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Recently Heinz announced they have reformulated their tomato ketchup with about 15% less salt. Because they hold six tenths of the ketchup market, and because their recipe has not changed in nearly 40 years, this must have been a hard decision to make. They probably predicted some negative reactions. Why did they proceed?
Heinz altered their flagship product under pressure from politicians, but not yet under force of law. Here is an oversimplified economical argument for reformulating ketchup with less salt. Continue reading Ketchup Calculus
A national ban on an architectural element seems silly but the vote to stop the construction of minarets in Switzerland is a real accomplishment. The people of a mature country have peacefully expressed a strong collective feeling against what they perceive as a grave threat. The tragedy is that they identified the threat as the Islamic religion.
The real threat is more general, more widespread, and more dangerous than Islam. It took something as extreme as Islamic extremism to trigger a cultural awareness of it. Unfortunately, like the ringing of an alarm clock, the first thing to awaken consciousness is for a time the only piece of reality about which we are aware. Islamic extremism is the alarm clock.
The supporters of the minaret ban see the growth of the Muslim population as an aggressive cultural invasion. They don't see an immigrant minority that deserves state protection. They see settlers from a destructive culture claiming their country. They feel vilified within their homeland by outsiders and they are afraid that their politicians will continue to insist on irrational "religious tolerance" despite the intolerant attitudes spread through Islam.
National Islamophobia is a phase whose time has come. It is extreme, prejudiced, and wrong, but it is the natural reaction against the wrong actions of extremists trying to universalize Islam. Two wrongs do make a right when everyone learns a lesson. The lesson here is that no protection for status, be it religion, race, sex, or what have you, is deserved when it is used for harm.
Religions have been invoked to excuse atrocious behavior since ages before the life of Muhammad. So have other statuses such as race, color, nationality, and sex. The world tends to absolve these harmful trends after a reform and some generations. And the human race eventually learns a lesson.
I see the minaret ban as a sign that the world is just beginning to reject religion as an excuse for bad behavior. Peaceful Muslims will work with non-Muslims to prevail over the radical perversion of Islam. This time will pass into history and be replaced by a time of rational discrimination and careful tolerance. I hope I'm right, the sooner the better.
When I upgraded my work machine from an early 2006 MacBook Pro to the new 17-inch, I restored my old system from a Time Machine backup and lost any custom drivers present in the OS X installed at the factory. This meant I could not change video cards. My machine was stuck in "higher performance" mode (Nvidia GeForce 9600 M GT) with no option to use the "better battery life" mode (9400 M).
I was disappointed when I read the OS X 10.5.7 news and found no mention of the missing video card selector. The wording here was not promising:
Improves performance of video playback and cursor movements for recent Macs with NVIDIA graphics.
But after I installed the 10.5.7 update I found the new option right where it belongs, in the Energy Saver preference panel, shown here:
Hey Apple, you should have included this in an OS X update before shipping the hardware. But it's too late to argue. My biggest gripe about the 17-inch is now moot.
It might matter to you but it's flat to me. No more fizz, no more buzz. Nothing that didn't already cross my reader or that won't be here soon enough. I should be able to watch the best talks at home on video anyway. Nobody will mind if I drink beer at the Iron Cactus until it's time to stand in line for a world premier screening at the Ritz.
I'm no Tony Robbins myself but I dread sitting on conference center chairs while geeks practice their public speaking on me. Last year I spared myself half the misery by sticking my face in a laptop. This year I am sparing myself the whole misery by keeping my butt out of conference center chairs altogether. Theater seating is ten times more comfortable and there is good service.
SXSW Interactive is a well-built structure. It provides a definite time and place where dense social networking is encouraged in many forms but it guarantees nothing. The panel schedule is a gamble akin to playing roulette. Some panels are unforgettably good. Even so, many veterans will report and I agree that most of the best events do not appear on the schedule and many are not even restricted to badge holders.
Still, I like to have a badge with Interactive privileges. I maintain hope that smarter people than myself will fill me with knowledge and inspiration. So far I am satisfied with the interactions I have shared with people face-to-face. I am having a good time this week and nothing would spoil that faster than an hour on a stiff seat in a darkened room wishing I were anywhere else.
I wanted to give it a chance. I studied the schedule but nothing grabbed me and pulled me in. It occurred to me that I should at least attend my favorite panel but it's not on the schedule this year. My heart sank.
Surely there are others who have felt this way. I know some who stopped attending because the strain outweighed the value. I know this about myself: experiences that echo the boredom that pervaded my educational career can also summon the discontent that was my reaction to that boredom. The similarity between a panel schedule and a day in the life of myself as a high school student is enough to commence the dark reverberations.
I also know that my moods and tastes are subject to change without notice. It would not surprise me to find myself excited about panels in the future. Nor would it to learn that my attitude had been soured by a temporary condition elsewhere in my life. Surely others have recovered from similar downswings.
Unless and until I am drawn to an Interactive event, I am thankful that my SXSW Gold badge includes Film. If you need me, look for me comparing schedule grids at the Iron Cactus. Or I'll be working at home face-to-face with visiting coworkers. It makes me extra glad to live in Austin.
I have used vim for years—since I started coding PHP. (Sometimes I preferred the Zend Studio editor because nothing does a better job of cross-linking in PHP projects. Unfortunately, almost anything could do a better job of memory management. As WordPress grew, the Zend editor became too slow to be usable. Too bad. I miss it.) Now that I am writing some Erlang, I am learning to use emacs.
The credit for this switch belongs entirely to the lovely erlang-mode. (I tried TextMate's erlang mode but I couldn't get past TextMate's strange navigation keys, etc. I wish there were standard navigation keys in OS X. Too bad. I've heard TextMate is great.) The emacs erlang-mode helps me write beautiful code. Now that I'm also learning to use emacs in php-mode I rarely become disoriented and type ":w" to save a file. (I don't miss vim.)
Not everything about emacs is perfect. It doesn't understand my Mac's right-delete key. Left-delete (backspace) won't delete a tab; it converts it the tab spaces and deletes one of them so that I have to hit backspace many times to delete a single tab. And in php-mode, the indentation rules are far more complex than the WordPress coding standards; I just want tabs in php-mode.
Even though I have these problems, you have to hand it to emacs for being customizable. It took a couple of hours to find all the solutions, but I solved all of the above problems above by adding these lines to my .emacs file:
;; Map OS X Terminal SSH delete key
(global-set-key (read-kbd-macro "ESC [ 3 ~") 'delete-char)
;; Backspace should delete, not convert tabs to spaces
(setq c-backspace-function 'backward-delete-char)
;; In PHP, never indent; always insert TAB.
(require 'php-mode)
(defun my-php-mode-hook ()
(local-set-key (kbd "TAB") 'self-insert-command))
(add-hook 'php-mode-hook 'my-php-mode-hook)
This works for me even though I understand less than half of it. There is so much to learn.


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Today is Theoretical Monday at Scission. I can't say that I feel much like being theoretical. On the other side of the state from me is Ferguson....about 250 miles to my east. Here I sit, a 65 year old white guy, with decades of "experience" under my belt not really sure what the hell to do...It reminds me of another time when I didn't know what to do. Last night as I watched along with the world a police state in action I wrote,
Tonight has flashed me back to April of 1968. I was at KU and living in Lawrence, Kansas, forty miles west of KC at the time. Following the death of MLK, police in KC fired tear gas and the like at a march of peaceful hight school students, and into a church where they had retreated. By nightfall, the uprising had begun. I rushed into KC that night, but as a 18 year old white person, still a rookie to the movement (which I had been relating to for a while) I had no idea what to do when I got there. Felt lost, listening to reports of gun battles on the streets of KC. I grew up about that time...and here I am tonight 250 miles from Ferguson...
During the past week a couple of other events from my own personal past have come to mind...events which while personal to me, are as "American as apple pie."
In April of 1970 racial tensions which long existed in the Kansas college town of Lawrence simmered over, as they say.
A few years back, I received a phone call from a young KU student who was trying to write a story about what happened decades before in a Lawrence that seemed so strange to her. I actually talked to her, unusual for me as my policy is to never talk to the press. However, she seemed genuine. She seemed to really want to know what happenedthen, how, and why. She later wrote in an article in the University Daily Kansan:
Racial tensions added to the already explosive Lawrence atmosphere. Two days after the (student) strike, John Spearman of the Black Student Union encouraged all black students to arm themselves, saying they weren't safe and were receiving threats on their lives.
Racial conflict sparked at Lawrence High School (LHS) that spring when its Black Student Union demanded a black homecoming queen and black cheerleaders in addition to the current ones. When the principal didn't meet demands, students locked themselves into the school's main office. Then fighting broke out over the next few days. One day 28 people were injured. Another day police threatened to use tear gas to disperse more than 100 students, some armed with tire irons, trying to enter the school.
As the situation escalated, the students demanded that the school hire black teachers and a black counselor as well as meet their previous demands. Police used tear gas later when black students and residents broke windows at the high school.
I was there. I remember rushing over to LHS in solidarity with the black students there. The cops, we called pigs, looked like pigs. I honestly do not remember any broken windows, though I wouldn't be surprised if there were. I do remember the cops and I most definitely remember the tear gas.
KU History reports on the same events this way:
In the days preceding the Union fire (Note: on April 20 a multi million dollar fire gutted the building), several incidents occurred which contributed to local tensions. According to the Lawrence Journal-World, for example, on April 10, John Spearman, chairman of the Black Student Union, urged all KU African-American students to arm themselves. Citing "attempted and threatened" violence aimed at BSU members, Spearman claimed his organization was taking simply responsibility for "protecting Blacks on campus." Then, on Saturday, April 11, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house was set on fire and sustained over $200,000 worth of damage. Four days later, Gambles Furniture Store in downtown Lawrence was also firebombed and destroyed as the flames burned out of control for nearly two hours.
And on the evening of April 20, just several hours before the Union building firebombing, a crowd of approximately 200 African Americans stormed out of a school board meeting when their demands for an expanded Black Studies curriculum and more representation in student activities were tabled. Within 10 minutes, at approximately 9:13 pm, the first calls into the Lawrence Police and Fire Departments reported acts of vandalism and fires at Lawrence High School. Reports cited evidence of Molotov Cocktails and gunshots. Several windows were broken and some fire damage was discovered. Responding fire fighters reported hearing gunshots while they worked to put out the fires at the high school.
I might add, that KU History does not report on the long history of white supremacy, of racial discrimination, of police harassment of blacks, of segregation, and of the equaly long history of resistance to all of this which was also a part of the history of Lawrence. None of this just fell from the sky one day in April of 1970.
Anyway, in the course of the next few days, there were fires downtown and on the KU campus, there were gunshots and resistance in the Black community. In my own neighborhood, predominately white, long haired, radicals, students, non students (as they were called) erupted in support of the folks across town. A curfew was declared, the police arrived and we met them in the streets with rocks, bottles, whatever. The cops were overwhelmed. The National Guard was called in, there were more fires, more snipers, bombs, lots of arrests (I got arrested twice in two days). Others forms of material support, including the movement of arms from white radicals to blacks occurred as well. ...Amazingly no one died over the course of that week.
Lawrence cops spotted a young black man leaving Afro House on Lawrence's east side. They took chase for some reason. Moments later 19 year old Rick "Tiger" Dowdell, a member of the Black Student Union and one son of a well known and respected local black family was dead. He'd been shot in the back of the head by a police officer.
The official story sounded like this:
Rick Dowdell, 19, of 918 W. 24th, was killed, according to policemen, when he fired at a patrolman while fleeing down the alley between New Hampshire and Rhode Island south of Ninth Street.
That was a lie and everyone knew it.
KU History puts what happened next like this:
The next day, about 60 black citizens presented a petition with 75 signatures to City Manager Buford Watson demanding the suspension of Garrett (Note: the cop who shot Dowdell) and a "thorough and objective investigation" into the death of Rick Dowdell. That night, in the vicinity of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania streets along 10th Street, Lawrence police responded to a report of "four to five Negroes" shooting out streetlights and sniping at passing motorists.
But when the police arrived, they found themselves in a pitched gun battle with 45 armed African-Americans near the corner of 10th and Pennsylvania. Officer Eugene Williams, 48, was shot in the chest with buckshot and hospitalized.
Violence also erupted at the "Hippie Haven" neighborhood near 12th and Oread. Trash fires burned in the streets, and firebombs were tossed into a building known as the "White House" at 1225 Oread. Police accompanied firemen into the neighborhood and were pelted with rocks and bricks. About 75 youths marched to KU Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers' residence. When no one came to the door, someone threw an object through a window...
Over the next few days, again there were bombings, fires, snipers, rocks and bottles. On July 20, the cops showed up once again in our neighborhood and were greeted by a large crowd which didn't disperse as demanded. Nick Rice was killed only a few feet from me shortly thereafter when the police opened fire on an unarmed crowd. Ironically, Rice, a white youth, was also shot in the back of the head, not so ironically by Lawrence police. Through the tear gas Rice and another man, a black man by the name of Mert Olds, who was wounded, were carted into a local tavern by "bystanders."
Again the official story will sound familiar. From the Lawrence Journal World:
In a statement issued to the press in the pre-dawn hours, (County Attorney) Young said:
"It is not known at this time who fired the shots which struck Olds and Rice. Several tear gas cannisters were used in the area to disperse the crowd that was assaulting police officers with rocks, bottles and other missiles.
"Tear gas was used both before and after the shooting occurred. It is known that police fired several shots. It is not known whether any of these are the ones which struck Rice and Olds.
"Investigation is continuing to determine the source of the shots which struck Rice and Olds. Interviews have been conducted with approximately 10 witnesses and interviewing of witnesses will continue in the morning.
Police Chief Richard Stanwix said today that officers were assaulted with rocks and bottles before they opened fire but Miss Lair disputed this statement. Watson said a policeman is justified in shooting "when he sees a felonious action about to be committed or when protecting persons or property.
Other witnesses said they heard police telling such things as, "If you don't run I'm going to shoot you," and "Kill the —— ——."
Earlier in the day, Young had announced that tentative plans had been made to hold the coroner's inquest into the slaying of Dowdell at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The slaying of Dowdell prompted City Manager Buford Watson and Police Chief Richard Stanwix to relieve Patrolman William Garrett from active duty.
Garrett, who apparently fired the shot which killed Dowdell, remains a member of the force at pull pay pending the outcome of the inquest.
County Coroner Dr. James Reed said today the inquest will proceed as scheduled.
Reed performed an autopsy on Rice's body and said the wounds of Rice and Dowdell were only inches apart in location.
Reed said the cause of death in Rice's case was laceration to the brain stem. He said the bullet entered the back of the neck just below the base of the skull.
Reed said his investigation into which type of bullet which made the wound is not yet complete. But he said the bullet would have to have "a fair amount of energy to go all the way through."
Same old same old.
No police were ever charged with anything in any of this.
I bring this up not to wax nostalgic, but to point out how old the story of Ferguson really is. White cop shoots young black man, film at ten. Of course, the story didn't start in Lawrence or anywhere else in the 60s...it started long before when Africans were kidnapped by white men, taken to America, and sold into slavery. It is a story also of resistance. It is a story that has not ended. It is a story that I am sick and tired of living and writing about. It is a story that if I, a white man, is sick and tired of, I cannot even presume to imagine what African Americans are feeling about it today, yesterday, and beyond.
Note: I do want to say that I was proud of the solidarity shown by many white youths in our neighborhood, and amongst the radical community with Lawrence's black community in April and June of 1970. For a brief moment in history a group of whites shed their white skin privilege and became race traitors. I am also sad to say that following the killing of Nick Rice most of those same white folks faded away into the more safe climes of whiteness, as it were.
The following is from We Are Respectable Negroes. I included all the comments up to now.
This piece was written by Chauncey Devega.
The Inevitable 'Niggerization' of Michael Brown by the Ferguson Police Department and the Right-Wing Hate Media
The niggerization of Michael Brown has begun in earnest. The police and the Right-wing media have decided that like all other black people who have been killed by the police and white (identified) vigilantes, Brown is guilty of causing his own execution-style murder.
Writing about the behavior of the police department in Ferguson, Missouri and their efforts to derail, obfuscate, lie, and dissemble about the murder of Michael Brown is an experience akin to Bill Murray's in the movie Groundhog Day. It is a cultural script that plays out repeatedly in the United States--the events of which are only a surprise to the naive, willfully ignorant, dishonest, and/or stupid.
Those of us who write about race and work the "racism beat" have to struggle to find something new to say about the seemingly endless parade of black unarmed men killed by police and other white-identified authorities. Being a truth-teller on such matters is tedious, not easy, and mentally exhausting.
Cornel West's use of the word "niggerization" to describe how black people are robbed of their humanity by the White Gaze and White Supremacy is cited and mentioned so frequently for a reason: it is one of the most precise and sharp ways of describing both the institutional as well as the ethical and moral violence visited upon black people by centuries of white racism in the United States and the West.
While "Black Twitter" developed a meme designed to point out the twin lying nature of the White Gaze and racial paranoia in how it selectively frames black people's humanity, Right-wing hate media such as the Drudge Report, Fox News, and other conservative sewers defaulted to the black rapist "Bigger Thomas" frame, wherein Michael Brown is a "thug" who got "what he deserved":
Sociologist Joe Feagin's concept of the white racial frame dominates this moment:
In the book Systemic Racism I develop the concept of a white racial frame holistically and comprehensively. Since its development in the 17th century, this racial frame has been a "master frame," a dominant framing that provides a generic meaning system for the racialized society that became the United States. The white racial frame provides the vantage point from which European American oppressors have long viewed North American society.
In this racial framing, whites have combined racial stereotypes (the cognitive aspect), metaphors and interpretive concepts (the deeper cognitive aspect), images (the visual aspect), emotions (feelings), and inclinations to discriminatory action. This frame buttresses, and grows out of the material reality of racial oppression. The complex of racial hierarchy, material oppression, and the rationalizing white racial frame constitute what I term systemic racism. This white racial frame includes much more than the usual concepts we use in the study of racial matters, such as stereotyping and prejudice or discrimination.
Black people who have had violence visited upon them by the white racial state and its agents are forced into a type of bizarro world. Like women who are the victims of sexual assault, black victims are forced to defend their right to exist; rapine logic as applied to women is a neat analogy for white racial logic as it applies to black victims of white police (and other) abuse. In this framework, Michael Brown, Renisha McBride, and Trayvon Martin were somehow asking to be killed.
As social scientists have repeatedly documented, there is a deep connection between white racial animus, a fear of black criminality, support for guns, and what is euphemistically labeled as "law and order" politics. White conservative politicians have skillfully exploited that bundle of attitudes for great electoral gain from the end of Reconstruction and "Redemption", to the Southern Strategy, and the present.
The mainstream corporate media dances around a basic fact, one that I have no fear or compunction about stating clearly and directly. Michael Brown is dead because the police are empowered by a good percentage of the white American public to kill black and brown people preemptively and with extreme prejudice. If you doubt the glee that the White Right and the silent majority feel for the killing of Michael Brown, a quick examination of the comment sections on CNN and other news sites will disabuse you of that notion.
During the Cold War, it was "better to be dead than red". Historically, in the United States "it is better to be safe than sorry" by killing black people--who may or may not have committed a crime--as due process is jettisoned in favor of white rage and brutality as a means of enforcing the color line.
There has been an amazing amount of racial progress in the United States. Barack Obama, a black man, is President of the United States. Black culture is American culture.
However, it is the "exceptional" and "special negro" who is lauded and praised, made acceptable and embraced as an exemplar of white tolerance and the virtues of American exceptionalism and superiority.
But what of the black stranger who exists in a type of liminal space? Where he or she is just an idea or concept for the collective White psyche and white racial consciousness, in which cultural biases and old fashioned racism too often deem black personhood as dangerous, predatory, and criminal?
On both sides of the color line, it is easy to love the idea of the exceptional negro. By comparison, for the White Gaze, it is far harder to possess a common feeling of shared humanity and decency with a black stranger, one who even in the Age of Obama and the post civil rights era is overlaid and embossed with the stain and shadow of Whiteness's paranoia, nightmares, fantasies, fetishes, anxieties, longing for, desires, fears, arousal, envy, hostility, and other assorted feelings.
White Supremacy colours black and brown people with a reflective patina that shines back to it a projection of what white racism desires to see people of color as, instead of who we actually are.
The substantive racial progress required to finally vanquish White Supremacy from American cultural life will mandate that all Americans accept the full humanity of non-whites...even as some of the latter, like all people, are less than perfect in their behavior and comportment.
Loving an exceptional and perfect black person is easy; loving less than perfect human beings who happen to be black, and simultaneously extending to them their basic human rights on an interpersonal level, is a far more difficult task for white folks--and those others--who are infected by the racial logic of Whiteness and White Supremacy.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Tapas are the perfect party food. Grab some friends, order some satays, flatbreads, and maybe some egg rolls, and you're set for a fun night out on the town. J.Paul'z has gotten the formula right, becoming a favored James Island spot over the years with good small plates and even better drinks.


text: Hi Im currently an iPhone 4 user, but looking for a cheap Android tablet so came here. All I want to use it for is internet use and a couple of apps. I use forums and email basically. Are there any suitable Tablets out there for under £100 that will do this? Would prefer a capacitive screen. Wifi a must but 3g would be nice, but not essential. Would also like blue tooth If possible. I also want official android market. Couls maybe stretch to a bit more money if there isn't anything decent for my price range. Thanks.


text:
Whilst political decision makers have been failing to respond to the urgency of the climate crisis during negotiations at COP 23, young people have challenged them from inside and outside the climate conference halls.
COP 23, the UNFCCC international climate change negotiations, took place in Bonn, Germany in early November 2017. The talks were presided by the Island nation of Fiji, although this leadership did not bring as much prominence to the struggles of developing nations as had previously been hoped.
Many politicians and delegates of EU countries presented themselves at the COP as clean, green, charismatic world leaders. However, the reality of their actions at home and globally tell a much darker story. Countries in the global north continue to support and profit from destructive fossil fuel projects, many of which are based in the global south.
Meanwhile, real, dynamic, youth led resistance has been highlighting this hypocrisy, hitting the headlines and outshining the blatant emptiness of leaders speeches.
The Pacific Climate Warriors, a youth led group from the Pacific Islands were an unstoppable force within the fringe events around the COP. Their actions, ceremonies and speeches were incredibly powerful and really hit home to their audiences the importance of urgent climate action.
Other youth groups from across Europe and the world also led inspiring resistance efforts inside and outside the COP.
Natur Og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway) used the climate talks as a moment to present their ground-breaking court case against the Norwegian government. Norwegian youth are suing their government for drilling Arctic oil and contravening the Paris Agreement. This court case could set an important legal precedent regarding governments' continuing support of extractive industries that are right now causing global climate violence and threaten the future of their countries young people.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, delivered an impressive speech at the negotiations calling for countries to honour the Paris agreement and keep average warming below 1.5 degrees. The Scottish government recently banned fracking, however failed to mention that they still import fracked gas from Pennsylvania, USA, therefore have moved the local destruction elsewhere and still contributing to global climate change.
The UK government has claimed to be leading the world to a coal phaseout as part of the 'Powering Past Coal Alliance'. Meanwhile, the UK delegation at COP23 was sponsored by the notorious high street bank, Barclays, who have £9.7 billion invested in fossil fuel projects including the North Dakota Access Pipeline and coal projects in Colombia. This was highlighted by the UK Youth Climate Coalition as part of a series of actions and articles pressuring UK delegates.
BUNDjugend (YFoE Germany) dirtied Germany's reputation as an energy transition leader with a demonstration inside COP 23. Claiming to be giving out presents from the Energiewende (energy transition) Champion, they gifted passing delegates lumps of coal fresh from the largest hole in Europe, a lignite (brown coal) mine only 50km away from the talks in Bonn.
25,000 people marched in the streets of Bonn during the weekend before the talks started, calling for climate justice and an end to coal. This was the biggest anti-coal protest ever to have taken place in Germany.
The following day, young people from across Europe and beyond travelled to Germany to participate in a mass direct action to block this enormous coal mine.
One participant stated: "Over 4000 people united to blockade a coal mine, putting their bodies on the line to halt production for a day and make a clear statement about the importance of taking action on climate now. We demonstrated that if our poliical leaders are not willing to stop destructive and dangerous energy projects, the people will do it for them. We have no choice not to."
France showed shallow speeches and an environmental minister as impactful as a plastic plant. The Climate Plan and official environmental stands of the government are shallow and do not match up with their actual actions controlled by banks and dirty energy lobbies: supporting CETA, launching big neo-colonial scale mine projects "Golden Mountain" in Guyana etc. It was also discovered that they were negotiating a series of reforms with the EU, to make their commitment to the EU commision non-mandatory and flexible. I.e: they can change the target to less ambitious goals. They are delaying French transition away from nuclear energy. However, youth groups are standing up against such practice and are not fooled by the greenwashed, start-up "France" that Macron wants to sell. The Jeunesse Autochtone de Guyane, and other indigenous group in Guyana are standing up against the government, and will protect their land and the Amazon Forest.
"When one is hiding away in the western myth that the individual can and must succeed on his/her own, we forget that we are part of a whole, a global mesh that we cannot rule over. The project Golden Mountain is the result of this distorted vision of the world. It is a poisoned gift, from spirituality to economy" Yanuwana Tapoka, Jeunesse Autochtone de Guyane, le 8/11/2017 à Bonn au Tribunal International des Droits de la Nature.
As the dirtiest kid in the European Union class, the Netherlands has also been neglecting its duty to combat climate change for a long time. While the new government stated during COP23 that they want to be world leaders on climate, reducing CO2 by 49% by 2030, their plans are mainly based on carbon capture and storage (CCS). Those plans are unrealistic and extremely costly. The five remaining coal power plants in the country may stay in business until 2030, in direct contradiction to both their ambitions to be leaders on climate action and with the Paris Agreement.
And while residents in the north of the Netherlands are in constant (financial) dangers due to earthquakes created by the gas drillings, the new government has no intention to rapidly cut gas production any time soon. The government has even been ordered by the court to revise their gas production plans, after being sued over unclarity of residents' safety with the current gas production.
Last summer, Young Friends of the Earth the Netherlands went with Young Friends of the Earth Europe to Groningen to show solidarity with the residents, who are fighting for their livelihoods.
The message has been spelled out clearly by young people across the world that we need urgent, adequate climate action right now. For rich countries in the global north, this means an end to large and dangerous energy projects, no new fossil fuel projects, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030 and financial and political support for countries and peoples already facing the harshest realities of climate change. If governments are not willing to deliver on this, they will be challenged in the streets, in elections and in the courts.


text:
On March 10th, our cohort met at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to discuss the role of Tourism and Local Government in our community, and to explore how our "web of connections" allow us to support and create community change.
The discussion on Tourism's Role in our community was lead by the impressive Paul Nursey (Tourism BC, President and CEO). The Local Government section was lead in a panelist style with four prominent members of council or organizations throughout Greater Victoria. Our participants were able to create a connections web and explore the ways that changing priorities affects your plans and current projects.
Local Government Panel:
District of Saanich Councillor Fred Haynes
Kelly Lynn Kurta, Greater Victoria Festival Society
City of Victoria Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe
Susan Low, Executive Director - Leadership Victoria Society (moderator)
Cairine Green, former Councillor, District of Oak Bay and North Saanich
DiSC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness): Dimensions of Leadership
The Cohort was able to learn about the eight dimensions of Leadership (shown below) to learn more about how their DiSC style connects with their leadership style. The group also participated in role playing to consciously practice styles outside their own DiSC preferences and to manage various difficult leadership scenarios.
One of our participants found that:
"The diverse leaders facilitated a better understanding of the structures of the community and how to make a change. It was fascinating to listen to the Councilors, their stories, their values and their encouragement to get involved in the community in order to make changes. l learned that the Community is a complex structure and we need to analyze the steps needed to engage the diverse stakeholders, change the processes and make a difference. Our Community Projects are starting to be 'more real'."
Thank-you to our facilitators: Fiona Prince, Holly Courtright, Susan Low


text:
Project Description
As you peruse what was the beginning of Congressional negotiations please consider how much or how little has changed. Please review the current state of the Every Child Achieves Act 2015. To better understand what is now and how the compromise legislation affects our children of color, please ponder the Letter sent on behalf of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, (LDF), the civil rights law firm founded by Thurgood Marshall. Then, ask yourself how much of what was Senator Lamar Alexander's Bill remains and will we decide to continue to fail our Communities of Color?
Agree or disagree with the views stated in this report, it seems clear that we have failed communities of color...and the poor. Worse yet, we barely discuss this. As a nation, we abandoned the original intent of the Elementary and Secondary Act. Remember…
"In recognition of the special educational needs of low-income families and the impact that concentrations of low-income families have on the ability of local educational agencies to support adequate educational programs, the Congress hereby declares it to be the policy of the United States to provide financial assistance… to local educational agencies serving areas with concentrations of children from low-income families to expand and improve their educational programs by various means (including preschool programs) which contribute to meeting the special educational needs of educationally deprived children"
(Section 201, Elementary and Secondary School Act, 1965).
Earlier this month, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) proposed a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA. The ESEA is seven years overdue for a reauthorization. The process presents an opportunity to improve U.S. school systems for communities of color. Unfortunately, Sen. Alexander's proposal fails to seize this opportunity. Instead, it proposes to reduce parent access to reliable and valid information and devolves most decisions about school quality to states, which historically have not taken action to address deficiencies in school systems. Here are five reasons why Sen. Alexander's bill harms communities of color:
Allows low-performing schools to languish:
Lowers academic standards:
Opens the door to significant budget cuts:
Prevents parents from making informed decisions about where to send their child to school:
Eliminates focus on that state's students of color:
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This piece was reprinted by EmpathyEducates with permission or license. We thank The Center For American Progress for the kindness and research. We are grateful for a dedication to improving the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, and action.


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Platinum Banquet Hall offers a wide variety of social event packages and services. When you reserve our event space in Los Angeles, we will expertly handle all details of your event so that you and your guest can enjoy the celebration. Our venue is available for all types of social events, including bridal showers, anniversaries, holiday parties, and special birthday celebrations.
Every event design we are part of is approached with a detailed eye. In addition to our beautiful facility and professional staff, we also customize dining and beverage selection that meets your personal taste.


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Quality Construction
Construction: All About Quality
Outlined below are some of the key aspects of the manufacturing process of our domestically produced metal table collections:
- Welded frame construction.
In the manufacturing of our tables only top grade hot and cold rolled steel bars and 16 Guage tubing is used. All frames are fully-welded in jigs to ensure consistent quality and completely rigid construction. This eliminates the instability caused by loosening which is a feature of screwed-together tables.
- Oven-baked, electrostatically-applied powder paint base coat.
Each frame is thoroughly cleaned before painting by immersion in a phosphate solution to remove all grease, rust etc. and then receives a base-coat paint finish of electrostatically-applied powder which is baked at 420 degrees F.
- Hand-applied, acrylic lacquer paint finish coat and highlights.
Each table receives a final stage finish that is hand applied, giving individual random character to each piece.
- Packaging.
Great care is taken in packaging each item to ensure safe delivery to the customer. Each table frame is individually bagged in a plastic bag and then packed in a 200 test double-wall corrugated carton. All 10mm and 12mm overhang glass is individually packed in a specifically designed 200 test double wall glass pack which is sufficient to withstand rough handling in transit. Inset glass is packed in 175 test single wall corrugated sleeves that then goes into the frame carton. Where applicable, wood tops and frames are wrapped in polyfoam and stretch film and enclosed in a corrugated sleeve which is inserted into the frame carton. All hardware and instructions are enclosed in an envelope and attached to the table frame.


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While taking an unsubstantiated whack at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's ethics on a Sunday public affairs show this week, Republican Tom Foley demanded that Mr. Malloy release his federal tax returns. That's a good suggestion, but it doesn't go far enough.
Mr. Foley should agree to release his own returns as well, if he again runs for governor. He recently announced formation of an exploratory committee. Same goes for Mr. Malloy, who has not yet revealed his intentions about running for a second term. Mr. Malloy defeated Mr. Foley by less than 1 percentage point in 2010.
Presumably Mr. Foley thinks the Malloy tax returns might cough up evidence to vindicate his claims about the governor's ethics. But the Greenwich millionaire doesn't seem nearly as interested in opening his own tax records to public view in the coming campaign.
Anyone who asks him to release his own tax returns would only be "trying to change the subject," he said.
Candidates who volunteer to release their tax records show that they trust voters, that they have nothing to hide, and — although it doesn't always hold true — that they just might be disposed to favor transparency in government.
Yes, it's a loss of some privacy, but tax returns paint a useful picture of candidates. Voters who inspect returns are given information that will give them a clue about candidates' biography, priorities, fiscal responsibility, risk of conflicts of interest and more.
Bill Curry, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2002, might be the reigning transparency champion. He released 12 years' worth of tax returns for public consumption during that campaign. Even Gov. John G. Rowland, whom Mr. Curry challenged that year, made public the returns for his years as governor.
Mr. Malloy released tax returns in 2010 after demanding that Democratic primary election opponent Ned Lamont show his.
In the same campaign, Mr. Foley released his returns for the previous tax year.
Candidates for governor in the 2014 election should make available several years of tax returns.


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Walk Right. Jump on enemy. Collect coin. Repeat.
I was never a big believer in platforming games on the iPhone. The controls just always seem a little too loose and imprecise for all that jumping. I chalked it up to a limitation of the touch screen and just went back to playing Bejeweled. Then I played through Pizza Boy, and for the first time really saw platforming controls done well on a touch screen (I'm sure it's been done well before that, but that's the first I saw first-hand). Since then I've definitely been open to the idea and was able to approach Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure with an open mind.
If you've ever played a 2D platformer then you could probably tell me what the game is about without even seeing it. You'll move through different areas, jumping over obstacles and collecting coins. You'll jump on top of enemies to kill them while picking up treasures. Pixeline features pretty much all the cliches. Not to say that's a bad thing – they've been game staples for 30 years now.
There's an overworld map that's somewhat of reminiscent of Super Mario World, but it's really more linear than that. It's not so much used as a way to branch off different levels, but it gives you the chance to go back and re-do older levels to get more treasures if you'd like. It also serves to give you a nice feeling of progression and you work your way through the included 26 levels. The different stages take you though all sorts of different terrain that are common in side-scrolling platformers. You'll go through dense jungles, ruins, swamps, etc. Over the course of those levels you'll jump over and on many different varieties of enemies as well, much like in countless other side-scrollers.
The biggest difference here is that your character is a girl. Yea, it's a real shame that in 2010 that's still something worth mentioning, but the hard reality is that this is still a notable fact. Even on a more mainstream device like the iPhone, if you load up a game you're almost without fail playing as a dude. So if you've got a wife, sister or daughter that would like to see some Y chromosome representation, here ya go. It's not exactly parity, but it's a start.
The biggest downside for Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure, as you may have gathered by now, is that you might get a feeling of "been there, done that" from playing it. While it's a totally competent and mostly enjoyable experience, it's also been done to death. There's nothing new brought to the table here to really make it stand out on a meaningful level.
I did also have some issues with the controls, though eventually I did get used to them. I had to die many, many times before that happened however. If you take your finger off the screen you better look before putting it back down, since touching off center causes Pixeline to start walking left or right. It was just a little too touchy and I would've much preferred putting my finger down and then sliding left or right to make her move. It's a tad iffy the way it's set up.
On the whole, if you enjoy 2D platformers you can't go wrong with Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure. It's mostly very good and provides a decent challenge and leaves you satisfied after finishing it. Just know going in it doesn't blaze any new trails in the genre, and sticks pretty close to established convention.


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Password-Protected Student Directory
Student Directory FAQ
What is my password?
You should have received an email with the password from our PTA membership committee after paying for your annual PTA membership. Your membership contribution grants you access to our password-protected student directory. The security of our students' information is very important to us, and we are committed to ensuring it is kept safe.
Why should I be listed in our Student Directory?
- Connect with other students and families
- Allow others to reach you
- Make new friends
- Build a stronger school community
Who is listed in the directory?
All students are listed in the directory by class. Parent contact information is only included if you selected to share your contact information (phone, email, address) when you completed your online rereg form at the beginning of the school year.
Where can I get the School Directory?
The student directory will be available electronically online to paid Santiago Hills PTA members only. Join the Santiago Hills PTA by completing the online form and paying via credit card online. Upon membership payment receipt, you will be granted access to the password-protected school directory page.
Forgot your password?
You must be a paid PTA member to obtain access to the student directory. Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you've forgotten your password.
How do I access previous years' directories?
- Visit the 2019-2020 Password-Protected Student Directory page here.
- Visit the 2017-2018 Password-Protected Student Directory page here.
- Visit the 2016-2017 Password-Protected Student Directory page here.
- Visit the 2015-2016 Password-Protected Student Directory page here.
- Visit the 2014-2015 Password-Protected Student Directory page here.
Join Us
If you would like to join the PTA committee that creates this directory, please contact email@example.com.


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ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (AP) – A Chicago doctor who devoted his career to saving the lives of children died trying to assist two young people who were struggling in the treacherous waves of Lake Michigan over the weekend.
Dr. Donald Liu, his wife and three children were enjoying a weekend getaway at a Berrien County beach on Sunday when he spotted two children in the water who were struggling.
Liu, 50, was able to help the children to safety but was pulled under by a strong current and drowned, authorities and his friends told the Chicago Sun-Times.
"He managed to help them but he got pulled down by the undertow himself," said friend and colleague Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, chairman of surgery at the University of Chicago Hospitals. "He really died a hero."
Liu was surgeon-in-chief and professor of surgery and pediatrics at Comer Children's Hospital. He joined the University of Chicago department of surgery as a pediatric surgeon in 2001 and was made chief of pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief at Comer in 2007.
"He was an amazing man," his wife, Dr. Dana Suskind, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "We are just all in shock."
Two other men drowned on Sunday as high winds and waves swept Michigan's west coast.
The other victims were Anthony Joseph Kelly, 41, of Montgomery, Ill., and an unnamed 40-year-old Cincinnati man.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Underwood said police officers entered 10-foot seas off Tiscornia Beach in St. Joseph and brought in two people who were trying in vain to reach Kelly.
The officers "were heroic, putting on life jackets, and swimming out there," Underwood told The Herald-Palladium.
Kelly died midday Sunday.
That evening, the 40-year-old Ohio man died when he went under in a strong rip current in northern Lower Michigan's Benzie County.
Search crews found his body in 5 feet of water, WWTV-WWUP reported.
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Here is the transcript of the interview:
Reporter: Do you know that a film has been made on your case? Do you think it will affect your case?
Talwars: We saw trailers of the film in jail and also read press reports about it. From what we can make out, they have tried to present both sides of the case. What they haven't focussed on is the malafide of the CBI.
Reporter: What are you hoping that this film, or the book that was written before achieves?
Talwars: All we think is why doesn't anyone take a stand? What is the reason they are all keeping quiet when it is so clear that a major injustice has been done, that something wrong has been going on. Nobody has the guts to say anything even though character assassination of a child has happened.
Reporter: Is that what worries you the most?
Talwars: That is the only concern for both of us. This time in jail, we can deal with it, we see patients, it passes by and we are managing. What we can't deal with are the lies about our child. Everything (the case) is based upon insinuation by the CBI.
Reporter: Has the CBI been in touch with you since your conviction?
Talwars: No.
Reporter: What is the status of your appeal in the Allahabad High Court?
Talwars: We keep putting in applications for an early hearing but at the moment they are hearing appeals which go back to 1986, so it will take time.
Reporter: Can your lawyers help fast forward it?
Talwars: In the bail order, the court said we have a lot of influence. Where is the influence? Could we influence CBI? Who have we influenced? We may put in more applications but many holidays are coming up so it will take time.
Reporter: Many people say including legal experts that your mistake was filing a protest petition - do you agree?
Talwars: I don't know why they say that. If CBI was filing a closure report on someone's child's murder, would they not object? I just asked them to further investigate - I didn't even say don't probe me. As a parent you cannot let it go, not until justice is done.
Reporter: They have written a book, now a movie, do you plan something to tell your own story?
Nupur Talwar: I started writing but then it was like I was reliving everything. It was too painful. So I have put it on hold for now.
Reporter: You have been sentenced to life, what keeps you going day to day?
Talwars: The fight for Aarushi. What they did to her, I want to fix that. The truth has to emerge and so the need to fight keeps us going. We know we are two small individuals, so who will listen to us but we will keep at it.
Reporter: Do you still have friends?
Talwars: We do have some. Surprisingly, our patients have stuck by us. They come and visit us as well. One came with his X-rays to show us, some ask why we can't treat them here. Patrick French is an old patient who stood by us, and he came to the jail also to visit us. He told us that media houses in Britain would have been shut down for the kind of reporting that Indian media did.
Reporter: How often do you meet?
Talwars: Officially we meet once a week but due to the clinic (Rajesh sees patients daily) we meet thrice a week. It is working very well since we came here and jail officials also bring their families to consult with us.
Reporter: Do you read?
Rajesh Talwar: I read everything - read all of Amitav Ghosh and Neel Mukherjee and Jhumpa Lahiri and some religious texts
Nupur Talwar: Read Gurcharan Das's The Difficulty of Being Good.
Reporter: Do you still believe in God?
Talwars: Sometimes we don't but what else is there? Sai Baba said faith and patience are the only two things you need and we think that is really proved right.


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Miami Lakes Real-estate - Outstanding Way to Sell Your own home Fast
Selling your own home is definitely an overwhelming experience. There are several activities only to get the property ready to be found in the Miami Lakes housing market. Painting, cleanup, organizing the property are merely many of the considerations to do before marketing your own home. In addition, you always worry about the concerns of what kind of money you will definately get in a open market.
Miami Lakes Real Estate
Do you want to have the price you might be asking or would you like to lower your price in order to sell your house? After all, yourr home is the greatest investment you will earn when you are looking at selling it you want to get the most return possible. Most Miami Lakes property sellers have to get the highest price practical for their residence along with know how to go about it.
There are 82 single properties for sale in Miami Lakes. The cost range is produced by $380,000 dollars close to $1,500,000 dollars. Don Shula's Athletic Club is a good location to play tennis and workout in Miami Lakes. The city is a superb location to work and play.
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The Miami Lakes real estate seller is in fact lending the customer a lot of money toward the value, while a regular mortgage lender usually funds the check in the purchase price. The transaction of the seller take-back loan uses the property as collateral. This loan then is most likely the primary mortgage and is also linked to the property as collateral. The client pays the vendor with interest as mutually agreed on the term of the loan. The terms usually are stipulating that the buyers send the payments every month. This continuous income is one the truly great benefits to the note holder. Anytime, the owner or note holder can cash out and then sell the note and collect the bucks in the lump sum. That is advantageous because it results in a steady monthly earnings for the seller.
In spite of Miami Lakes real estate market conditions, seller take-back financing is a wonderful strategy. Both seller and buyer have great financing options which enables the owner to get a high price quicker. A great investment that generates an ongoing monthly earnings and incredibly high roi. Owner might still sell the note in view market when they needs the immediate cash. Consider the benefits of seller take-back financing when selling the home. Sellers must look into this method to trade your property fast.


text: Sealed with a zipped main compartment to keep your pens and pencils safe this is both practical and gorgeous. You will stand out as looking extra smart this term with your new personalised pencil case. Go on - you know you want one!! All you have to do now is.....study!


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I have literally sailed through the most blissful and busiest time in Wunnaland. From Thursday to probably about an hour ago, I feel as though i've been dashing, dashing, meeting, greeting, smiling, moaning, hand shaking, dressing up, dressing down, travelling, working and cocktailing. IT HAS BEEN NON STOP and so much has happened that I don't even know where to begin.
So, whilst i'm glamourous sat, moderately hung over, with a Desperado as my company and the random Celtic vs Ranger game on as 'background' in The Mallard Doncaster….with my new weave sat next to me, waiting for tomorrow's debut, where it has the glory of being clipped into my head and some 20 something boys to my right, who I don't at all know, playing on the bandit…I'll rewind you to last night…
Last night, Fairytale Blond, Double B, Mel & I, whilst being all glammed up and lost in a hilarious yet glittery swirl of drunken light and life…decided it would A GREAT IDEA to stand outside the GENTS TOILETS at the dark and jazzy Pontefract pub the 'Tap & Barrel' (it was packed last night) and NOT LET GENTLEMAN of any type or ages, GO FOR A WEE, UNLESS THEY COULD GUESS 'THE PASSWORD.' 🙂 LOL.
Honestly, we're the funniest girls alive! I mean, who is as genius as us! We ended up squashed infront of the GENTS, on a bench, due to the *packedness* of the place, by moody candlelight…and instead of being grumbly..and we had been cocktailing ALL NIGHT we took it upon ourselves to utterly enjoy every minute of our *spot* and make our own FUN.
So, a guy would saunter up to the loo for a *widdle.* As soon as he got to the door, he was ABRUPTLY STOPPED by either Double B, Fairytale Blond Or I…and forced to hold their wee until they guessed the password. 🙂
Once they guessed the password, they were allowed entry.
On the way out, they'd swing open the door and *BAM* Fairytale blond would stick out her arm, leg or body and REFUSE TO LET THEM PASS (lol) unless they reiterated the password.
The password was…
And we really wouldn't let them pass unless they were chubby, where in which they were given a 'WILD CARD' entry of us aggressively PUSHING THEM into the boy's loo's…whilst shouting.,,
Double B & Fairytale Blond would connect hands and make a beautiful archway out of their delicate, not at all drunken arms and I would look at the dude and very glamourously state that they had to..
…as the girls danced with their arms in an archway! 🙂
It was the best game ever..the boys were coming out of the loo's looking terrified OR just going to the loo to play our game.
Fairytale: NO! What's the password?'
Double B: 'We don't fucking care…this is hilarious.'
Mel: What ARE YOU doing?'
Me: 'Enter the tunnel of loooooooooooove..'
Then we did more gin…See this is why MY VLOG is going to be better than anyone else, simply because my friends and I are naturals at being tools. If we filmed our 'what's the password' moment, it would've gone viral this morning. 🙂
But how did this all start…
Let's take you down a glamourous trip down memory lane…
I've worked all day and arrived in from London that morning to hustle through another day. I was shattered, but wanted to embrace a good time. I'm positive and even though things can be shattering, you just have to smash it and know how lucky you are to be where you are and have what you have.
Double B has recently moved into her new house and fancied herself a cocktail at The Electric Theatre which is now her local cocktail and tapas bar. Fairytale Blond was in the neighbour visiting friends, since Prince Jonny was out for drinks, after a day of finding very Disney birds nests, so she met up with Double B at The Electric Theatre for a tipple and tapas.
Mel…was out with her other close friends, for her birthday shindig and has chosen The Electric Theatre as he birthday haunt..and I was shattered from my day of traveling, meetings, the blog awards, more meeting, early morning trains, followed by a full day of work hungover…that I just wanted to have a bit of fun. Yes everything I do is glammy and delicious and an absolute blast…but there were good times, bad times, lonely times and happy times over the last 2 days. I wanted some fun, with the girls that I love…and we all need great chick friends…so I decided to head over to The Electric Theatre for about 40 cocktails and bouji table tapas.
The place was filled with life, glammy girls, friendships, a spray of old school yet modern charm, a table of the finest tinker sof tapas, banter, laughter, emotional moments and a glittery spray of the most delicious and multi coloured cocktails in all of the land.
'Why does my drink look like it has a birds bush in it?'
'Gimme some of that?'
'I've known Mel for ages..'
'As if you've just made me cry…'
'Have you had a meatball…they're spicy…'
'I once tried to break up with a boy, so i told him that I had cheated on him twice with two dicks, and sucked all the dicks in all the land. It was just dicks, dicks, dicks, everywhere dicks in a line and he STILL DIDN'T LEAVE ME. Lol.'
'Look at these bad boys..' (A silver diamante show is raised.)
'You should definitely give him sex..'
'Why don't you dress up for him?'
'Are you going into town?'
(I definitely answered 'Fairytale Blonds' phone when Prince Jonny Called. Technically she did tell me to, so i committed to a 'Hey Baby Boo' and maybe offered him willy stuff, whilst pretending to be 'Fairytale'…'Chrissie, I know it's you. Put Fairytale on…' Now, I've talked to nearly all of their boyfriends dirty. Hurrah! 🙂 )
Mel looked so gorgeous and so happy to be in her swirl. I watched her all night and she's beamed. It was a cocktail infused beam. But she was happy. I'm really close to Mel and once she likes you, you're IN and she'll hold you close to her heart.
Fairytale, Double B and I are immature and glamourous drunkards. We went for it and had the single most hilarious time in the world ever. Infact for the first time we got really open with one another…We're open anyway, yet there are levels to friendships, as there are in love and last night, I cried a little and because I was so proud of how empowering and tough my chick friends are.
We are the warmest, most loving girls, but we are WARRIORS! We're good time, money making machines! 🙂 We had the best night ever.
'I've been through so much in my life that nothing can hurt me now.. and not because of anything other than the fact that i choose to be and remember the positive.'
Then as a lady named Tanya was telling me about her fondness of buff gents, I noticed a calm and quiet 'Carol.' I LIKED CAROL because she is the kind of lady who will NEVER say a bad word about anyone. She's humble, she has a great time, but she's quiet and observes everything, rather than commit to being a showman. (I'm a showman.) When she speaks, you listen because every thign she says is of so much worth.
Mel: Honestly Chrissie, i've known her for years…she'll never say anything and then when she does…she's ALWAYS FUCKING RIGHT. She told me she didn't like that other guy and she never ever says a bad word about anyone.'
I love Carol because there's a sexiness about her manner. Infact, I think i need to be less brash and more warm..as I keep meeting all these warm and delightful people..once was a vicar, who told me that it was his ffity year anniversary with his wife and he loves her just as much as he did when he first mether outside Woolworths when he was fifteen
He then told me that he MARRIED HER before they even had sex! 🙂
HAHAHA. I love that a Vicar told me about his sex life! Lol.
Last night was a blast, it was a much needed accidental swirl of magical and glamourous cocktailly, well wishes, bad boy heels, friendships, good times, laughter, new faces, memories, empowerment, tom foolery and…
Right, I have to dash, as I have a 3pm meeting to get ready for, but Ill tell you all about meeting Jack Parson's in my next blog, as I travelled down to London for the UK Blog Awards,
I am being hailed as the UK's Carrie Bradshaw & I'm loving it as if anything I want to make sure that all my work is strong, I'm doing something that i love, i'm making a living out of doing something that I love and that as I'm telling my story, I am empowering and inspiring every person i verbally touch.
Jack is currently being hailed as a 'Young Richard Branson.' I know! That's not a shabby title..
But yeah…i'll tell you all about my London times later…


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Mondelez: Graduate Programme 2014
Closing Date: 20 January 2014
Location: Woodmead
Mondelez South Africa is looking for recent self-motivated, enthusiastic Graduates to join their company as a Graduate Trainee.
Types of qualifications we are looking for:
- Chemical Engineering ,
- Mechanical Engineering ,
- Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering as well as
- Commerce degrees in Business Management; Economics and Strategy Management.
The Graduate programme is a full-time two year programme during which you will rotate through positions within the functional departments of the business. The programme will enable you to work across the various categories such as Chocolate, Gum & Candy, Beverages and Biscuits while, for example, growing your skills in understanding and implementing the core principles of engineering, project management and supply chain.
In order to succeed in this programme, it is expected that the ideal candidate will have:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical; Mechanical; Electrical and Industrial Engineering; Business Management; Strategic Management or Economics
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Proven leadership ability
- Ability to see the bigger picture and display forward thinking skills.
- Learning potential
- Good academic results
- High levels of drive and initiative
- Good communication skills (written & verbal)
- Ability to build good working relationships with individuals and teams across the business
How to Apply
Please send your CV, most recent academic transcript and 200 word motivation letter to RecruitingSouthernAfrica@mdlz.
Our recruitment process includes interviews (telephonic & face to face) and assessments.


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20+ Never Give Up Quotes
In her song Never Give Up, American award-winning gospel singer, Yolanda Adams, says this:
Keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up, don't ever give up on you
Don't give up
Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow
It gets easier, who's to say that you can't fly
Every step you take you get, closer to your destination
You can feel it now, don't you know you're almost there?
To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds.
These words are an inspiration to me and I'm sure they are to a lot of people. They remind me every day to keep going no matter how high the tide is. There are times when I lose hope and can't find a reason to keep fighting. Many a time I find myself questioning the purpose of life and asking myself "why?" and I tell myself "I'm done!" but these words of hope comfort me and give me a reason to live.
It is so difficult to stay strong and focused when you have lost all hope and when you feel like giving up. You will feel like your world is coming to an end but all we have to know is, troubles don't last and trials are only for a season. If you believe in something, go for it and don't stop until you get it. If you want something to happen, fight till the end. If you fall, pick yourself up and try again until you conquer. All you need to do is change your mindset and believe in yourself. Avoid dwelling on negativity and focus on the end result and you will live a victorious life. Let these 20+ never give up quotes guide you through to victory.
1. Stay focused
2.Try one more time
3. Never give up
4. Never stop trying
5. The best things
6. Look back
7. Love and inspiration
8. Today's troubles
9. Never give up
10. You're strong enough
11. Inspire people
12. Keep moving
13. Tide will turn
14. Get up
15. Someone who never gives up
16. A gift
17. Glorious triumph
18. Difficult to wait
19. Greatest glory
20. Get back up
21. Always believe


text:
Layout Fix #1: Part 1, Title & Contrast
I've been thinking about layout design lately, and how to go about teaching it. It's a complicated subject since there isn't really a "right" answer, and also I don't know what I'm talking about. I have no design training and work almost entirely off of instinct, which is obviously not helpful to anyone. So I've done a little reading, and I thought perhaps a quick way to try and figure out what I'm doing when I work on a layout would be to try and "fix" someone else's.
I say "fix" since just because I've moved things in a certain way doesn't make it right. With this exercise I'm trying to isolate different design principles that you can use in creating and fixing your own layouts. However, it's totally possible that you may prefer the original layout, or some step along the way. Please feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments.
So here's my first attempt. And thanks to Catherine for being the guinea pig in this project! (See instructions at the end to submit your own layout.)
Here's the original. Overall, it's a nice layout. I like how the colors complement the photos and make it feel fun. The thing that jumps out at me right away (or actually, doesn't jump out) is the title. It's small and blending into the background, making the layout feel unfinished.
So here's the same layout, just with an adjustment to the tile.
You'll notice that I chose a black alpha to use for the title. The second issue I noticed was a lack of contrast throughout the layout. Because the papers match the photos so well, and are all quite close on the color wheel (and BRIGHT!), everything gets mixed up together. So the next change I made was to add a little contrast to the page. The title already added a nice break from the bright, and now I just mixed in one contrasting paper.
Now to finish up, I've just moved around a couple of the papers, since adding in the black paper changed what papers were touching (I didn't like the purple stripes next to the black stripes). I've also readjusted the elements, switching the ones on top and bottom. The "hole" at the top was bigger, so I thought it needed the larger element. Now that the title is bigger, it doesn't need such a large element next to it. I also changed the crop on the photo to the left, so that it filled up more of the frame.
Before and after. What do you think? Does it actually look better now? Or did you prefer the original? Any other changes you'd have made?
I think with just a few tweaks, the layout has a more finished look. I'm pretty happy with this as a final product. I did make another version, that has been altered quite a bit from the original. I'll be sharing those changes with you next week.
If you have a layout you'd like me to "fix" please email it to [email protected]. You'll likely need to zip the file and use a file sharing service (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc) to share such a large file. I will reply to your email to let you know I've received it. If you haven't heard from me after a day or two, try sending it again.
Recent Comments
Nice layouts!
Wow...Great work Catherine, Marisa,...observers and the Catherine on her redo, taking into account Marisa's direction and tip.
First let me say that I found myself having to open the window twice, so I could see the before and after while I was reading the comments left by folks. I LOVE how Marisa walked us through her steps and reasons as well....that what I was going for when I ended up opening 3 windows, the last was Catherine's own redo.
I think what she eventually did was what I had in mind. Marisa helped her think of popping or "contrast"...I to thought the first step was to strengthen the Title. Both Catherine and Marisa did this not only by increasing the sizes, but with contrast as well.
I leaned with some of the others and loved the purple paper, but that was just personal taste. The other thing that many went one way or the other on was when Marisa moved the flower up. Many including Marisa commented on the "weight" and size of the space when moving the paper flower to the top. But I think it was more that just weight and size, (heavy on the bottom, and also a balance) - I think part of why Marisa moved it up was because she was balancing the white. When she introduced it with the title, it needed to be separated and balanced on the page with the paper flower. Which leads me to my 2nd thing...after the title.
I would have loved to have been able to introduce a slight white shadowing behind the crowned emblem, if I could have...and then we have Catherine's redo. She switched to the white for the pop, using it in the title, and mats of the photos, and even the Love tag. If I would have stayed with Marisa's dark pop/contrasting, I personally would have probably double matted the photos with some of that purple paper.
Thanks Catherine & Marisa, for making us think about why we do some of the things we do, and giving us a place to chat about it!
I like your changes. I think adding black to your layout makes everything pop. It brings out the pictures more. The text change adds more visual interest also. But really I think it just depends on the look you want. First layout is a more muted soft layout.
I like the black background with the lighter foreground. I think it makes the black around the pictures stand out more, which in turn draws your eye to the pictures. I also like the title change. However, I liked the flower at the bottom rather than at the top.
I do like the newest layout best but I would have added another paper between the black and the one on top so we wouldn't see as much dark in the page. Also I would add some deeper shadows. I can't actually tell if there are any shadows because they appear so small. I like my pages to appear realistic.
Love all the comments that you all wrote! Makes it hard to write mine ;) I like both layouts! But the change of alpha gives it more body. I don't know if I would have taken the black paper in because now it looses the focus on the pictures (in my opinion, because my eyes get drawn to the black). And I would add a little bit more shadow. Designer rules or no rules at the end you just have to create something you love with the colors you love. Just playing around and stick to a idea makes you grow.
I was inspired to my own retake on my layout for this weeks challenge... with the "Title and Contrast" in mind. Here it is: http://www.pixelscrapper.com/catherine-olson/gallery/tiana-and-kimberly-take-2-layout-challenge-old-sept-2013-sisters-ki...
Button = bottom (stupid auto correct)
Taste is a very subjective thing. There are some "rules" or design principles that help make a layout look easy on the eyes. Create a focal point - you did that very clever by adding the black background. Another thing is to try and put "heavy" objects on the button and lighter or smaller ones on the top of your layout. I would have left the paper flower where it was, I really like how Catherine made it stick out of the paper square just a tiny bit to create a little "tension". I probably would have moved the paper strip and staples down to add a date or place, to 'close' the layout.
I do like the orange paper on top of the black....it picks up the orange in the dot paper and lets the orange tshirts take the stage.
Thanks for this post. It's nice to see the revisions "in action", and the finished product looks great :)
I think it would be fun to have more than one person take the same photos and do 3 different looks and explain what they were thinking. I would love to be part of that team. I have taught classes like this before. There is no right or wrong, but you learn so many different things. You did a good job of explaining your changes.
I really liked your fix except I think the flower looks better where it used to be and the orange paper on top of the black just seems too much. The purple looked better in my opinion.
This is a great idea, Marisa, and something everyone should try. The way you have explained each change is helpful in understanding the reason behind each one, rather than just posting a before and after. There is much to learn from exercises such as these because, well, they make you think about the whys! I know you say it is intuitive for you, but there is still a LOT of thinking that happens on the right side of the brain - and being able to explain why you have made the change proves it...which is why there are art/design rules in the first place. :) This exercise reminds me of art school when we would all bring in the same 'solution' for a prescribed advertisement poster or album cover - and each would look so different - all good, but a few exceptionally so. I'll be watching this experiment and maybe even be brave enough to submit one for a critique fix! :)
Creating layouts is so subjective. As you said, there really isn't a right or wrong way to do them. That said, I do agree with your changes. I think that the bold title work definitely enhanced the already beautiful layout. I also agree that there did need to be some sort of solid neutral paper mixed in with all of the color (eek, I can't believe I said that...being a huge color fan myself). Regarding elements...again, it's so subjective. The only thing I try to do (and I'm definitely not a design pro at all) is provide some sort of balance. With the change in title that you did...I think it was the right move to switch around the elements.
Overall, the layout was fantastic to begin with...but I do think that your changes made the photos pop much more...and I think for most layouts, that tends to be the goal.
Hi Marisa, Cat =) I like the idea of the black paper, it really made the layout pop, but I´d put it on other position - maybe on the background or on the bigger banner. I don´t like this position that much, prefer the way the pink was "growing" to "become" purple on the third square paper, and it was one of the things that made the LO special to me. I´d also downsize the flower sequin. Love the title work - but, with those big letters. don´t you think that the horizontal scrap of paper behind it isn´t necessary? Also love that the button on the big flower isn´t partially hidden by the photo anymore, but I like the crown stamp - I´d probably find out a form to keep it shown, even if partially hidden somewhere. I agree with Mersija about the tab with staples... I like both layouts.
Now I want to rework it too, lol. :)
I liked all the changes you made up until you changed out the raspberry paper & moved the elements. I think changing out that 1 paper to black, and changing the alpha on the "Sisters" title were fabulous - it really made everything "pop" more. But I'm no designer either. ;) JMHO...
I like all the background changes and the change in the title made a big difference. However, I like the flower down the bottom and I agree with Mersija that the burgundy behind the pictures from the original layout looked pretty good. It really helps to look at the different arrangements side by side. When I am working with quilt fabrics I take pictures of various arrangements then compare them. Digital scrapbooking lends itself to saving several layouts to compare and trying something you think won't work. Sometimes those crazy ideas look the best.
I think it looks good Marisa,i do like the small changes you've made on her layout,however you should have taken the tab with the staples on it and moved it somewhere else.It doesn't look good there at all over the flower like that.I am not that great with scrap talk,but i do have an eye for design,tho i have not had time to do any layouts i had planned.Also,i just noticed something else i would change,but that's just my opinion.I would add the black paper behind the pink paper or place that burgundy color behind it,it just blends in with the orange/striped paper a lil' and i don't like that.Again,it's just my own opinion,we all have are own styles and how and what we will add.
Blog By
About Me
Hi There! I'm Marisa Lerin and you'll see me around at Pixel Scrapper a lot. I started this site in 2010 soon after I discovered a new love in digital scrapbooking. Pixel Scrapper has gone through some significant changes since that time and it's grown into this lovely community site you are seeing now. I am daily surprised by the turn of life's events that has led me down this path. If you're new to the site, welcome! Here are a few tidbits about me that I hope will help you get to know me better!
I'm originally from Minnesota, USA, but spent a good chunk of my childhood living abroad (in Bolivia and Hong Kong). I returned to Minnesota to attend university, got married and then moved overseas again (Korea, then Jordan and 1 year of traveling). My designs are heavily influenced by these many nomadic years. I am currently back in the USA, now living in the great state of Oregon!
I have no official training for what I'm doing, since I decided very wisely (haha) to study physics in university. I am always learning new things about digital scrapbooking, and this community has been immensely helpful for that!
If I manage to stop digital scrapbooking you will probably find me watching TV, reading or baking. I also enjoy writing for the blog here at Pixel Scrapper where I talk about whatever happens to be catching my fancy at the moment.
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text:
Tips For Recreating This 50 Year Old Wedding Cake?
Decorating By Danilou Updated 1 Apr 2014 , 7:02am by Danilou
I've been asked to recreate this white wedding cake for a "Surprise" 50th Wedding Anniversary. I apologize for the quality. The last week I've been muddling over how to do this cake and have everything worked out (i.e how to do and long would it take) before I give a quote, so far I've figured out;
1. The corners are lace extension work, with pre-made lace 'thingies'. Do you think it would be best to do the shell border on the bottom first and then do a small, gradual and low scollop.
2. An open rose 2-3 on top of cake, 1 on top tier, 2 on 2nd tier and 3 on 3rd tier. The daughter wants touches of gold so I thought I would do gold stamens and brush gold on the tips of the petals. I thought I would just do them on the front of the cake.
3. The ribbon on top and sides, well the Mum was adamant that they were all edible, but I think it's just very fine dotted tulle ribbon that has been piped just on the sides. Do you agree? Any tips on how I would do this and what tip would be great!!!
4. The daughter in law claimed the original sepia photo (the one and only photo available) had very tiny and very close together white dots. I'm going to suggest that we don't do the dots due to time restraints or do them in the corners. Any suggestions?
5. The piping either side of the ribbon has got me stuck, in some places it looks slightly raised?? It looks like there is a bit of a criss-cross under and over the top. The daughter in law suggested gold ribbon, but I suggested maybe go with gold highlights over the cake decorations so it doesn't look 'too much'.
6. What are the best pillars to use?
7. The top two tiers at this stage are going to be fruit cake, I thought I'd use Delia Smith's recipe, and chocolate on the bottom. I need to make sure the dowels in the fruit cake will hold all this weight. I'm doing 6", 8" and 10" size cakes.
8. I normally use fat Daddio cake pans, their corners aren't quite as square edge as some others, do you think they'll be okay for fruit cake?
9. I assume I would have to have each cake on a think cardboard square, then another covered square maybe an inch bigger than the cake it's under????
10. I've been researching how to do lace extension work and I intend to practise soon, There is a clip on youtube
and craftsy have a decorating class as well which I'll have to wait until it gets cheaper. At $60 it's not in my budget. Not sure if it will have anything different to offer than the you tube clip.
Sorry to bombard you but I need some advice as this is a huge undertaking for me and want to do my research before I jump in. I've found some books from the library as well as looking up the net. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Ok lemmie break it down for ya.
1 - Because of the quality of the picture, I can hardly tell there was any extension work at all. Elaborate a little more on what you plan to do here, not quite 100% sure what you are planning.
2 - Always ask how the cake is going to be displayed. If it is going on a table in the center of a room where it can be seen from a full 360* then plan accordingly otherwise just the front is fine if you so choose. The gold touches you talked about are good.
3 - I think you should have a firm talking to with the mother as I don't think the ribbon or the dotted stringy lace are edible. You are the baking professional, and you are allowed to corral your guest in to a design that both fits their budget and design dream while preserving your sanity.
4 - Personally I would skip them entirely. Assuming you do everything else this cake calls for (the flowers, the beaded lace, the extension work, the ribbon, the pillars) it will be MORE than enough.
5 - It looks like a typical colored ribbon weaved periodically through the beaded lace ribbon that they used for all the loopy bows. The key to recreating this cake will be finding that beaded lace ribbon.
6 & 7 - Use SPS. It's a miracle. Do a forum search for purchase info and usage info.
8 - Not quite sure why not. A pan is a pan for the most part. If you are worried about sharper corners, go grab a new pan for this project. I always tend to cave in to my instincts. If I even have a slight tickle that something will go amiss, I take steps to prevent it.
9 - Don't use cardboard, it looks trashy. Go to an actual cake supply store, or even Amazon for that matter and buy actual cake drums in whatever color you want in a size that is up to 4" wider than the cake ( anywhere from a 6" to 10" for a 6" tier, depending on how much room you need on all sides of the cake to do all the border work). You can either stack and frost directly on these cake drums, or it you use the cake scraper method for frosting a cake also buy thin cardboard cake boards in the size of each of your tiers (6' for a 6" tier and so forth)
10 - I can barely see it in the picture, so I can't really comment on what it has or what you should do there. The video is a good reference though.
AThank you so much Nerdy baker. You were a great help! Yes, it is a crap photo but all I've got unfortunately. You might br right that the thinner ribbon is threaded through the lacy ribbon. So you don't think there is any piping on any of this ribbon. I guess my goal is to get as close to the original as I can. The mother knows nothing as it's a surprise.
Nope, I don't think there is any piping other than the string work and possibly the small little square of squiggles on the top center of the bottom two tiers (those look like small piped royal icing appliques like you saw in the video.)
You are already putting a twist on the cake by doing the gold accents, so I wouldn't pull my hair out over every little detail. Do what feels right with the information and supplies that you can get your hands on.
The goal with recreations, in my opinion at least, is to recreate the feeling and the memory the bride has of the cake not necessarily the cake itself if that makes sense. She has an elaborate memory of the cake and the part it played in her wedding day, even though the design may be simple or the cake poorly made (not saying this one was, this is just a blanket statement) the bride built up that cake in her mind to be the absolute greatest thing she has ever seen. As long as you are hitting all the right nostalgia notes, but making them your own or solidifying the design, the bride will absolutely love it.
AYou have a very clever and thoughtful way of putting things across. Thankyou.
I think the ribbon is a combination of real ribbon and piping. This technique was very popular around that time, I have seen several old cake books that uses that.
This is a link to show you the effect. Click on the small picture on the top right and you will see a close up.
they used to insert real/gum paste ribbon this way and then piped around it to give the lacy effect. I think yours is real as the ribbon shines in that pic. They didn't have lustre dust 50yr ago, so that's why Im sure it satin ribbon.
As for the boards, I like to use a thick cake board when doing pillars, but you have the right idea with an inch bigger board. The dowels will hold the weight of the cakes, just measure them to go all the way into the cake plus the height of your pillars. I use the hollow pillars, so they basically just disguises the dowels. don't know if you can get those where you are.
I would pipe the side pieces on tulle before placing them on the cake. Those are very fragile, so make loads of spares. The same with the lace points on the inside, for each one you place on the cake, you break 3 :)
good luck with this!!!!
AThankyou very much
I agree with Nerdybaker and Cakechick - in fact, this is where I began my ********** life (not quite 50 years ago though lol!). I instantly recognised an early nemesis of mine - the tiny individually piped lace pieces in the centre - somewhere I had a template with a whole A4 page of the little blighters. Get your icing consistency right since you will probably need to use a '0' tube. If you can get away with a '1' that would be better for you. They break easily so be warned and do loads. I also do not believe edible lace was around then - not even 30 years ago when I did my course. Ribbon inserting is very simple - it is a trick of the eye and you just cut pieces of ribbon and push them in precut slots - leaving a gap so it looks like the ribbon passes underneath. However - this is quite wide ribbon - so not really sure if that's what the picture looks like as the quality of the photo is not great. Tulle is a difficult thing to work with - good advice above.
AThankyou everybody. I was wondering if it was ribbon inserted into lace and not the cake? Or still inserted into the cake but using the special lace or ribbon that has the slots already for ribbon insertion.
50 years ... Looking at the cake and casting the memory back ..
The lace extension work is piped directly onto the cake, with piped lace points glued on individually.
The border on the bottom is piped first.
The pattern for the extension work is pin-pricked or indented from the bottom of the side-centre up to the selected place on the side edge and then down to the centre of the adjacent side. It may be a scollop, or just a straight run.
Bridgework to support the extension work is made by overpiping.
Extension work was done using size 0, 00 or 000 nozzle.
50 years ago [1964-ish] no ribbon on cake was edible.
The dotty bows are sugar-stiffened cotton tulle loops, dot piped when dry, anchored behind the flowers..
The dots on the tulle are piped with 1 or 0 nozzle.
There were probably dots in the space between the four ribbons and the outside edge of the "medallion" between the pillars.
The ribbon over the corners would be glued into position.
The piping either side of the ribbon is a zigzag version of a "snail's trail".
The area between it and the ribbon would be dotted or filled with cornelli work.
Two or three piped lines [bands] would be spaced all along the ribbon to appear to "hold" it in position.
You miss the point - wedding cake decorations of the period were absolutely meant to be 'too much'.
Each cake is on a covered masonite-board to support the weight of each cake.
The cake sits directly on the covered board. The board is 2-3 cm larger than the cake.
Buy the pillars from any cake decorating supplier.
The pillars are hollow.
The cake would have had 4 hardwood butchers skewers inserted into the cake, through the pillars and trimmed to size.
Each cake and board rests on the hardwood skewers of the cake below - not the pillar. The pillar covers the skewer and looks pretty.
Fruitcake corners are rounded when covererd with rolled fondant. For sharp corners, the cake would be Royal Iced.
Fruitcake is 7-8 cm deep, covered with 6mm marzipan then 12 mm rolled fondant. To serve, it is cut into fingers 25mm x 25mm in size.
Extension work and lace point piping takes a lot of practise.
Decorators of the time took 3-6 months to make and decorate the cake.
AThankyou auzzi. So you beleive it's all piping around the satin ribbon? And no ribbon insertion and wider ribbon underneath? Apparently this cake took months to decorate and it won prizes in some big show.