a material where it will get the most access and use over a "correct" classification that renders the material essentially invisible.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Throughout the year, Larry Thompson can be seen live at many different corporate sponsored events. In addition, there are some more public events which Mr. Thompson hosts as a benefit to the industry as a whole. During 2012, Larry has hosted an event which has not been done in over 30 years, The original Millionaire Training, these principles supersede time and are proven to enhance your business and personal experience as well as train you to generate and maintain wealth. These principles are the foundation of the Direct Marketing and Network Marketing Industries. If you are interested in attended or hosting an event please contact us to inquire.


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London remembers Orgreave
- Written by Mark Perryman
- Published in Latest News
Thirty years ago in June saw a defining moment of the Miners Strike. Mark Perryman explains why London is due to host an anniversary truth and justice benefit concert
Orgreave, Yorkshire, 18 June 1984. The mass picket vs the massed police. Four months into the dispute this in many ways was the Miners Strike's defining moment. The scenes of police brutality were graphic enough, none more so than a mounted police officer with baton raised galloping down a woman. Yet the solidarity, it helped inspire in response particularly at the following Christmas from metropolitan Britain, complete with convoys of trucks, vans and carloads of supporters bringing some cheer to the beleaguered coalfield communities never ignited the political support and industrial action the miners needed to win.
The pickets at Orgreave were prosecuted in huge numbers, allowing a media discourse of violence to shape how many viewed the dispute. Investigative work by their defence lawyers led to almost every charge being dropped against the miners, those which did end up in court in the vast majority of cases cleared too. But the damage, as the police knew full well, had already been done. Many of the officers involved in engineering this injustice five years later doing the same dirty work in the cover-up and smears of Hillsborough.
Thirty years on, just like for Hillsborough, a campaign for Orgreave Truth and Justice . A campaign not only to right a wrong but to connect the issues from thirty years ago to the politics and generations of today.
In a bold move the campaign on the 30th anniversary of Orgreave, in June will be coming to London. A city at the core of the metropolitan solidarity with the miners, a London then of Red Ken, the GLC, Lesbians and Gays support the Miners, benefit gigs almost every weekend, alternative comedy, third wave feminists in solidarity with Women against Pit Closures, enormous Miners Support Groups in Hackney, Lambeth, Islington and elsewhere twinned with faraway pit villages.
The Orgreave Anniversary concert has been organised by the doyens of socialist r n' b Thee Faction with straight out of Yorkshire The Hurriers . And Philosophy Football are footing the bill to ensure every penny from ticket sales goes to the cause, 100% solidarity! The night promises a retro bill including Attila the Stockbroker, TV Smith, Robb Johnson plus current protest posters Chris T-T and adding her own distinctive voice the incomparable culinary sensation that is Jack Monroe.
Wednesday 18 June, The Buffalo Bar , 259 Upper Street, London N1. Doors 7.30pm
Tickets in advance (two thirds sold already) Just £9, or solidarity price £20 from Philosophy Football or call 01273 472 721 to book.
Mark Perryman
Mark Perryman is a member of both the Labour Party and Momentum. Co-founder of the self-styled 'sporting outfitters of intellectual distinction' aka Philosophy Football, he has also edited numerous books on the politics of the Left. The latest is Corbynism from Below and is published by Lawrence & Wishart, available to order from here.


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2011 Guardian Music Power 100
You may not know the artist's name or the team behind the promotion of the song that you cannot seem to stop whistling or humming, but with the Guardian Music Power 100 list as to who the top players in the music industry are. By looking at their listings and the reasoning behind who has the most influence in the music industry at present, the public become familiar with the industry leaders who set new trends in music and those that enable artists to top the charts with new hit singles. The 2011 Guardian Music Power 100 therefore reveals who are the people becoming richer, promoting, managing and creating the music we come to love.
Adele and her team, which includes Brad Hunner (Radio Plugger), Jonathan Dickins (Manager) and Paul Connolly (Publisher), have enjoyed great success, with her second album taking the United Kingdom and United States music charts by storm. During her short career she has managed to sell six million copies of her albums. Adele is signed with XL, which is an independent label, and founder Richard Russell commented that Adele's talent was pure and that her music sells effortlessly without trying to promote sexuality and use gimmicks. She is a raw and unique talent, and therefore Team Adele has taken the number one slot on the 2011 Guardian Music Power 100.
The top twenty on the list is as follows: Team Adele, David Joseph and Lucian Grainge (Label Executives for Universal Music Group and Universal Music UK), Simon Cowell (Managing Director and Label Executive for Syco), Nigel Harding (Broadcaster), iTunes UK (Retailer), Steve Chen, Jawed Karim and Chad Hurley (YouTube Founders), George Ergoutadis (Broadcaster, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra), Sergey Brin, Eric Schmidt and Larry Page (Digital Media – Google Co-Founders), Simon Moran (Live Music Promoter – SJM Concerts Managing Director), Jeff Bezos (Retailer – Amazon.com CEO and President), Will.I.Am (Artist: Will.I.Am, Producer for Britney Spears, Cheryl Cole, Justin Timberlake, U2 and Nicki Minaj), Lyor Cohen (Label Executive – Warner Music US Chief Executive), Mark Zuckerberg (Digital Music – Facebook Founder), Team Radiohead (Artists – Ed O'Brian, Thom Yorke, Phil Selway, Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood, Managers – Brian Message, Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge), Ged Doherty (Label Executive – Sony BMG UK and Ireland CEO and Chairman), Max Hole (Label Executive – Universal Music Group International COO), Jeff Smith (Broadcaster – Radio 2 / 6 Music Head of Music), Lady Gaga (Artists), Rob Stringer (Label Executive – Sony Music Label Group Chairman) and John Reid, Max Lousada and Christian Tattersfield (Label Executives – Warner Europe CEO, Atlantic Records UK Chairman and Warner Music UK CEO).


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- Country
- Language
- English
A wickedly funny noir set in a Montreal apartment building haunted by Alfred Hitchcock, Roman Polanski and René Lévesque, Good Neighbours delights in mischievous puns and sight gags.
Our story begins just prior to the 1995 Quebec referendum, as a bungling Anglophone moves into the building.
A newspaper headline suggests that the vote on Quebec's future within Canada is a "dead heat." Good Neighbours isn't overtly concerned with Quebec politics, however. The framed picture of Quebec independence hero Lévesque in the foyer is always seen out of focus. Suggesting what? That the sovereigntist cause is a dim, but somehow persistent memory?
In any case, filmmaker Jacob Tierney ( The Trotsky) doesn't appear to care much about separatists and federalists. "Dead heat" is more his cup of tea.
Our hapless protagonist, Victor (Jay Baruchel), is thrilled to find two English-Canadians in his new apartment: Spencer (Scott Speedman), a young wheelchair-bound widower and a smiling psychopath who enjoys feeding small fish to bigger ones in an elaborate aquarium, and Louise (Emily Hampshire), a cat lover whose pets would love to dine on Spencer's fish.
Just down the hall we have a French-Canadian tenant, a profane, bathrobe-wearing alcoholic who wants to murder Louise's cats. Oh, and there is a very real killer who is roaming Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, stalking and strangling young women.
Good neighbours, indeed. NDG is suppertime at the zoo. And Victor's new friends are cold as the ice in the old Montreal Forum. Here's Spencer and Louise discussing whether or not to lend Victor a hand when he moves in:
Louise: "I feel like I should help him but. …
Spencer: "But what?"
Louise: "I don't want to."
Spencer: "That's my girl."
The trio become friends. At least Victor thinks so. He falls in love with asexual Louise, who maintains a lab-experiment interest in Spencer, the paraplegic, by trying to see what happens if both drink way too much. And Good Neighbours is at its mordantly creepy best when Spencer and Louise circle each other, smiling, gargling wine, probing for secrets.
Filmmaker Tierney gets intriguing performances from both players, while indulging in a tantalizing bit of film scholarship: Who would win if insolent Bruno in Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train tangled with Catherine Deneuve's mad manicurist in Polanski's Repulsion?
The film can be seen as an attempt to round off Polanski's evil-apartment trilogy ( Repulsion- Rosemary's Baby- The Tenant). And like Hitchcock, Tierney can't help staring down staircases, swooning at the possibility of becoming unbalanced. Then seeing what happens next.
Good Neighbours is based on a story by Quebec novelist Chrystine Brouillet. But Tierney locates the story during Quebec's judgment hour, shooting his movie just down the street from Baruchel's Montreal apartment.
Why set Brouillet's story during a referendum on Quebec's future? Because Tierney, apparently, in what is the film's most wicked impulse, can't resist casting Baruchel, an actor with a red maple leaf over his heart, as a cornball Captain Canada, dressing him in ghastly Christmas-present sweaters and a high-school English teacher's beard.
Only Baruchel's Victor is interested in the referendum results. He suggests that the three friends have a party, watching the plebiscite play out on television. His character's name, Victor (read: referendum winner), is another of the film's puns. But what has Victor's team gained? Filmmaker Tierney leaves that for others to say. His mercilessly cruel, always watchable film succeeds as a parable of a time when predators roamed the island of Montreal, trying like hell to destroy one another.
Good Neighbours
- Written and directed by Jacob Tierney
- Starring Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Scott Speedman and Gary Farmer
- Classification: 14A
Special to The Globe and Mail


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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I order?
Order Online:
Ordering online is super quick, easy and secure all day, every day. Use the button above to login or register your details. You can make enquiries or order products at any time of the day or night and we'll respond during office hours. If you experience any difficulties, contact our friendly customer service team.
Freephone 08000 85 85 95:
Prefer to speak to a person? No problem, call us for free on 08000 85 85 95 between the hours of 09:00 and 17:30 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 17:00 Friday. If you are dialling from outside the UK call +44(0)20 7737 4040. You won't find your typical sales robot on the end of the line, our knowledgeable sales experts will guide and inspire you every step of the way.
How do I pay for my order?
We accept payment all major credit & debit cards including Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit and American Express.
We also accept payment via Bank Transfer (BAC's). Please note that if you select BAC's payment, your order will remain on hold until the funds have cleared into our account. Please download our bank details and be sure to email email@example.com with a remittance advice.
We do not accept Cheques or postal orders.
Do you offer credit facilities?
Yes. For regular customers, we offer credit facilities when you spend in excess of £500 ex VAT per annum. It's easy to apply, simply download our WBC Credit Application form and email it us, or call us to speak to one of our team.
Do you have a minimum order?
No, feel free to order as much as you like! There is no minimum spend when placing an order online and for mainland UK we offer FREE delivery on orders over £150 Ex Vat.
Can I order samples?
Absolutely. Samples are charged at their unit price and sent out using our courier service Yodel, at a delivery charge of £4.95*. Please don't ask us just to 'pop it in the regular post', this is a business service and we want you to receive it in tip top shape. To offset any sample costs, we'll send you a £10 voucher to redeem against your next order. Just remember to enter the promotion code when placing your order, and voila you'll save a tenner.
Please note that we cannot send samples of the following products:
Glass Storage Crates
Retail Display
You can order samples by contacting our sales team.
Do you have a price promise?
One thing we hate to be beaten on is price. So, if you find a like for like product at a lower price we will match it, as long as the following applies:
The product is actually as good as ours (and includes any applicable delivery charges).
The product is in stock in the UK and available for immediate delivery.
You are able to verify the price by sending us the quote.
One more thing to bear in mind. We will never supply Bags For Life at unsustainable prices; it's just not fair on the artisans who make them and devalues good quality. Other than that, please don't shop anywhere else without first asking us if we can match the price, the chance are, we can.
Can I add to my order?
To keep our service at lightening speed, your order is taken on screen and immediately transferred to the warehouse for picking and packing. It's then loaded onto trailers which leave as soon as they're full making it difficult to stop it, add to it, or change it.
For additional orders placed before 3pm on the same day, the minimum order value for free delivery is just £25. For orders less than £25 our standard delivery charges will be applied. All prices are ex VAT.
Can I cancel my order?
To keep our service at lightening speed, your order is taken on screen and immediately transferred to the warehouse for picking and packing. It's then loaded onto trailers which leave as soon as they're full, making it difficult to stop it, add to it, or change it.
Any unwanted goods, as long as they're in tip top re-sellable shape, can be returned to us at your own expense (please see our return/refund policy for details).
What discounts do you offer?
As a trade supplier, all products listed online are discounted already, but we offer small additional discounts depending of the total value of your order.
Orders over £500 ex VAT : 3% discount.
Orders over £1500 ex VAT : 5% discount.
Orders over £3000 ex VAT: 7.5% discount.
Additional discounts apply to all products except Shred & Fill, Retail Props, Brix Modular Display System, clearance products and any products marked 'This item is excluded from discounts'. Printing costs, delivery and VAT do not count towards discounts.
Pallet Rate - Bulk Buy Special Discounts
Our special bulk buy pallet rates only apply to deliveries within mainland UK excluding highlands of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire, the Channel Islands and all offshore postcodes. We would love to be able to offer special pricing to all our customers, but unfortunately current shipping rates to these areas make it impossible. The following postcodes are NOT considered UK Mainland by our couriers are:
DD, PH, IV, HS, KW, PA, KA, ZE, AB, BT - Northern Ireland, Eire, PO – Isle of White, JE – Jersey, GY – Guernsey, IM
How do I apply promotion codes?
When checking out online, pop the promotion code into the box provided on the payment screen and the discount will automatically be applied. Alternatively, call us and give us the promo code over the phone.
I'm a European customer, can I pay in Euros?
New European customers are automatically billed in Euro's when placing an order online. If you are an existing customer being billed in Sterling and wish to update your account, please call +(44) 20 7737 9480 to organise this with our accounts department.
Will Brexit have any effect on stock availability of WBC product?
We have reviewed the effect Brexit will have on our business and supply chain, as best we can. Most of our products are produced within the UK or outside of the EU, where Brexit will have little effect.
For those product lines sourced from the EU, we have initiated an action plan and EU stock is being shipped as we speak to cover all anticipated demand for the critical Christmas period. We are not expecting any delays or issues arising from this eventuality and it will be very much business as usual. There is no need to stockpile any of our products and you can order as it suits you. Some key lines do sell out at Christmas if demand is higher than projected, we suggest you talk to us or confirm orders where the quantities are significant to avoid disappointment.
If the pound were to drop in value significantly, then some prices may need to be increased and it is always best to check online for up to date pricing.
Do you offer discounts, sponsorship or support for Charities?
Supporting charities, associations and community projects will always be at the heart of WBC.
We receive weekly requests for sponsorship and free stock to support both local and national charities, however, as a small business we don't have the means to support all those who contact us.
Aside from our primary chosen charities and commitments: The Prince's Trust, Cocobagh Social Business Venture, The Forestry Project and The Retail School occasionally we're in a position to support additional projects on a local basis, in and around our hometown of Brixton. Contact email@example.com.
Please do not be offended if we are unable to respond to your fundraising emails and accept our sincerest apologies if we decide we cannot support your particular charity at this time.
Delivery & Collection
What are your delivery Charges?
UK Mainland Delivery (excl. Highlands / Islands)
Free delivery on all orders over £150 ex VAT
For all orders under £150 please add £9.95 + VAT
We aim for next day delivery, however please allow 2-3 working days during busy periods.
Non UK Mainland Delivery (Incl. Highlands / Islands)
Northern Ireland, Ireland, Channel Islands & other Islands along with the following postcodes which are NOT considered UK Mainland by our couriers:
IM, IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-88, PH19-44, TR21-25, ZE and Isle of Wight
Free delivery on all orders over £300 ex VAT
For all orders under £300 ex VAT please add £25 + VAT
Please allow 5-7 working days for delivery.
EU Countries excluding Ireland
Delivery charges are dependant on the country and number of parels. Your order will be placed on hold and a member of our sales team will contact you to confirm the final cost and take payment.
What are your delivery times?
All our deliveries are made by our courier Yodel.
Deliveries are made between 8:30am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday, and it's essential that your order is consigned to a 'manned' address where the courier can obtain a signature on delivery.
We understand this may be inflexible for some, but as a business supplier, we pay for a business service and certain stipulations are in place to ensure you get the very best service possible.
The courier cannot deliver to a neighbour or an alternative delivery address. If the courier is unable to make the delivery to the specified address and has to return at a later date or the parcel has to be returned to us, a charge of up to £15.00 per parcel will be made. This surcharge also applies to deliveries where the goods are refused or the driver is turned away at the delivery point.
We're unable to give ETA's on deliveries until after 3pm on the expected delivery date.
Where do you deliver to?
We deliver to customers all across the UK & Ireland far and wide including Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
We also delivery internationally. EU customers are able to place their order online but your order is placed on hold while we confirm the delivery charge. For deliveries further afield please contact our sales team.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, please contact our sales team for further information.
Can I collect my order?
You can, but this needs to be arranged with our sales team in advance. Contact our office on 08000 85 85 95 so we can provide you with the correct collection details.
Pallet Order Information
What is a pallet order?
A pallet order is one that is packed and couriered on a wooden pallet.
The footprint of the pallet is 1m x 1.2m and can be up to 2.2m high.
Why might my order arrive on a pallet?
Delivering on pallets allows us to continue offering free delivery on bulkier items or larger orders. Imagine how inconvenient it could be to have 16 boxes of wicker baskets arriving on your doorstep instead of one tidy and carefully packed stack!? There are plenty more benefits to pallet order too.
How will the pallet be delivered?
The pallet delivery will be made by truck using one of our pallet network partners e.g Palletways or Pallet Track. WBC does not use its own drivers.
What if my premises has restricted access?
The delivery truck is capable of getting to most locations, but if you know you have restricted access on site, please contact our sales team prior to delivery so we can arrange alternatives.
If for some reason the courier is unable to gain access to site there will be a re-delivery charge for them to come back on the next available delivery schedule. So be sure to let us know in advance if you foresee any problems.
What will the driver do when they arrive at the delivery destination?
If you have a forklift they will open the side of the truck for you to unload and take it into your warehouse.
Will the driver unpack and take away the empty pallet?
Unfortunately generally not. Pallet deliveries are curbside deliveries only and you will need to arrange to have someone present to unpack.
My shop doors are not wide enough to accept a pallet
Don't worry, contact our sales team prior to delivery so we can come up with an alternative delivery option.
Your Account & Orders
How do I track my order?
Keeping track of your order has never been easier. When you place an order, we'll send you an order confirmation with the details. We will then send you another email to let you know when it's despatched. We use 2 methods of despatch, Pallets or Parcels.
Parcel Tracking: If your order has been despatched in parcels you can track it by clicking on the tracking link in your confirmation email.
Pallet Tracking: Generally pallet orders are delivered within 2 working days for mainland UK but if delayed, please call our sales team. Don't worry if you can't find your despatch confirmation email, you can track your order online via the MY ACCOUNT section. Simply login and click on the Orders > View Order. If your order has been shipped in parcels, you'll see a tracking number.
I haven't received an invoice, how do I request one?
It's simple! Invoices, cash receipts and order history can be accessed and downloaded from the YOUR ACCOUNT section. Click on > Your Account > Invoices > View Invoice and Download PDF. If you get stuck email us at firstname.lastname@example.com to request one.
How do I view my statements?
Statements can be accessed and downloaded by logging into your online account at wbc.co.uk where you'll find it under the billing section.
For finance related queries email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
How can I reorder items previously ordered?
Simply login into your account and click on re-order items to see a list of all your previously purchased items. You can purchase directly from this page.
Returns & Refunds
I received a damaged item, what should I do?
We're sorry to hear that. We check and double check everything before we send it out, but on the odd occasion an item arrives damaged or faulty we will arrange collection of the items and organise replacements or a credit note. Any delivery charges (where charged) when a product is faulty or damaged will also be refunded. Please check your delivery carefully on arrival and let us know of any damages, shortfalls or errors within 48 hours.
Can I return an item?
We like to think you'll love our products so much you'll never want to send any of them back, but on that rare occasion there's been a mistake or a product is no longer required, simply send it back to us at your own expense and we'll credit your account for their value less up to a 20% handling charge. Please contact our customer services team within 7 days of the delivery date so we can send you returns documentation. It goes without saying that all returned items should be in their original packaging and in mint condition ready for resell.
Clearance and Sale items – Please note, any offers and sale items are sold as seen, and are excluded from our returns and refund policy
How long does a refund take to be applied?
Generally speaking, it takes approximately 3-5 working days to process the payment, but it does depend on your bank.
Vector Artwork
Why do we need vector artwork?
Vector images have crisp defined edges. If your logo or design is created as a vector image this means we can scale it as much as we need without compromising the quality of the image and print application.
What is the difference between a vector image and a JPEG, GIF or BMP?
Vector images are constructed from points. When these points are grouped together and scaled the artwork retains it's quality. JPEGs and other raster images are made up of a grid containing a specific number of dots and pixels. When scaling these types of images, they appear blocky or pixellated.
How do I know if my logo or design is a vector?
Vector images are usually created using Adobe Illustrator and saved with the file extension .ai, .pdf, .eps and .svg. Unfortunately this isn't foolproof as sometimes raster images are opened in illustrator and saved as if they were vector images but have not been recreated as a true vector image.If you're unsure about whether or not your image is a vector the best thing to do is speak to the person who originally provided your artwork. Alternatively feel free to send it over for us to check and we'd be more than happy to help.
Our Product Guides
Assembly: Two Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible) (DIV20S)
How to assemble Two Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible)
Two Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible).pdf
Assembly: Three Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible) (DIV30S)
How to assemble Three Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible)
Three Bottle Heavy Duty Divider (Reversible).pdf
Assembly: Fluted Hamper Box (W1033)
How to assemble Fluted Hamper Box
Fluted Hamper Box Instructions.pdf
Assembly: Front Opening Bottle Boxes
How to assemble front opening boxes
13758 Or Any Front Opening Box Instructions.pdf
Assembly: Textured Black Hamper Box - Medium (13777)
How to assemble Textured Black Hamper Box - Medium
13777 Instructions.pdf
Assembly: 1030 Lids
How to assemble a Front Opening Graphite Two-Bottle Gift Carton
1030 Lids.pdf
Assembly: Front Opening Graphite Two-Bottle Gift Carton (20/10CVN)
How to assemble a Front Opening Graphite Two-Bottle Gift Carton
20S/CVN Instructions.pdf
Assembly: Budget - 6 Bottle (B6)
Below are instructions on how to assemble our 6 Bottle Budget Transit Box.
How to assemble a six bottle transit pack B6 web clip
B6 Instructions.pdf
Assembly: Budget - 12 Bottle (B12 and BB12S)
Below are instructions on how to assemble the (B12) 12 bottle budget transit box.
B12 Instructions.pdf
Assembly: Repacking Cases RP6 and RP12
Below are instructions on how to assemble the RP6 and RP12 repacking cases.
RP6 and RP12 instructions.pdf
Assembly: Retail Display Stand - PRD3T
Below are instructions on how to assemble the PRD3T retail display stand.
Retail Display Stand assemble instructions.pdf
Assembly: Folding Hampers 13798 and 35450
Below are instructions on how to assemble the folding card hamper 13798 and 35450.
13798 and 35450 Instructions Pdf
Assembly: Portaglas Glass Storage Crates
Below are video instructions on how to assemble Portaglas glass storage crates.
How to assemble the Portglas Budget Glass Storage Crates
How to assemble the Portglas Premium Glass Storage Crates
Which Glass Storage Crates should I use for my glasses?
Measure the length and width of your glass and compare it to our guide to see which glass crate would be the best size for your glasses.
Budget Glass Storage Crate Measurement Guide link
Premium Glass Storage Crate Measurement Guide link
Assembly: Air Compressor
Below are instructions on how to assemble the COMP1 Air Compressor.
COMP1 Air Compressor.pdf
How to care for your BRIX components.
For examples on how to assemble BRIX components, please view one of our selected BRIX vignettes online and click on the video tab next to the zoom feature on the product page.
BRIX are manufactured here in the UK and consist of heavy gauge copper wire or unsealed wood both of which are framed in a distressed, waxed, metal frame.
Whilst the BRIX products are perfectly suitable for displaying a wide variety of packaged products straightaway, we would advise that with any delicate or light coloured items (particularly fabrics) being displayed in direct contact with the surfaces, that additional cleaning be carried out. This should be done with a dry cloth only.
Periodically we would suggest that the metal frame is given a once over with a natural wax such as Bri-Wax. Any wooden elements can livened up with mineral oil.
In addition, we also offer clear perspex sheets that can sit on the wooden or copper elements of your BRIX component to minimise any chance of colour leeching.
VAT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay VAT?
Working out VAT when you're shipping outside the UK can be complicated. We'll try and break it down for you simply here, there are a few exceptions to the rules so if you have any questions not covered below, please contact our finance team who will be happy to advise you.
Are you Shipping to an address within the UK?
If yes, then you will be charged VAT at point of purchase.
Are you shipping to an EU country outside the UK?
Our team will ask you for a valid VAT number which we'll check against the EU database and set you up on our system to be VAT exempt. Don't worry, you'll only be asked this once, and once you're set up, you're good to go.
If you are unable to supply us with a VAT number you will be charged VAT.
I'm a UK based company exporting outside the UK, can I claim the VAT back?
Yes, you will have 3 months to provide us with proof that the goods have left the UK by way of an 'Exit Declaration form' or any other export form. Your shipping company should have yours on file and be able to provide it upon your request, after which we will credit the VAT back.
Both my business and shipping address are outside the UK and the EU?
No, you will not be charged VAT.
Shred & Fill
SizzlePak™ and Very Fine Cut™ Shred
All our SizzlePak™ and Very Fine Cut™ ranges are 100% recyclable and 100% biodegradable.
Paper shred is either made from 100 % recycled content or from 'Woodfree Uncoated Paper'(WFU) and this differs depending on colour.
Woodfree uncoated paper(WFU),or uncoated fine papers, are manufactured using wood that has been processed into a pulp that removes the lignin from the wood fibers.Both softwood and hardwood pulps are used.
Below is a list of colours and what they consist of .
SizzlePak™ Recycled
Lime Green, Green, Forest Green, Blue, Purple, Black
SizzlePak™ Woodfree Uncoated Paper
White, Ivory, French Vanilla, Cream, Kraft, Chocolate, Red, Deep Red, Burgundy, Yellow, Orange, Navy Blue, Cool Grey
Very Fine Cut™ Woodfree Uncoated Paper
White, Ivory, French Vanilla, Kraft, Chocolate, Red, Deep Red, Burgundy, Lime Green, Green, Forest Green, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Purple, Cool Grey, Black, Light Pink
Wood Wool
Our Wood Wool is made entirely from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved natural spruce wood cultivated from European forests that are certified according to the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
No chemicals are used throughout any part of the manufacturing process and for that reason, it has been approved for use in food packaging and able to come into direct contact with food, without any restrictions. All our wood wool can be recycled, reused,composted or burned completely.


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Do you Know Whisky ranks as the top most selling alcoholic drink in India and continues to lead the race with beer, which is the world's third favourite drink.
Whisky in India is popular because it contains at least 40 percent Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Most Indian whiskies generally have a content of 42.8 percent ABV.
Surely, You too love whisky.
That's the reason you are searching for the best whisky brands in India.
Unless you have a preference for a specific Whisky brand, the choice of whiskies available at any liquor shop in India can be quite perplexing.
Here we take a look at some of the most popular Indian whisky Brands along with its price.
Top Selling Whisky Price List in India:
Whisky made in India is called 'Indian Whisky'. It cannot be termed 'Scotch Whisky' or known by any other foreign name.
This is because the term 'Scotch Whisky' can be used only for whisky distilled and bottled in Scotland. In India, whiskies are broadly classified as Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
Want to try the best SCOTCH Whisky?…
Here you can find out top scotch whisky brands
Here we take a look at some top-selling whisky brands in the Indian market. The prices we indicate are for a 750ml flask of whisky.
List of 10 Best Whisky Brands in India With Price:
1. Peter Scot (Rs.1,200)
Peter Scot has been a favourite Whisky brand of Indians since the 1980s.
It is made by a reputed but lesser known distiller in Karnataka- Khoday India Ltd.
The brand's popularity caused sufficient heartburn worldwide and its manufactures, KIL moved various courts in India claiming the name 'Peter Scot' deceived consumers into believing it was a Scottish product or had connections to Scotland.
After numerous court battles with the Scotch Whisky Association, the Supreme Court of India ruled that KIL was not deceiving anyone.
It ruled that the price of Peter Scot clearly indicates its buyers are affluent and educated and hence, the word 'Scot' could not deceive them.
Price for a 750ml flask of Peter Scot whisky is Rs 1200.
2. Bagpiper (Rs.400)
The bagpiper is perhaps the most widely advertised Indian whisky Brand.
It has been promoted by top Bollywood stars including Dharmendra, who was also its brand ambassador.
Other notable Bollywood personalities that appeared in Bagpiper Whisky ads include actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, Jackie Shroff, Ajay Devgn, Shahrukh Khan and Sunny Deol- the son of brand ambassador Dharmendra.
Bagpiper was launched in 1976 by Herbertsons India Ltd and was acquired by United Spirits Ltd. It is manufactured at different locations in the country.
The brand is also exported to certain Arabian Gulf countries and is popular among expatriate Indians and various foreign communities there.
It was the first whisky to be sold in PET bottles and Tetra Pack.
Price for a 750ml flask of Bagpiper whisky is Rs 400.
Also Read:
3. McDowell's No-1 (Rs.600 and upwards depending on variant)
McDowell's No-1 is the oldest surviving brand of whisky in India.
It gets the name from Scotland's 'distillery king' named Angus McDowell who established a distillery, McDowell & Co in 1898 and launched the eponymous whisky brand.
McDowell's No-1 is now the flagship brand of United Spirits Ltd.
The world's first 'diet' whisky that speeds metabolism, McDowell's No-1 Diet Mate was launched under this brand. McDowell's No-1 whisky is available in different variants, Premium, Diet Mate, Platinum, and McDowell No-1 Single Malt. Another whisky, McDowell's No-1 Reserve is also available at select stores in India.
The entire McDowell No-1 line of whisky is also exported from India.
Price for a 750ml flask of Mcdowell's No-1 whisky is Rs 600 and above depending upon the variant you buy.
4 Royal Challenge (Rs.1,000)
Royal Challenge is one of the largest selling whiskies of India since its launch in 1980 by Shaw Wallace & C0.
It is a medium price whisky that contains a blend of malts from Scotland and India and molasses alcohol.
The brand is now manufactured by United Spirits Ltd at various distilleries in India. Royal Challenge, commonly called RC by its fans, is also exported to several countries and is available in the UK and US markets.
A cricket team of Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore is sponsored by the brand.
Price for a 750ml flask of Royal Challenge whisky is Rs 1000.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Popular Best Beer Brands in India
5. Royal Stag (Rs.900 to Rs 1,250 depending on variant)
Royal Stag is a very popular brand of Indian malt whisky launched in 1995 by multinational company and distiller, Pernod Ricard, under the 'Seagram' label.
Royal Stag is available in two variants- regular and Barrel Select. This whisky has a distinct grainy flavour which makes it the favourite of many drinkers.
The brand targets the middle and upper-middle-income group of whisky aficionados of India.
It is manufactured by Pernod Ricard at various distilleries in India and exported to select markets abroad.
Price for a 750ml flask of Royal Stag whisky is Rs 900 to Rs 1250 depending upon the variant.
Also Read: Top 10 BestSelling Vodka Brands in India With Price
6. Blenders Pride (Rs.700 to Rs.1,400 depending upon variant)
Blenders Pride is another famous Indian whisky introduced into the market by Pernod Ricard.
It was launched under the Seagram label in 1995 and competes with some of the topmost whisky brands of the country.
Blenders Pride is available in two variants: Blenders Pride Reserve Collection and the premium Blenders Pride Rare Premium. This whisky is a blend of malts from India and Scotland and some percentage of molasses alcohol.
Price for a 750ml flask of Blenders pride whisky is Rs 700 to Rs 1400 Depending upon the variant.
Also Read: 10 Best Champagne Brands in India (Price and Details)
7. Antiquity (Rs.1,100 to Rs.1,600 depending upon variant)
Antiquity made its maiden appearance in Indian liquor market in 1992 as a premium whisky Brand.
It is a brand manufactured by the country's IMFL major United Spirits Ltd.
Antiquity took the market by storm since its launch, since it catered to the upper and upper-middle income groups of the Indian society and at a time when foreign manufacturers were to make a mark in this country.
This whisky is available in two variants: Antiquity Rare Premium and the upscale Antiquity Blue Ultra Premium. The latter is presented in a unique blue flask to signify its quality.
Price for a 750ml flask of Antiquity whisky is Rs 1,100 to Rs 1600 Depending upon the variant.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Red Wines in India Along With Price
8. Imperial Blue (Rs.700)
Imperial Blue is a premier brand of Indian whisky.
It was launched by Pernod Ricard in 1997 under the Seagram label. Pernod Ricard had acquired Seagram's Indian operations and its local brands, including Imperial Blue.
The company faced a few initial hurdles in marketing Imperial Blue due to the acquisition process. However, Pernod Ricard reintroduced the brand in 2002.
Imperial Blue was promoted under the catchphrase 'Men will be Men'.
However, strictures on liquor advertising enforced by the Indian government forced Pernod Ricard to promote the brand using alternative methods.
The company sponsored an Rs. 10 million Bollywood movie named 'Men will be Men' to drive home the Imperial Brand.
Price for a 750ml flask of Imperial Blue whisky is Rs 700.
Also Read: 10 Most Superior Quality Gin Brands in India For Making Cocktails
9. Signature (Rs.1,150 to Rs. 1,500 depending on variant)
Signature whisky was launched in 1992 by United Spirits Ltd.
Initially, it was marketed under the McDowell's line but later as a stand-alone premium product.
It is the only whisky in the world to be sold in an octagonal flask.
The special flask was designed by London-based design firm Claessens International. Signature is a blend of Scottish and Indian malts.
It is available in two variants: Signature Premium Grain Whisky and Signature Rare Aged Whisky.
The two variants are also available in one-litre flasks, which is uncommon in India.
Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Abhay Deol have been brand ambassadors for Signature whisky.
Price for a 750ml flask of Blenders pride whisky is Rs 1100 to Rs 1500 Depending upon the variant.
Also Read: 10 Best Rum Brands in India
10. Officer's Choice (Rs.300 to Rs. 1,200 depending upon variant)
Officer's Choice, launched in 1988 is the world's highest selling whisky Brand.
It overtook Johnny Walker brand as the topmost selling whisky in 2013 and has consistently held its position since then.
It also overtook Smirnoff as the world's largest selling liquor brand in 2014.
It is the most famous whiskies in India and widely popular among the entire spectrum of whisky drinkers.
Officer's Choice is made by Allied Blenders & Distillers. Officer's Choice is Indian malt whisky blended with molasses alcohol.
Officer's Choice is targeted at the lower-middle income segment of the Indian society.
It is available in two premium variants, Officer's Choice Blue and Officer's Choice Black and Officer's Choice Prestige aimed at higher income groups.
Also Read:10 Best Quality Brandy Brands in India To Try Out Atleast Once
Other Popular Brands
In addition to these top-selling brands, there are several other Indian Whisky brands that are popular in the country.
- Hayward's Fine
- After Dark
- Old Tavern
- Directors Special
- Green Label
- DSP Black
- Mansion House
- Original Choice
- Red Knight
- Rowson's Reserve Rare
Some of these whiskies may not be available in select markets.
The whiskies we have listed among top 10 can generally be found across India. However, they will be manufactured by a distillery in that state or a nearby one.
Special Mention
There are two whiskies in India that deserve special mention in this article.
11. Real's Whisky
Real's Whisky is made by one of oldest business houses of Goa, Real Group of Industries. Their brand, Real's Whisky is by far the cheapest one available in India and possibly the world.
A bottle of 750ml Real's Whisky sells in Goa for Rs.70 only. The brand was also sold in 90ml sachets earlier.
However, these sachets were discontinued after governments of adjoining Karnataka and Maharashtra complained that bootleggers were smuggling these sachets for illegal sales in these states, where liquor prices are much higher.
Also Read: 10 Best Rum Brands in India
12. Amrut
Amrut is a range of whiskies launched in 2004 by an Indian company, Amrut Distilleries.
This whisky has found aficionados around the world and may become a global brand.
Amrut Fusion Malt, one of its variants, has been named as the third best whisky in the world by Murray, a publication that reviews different alcoholic drinks.
Amrut manufactures seven variants of its whiskies, which are in the premium segment.
Popular Foreign Whisky Brands in India
Nowadays, Indian whiskies are competing increasingly with major foreign brands in the market. Most popular foreign brands in India are from Scotland, though a couple of American brands are also popular.
- Johnny Walker: Red, Black, Green, Gold and Blue Label.
- Chivas Regal
- Black Dog
- Dimple
- Vat 69
- Black & White
- Jameson (Ireland)
- Jack Daniels (US)
- Southern Comfort (US)
- Ballantines
- Teacher's Special
- J & B Rare
Whisky Facts in India
India consumes about 1.7 billion litres of whisky every year- which is almost half the total amount of whiskies produced in the world.
Whisky ranks as the most famous alcoholic drinks of India. While India's whisky production has almost doubled over the decade, the market is now also dominated by foreign companies who are manufacturing some brands locally for this country.
In India, whisky is predominantly made of wheat malts, since the country has a large production of this food grain.
However, in recent years, a whisky distilled from barley is also becoming popular.
A lot of whiskies in the lower price range in India contain very limited or no grain malts.
Instead, they are made purely from molasses alcohol. Since molasses alcohol is colourless, distillers add food colours such as caramel and artificial flavours to impact a whisky-like taste and flavour to the drink.
History of Indian Whisky
India's whisky also traces its history to the ancient times.
The first recorded mention of intoxicating drinks made by fermenting wheat in India dates back to about 2000BC.
It is likely that ancient Indians had mastered the art of fermenting various grains and fruits and distilling alcohol using methods that are prevalent till date for making hooch or illegal spirits.
Modern-day whisky arrived on the Indian subcontinent in 18th Century and was brought by officers of the British East India Company.
However, as British grip over the Indian subcontinent increased, it became impossible to ship thousands of cartons of the whisky from Scotland to India.
Sensing the need for a local distillery, Edward Abraham Dyer set up a brewery and distillery in Kasauli in modern-day Himachal Pradesh.
With wheat supplies from Punjab, this brewery and distillery began manufacturing the first beer and whisky on the Indian subcontinent.
Around the same time, other British entrepreneurs opened breweries and distilleries in Murree in modern-day Pakistan to make beer and whisky from wheat grown in Punjab.
As mentioned earlier, McDowell's No-1 is the oldest surviving brand of whisky in India.
Wrap Up
Following the success of Amrut Single Malt in the UK and US markets, Indian distillers are hopeful of making a big splash on the international whisky scene.
Already, major Indian brands such as McDowell's No-1, Bagpiper and Royal Challenge, among others are being exported to markets in the Middle East. Indian distillers are now eyeing lucrative markets of Australia, US and Canada as well as the Far East.
However, it may be some time before Indian whiskies find some popularity since Scotch whisky has dominated the market for centuries.
American and Japanese distillers are also finding it tough to dislodge traditional favourites from Scotland.
In Conclusion
Since India is a huge market for whisky, there is a flourishing business of producing counterfeits too. Hence, you need to be extra cautious while buying whisky in India.
It is advisable to buy whisky only from reputed liquor stores. Counterfeiters generally use cheap quality food-grade molasses alcohol, add some colourants and flavours and pack them in bottles labelled like original whiskies.
The problem is more with foreign brands since they are not available easily.
Fakes of Indian brands do exist but are relatively lower and restricted to the higher segment ones only.
Also, one has to be extra cautious while ordering whisky by the peg at bars and permit rooms.
There are instances where unscrupulous bar owners have served the ordered brand once or twice but switched the drink to cheaper variants when they find a customer slightly inebriated.
If you wish to truly enjoy an Indian whisky, the best way is to buy a bottle from a reputed store and enjoy at home.


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Saurabh Gupta | 24 Aug, 2017
Ishanya Foundation beliefs that women are the fulcrum of the family and empowering them enables bring about the required social impact for not just herself, but their family and the community at large, Parul S Mehta, Founder Trustee- Ishanya Foundation, Pune, told SME Times.
Ishanya Foundation is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. Ishanya Foundation is a registered trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950, April 2006.
Excerpts of the interview…
Please tell something about Ishanya Foundation. Like what you do? when and how had you started?
Parul S Mehta: There is a need to create a self-reliant society and help individuals develop skill sets that would be appropriate for employability and make them self-sufficient. I have always been inclined to serve the society we live in and I strongly believe in the philosophy of "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime".
The idea commenced with some charitable work close to the factories in Chindran village around Taloja. With the support of an able team, we ideated and initiated several income generation programs. One of the early actions was for the youth, wherein we started tailoring classes. This project enabled them to design and supply items to boutiques thereby making them self-reliant. Driven by the success of this initiative and the underlying thought of helping people identify and develop their true potential, Ishanya Foundation (IsFon) started its journey in 2006 towards building a self-reliant and self-sustainable society.
What is the aim of Ishanya Foundation?
Parul S Mehta: We, at Ishanya Foundation, aim at empowering the under-privileged and uplift the economically backward group with active participation of everyone. Our objective is to work for the less fortunate & economically weaker sections of society wherever we operate. We also wish to provide affordable vocational skills training programs to enable employability, or be able to generate secondary source of income and facilitate individuals to reach their fullest potential and be socially and economically useful to themselves, their family and the community.
You conduct several outreach programs in the areas of Women Empowerment, Livelihood programmes and Health & Education. How you see rural entrepreneurship in India especially women entrepreneurship? Opportunities and Challenges both.
Parul S Mehta: Driving social change would only be truly effective if the measures of impact and outcomes are clearly defined to ensure a complete holistic development, enabling each and every aspirant that enrols in the programs to be employable and experience financial stability. However, candidates must possess the right skill sets for the right job to ensure continuity at work and an overall job satisfaction. This is what we at the Foundation focus on while conducting the livelihood and entrepreneurship programs.
The challenges are plenty as well. We work with communities wherein women have never had an opportunity to step out of the comfort zones of their homes. Challenges of individual, family and community acceptance to enrol for the programs, ensuring continuity during the course of the program, completion of the program despite health of family issues, overcoming individual and societal inhibitions on employment and most of all ensuring continuity at their place of work to enable these aspirants truly experience empowerment and financial stability are some of the broad challenges we deal with.
Rural Entrepreneurship especially for women is a prime area of focus of the Foundation as we work very closely with the communities in Taloja, Raigad District. We strongly support women empowerment initiatives in these communities with the strong belief that the women are the fulcrum of the family and empowering her enables bring about the required social impact for not just herself, but her family and the community at large.
How Ishanya Foundation helps in developing rural entrepreneurship?
Parul S Mehta: Ishanya Foundation has taken up several community development initiatives in the rural areas such as the Wadi, Health and Women Development, Dairy Development Initiative and Vocational Training Programs wherein the women are trained to benefit from the asset creations of the wadi and cattle, providing various income generation avenues, apart from tackling issues of the root causes of poor health and marginal living conditions.
Capacity Building Programs, Health Programs and Income Generation Training Initiatives are some of the initiatives offered to the tribal communities which comprise of approximately 70% 0f the villages where we work in.
Our set-up of a skill development training centre at Taloja in the close proximity to the rural communities of Raigad District is underway to provide skill development and enhancement opportunities to the needy sections of society, so as to enable them to better suit for employment opportunities. This is aligned with our nation's vision of developing skills, promoting the right education and generating employment to create that effective long term sustainable impact to communities, in particular the deserving youth of our nation.
What is Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair (YRNF)? And what is its aim?
Parul S Mehta: The Yellow Ribbon NGO and Artisan Fair, is a platform provided to NGOs, SHGS and Artisans across India to showcase and sell the products made as part of their income generation or vocational training programs, generate awareness on the causes they support and work on. In addition, these NGOs, SHG and Artisans receive a great opportunity to enhance their communication, marketing and packaging skills.
The Yellow Ribbon NGO & Artisan Fair is probably the only Fair in our country that provides an opportunity to share best practises and an interaction platform amongst NGOs, SHGs and Artisans. Recognizing the entrepreneurship abilities is an additional feature of this initiative that has received an overwhelming response year on year from the development sector.
Our aim is to create a platform full of recognition for these NGOs amongst the masses in order to be approached by the Corporate and Individuals at large, and also is to help create self-reliant and self-sufficient youth, pre-dominantly women, farmers & their families. It's a learning experience for all the generations in terms of footfalls that we receive.
Who and how it was started?
Parul S Mehta: The concept of Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair was an initiative taken forth by myself. This initiative was conceptualized way back in 2008 with an initial participation from close to 43 NGOs from across the city and all over India, to encourage NGOs who make such beautiful hand-made products and promote livelihood opportunities amongst the rural communities, be given an opportunity to sell these products. YRNF has set an example of being the perfect blend of festivity, food, art and fun. The idea seeped in ever since her college days which drew her to humanities and selflessness. That's when the purpose became clearer to reduce the gap that exists in the society, and focusing on the charitable work that could help generating income for the ones who had immense potential.
This year marking 10th year celebration of YRNF 2017. How it is doing? Please share achievements Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair.
Parul S Mehta: YRNF over the last 9 years has received an overwhelming response year on year and been truly gratifying. Starting out with 43 stalls in 2007 to capping the number of participation to 120 in recent years, this platform has been able to provide NGOs and SHGs with the recent inclusion of Artisans a great opportunity to sell their products.
A few significant achievements would be:
• 9 consecutive YRNF events held with an increase in participation every year
• NABARD has continuously supported YRNF since inception
• Inclusion of Award Winning artisans of our country
• NGOs receiving large exports orders and commercial tie-ups with retail outlets
• Improvement of packaging of products for upcoming NGOs
• Significant awareness of products available by these NGOs
• Wide range of 5000 products available over 4 days
• A collective initiative wherein the Society of Pune, Student Volunteers and Donors support the initiative
• Marketing, Communications & Packaging skill development key outcomes of this initiative
What are your future plans?
Parul S Mehta: The Foundation believes that CSR is a dynamic process whereby continuous involvement and innovation is required to improve performances over the years, make meaningful contribution in aligning with our nation's vision of developing skills, promoting the right education and generating employment to create that effective long term sustainable impact to communities we work with.


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The medium size journal is from 2003. The large one is from 2005. The small one is 2009. A history of paint, collage, journaling, and just simple self expression. I used more paint back then and I liked to stick three dimensional stuff on the pages in the early 2000's.
I wrote in my journal the other day that I'm right where I need to be. I have never felt more fulfilled with my art making than I have since I took up collage (my passion has grown even deeper over the years.) I have often said that while I am an experienced teacher, at the same time I am still a student. There is always something new to learn. I'm still finding my place with collage (as well as myself) and I am eager to see how far I can push it.
I'm teaching my "Telling Your Truth" workshop this Sunday at the Art Bar in Santa Ana. Next Saturday I'll be back in L.A. at Word is Art teaching Luscious Layers. More workshop info can be found here.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
More Journal Evolution
Posted by Kelly Kilmer at 10:43 AM
1 comment:
Because of your recent posts, I have now gone back through my history of journaling - about 5 years. I too have evolved. I did my first art journal with you and was so compelled by the journey I filled in every page!! Now, I find that my pages are more open and my thoughts are more on the surface than ever. Now that I am actually writing in my journal, my work has really changed. I am so grateful for the opportunities that my art has provided. I love the fact that even after 5 years, there is always something new to learn. Your blog and classes are my window into what is new and how to change and how to allow myself evolve.
Rachel from Colorado
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"I can't do it, anymore, Mom. I just can't!!"
"Yes, you can! I know you can!"
My mother's heart broke at the sight of my pre-teen daughter who stood dejectedly, unicycle in hand, fighting off tears.
Weeks before, she had fallen from her 5-ft. unicycle. Although a bit dazed and slightly sore, she had survived unscathed – physically, that is. Mentally, a challenge was brewing. Within minutes, a mental block had formed that would prove to become an obstacle to her young life like she had never faced before.
My daughter had been riding her regular 3-foot unicycle for over a year; she probably could have ridden it in her sleep. Now, she suddenly found herself unable to ride even this. Thankfully, she recognized the mental block for what it was and began taking the normal actions one would take to overcome it. Daily, she took great efforts to practice – riding (or should I say falling) – again and again. Over and over she tried.
At times, she would pedal twice and we would cheer with joy. Then, the very next day, she couldn't stay on. As the weeks turned into months, her embarrassment and frustration grew as she continued to attend practice with her drill team, forced to join the "newbies" (new riders). Stopping periodically to catch her breath, she would watch her friends and the other "seasoned" riders preparing for the parades and performances, the tears threatening to flow.
She wasn't the only one frustrated and semi-horrified at this turn of events. I shared her feelings. I, too, had had my share of mental blocks when I was in sports as a preteen. But I hadn't had to watch all of my siblings moving forward in rank and skill while I stood still. I had never seen a block so solid, so unable to be overcome. Objectively, nothing made sense. Her body knew what to do, but acted as if it had never even seen a unicycle.
We all wanted to give up, but my husband and I could not avoid the bigger picture. This block had such control of our daughter. Convictions of failure and negativity now coursed through her veins and had begun to affect other parts of her life. We knew that giving up could not be an option in this case. Her brain could not be allowed to think that mental blocks of this magnitude could not be overcome.
Along with her coaches, my husband, other daughters and I spent hours and hours standing patiently holding her up while she tried to move forward. In all honesty, by the fourth month, it began to seem pointless. I couldn't imagine how she could keep trying. With every hopeful improvement came an immediate setback. And yet, although she understandably struggled with giving up, her continued perseverance in this daunting process was astounding.
It wasn't until around this time that I began really praying for healing of this mental block, one that seemed to be forged in steel and covered in concrete. It had become painfully clear that only God could have the power to break it, if He saw fit to do so.
One night after a specifically grueling time of practice outside, my daughter cried, "I am done. I just can't do it anymore!!!" After she had gone to bed and fallen asleep, I went into her room and began to pray over her.
Not the most charismatic person in the world, I am not used to praying over people, but my comfortability had recently increased slightly due to connections with some amazing people in our parish's healing ministry and some incredible books. Plus, I had become desperate. I needed God to help her conquer what I now considered a type of demon in her life.
I laid hands on her and prayed words from the heart, begging Him to heal her and help her conquer this life-limiting obstacle.
The next day, she refused to try again. Something inside me felt that I should let it go. I advised her to take a break with the reminder that she would still have to go to practice. Days later, after watching her siblings ride, she decided to try again. Her sister came over to help. Linking arms and using lined-up chairs to lean on, they pushed forward. Suddenly, things began to click! Holding onto her sister, she was able to pedal partly across the yard! Although overjoyed, our happiness was tentative. Any improvement had always been followed by regression up to this point.
Still, we had regained hope!
Over the next month, she began to slowly improve, until one day she let go….and rode….by herself!!!
"MOM!! I'M DOING IT!! I'M REALLY DOING IT!" she yelled.
I was filled with incredulous joy and gratitude. From that day on, she continued to improve. Any setbacks were minor and conquered quickly.
A couple of days ago, I found myself shaking my head in complete disbelief, a huge lump in my throat. As I stood near our trampoline, I watched this same daughter, who had just a month ago given up on unicycling, push a 5-footer over to the trampoline's side and climb up. Taking a breath and trying to calm her visibly shaking legs, she pulled the uni up and positioned herself on its seat. She sat, a look of unmistakable triumph on her face. By the end of the day, her smile had grown even bigger as she road around the yard holding her sister's hand.
As I write this post, the lump in my throat returns with the image of her on that 5-footer. Although probably minor to so many, this little miracle is not so little to us. God has taught our daughter (and us!) that NOTHING is impossible with Him.
Are you or someone you know suffering with a mental block? Give it to God – again and again. BELIEVE that He will help you conquer it. And when He does, praise Him and spread the word: for God, ALL things are possible!
Copyright 2016 Christina Nagy


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Oh. God. Hangover. Hell.
Last night I went to Ben's house to meet up with him, Lindsay, and Glenn (with two n's). Ben made me a totally awesome drink using Pepsi Blue (who knew you could still find that shit) and Rum... I drank a lot of these. A few other people came to meet up with us there including Brian, Vin, and his biazrro twin. My head hurts as i type this. I dont know if i'm making sense i'm sorry.
We all went to Ryan and Alex's house for Eva and Alex Moreno's birthday party. I drank more. Partied some more. I bit someone's arm. Brian took a photo of me and I think i flashed the camera and if that ends up on his site, i will be killed by my brothers. The party was fucking great as Ryan and Alex's parties usually are. So many people. All so cute. All so nice. All so drunk. I saw a lot of people that I haven't seen in ages ... like Sebastian! And I'm totally unable to go out these days without seeing the danger twins Carlos and Paul. I believe I'm accidently stalking them. Eva's boobies looked awesome. I tried to kiss them. She wouldn't let me. I didn't make out with anyone i dont think. I'm pretty sure I didnt.
I drank a lot and then some.
After the party I relocated some festivities to my house.
I'm watching the Spice Girls' "Behind the Music." I want to be a pop star.
I'm leaving a lot out from last night. I can't think.


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I know that even though it's still August, most of you are getting revved up for fall, so I thought I would put an idea in your cap in advance, and a guide to executing it.
The idea occurred to Meg and me in connection with our very successful campaigns this summer to encourage you to oppose Teen Vogue's anal sex essay, and the New York Times' hit piece on religious freedom and the contraception mandate.
We need to do an even better job at what we're doing: communicating how keeping sex, marriage and kids together frees women, children and the whole society.
By which I mean that in addition to calling out terrible things, we need to help the promoters of terrible things see the light. We need to attract them.
I know, I know…many elite promoters of sexual license are not the slightest bit interested in our advice. But we have to show them truth and beauty anyway. This is attractive.
Furthermore, there are lots of people who do agree with us about how awful this or that thing is; but they have no idea how to get from there to understanding and living good things.
So I pledge myself to try harder to better engage my ideological opponents with charity and reason, and to encourage you to do the same. I will speak with them directly. I will point out their errors with facts and not with spleen.
In order to help you to do the same, we're offering a writing guide for WSFT, assembled by Meg and Kat to help you very practically maximize the power of truth and love in your arguments.
And my best to you in these waning days of summer. Will be back in touch soon with some wonderful projects going forward,


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This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
From one point of view, Eric C. Conn is an American success story. He opened his business in a trailer in tiny Stanville, Ky. With a keen eye on the main chance, he grew it into a juggernaut. It became one of the leaders in its field, employing dozens of people and even opening a satellite office in Beverly Hills.
All this would be very inspiring if Eric Conn's business didn't exist as a barnacle on the Social Security Administration. His law practice specializes in extracting (often dubious) disability benefits for his clients from the United States government, and enriching himself and people around him in the process. In his book on the excesses of the American welfare state, Nicholas Eberstadt remarks that loose government rules and generous benefits tend to make us "a nation of chiselers." If an exhaustive new Senate report on Conn's operation is to be believed, he is truly a lawyer for our age.
Conn spread the word of his services through that indispensable marketing tool of the American bar the highway billboard, supplemented by TV advertisements and "Conn Girls" who attended events wearing shirts emblazoned with his firm's logo. He marketed himself as Mr. Social Security.
In 1960, fewer than 500,000 people received disability payments. Now, the Social Security Administration disability program pays benefits to 12 million people. Many of these recipients are worthy and deserve help, and the aging of the population has been a factor in this growth. But an increasing number of claims involve subjective, difficult-to-disprove ailments, like mood disorders and back pain, obviously creating potential for abuse.
An administrative law judge told "60 Minutes," "If the American public knew what was going on in our system, half would be outraged and the other half would apply for benefits."
Counselor Conn would be happy to take their cases. He is to disability payments what Perry Mason was to criminal defense. He has had an amazing knack for getting his claimants approved, and making millions from it. The Social Security Administration pays lawyers for successful claims from the back-pay benefits. Conn got $3.9 million in fees in 2010 alone, when he was the third-highest-paid disability lawyer in the country. Not bad for a little ol' country lawyer in Stanville.
As the Senate report notes, though, Conn had friends in high places. An administrative law judge in the Social Security Administration's Huntington, W.Va., office, Judge David Daugherty, handled as many of Conn's cases as he could. The report found that Daugherty gave Conn's office a list every month of claimants he planned to bless. Conn's office reportedly filled out the medical forms that were signed by doctors paid by Conn, to the tune of $2 million over the past several years.
Then, Daugherty approved them every time. He never turned down anyone represented by Conn, and, as a general matter, was an approval machine. In 2009, according to the report, he approved 1,410 claims out of 1,415 total, and in 2010, 1,371 out of 1,375. The norm for such judges was to hear only about 600 cases a year and approve 60 percent of them. The last few years of Daugherty's career he has since retired he awarded $2.5 billion in lifetime benefits, the report estimates.
Oddly enough, the judge and his daughter received nearly $100,000 in unexplained cash deposits in their bank accounts from 2003 to 2011. When The Wall Street Journal wrote about the relationship between Conn and Daugherty a few years ago, the lawyer's office got multiple disposable cellphones so the lawyer and judge could keep talking and took a shredder to a warehouse of documents.
Eric Conn's legal fate is unknown. He is being sued for fraud, and he refused to testify at a recent Senate hearing. In the spirit of George Plunkitt, he seen his opportunities and he took them. Those opportunities came courtesy of the heedlessness of the contemporary welfare state.
Rich Lowry can be reached via e-mail: email@example.com.


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Continuing our series showcasing our various DVD products by giving away a free lesson, here is a lesson from disk 4 of our Beginners Worship Keyboard Course. Its quite a complex lesson given that its on the Beginners set (showing some embellishments for added interest), so even if you've been playing a number of years, you should find something helpful here.
Hymns can be very daunting for the keyboard players. They always seem to have complicated chords and rapid chord changes. Here Tim Martin teaches a simple arrangement for How Great Thou Art (click to download the simple chord chart).
If you do decide to buy the DVDs, you'll get another hymns lesson – Amazing Grace – as well as a play through of each song with the Musicademy band. There's lots on the DVD set besides these hymns, and even though this lesson might look a bit daunting for complete beginners, you will have gone through nearly 8 hours of basic teaching before you get to this point – probably the equivalent to a year of one to one lessons.
Below is an overview of the Beginners & Intermediate Keyboard DVDs. Below that is the trailer for the Advanced set. Skills for this should be at Intermediate level as the focus is on learning to play different keys parts which use the full range of sounds on your instrument, rather than requiring significantly advanced technical playing skills. You can get good discounts when you buy two or more sets at the same time.
Our newest DVD release is the Worship Keyboard Collection.


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Classes are currently being taught online. All physical facilities are closed to the public at this time, and employees are working remotely.Please visit
dcccd.edu/coronavirus for additional information and to
find contact information for various departments.If you need additional assistance, please visit
My Community Services and our
Community Employment Resources.
Student, University of Texas-Pan American
"My high school in Red Oak had some pretty good basic technology, so I already knew I was interested in computer graphics. I loved my experience at the colleges of DCCCD — I had nothing but great teachers and courses there. I did struggle with math, and Dr. Mohamed Aziz was a huge help there at making it understandable.
"I got a great background in graphic design in the Computer Graphics program — from Photoshop to 3-D design to Web-based knowledge. I want to go into video game design, 3-D modeling and animation."Bill Crawford advised me to also get a foundation in painting and drawing, which is one of the main reasons I'm getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts now, for the traditional fine arts aspects of painting and drawing. I'm finding that all art really builds on itself, whether it's fine art or computer art."Bill Crawford is awesome; I call him my Jedi master. He doesn't just teach you; he goes the extra three miles to look into what more you can do with your talents and education. His advice has kept me very motivated. Another good thing about Bill is that he stays in touch with people in the industry, so he has a lot of job contacts for those of us just getting out of school and looking for a job.
"After I graduate with my bachelor's degree, hopefully I'll also have more work in my portfolio to add to my résumé, and it will help me get my foot in the door in the game design industry. I'll look for internships in the summer, or begin at a low-level job like object modeling."
Rusty Stogner, currently working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas-Pan American in McAllen, earned an associate degree in Computer Graphics in 2006.


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Conservative political columnist, author and attorney David Limbaugh wrote several tweets on Monday addressing the social media backlash directed at Jennifer Lopez's Sunday evening Grammy performance, asking, "Whatever happened to the idea that we should all live in harmony & strive toward color-blindness?"
"Whatever happened to the quaint notion that everyone, no matter his/her race, is equal in God's eyes?" asked David Limbaugh in a tweet on his Twitter page. "Whatever happened to the idea that we should all live in harmony & strive toward color-blindness? Ideas to the contrary are being forced on us by radicals not by minority people."
David Limbaugh's comments came in response to apparent backlash on social media after "[a]ctress-turned-singer Jennifer Lopez gave a tribute to Motown at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night" due to Lopez "being Puerto Rican, not black," reported the Daily Wire. "According to HuffPost, 'Lopez, who had drawn criticism even before the awards show for being tabbed to celebrate a black record label during Black History Month, received additional online disapproval for her medley performance. She sang classics like "Do You Love Me" while donning several outfits in an act with Smokey Robinson and others.'"
"It used to be considered honorable when members of one race paid tribute to members of another race," wrote David Limbaugh in a tweet. "Now in this hyper-identity politics culture, it is not only not appreciated, it is considered an affront. Seriously, am I weird for thinking that's sick and very unhealthy?"
Limbaugh went on in another tweet, "The whole idea of cultural appropriation or misappropriation strikes me as unchristian, divisive, intolerant, and destructive. Who actually thinks like this naturally, as opposed to doing so in response to PC pressure?
"I am articulating ideas that should be considered loving, but I am quite certain the woke people would twist them as hateful," concluded David Limbaugh.


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Originally from the Courier Post
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — An Evesham woman didn't just receive a degree after completing her studies at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
Stephanie Marziano also got a lapel pin from the school's co-founder, former Beatle Paul McCartney, at a ceremony Thursday.
"It was pretty mind-blowing," said Marziano, a Cherokee High School graduate who works as a sound engineer in Liverpool. "You grow up listening to his music and then you're on stage with him, shaking his hand."
Marziano was one of 250 students to graduate from the school, which draws about a quarter of its students from outside the United Kingdom.


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LA Web Professionals Group May 2011 - Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Launch Meeting featuring Rick Miller | Win Adobe Creative Suite 5.5
LA Web Professionals Group
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 6:30 PM to 8:50 PM (PDT)
Event Details
LA Web Professionals Group May 2011 - Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Launch Meeting featuring Rick Miller
Wednesday May 11, 2011 - 6:30 PM - 8:50 PM
Location: Working Village
212 Marine Street, suite 100
Santa Monica CA 90405
6:30 PM - Doors Open - Networking, Tweetup @lawebprosgroup and Refreshments
6:55 PM - Meeting Intro
7:00 PM - HDSLR/video workflow for the web
7:50 PM - Prize Drawing [WIN ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE 5.5!!!] / Short Break
8:05 PM - What's new in Creative Suite 5.5 Design Premium
8:50 PM - Meeting End
Please RSVP so we can have an idea of how many people are attending.
You can RSVP on our Facebook event page http://on.fb.me/g0Xh4l , EventBrite or by email firstname.lastname@example.com
Please feel free to invite as many friends as you want.
WIN ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE 5.5 - http://tinyurl.com/winadobecreativesuite
Purchase your tickets at this link http://tinyurl.com/winadobecreativesuite
We will be having a separate drawing for Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 on Wednesday May 11, 2011. One lucky person will receive a FULL copy of the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 of their choice up to a $2,100 value. You can choose from Design Premium CS5.5, Web Premium CS5.5 or Production Premium CS5.5. Go to http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/ to view the product details for Adobe Creative Suite 5.
Separate door prize tickets for this Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 drawing will be sold for:
1 for $7
2 for $13
5 for $27
10 for $47
20 for $85
You may buy as many tickets as you want. The more tickets you buy the lower the price per ticket and the higher your odds of winning. You may purchase your tickets for this drawing here through Paypal at the link bellow anytime between now and 7:50 PM Wednesday May 11, 2011 or at the LA Web Professionals Group Wednesday May 11th 2011 meeting. The LA Web Professionals Group has to cover certain expenses to make the meetings successful including supplies, food, snacks, drinks and other incidentals. This funds help cover the expenses to support the user group and to keep admission to the meetings free.
- You DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT to win. This drawing is open to anyone interested.
- You may not have won ANY ADOBE SOFTWARE PRIZE from us in the past 12 months.
- You need to let us know which suite Design Premium CS5.5, Web Premium CS5.5 or Production Premium CS5.5 you want and specify the Mac or Windows version
- You need to give us your name and email address
Please note: Our regular Door Prize Drawing of Plug-ins, Books, sawg and the usual goodies will still take place as usual at the meeting with separate tickets.
Good Luck!!!
Good Luck!!!
Speaker Bio:
Rick Miller is a Senior Solutions Engineer for Education at Adobe Systems where he helps Adobe's education customers find the solutions they need to enhance the pedagogical experiences of their students.
Before working at Adobe Systems, Rick taught Photoshop/Digital Imaging at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, and Digital Design at Cal Poly Pomona University, so he's cognizant of the unique challenges that face educators. Rick is an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Acrobat Connect.
Additionally, Rick is an expert in color management. Moreover, Rick is a professional photographer who is certified on the Leaf and Phase One digital backs, and trains users on the Hasselblad digital back. Rick continues to consult with Law Enforcement agencies in the Forensic application of Photoshop.
Parking Options:
there is free two hour street parking along 2nd when available and metered parking along Main Street.
3rd Street for all day free parking
Great website for Main Street metered parking information: http://parking.smgov.net/det_main.html
Closest Main Street metered lot: Lot 9
110 Hill St.
Enter from Kinney St., Hill St. or off of Main St. at Ashland Ave.
175 metered spaces: 165 @ 3 hours, 10 @ 10 hours
$.75 each hour; open 24 hours
Change machine available at that location
A meetup event of the LA Web Professionals Group and Los Angeles Web Design company DK Interactive Design
When & Where
Working Village
212 Marine Street
suite 100
Santa Monica,
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 6:30 PM to 8:50 PM (PDT)
Add to my calendar
LA Web Professionals Group
As one of the largest Adobe User Groups in the country, the Los Angeles Web Professionals Group (LAWPG) attracts world-renowned speakers and a dynamic group of business, marketing and creative professionals. Every month, we meet, network and learn from LA's hottest web designers and Internet marketing experts. Join our Facebook Group or sign up for our mailing list and join us for monthly presentations on web design, marketing and the latest internet trends.
DK Interactive Design
Los Angeles and Beverly Hills web design and Internet marketing firm, DK Interactive Design can serve your creative and marketing needs. We provide expert services in Web Design, Mobile Web Design, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Internet Marketing, Branding, and Graphic Design. We also offer our expert IT Services in Mac, iPad and iPhone consulting and Computer Training.
Daniel Kramer Computer Consulting & Training


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Since then I have worked steadily and have added four of the eight rows.
I am still working to a routine of constructing the hexies two rows at a time - black hexagons first, then coloured, join each into a row, then embroider the centres of the coloured rows, then join the two row together and add them to the quilt.
I enjoy each bit of the process but the treat is the embroidery of the centres.
I've experimented with a few on the rows just finished, including some bullion buds, a circle and a satin stitch flower.
Of course, there have been quite a few old favourites.


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Unfortunately for the Sochi Olympics, it seems most of the entertainment so far is not of the sporting variety. To no small extent, this is the Russian host's fault and not of Western media. While parading their (comely) female athletes in scantily-clad poses is not especially eyebrow-raising in this day and age, I think they would capture the world's attention more if they, er, actually managed to win some medals at this stage. They're athletes, right?
Another sideshow of Olympic dimensions has involved Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Sochi. Having eased out his rabidly pro-Russian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov in a bid to appease protesters, Yanukovych has incurred Putin's wrath and, as a result, further Russian emergency aid for Ukraine is currently in limbo. Before he left for Russia, American officials now famously met with Yanukovych in Ukraine. And, unwisely using unencrypted phones, we have a recording of the now-infamous quote where Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland says the US should ""f--k the EU" to the State Department representative in Ukraine. Whether Russia deliberately snooped on the conversation or simply pointed out that it was online, I suspect they are happy it exists. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is claming outrage over the statement. Divide and conquer (Westerners) and all that jazz.
It is perhaps unfortunately common that American "diplomats" pepper their conversations with foul language. Ask Susan Rice. Why is it though that we never hear of, say, EU officials expressing their frustrations using foul language?
(1) The EU is a multinational enterprise. Their officials are not as comfortable using expletives with Europeans of other nationalities who may misunderstand their intended meaning. Americans are comfortable using foul language among themselves since the intended meaning comes across clearly, having a common language and culture. European diplomats, however, must deal with far more linguistic and cultural diversity, and the chances of offending other Europeans is much greater. So, to be on the safe side, they stick to civilized communications even during private correspondence.
(2) Another obvious political economy consideration is that Western Europe is far more reliant on trade with Russia than the United States is and thus cannot afford to be so gung-ho on Russia. While it is busy diversifying its energy supplies, much of the EU is still dependent on natural gas being supplied by the giant to the east:
Of the EU's current annual demand for 485 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, Russia supplies some 150 bcm.
Demand could rise to 585 bcm by 2023 with the Russians supplying as much as 175 bcm, according to Reuters calculations based on data from governments and energy companies, as well as input from research firms and consultancies. This means that the amount of gas from Russia is not only set to rise, but Russia's share of Europe's gas market will remain stable around 30 percent.So, don't hold your breath waiting for Baroness Ashton telling EU diplomats to "f--k Russia over Ukraine." Otherwise, do enjoy the Olympic sideshow. It didn't cost $50 billion to stage and yet it is providing superior entertainment so far.


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I love lists. I sometimes find them hard to compile, but ever since I understood what a list was I have enjoyed creating them. Be it, my favourite this or a top 5 that, those lists soon became mix tapes of the best songs I was listening to at the time, or compilations of one band's "best" tracks.
Fast forward many many years and it is of no surprise that I want to compile a list of what I consider to be my favourite albums of 2013. This isn't the best, or the most popular by any sensible metric. This is just the albums which I have loved the most this year.
Travis – Where You Stand
Starting off this list is a band I have always loved. I feel that sometime soon I will more than likely write an open letter to Travis, explaining what it is about them which excited me so. But for now let's just appreciate the first album from the band since 2008.
Very much a returning in style to earlier albums after 2008's (unfairly criticised) Ode To J. Smith, we have an album of deceivingly simple future classics. The songwriting here has all the hooks and lyrical cleverness found in The Man Who and The Invisible Band, but is married to a more mature, deeper understanding of the music which carries those lyrics along.
Perhaps not as 'instant' as their earlier "massive" albums, but certainly appealing enough to ask for repeated listens which result in the songs becoming lodged in your mind.
Turin Brakes – We Were Here
Way back in 2001 I loved new band Turin Brakes when they released debut album The Optimist LP. Having seen them live many times I was a fan for years and then either they disappeared or I lost touch with their music.
Four or five years passed with nothing, then I saw that they were streaming a track, 'Blindsided Again'. I pressed play (if I'm honest not expecting much) and was instantly carried away with the brilliance of the track. A long lost friend had come back. The song is fantastic, and the album – released 3 days after I heard 'Blindsided Again' – continues the thread and is provides an opulent and grandiose soundtrack to accompany your day.
I've had this in the car since it was released in late September, and I reckon it won't be taken out for a long time.
Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt
Pearl Jam how I've always loved thee. Since the release of their single 'Alive' I've bought everything you've done, and seen you live as often as I could. I admit not every album is as good as the last, but the quality has always been high.
With Lightning Bolt it feels as if Pearl Jam have hit back upon that pulse which took in to the upper echelons of global success in the first place. A more mature and better paced album than some of its earlier predecessors what we have been given is an album which reflects the influences, experience and challenges of the band having passed their 20th anniversary.
Haim – Days Are Gone
HAIM are three sisters from California, who to these ears seem to have swallowed Fleetwood Mac's songbook and decided to play it back as if they were The Eagles.
I had heard their name before I saw them performing backing vocal to Primal Scream at this year's Glastonbury Festival. I was impressed then, and still hadn't heard anything of their own material. Days Are Gone is a great album with many hooks and fully deserves a place on my list. A favourite album from the end of summer to this day.
Janet Devlin – Hide and Seek
Janet Devlin was on X Factor in 2012. Through a successful PledgeMusic campaign she wrote and recorded her debut album this year, released to pledgers in the summer (though it won't be released in stores until March 2014).
Writing all the songs herself as part of a pairing with internationally acclaimed songwriters Newton Faulkner, Joshua Radin and Jack Savoretti, the resultant album has some pop sensibilities but definitely roots itself in a more indie acoustic / folk vein (her main influences are John Frusciante and the Red hot Chili Peppers, City and Colour and Devendra Banhart so you get the idea).
Instantly likeable with that fantastic affected Celtic voice, songs like 'Wonderful', 'Crown of Thorns' and 'Things We Lost In The Fire' deserve to propel Janet and this album skyward in popularity.
The Joy Formidable – Wolf's Law
I saw The Joy Formidable as a support band in a tiny club in Glasgow around 2008/2009 and – like Janet Devlin – I loved the sound of singer Ritzy's accented voice. Wolf's Law is the second album from a band who have honed their craft constantly touring. The hard graft has paid off in massive style.
From opener 'This Ladder Is Ours', through 'Cholla' and on past the hauntingly brilliant 'Silent Treatment' there is no let up in the standard of song writing on display. The production is immaculate, mixing fuzzy guitar with clear soaring vocals and pounding drums.
I knew very early this year that this album was making this list of favourite albums, and standing at the end of the year looking back it's position was never once in question.
Bastille – Bad Blood
'Pompeii' is a great single. The album is less instant, but with just a few listens its wares are revealed to you fully; and what a reward it is.
Mostly electronic, the songs lend themselves to summer days, out with friends, and for singing along to. In addition to 'Pompeii', 'Things We Lost In The Fire' and 'Flaws' have become favourite tracks from the album.
I first saw them supporting Muse in a massive Manchester stadium and bought the album online that night as a result. A sensible purchase and further proving why it is so important to go see support bands when you head along to a gig.
Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe
My top three favourite albums this year are all Scottish (and sort of Glasgow-based). This is a first for me, it also makes me feel very proud of how strong my local music scene has once again become in recent years.
From where I was standing Chvrches appeared out of nowhere. It was early in 2013 and I heard 'Recover' which had just been released as a single. I absolutely loved it. I thought it was so different from what I had been listening to and my ears felt refreshed.
Over the summer the album The Bones of What You Believe was released and the irony is that 'Recover' is probably now one of the tracks I overlook on the album. The three-piece have re-opened my love of discovering new music, and with an album as strong as this from a band I didn't even know existed when the year started why would I ever want to be myopic?
Roddy Hart and The Lonesome Fire
Roddy Hart has been a musician I've appreciated for many years.
This is his first album he has released as part of a band, The Lonesome Fire and the songwriting has been kicked up a gear with the challenge of writing and performing as a band. The result is an album deserving of this high place in my favourite albums of the year without question.
I featured an interview with Roddy earlier this year where we discussed the recording of the album in great detail before I reviewed it for the site. Rather than repeat myself here please take the time to read that in full.
What I will say again though is that if this debut is anything to go by then I hope this pairing of Roddy and The Lonesome Fire continues for many more albums.
Biffy Clyro – Opposites
I reviewed this album back when it came out, and everything which impressed me back then I now love. The standard of songwriting on this double album never lets up, meaning that almost every track is a "four or five" rating on my iTunes.
Each time this band release an album I think to myself there is no way they can beat "insert previous album here", but then they do. In the March I went to see this album played live, and considering the massive back catalogue of stunning tracks they have in their arsenal it is testament to how strong Opposites is by the fact that (excepting two songs) the first hour of the show was all songs from this album. And nobody was upset by that, it was a fantastic gig.
In the era of instant downloads of single tracks and short albums, when a 20-track album can sound as good as this it bolsters faith in the fact there are still true masters of the album making craft out there.
For me, there could be no other choice for my favourite album of 2013.
- Finding Argyle – Home - May 14, 2020
- Stanley Odd – Where They Lie - February 4, 2020
- Album of the Year: Red Rum Club – Matador - December 30, 2019