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In China, local and import PP prices have been trading almost on par since late March. According to ChemOrbis Price Wizard, this situation has started to change over the past two to three weeks and the locally held prices regained their premium over imports.
Import homo-PP prices have been under downward pressure coming from the lower crude oil, naphtha and propylene prices. Crude oil prices traded mostly below $40/bblthis week before recovering slightly over this threshold as the week drew to an end. Meanwhile, Asian naphtha prices shed $45/ton on the week and spot propylene pricesin Asia recorded around $150/ton drops when compared to the previous week.
However, the drop on January PP futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange was smaller given the Chinese Central Bank's decision to pump 150 billion Yuan ($23.4 billion) into the market in order to offset the effects of increasing capital outflows from a weakening economy and declining stock market. The bank also cut its one-year lending rate and one-year deposit rate by 25 basis points.
In China's import homo-PP market, prices broke below the $1000/ton threshold while any prices above $1000/ton are expected to fade away soon given the very weak demand. The theoretical cost to produce PP, based on spot propylene costs, are $85/ton below the low end of the import offerrange in China. A trader complained, "Even offers at around $950/ton fail to grab any serious buying interest from buyers who anticipate further decreases in the days ahead."
Apart from the bearish upstream developments, the recent devaluation of the Chinese Yuan has also been affective on weakening the demand for US denominated imports and players mostly turned to the local market, where they can meet their urgent needs promptly. This situation also helped local prices regain their premium again.
However, according to ChemOrbis, locally held PP prices appear to be under renewed downward pressure coming from the weaker import market, which may pull down the distribution market levels again.


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Composition Challenges
Successful completion of these challenges involves approaching each task directly and thoroughly, avoiding extraneous musical details that do not contribute to the requested sonic effect.
Challenges that must be composed for acoustic instruments with no electronic accompaniment or sonic modification are indicated with a ☀ symbol. Challenges designed for electroacoustic music are labeled ⚡. Challenges designed for piano or piano-plus-one are labeled 🎹.
Examples of Melodic Elision
What's a Sequence?
The Basics
Musical sequence seems to be a simple concept, but the term is actually used in different ways, many of which are similar. This post will hopefully lend some clarity to the subject. The kind of sequence I'm describing is defined in the Oxford Companion to Music as: Continue reading What's a Sequence?
Dear Distance Education Students
This is a slightly-edited email that I just sent to a class of students in my online course that is designed for graduate students who need to review (or learn for the first time) undergraduate music theory concepts. Course grades had been falling as material became more difficult. This course is made up of fourteen weekly lessons, each of which includes an activity, an assignment (self-graded with automatic release of a key upon submission), and a quiz. Quizzes are available all week, and must be done by midnight Sunday.
Dear students,
I see a disturbing trend: that most of you are submitting their assignments at the end of the weekly unit, and so aren't making time for asking questions or for study before the quiz. Here's what I found for the last five assignments:
How to Practice Ear Training Elements
1) Intervals
Goal: To be able to identify all intervals an octave and smaller by ear and to be able to sing any interval above or below a given tone. Continue reading How to Practice Ear Training Elements
Dissecting the Melody of "America The Beautiful"
A companion-post to this is "Motive: Beyond Simple Identification".
The song America The Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel Ward is the topic of a lovely NPR feature, Rob Kapilow's What Makes It Great. It can be heard here. Designed for public radio audiences, it is very accessible to people with no musical training or knowledge of specialized jargon. What Kapilow did was describe the song's use of melodic motive in plain English. The song is so saturated with motive that I think it's worth translating the description back to jargon to explain it with more depth.
Here's the sheet music (click the image to enlarge and click here to download it as a PDF).
The music starts with two motives that we can label x and y.
Notice how neither motive is constricted by bar lines; the pick-up note is part of what makes these motives clear. Also notice that important traits distinguish these motives: x has a distinctive rhythm (Kapilow calls it "short-long… a dot") and a special downward-skip melodic contour.
Motive y has a plain rhythm of six steady notes, and its contour is different every time it appears. It's often noted that rhythm is the most important parameter for making a motive identifiable; everyone points to Beethoven's Fifth's DA-DA-DA-DUMMMM as an example. But what is noteworthy (no pun intended) about the simple rhythm of America's six notes? It's that they occupy a special place in the musical hypermeter — the "location" of these notes in the phrase. In this case, all phrases are in a traditional folky pattern of four bars in length with the music coming to repose (the "cadence point") on the downbeat of every fourth bar.
Take a moment now to examine the music, labeling each occurrence of x and each occurrence of y. Unlike in most songs, when you are done you will have labeled every single note of the tune as being identical to x or y or a variant of it. Examine how the variants are related to their first occurrences, or to each other. Then consider this question: what else in this melody provides the elegance that has led this song to be a cherished America classic? After you're done, return to this page and read the rest.
Continue reading Dissecting the Melody of "America The Beautiful"
Scoring Ideas
Various textures to use as possible springboards for orchestration projects. Note that thick textures made from voicing large chords under a plain melody are absent here! Click images to enlarge.; Continue reading Scoring Ideas
Modulation: An Introduction
Basic definitions
Modulation – moving from one key to another – occurs in many forms of music. In classical music, it is often an important dramatic feature, and is a structural element in certain musical forms (especially sonata and rounded binary form). Like modulation, tonicization implies another key as a tonal center; the difference is that a modulation is confirmed through a cadence in the new key. A key or chord may be tonicized in the middle of a phrase, with no cadence to confirm it as a modulation.
There are two basic methods of modulation: pivot and direct.
- A pivot modulation is found in the middle of a phrase when one harmony or a single pitch is "reinterpreted" to function in each of two keys.
- A direct modulation tends to be found when a new phrase suddenly begins in a new key. There may be one or more turnaround chords (explained below) that soften the transition between keys. Turnarounds are not technically "pivot chords" since they do not occur in the middle of a phrase.
Journaling for Composition Lessons
Ten out of ten composition lessons that I teach end with me jotting down a short list of repertoire for the student to study over the coming week. Most often, these pieces are chosen because their instrumentation or compositional approach is similar to that being used by the student. They also tend to have the secondary goal of broadening the student's experience and leading them toward more adventurous and distinctive writing.
As far as I can tell, my students almost never follow through. To the professor (that's me, but I think most composition professors do this), it is one of the essential parts of the lesson. To the student, it seems like extra work when all they really want to do is sit down and make stuff up.
With this in mind, I decided to create this page and direct students to it. What follows is a list of questions that must be answered for each piece of music assigned as listening. Some of them are "due diligence" to make sure that a score and recording were, in fact, located and perused. Others are designed to help guide the student's study of the score and suggest practical ways that hearing new music can help a musician progress as a learner and gain new tools for composition.

subset: commoncrawl


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PopMatters @ Cannes 2007: La Belle Communauté Internationale
The forgotten Bulgarians, the misunderstood French, the resentful Italians, the arrogant Americans... the international experience at Festival de Cannes captures such frustrations we of varying nations experience with one another. But the films we come for help us overcome our differences... right?
Festival de Cannes 2007 ran 16-27 May. This is the third of several installments Hannah is writing on the event for PopMatters. For this year's complete line-up, see Cannes Film Festival 2007 Official Selection.
See also:
PopMatters @ Cannes 2007: Preview
PopMatters @ Cannes 2007: In the Thick of It
PopMatters @ Cannes 2007: This Growing Body of Artful Human Expression
Festival de Cannes 2007 is over (and the votes are in). Almost everyone I've spoken with has commented on how strong the year was, with the exception of the editor-in-chief of an influential national magazine who said something along the lines of, "Well, just because Manohla liked everything..." The film editor of the same magazine, a different gentleman, is rumored to have regretted the positive take some of his reviewers had on their pet filmmakers' projects. How out of touch are reviewers when they give glowing reviews to every single film? Especially the ones that saw mass walkouts.
The shadow of Manohla Dargis (co-chief critic of the New York Times) hovered nearby as others told me about seeing her after screenings, glowing over the line-up. Tom Luddy (of the Telluride Film Festival) put it very well recently when he said that there were an unusually large number of very good films, but no real masterpieces.
Director Jim Jarmusch arrives at the Palais des Festivals
for the gala screening of "Chacun Son Cinema"
(To Each His Own Cinema) in Cannes.
(Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / Abaca Press / MCT)
Rumors circulated about the proclivity of reviewers to sleep through 90 percent of certain films (particularly Bela Tarr's The Man from London and Carlos Reygadas' Stelle Licht, both of which prompted many walk outs), but still manage a review the following day. But I must say, programming both these long, slow films to play at 8:30am or at several post-10pm screenings is asking for trouble. As an attendee, I'm glad to see controversial films screen amongst the more conventional selections, such as Red Balloon and Persepolis, because the odds of the controversial films making it to the US beyond screenings at festivals and museums, or indeed, even managing to make money anywhere at all, are very slim. Filmmakers like Tarr and Reygadas are artists creating challenging cinema, often ignoring the conventions of pacing and plot, and I think it's only fitting for such films to get a moment in the light before, sadly, disappearing into obscurity.
American films were greeted heartily by critics, especially Paranoid Park, No Country for Old Men, Zodiac, Sicko and, getting points for light entertainment value after this harrowing line-up of very serious subject matter, Ocean's Thirteen (skillfully programmed for the last day). No one was surprised at the Palme d'Or winner, Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 weeks and 2 Days -- it was the only film that inspired nearly universal praise, especially from critics. And yet simultaneously everyone was surprised, because Cannes juries are notoriously unpredictable, so if everyone thinks a film is good, that film often doesn't actually win. (See Glenn Kenny's blog on the subject, "Cannes: Nobody knows anything, except when they do").
But why am I talking about other peoples' experiences rather than my own?
The truth is, I missed a lot of the competition films while trying to see a mix of things from the sidebars and market. Too many bad (Sakebi), violent (see my previous article for a fuller list of titles that fall in this category) and mediocre (Sakebi, Savage Grace, Boarding Gate) films during an early four-or-five-film-a-day stretch left me bereft of energy to face some of the films with unpleasant topics screened in the second half of the festival. Depression, violence, bleak home abortions (4 Months…), naked geriatrics (Import/Export), and 20-minute takes (The Man from London) seemed too much to even attempt. I confess; I became a film pansy.
Helen Mirren arrives at the Palais des Festivals for the
gala screening of "Chacun Son Cinema" (To
Each His Own Cinema) in Cannes.
(Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / Abaca Press / MCT)
Ultimately, missing these films led to disappointment and a vague and perpetual feeling that the real party was going on somewhere very nearby, but not quite where I was standing. So, one film was ditched for a press conference, in order to learn about Martin Scorsese's new World Cinema Foundation (and for the chance to see Scorsese, Wong Kar Wai, Walter Salles, Stephen Frears, Guillermo Del Toro, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and other luminaries share a table together), another film was missed for his Master Class (an onstage interview with Michel Ciment), one more to have dinner with friends, another to slip away and visit Nice; thus it went.
Excuses can be made for my wimpy critical behavior, but it was my first time at Cannes. Experiences and observations of the festival are considered an investment for future years' attendance. At least that's what I'm telling myself. So, here are some of my experiences and observations. Film reviews will follow.
Everyone, It Seems, Hates the French
Make no mistake, everyone, it seems, hates the French. It's the one trite truism that can actually unite nations -- in turn uniting the French themselves. While in Cannes, enjoying this event hosted by the French people in their own country, it tended to be men, non-French men, of course, who offered the most outspoken criticism of the French people (criticism usually spoken in English, with varying accents). I'm not sure which comes first, the French hating everyone who is not French, or the other way around. One thing I do know is that some American directors supposedly aren't helping the situation.
French documentarist and legendary photojournalist
Raymond Depardon poses for the media
during a photocall during the 60th
International Film Festival in Cannes.
(Calo-MF / Abaca Press / MCT)
Case in point: Julian Schnabel, an American who made a very French film (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, with French dialogue, based on Jean-Dominiqu Bauby's best selling French memoir of the same title, embarrassed the award crowd audience when picking up his Best Director prize by singing, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" (a slightly inappropriate song from the French stereotype-fest / Hollywood musical Gigi) and then saying "They say the problem with France is the French -- and that's a lie." He didn't mention what the supposed problem with France is. Finally, he bitched through insinuation about not getting the Palme d'Or. Even Michael Moore in Sicko during his affectionate examination of France and its health care system, didn't edit out his annoyance, during one interview, at an anti-American French doctor.
Early on in the festival, while at dinner, an Italian friend complained about being kept waiting for two hours by a company that had a film he was thinking of picking up, only to be told condescendingly that his offer was ridiculous. "They had to make me wait two hours to tell me that?! Of course, they were French. THE FRENCH --", Here his wife put a steadying hand on his arm and looked around at the French diners surrounding us in their favorite hidden French restaurant. It was a half empty outdoor terrace with fairly lights, quiet and unfrequented because it sat beyond the road that is considered the dividing line to the happening part of town. It was owned by a charming French woman who spoke impeccable English, and we had been taken in as the Italians' companions. The St. Peter's fish was so good we had ordered it two nights in a row. But even that wouldn't stop him. "I'm sorry, but it's true. THE FRENCH. The French, they think all Italians..." and so it went.)
Another friend, an American who works for a name-brand electronics company whose products you probably own, was in town on business and had a particularly tough time with a French waitress. It was a busy night at Farfalle, across the road from the Palais, and our waitress, like so many at Cannes, was young and pretty, probably working for the chance to get spotted. After he had come undone with language difficulties on previous occasions by trying to use the word "dressing" -- as in "salad dressing" -- our friend quickly discovered that "sauce" was the only English term he could use for it. There is a line between ordering in broken French, thus actually making an effort, and ordering in English, without making an effort. Making the effort in French seems like a good idea to start with, even if you cause amusement to those serving you. But you have to know at least a word of French for that, and our friend did not. It was the beginning of an awkward evening.
First, he asked about the meat sauces then ordered one of them with the fish, which caused some terse arguing. Meat sauces are not used on fish. Then after a hasty retreat he wanted to know about the "salad sauces".
I have never before seen a waitress roll her eyes. With the distance of time I see that this might have been a moment to giggle, but at the time, there was an international tension in the air. While looking at us with undisguised disgust she managed to demurely spit out (a rare talent), "Oh, yes, the sauces." She treated us all to a slow look down the length of her nose, "YES. I see you like the SAUCES." And with that she pirouetted and stomped away.
It hadn't helped that our sauce-loving friend had moments earlier been loudly badmouthing the French. After that episode his typically big-mouthed American badmouthing, now played as a half self-deprecating parody, just got louder, and not even our submissive, embarrassed smiles to the waitress (or our fellow diners clearly within earshot) could mend the damage done. All his subsequent encounters with her were followed by one of us at the table saying, "Man, she really hates you."
George Clooney arrives at the "Martini Ocean's Thirteen
Premiere Party" at the Baoli Club in Cannes.
(Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / Abaca Press / MCT)
I happen to quite like the French. Excellent food, beautiful language, a great appreciation for the arts and Jerry Lewis. I'm even rather charmed by some of their notoriously stubborn attitudes. Yet, I, too, grow rather annoyed at French peoples' tendency to ignore proper conduct in a queue, to simply push their way into a line. Just an example: a friend who was waiting patiently in line was pushed, repeatedly, by someone until that someone went too far and got a massive shove back. It had taken days of enduring French shoving to get him to that point of that's-crossed-the-border retaliation. The aforementioned Italian, also in that line, looked calmly at my friend, "Well, they won't try that again." They now shared a common understanding -- The French.
The Bulgarian Pavillion
In an effort to see films from the sidebars, Day 3 found me lined up for admittance to The Mosquito Problem and Other Stories, screening in Critics' Week, a sidebar at Cannes. This was my first time at the Miramar and I wasn't sure if I was in the right place. The gentleman behind me was marked as an American on his badge.
Everyone, whether a press or market pass holder, walks around all day with their pass around their neck, just like at other international film festivals, and the passes in Cannes have your photo, your affiliation, and your nationality listed. These are checked when you enter the Palais or screenings, and if you're talking to someone at a party and they're not looking directly at you, chances are they're checking out your badge. Although if they're looking over your shoulder instead, they're probably trying to see if someone more important has come into the room.
I asked this particular badge wearer if I was in the right line. I was, but, "They're having problems with the English inter-titles so you might want to ask the press agent for a screener. I saw a rough cut in Bulgaria and it's fantastic." Wandering in to the theatre I made a b-line to the press agent. Indeed, there would be no English inter-titles, but the next day screener DVDs would be available from the Bulgarian Pavillion.
Deciding not to tempt fate, I gave the Bulgarian Pavillion a day to get things together before going back. The International Pavillion, accessible to market and press badge holders, is a set of separate but neighboring large white trailers, disguised with the artful use of while fabric as tents, that stretches along the harbor. Flanked by flags, most countries have a tent, large or small, used to promote their film products and locations. Usually they are manned by enthusiastic and knowledgeable women, eager to help. Comments on the US pavilion will not be forthcoming as they now charge a fairly steep price for American pass holders to even walk in the door. It was the site of my most regretted miss of the festival: an onstage conversation between Colin Firth and Rupert Everett.
Unlike the sizable US spot, the Bulgarian tent was small, and free to all pass-holding comers. I nudged across the sliding door and walked in to find it empty of attendants. There was a television on the right, and some tables with pamphlets to the left. The walls were covered in posters for The Mosquito Problem and Other Stories. Through another open sliding glass door only feet away on the other side of the "tent", two middle-aged women sat on plastic chairs placed upon a patch of very green Astroturf. They were smoking cigarettes and seemed surprised and annoyed to see me.
I smiled and asked for a screener copy of The Mosquito Problem and Other Stories with English subtitles. One reluctantly got up and went over to a very deep black bookcase that ran at right angles to the wall, creating a little nook. She searched and pulled some papers out, but couldn't find any screeners. Meanwhile, her companion had finished her cigarette and came in to ask what was going on, despite the fact she had heard everything only moments before. When told, she walked over to a brown paper bag that sat nearby and took out a DVD case for The Mosquito Problem, opening it up to show me. It was empty. She then pointed to a spindle of DVD-Rs and waved her hand, as if to pantomime, "They haven't done it yet." The only other word I got from them was "tomorrow."
I came back the next day and the Bulgarian Pavillion alone was locked up and dark.
Still feeling optimistic, the following day I arrived at about 1pm and could see the same woman in there. There was a garbage cart parked outside. I tried to open the sliding door and it was locked. They had posted a very positive Variety review of The Mosquito Problem in the window, as if to taunt me. The woman came right up to the door and shook her head. I tried to communicate through the glass, "Screener?" She waved her hand to the negative and refused to open the door. "Tomorrow?" Tomorrow.
This time I gave it two days before returning. I was shocked when I came back – the Bulgarian Pavillion was full of people. When I say full, I mean there must have been at least 10 people in there. The same women were out back smoking cigarettes and one of them came over to me. I asked for a screener. She gave me the exact same look as she had the first time around and absently started poking around the tent looking for one. Meanwhile, there seemed to be some serious drinking happening on the Astroturf. The woman came back and looked at me with an exasperated air. "Here. The director is here." She took me outside and pointed to a man sitting on one of the lounge chairs. "She…" was all the woman managed to say and walked away.
"Hello." I said. "I couldn't see your film because there were no English inter-titles and I would love to see it. I was told there would be a screener here."
"Oh yes, of course."
He walked me back into the tent, where two people had just sat down in front of a large TV.
"I just need to make sure this works for them." He said, grabbing a DVD-R. He pressed the eject button on the DVD player. Nothing happened. The DVD player appeared to be broken. He quickly gave up. Smiling, he passed me a bona fide DVD.
Thank goodness for directors.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walk the red carpet at the screening of "A Mighty Heart" at the 60th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / Abaca Press / MCT)
Celebrity Power
It was the last day. Literally, The. Last. Day. When I discovered that members of the press are entitled to free beer at the Palais' upstairs bar. This has no relevance at all except to lead into the fact that it was also on my last day that I discovered that the press room terrace, open until 11pm, offers a birdseye view of the red carpet arrivals for those who are willing to leave their cameras in the hotel room. Luckily, I discovered this in time to witness the red carpet arrivals for Ocean's Thirteen. While drinking my free beer earlier I had seen a video feed of the Ocean's press conference at a choice moment when the cast and crew of the film were all laughing out loud over the question of whether they had seen, or would be seeing, any films while at the Cannes Film Festival. Clearly, they were too busy for such things.
George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon might not be seeing any films while at Cannes, but people would be seeing them. Cannes is the place to witness celebrity idol worship in its most raw, naked display. Fans and photojournalists alike feed the frenzy. In the past I've seen Quentin Tarantino and Clooney at small public events, and no one has made a fuss. But at Cannes... I happened to be picking up my mail when the Death Proof posse arrived for their press conference and 100 photographers were lined up at the door screaming "Rosar! Rosar!" A strange compromise between "Rosario (Dawson)" and "Rose (McGowan)." This was not unusual -- screaming photographers trying to make it were everywhere.
At the Martin Scorsese Master Class, the entire theatre turned into a flashing fishbowl when Tarantino arrived to sit in the audience. Roman Polanski walked out of a press conference because the questions were so stupid. For example, in the World Cinema Foundation press conference a TV reporter asked, after having been specifically directed to only pose questions about Scorsese's new cinema preservation fund, whether Wong Kar Wai and Scorsese would comment on each others' work. When told off by the moderator, she managed to ask the same question, again.
But, admittedly, watching the Ocean's Thirteen arrivals from the press terrace was something else.
What a show. Way better than U2 had been. (U2 performed on the steps of the Palais early on a Sunday afternoon).
Imagine; the red stripe of the carpet cutting through the crowd. The prime piece of scarlet real estate surrounded by photographers on bleachers, a contrasting black in their tuxedos (yes, the press, too, have to look sharp at Cannes), and then the orange flesh of tens of thousands of onlookers, many with their backs turned to the red carpet, only yards behind them, to watch the proceedings on a huge screen.
The celebrities arrive in their black cars. As they step on to the carpet, they are announced by the MC. Second rate celebrities first, please: Kylie Minogue, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Timbaland. Then finally, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie looking like shining matinee idols, Jolie's dress a burst of yellow sunshine. A huge cheer from the crowd. George Clooney, more big cheers! Screaming girls! Matt Damon. Cheers, but certainly fewer cheers. And some boos. Strange. Steven Soderbergh, fewer cheers. Who is this guy? Clooney hangs a right before the red carpet entrance and takes off down the street to sign some autographs for people hanging off the barriers. Like a wave, the crowd follows. On the press terrace, journalists rush to the left hand rail to get a glimpse of this good-looking man-of-the-people. After an autograph session the stars all make it up the main part of the carpet, where the press awaits with voracious appetite. Minutes tick by as, one-by-one, then in various groups, the celebrities cheerily pose for the photographers, who only days before they were doubtless cursing.
Sir Elton John (left) and his partner David Furnish arrive at
The Chopard Trophy event at the Rosarie Club in Cannes.
(Hahn-Nebinger-Orban / Abaca Press / MCT)
Shorts Shrift
Towards the end of the festival, between two screenings, I decided to go down to the bottom floor of the Palais, "The Bunker", where the market takes place, to watch some short films. They have a space there, The Short Film Corner, where those who paid to have their shorts in the market can congregate and, supposedly, network.
I tried to see some short films. I perused a catalogue, noted a list of films I wanted to see, and went to the video booth counter, checked films to see in hand. The booths were all booked up until forever. Turned away, as I was walking off, wondering what I was going to do until my next screening, I saw that the Corner had a bar. There was a bit of a crowd around and I joined in. I asked the woman next to me what was going on; there was desperation in the air. "It's happy hour. There are free drinks. This happens every day at this time." She was German but living in Switzerland and had co-directed an animated film with her boyfriend, who very kindly fetched me a second beer. Together, they were making the daily drive in from Le Cap d'Antibes, one of the Rivera towns between Cannes and Nice. I quizzed her about the experience of having a short film in the festival and she was not happy. First of all, the German Pavillion had been unhelpful to her. But mostly, there were just too many of them -- too many short films, too many shorts makers – crowding one another for attention. She believed, and others have since concurred, that shorts numbers have doubled since the previous year, to something like 1,500.
Only moments before going downstairs on this endeavor, a prominent festival programmer had laughed at me for even thinking of looking for shorts – "How on earth are you going to work out what to watch?! Do you know how many films they have?"
This is made more depressing by the fact that there is virtually no paying market for shorts, and few people get to even see the shorts because the viewing booths are always booked up. Who wants to stand in line, waiting for a viewing booth? Or instead, who wants to take home hundreds of DVDs, stuffed in their check-in luggage? In these conditions, what are the chances for the filmmaker? Some shorts makers attend Cannes because it's a fairly cheap way to get a pass to the other films, but others, like the woman and her nice beer-buying boyfriend at the bar, resented the whole experience. She was spending so much time trying to meet people and get traction that she didn't even have time to look at the Competition program, let alone see a film. She, too, had tried to get a booth to check out the other shorts. Naturally, they were all booked up.
There are Films There, Too.
Going to Cannes is an experience. People ask me what it was like. I have generally replied with that great, ambiguous word: "Interesting. It was . . . interesting." Overcoming jet lag and time difference, then plying through crowds to experience one red carpet event, one press conference, one party in a villa, one day trip and one big celebrity arrival is a must-do for every first-time goer. In years to come, films will take precedence over parties and sight-seeing at Cannes. Because that's what people really go to Cannes for: the films. Right?
Films covered in my next and final installment of PopMatters at Cannes 2007:
Triangle (Johnnie To, Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam)
The Band's Visit (Eran Kolirin)
Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud)
Boarding Gate (Olivier Assayas)
The Mosquito Problem and other stories (Andrey Paounov)
You the Living (Roy Andersson)
Hannah Eaves has published several articles on PopMatters, and is a regular contributor to other outlets both online and in print, including the glossy magazine SOMA, and the daily newspaper The Santa Cruz Sentinel. Her writing has also been reprinted in book form by Faber.


text:
- Description
Casimir Markievicz was a Polish count who fell in love with Ireland's Joan of Arc. His pictures hang in the National Gallery in Ireland and in Poland, but despite his famous name, he has been overshadowed by his wife's reputation. He was a Renaissance Man – artist, playwright, novelist, theatre director, and actor in silent films, but most of all, a man who loved to sing and dance. The Polish Irishman depicts his unforgettable and life-enhancing story for the first time. The 'donkey on the stage' and 'the whiskey in the punch' are among many comical anecdotes from his career in the Irish theatre. The reader will also see the Rebel Countess in a different light – as an artist, lover and mother. Dublin in the early 1900s was the city of Joyce and Yeats, AE and Synge. Casimir knew them all and set Dublin's gossipers abuzz in the years from 1903 to 1913. The Polish Irishman is the first study of Casimir's work and shows that his relationship with Constance and Ireland was a major part of his life. Their love changed with time but did not die.
"refreshingly readable . . . fascinating biography" -- Alan Murdoch, The Sunday Times
To download sample pages from The Polish Irishman, click here
About the Author
Pat Quigley is a former civil servant and now full-time writer. He is the author of two novels, Borderland and Lovers for All Time, and numerous articles on the Ireland Poland connection. He is an active member in the Irish Polish Society and has travelled to Poland the Ukraine a number of times to do research for The Polish Irishman.
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Author Quigley, Pat Editor No Print Format Paperback ISBN-10 No ISBN-13 978-1-908308-23-8 Illustrations Black and white photographs throughout plus 27 colour plates Date of Publication September 2012 Number of Pages 288


text: Name: Mike Carmatch code: FTCU4 Tribe: Driver Vehicle: Volkswagen Jetta Score: 74 Mike's Volkswagen Jetta Review Here's Mike's impression of the Volkswagen Jetta. Enjoy! See his score card below to see what he thinks! Comments 1 0 0 Take the Next Natural Step If you like it, we can help you get it. Get a new VW Jetta Get a used VW Jetta Get a Loan


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Archive for December, 2016
Megan was afraid she'd die on our streets.
She descended into addiction while her mom prayed she wouldn't die. If Megan hadn't come here, she could have died. "It wasn't IF I would die," she says, tears springing into her eyes. "It was WHEN."
Then Megan was arrested and she realized she finally had to make a decision—"I knew the rest of my life was going to be addiction and jail . . . or I could decide to do something to change that. So I made the choice to try the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. There are so many people here who genuinely love you," she says. "People who genuinely care."
"My life was on the line," she admits. "I was ready to die . . . and almost didn't care what came next," she sighs. "There was no hope." But when God guided Megan into our proven 12-month recovery program, she discovered the Christ-centered love necessary to break the cycle of addiction and turn her life around. "A lot of times I felt like I didn't deserve it," she admits, "and I'm still not sure why, but God gave me this chance!"
Christmas Feast
We will be holding our annual Christmas Feast on Friday, December 23 in our dining hall located at 535 East Yanonali Street from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Our staff and volunteers will serve meals to men, women and children. Our Women's Auxiliary will provide a gift distribution in our parking lot for all of the guests who attend the feast. We're able to serve up to 400 people in need through charitable donations of food and gift items from the Santa Barbara community.
The holidays can be a joyful time, but a lonely time for those that are struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. We offer hope and a new beginning, so many of the graduates of our 12-month residential recovery program started here with a simple holiday meal.
Donations are still needed for our gift distribution, please contact Rebecca at 966-1316 ext. 105 or email@example.com.
Holiday Meals
You can purchase a holiday meal for $1.51 and feed our neighbors in need at Christmastime.


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November 17, 2011
Zoya Holly & Rina
I didn't think I would like any of the polishes from Zoya's Gems & Jewels collection, but I was wrong! This is 2 coats of Zoya Holly with 2 coats of Rina added to my ring finger.
Holly is not unique but the formula is spectacular! Almost a one coat wonder and dries super fast. It's a perfect metallic green shimmer for the holidays!
Rina is a mix of fine green shimmer, small green bar glitter that flashes blue and a bit of small holographic bar glitter. I have always thought that bar glitter was just gross and hairy looking. Rina, however, is really gorgeous. It looks like super sparkly vinyl or astroturf when layered over Holly. So cool! Rina's formula is very nice too. I recommend running your finger along your free edge just to make sure that no bar glitter is hanging off. Just takes a second and made a big difference.
This polish was sent to me for review. All opinions are my own & were not influenced by Zoya! For more information you can read my disclosure policy.
11 comments:
- AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 6:01 PM
I love Holly, but not to keen on Rina...Bar glitter gives me the creepies. So sad cause some of them are kinda pretty.ReplyDelete
I totally understand Jennafroggy! Normally I think they are creepy too. but this one works for me. I think it's because the bar glitter is much smaller than normal and mixed with regular glitter. Doesn't look quite so hairy.ReplyDelete
I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award :)ReplyDelete
Read about it here: http://giveawaylifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/11/versatile-blogger-award.html
- AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 6:01 PM
I am digging this Zoya polish girl!ReplyDelete
Ahh!! Love love love Rina!! :)ReplyDelete
I'm liking Rina, since the bars don't seem to be too large and overpowering like other bar glitters.ReplyDelete
Nice colour! For how long it dries?ReplyDelete
@Una These dry very fast!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 3:03 PM
I've never used bar glitters and they do look different, but you make them work! i have one polish that is bar glitter, but i havent used it yet. i will have to before i decide if i'm a fan yet!ReplyDelete
Thanks for the reviews - we love your swatches!!!ReplyDelete
Zoya Nail Polish


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Nothing is more personal than a piece of jewelry engraved with your own initials or a loved ones initials. The perfect gift for yourself or for the ones your love. Each ring is custom made and will take 2-3 days to finish.
Made with genuine 14K gold filled metal
Steps to follow:
- Choose your ring size and add to cart.
- Leave me a note at check out of the initials you want engraved. Two letters max.
- If you are ordering multiple rings leave me a note of the size and letters for each ring size.
size 6 - TV
size 7 - ZE
Handmade in California


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Ancient Japanese Drawings Depicting Men Farting
Yip, you read that right. These ancient images were produced during the Japanese Edo period (1603 – 1868). They show he-gassen, or "farting competition". Farting on each other, women and animals, nothing is held back in the fart wars. Apparently similar drawings were used to ridicule westerners towards the end of the Edo period, with images depicting the westerners blown away by Japanese farts. The images all came from a scroll, which was scanned in and then cut up digitally.
Via Beautiful Decay.


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Main Content
Power-Ups & Press: How the Game Media Impacts the Gaming Industry
A talk by Carly Kocurek, Chris Kohler, Karen Chu, Matt Chandronait, and Philip Kollar at SXSWi 2010
About the Talk
March 16, 2010 8:30 AM
500 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701-4121500 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78701-4121
From Pong to Starcraft II, from BBS to Twitter, from G4 to Ustream, how have media advancements shape the way we talk about video games? A creative crew of game press forerunners from unique backgrounds chat about their craft, history, observations, and predictions.
Links: Website


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Was wanting to post a message asking if anyone in the racing community remembers or knows of a Neal Scouten, used to live in Chicago, in the Beverly neighborhood on 104th Street off Charles.
I was a young kid who lived across the street from him, back in the 60's.
He used to do race car frame fabrications. Some of the cars I remember seeing in his garage were Little Red Wagon and Der Mini Brute among many others... I used to mow his lawn, shovel his snow and wash his cars, basically was his indentured servant and he took pity on me when he saw me trying to build the old bicycle/lawn mower contraptions and he welded my frames to be safer, did a couple of extended front ends, drove me to Richards Hobby Shop and bought me my first real throttle and centrifugal clutch set-up.
Pretty much put me on the track in my motorcycle days and there's not many days I don't think about him...especially when I'm building a bike now. I had kind of a dysfunctional family and between him and the next door neighbors, the Wynns, and Root/Eriksons they kept me on the right track when I was a kid.
I owe him (or his family if hes gone by now) a huge thank you, so am hoping I can find him. Let me know if anyone remembers him or knows anything on where he might be now.


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Love the idea! You are very talented with graphic art!
Crushcut (12-31-2018),HelpfulAuroraParker (01-05-2019),racheal4 (12-31-2018)
Originally Posted by CunningJustinSilver
Wow this is incredible. I'd love to see more ideas from you please!!
Thank you good sir, honestly i was working on another mobile island from the turtle mount as well, But i've been busy with work.
Originally Posted by GoldenGuardian
That is actually ingenious! An island that changes its location!!!! Instead of making new and hard to design worlds, they could actually use this idea to make new playable content! If they are struggling to make new worlds, maybe they should just use mobile islands (like this, and Jonah Town, and the Giant Turtle in Mooshu), re-skin them a bit with a few props here and there depending on the world, and adjust the difficulty of enemies depending on where they are.
I can certainly see the whale moving to and fro.
Also, whilst a new world would be nice, it would be hard to make. There are still a lot of unexplored areas in the game. Maybe they should just make the future books set in the whatever worlds we already have. Revisit new areas in old worlds. Combine this with mobile islands like this whale, and I think KI may no longer be feeling under the water. Then again, it took them forever to just release 4 obsidian fights with pre-existing sprites like Captain Blood.
But, in the very least, I think your mobile island mechanic should be implemented.
I'm glad you think the concept would be an interesting addition but considering the mechanics needed to allow a whole landmass code to move i wont be surprised its goin to be terrifyingly long to perfect.
Who knows, I'm working on improving my art further to fit the folios of industry base work.
Thanks again everyone for your insights
HelpfulAuroraParker (01-05-2019)
You could try emailing it to Kingsisle or sending it to them through Twitter, who knows, they might feature it in a newsletter
⚫ Stephanie Dawnheart in Wizard101 ⚫ Dandy Stephanie in Pirate101 ⚫
HelpfulAuroraParker (01-05-2019),racheal4 (01-02-2019)
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Writing Tips: How to Improve your genre writing.
by: Ronovan
"You are what you eat from your head down to your feet," a somewhat paraphrase of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's, who lived on both sides of the year 1800, "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are."
I was rummaging in my files here and found notes on something I used to teach. No, it wasn't a History lesson, at least not exactly. But I suppose if you really look at it and think about it History is a big part of it, your intake History. And yes this has to do with writing.
There was a pastor at my church a number of years ago that influenced me in a great many ways, his name was/is Dr. Jim Burkett. He has retired from pastoring now, I believe, but he hasn't stopped ministry. He teaches Apologetics classes and does conferences.
There was something that he used to say that I use in every part of my life, not just church life. Dr. Burkett had a take on that expression about being what you eat and it came from scripture about renewing your mind.
I paraphrase here his idea in my own words but with the same meaning.
"What you put into your mind is what you get out of it."
For me I keep my intake as uplifting as possible. If I intake uplifting then I can give out uplifting.
"But how does this apply to writing?"
If you read great writing,
You know great writing,
Then you can recognize great writing in your work.
Don't read junk!
If you want to be a science fiction writer what kind of books are you reading? Cookbooks and Romance?
If you want to write great science fiction then you need to read great science fiction.
"But I don't want to be like everyone else."
Neither do I, but what you are doing is
learning a genre, its elements so that you
can incorporate those into your work.
If you pitch a science fiction piece of yours to an agent and they end up reading a fantasy romance, they are likely going to pass.
1) You may have pitched to a science fiction person who doesn't represent fantasy
2) Because their mind was geared for one thing and you gave them another and now they think you don't know what you are talking about.
"But I want to be writing, not reading. I don't have the time."
Yes you do. If you want to have your work out there for the world to see then you need to do the homework.
A lot of agents say read and read more of what you want to write but they don't always say why. I wanted to give you an idea of what part the reason is.
If you want to have an output of confused junk then read confused junk. If you want an output of great writing in your genre, then intake great writing in your genre.
What Good Intake do you put Into your Mind?
© Copyright-All rights reserved-RonovanWrites.wordpress.com-June 03, 2014.


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Thanks to everyone that entered the Chocolate by Genevie giveaway - and thanks to Genevie for asking me to host it!
I have let random.org work its magic and am pleased to announce that the winner is....... *drumroll please*
Please contact me with your address so that I can arrange for Genevie to send you your box of chocolates. Enjoy xoxox


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FRESH from revealing handy hints to the 13,000-strong army of Angler's Mail fans on Facebook, ace all-rounder Dr Paul Garner has boated an impressive trio of big pike.
Redditch, Worcestershire-based Paul was targeting large Midlands stillwater where he hooked a perfect predator of 28 lb 8 oz, then he returned for a pair at 33 lb and 29 lb.
All three biggies fell to cunning tactics. For the full story, grab this week's Angler's Mail magazine.
And get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.


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Free Yourself from Pressure and Anxiety
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Before speaking to someone who intimidates me, I sometimes feel my throat start to close up and my voice choke up with so much tension that I find it hard to speak. I've got to get behind this fear, but I don't know how! One way in which it's possible for us to outgrow the problems that we face is to not let those problems dictate our behavior to us. In this instance, whenever we run into...$0.00
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Any Limitation Can Be Transcended
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Actualizing our spiritual right to live without the frustration of fearful limitations is not a question of achieving something new; it begins with choosing to end a relationship with that which has never been true.$0.00
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Learn to Accept What Life Would Teach You
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Though we often find ourselves feeling so, in truth... there is no such thing as being powerless. We see how a person who resists life -- who hates or fears unwanted changes -- becomes the instrument of a power that effectively renders him powerless to do anything but struggle. But we've seen the converse as well: the one who realizes that the only power negative states have is to create the i...$0.00
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Secrets to Fearless Living
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There is a way past this part of yourself that would rather hold on than get out. However, to really let go of these fears, we must first go through them. *** The only thing you lose when you let go of something you are afraid to live without is the fear itself. *** Real freedom is the absence of the self that feels trapped, not the trappings that self acquires to make it feel free. ***...$0.00
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The Safety of Self-Command
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Fear is, and has always been, nothing but a self-limiting reaction that we cling to in the darkness of our present life-level, having mistaken it for a shield of self-protection. But no wrong reaction can keep you captive once you begin to see it for what it is. You can prove this powerful principle to yourself anytime you want. Just dare to proceed even while being afraid. But remember, your...$0.00
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Five Facts to Liberate You from the Lie of Fear
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The more we are willing to learn about the way fear works, the less power it has to work its ways on us.$0.00
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The Strength and Safety of Practicing Real Power
- Posted: 12/30/13
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More times a day than we want to acknowledge, we feel powerless. In such moments, for whatever reason, we see our situation as being without a solution. Confusion starts coloring our considerations. Frustration grows and surrounds us, and we find ourselves imprisoned behind a wall of fearful expectations. But we need not, and must not accept being sentenced to a life of such limitation. We c...$0.00
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Erase Fearful Feelings from Your Life
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That seemingly scary condition, whatever it may be, is not the problem. It's your reaction that has you shaking. And that's why, if you'll become conscious of a fearful condition instead of afraid of it, you'll change forever your relationship with fear. It's true. Being conscious of your fear empowers you to interact with it in an entirely new way. This new inner relationship gives you the p...$0.00
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Four Facts to Help Liberate You From the Lie of Fear
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The more we are willing to learn about the way fear works, the less power it has to work its ways on us.$0.00
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Put Yourself in Heavenly Hands
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There is a lower world where fears are real -- where all things, and everyone living in this world, are unknowing participants in the fear that's found there. In this darker realm, the thing feared is inseparable from the nature that fears it, so that any action taken by this nature to end the fear it feels becomes the seed of its next fearful state. For example, say that you're worried that...$0.00
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How to Make Problems Fall Away
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We cannot change, control, or be stronger than anything our mind says is outside of us. But we can be inwardly awake, conscious of the fact that we don't need to be stronger than what we see because we aren't really separate from what we see.$0.00
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Your Inner Victory Conquers All
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As we learn how to take the higher ground inwardly and begin winning that life for which we are created, we are gradually empowered to prevail over any event and challenge that life presents.$0.00


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When you buy a franchise, you have to understand that there will be a lot of costs associated with buying and operating a franchise. These costs have to do with buying certain types of tools and machinery that are needed for the business. They also include costs that have to do with maintaining certain policies, rules and standards that the company lays down. You also may need to periodically pay fees to the locality that your franchise is in so that you can maintain licensure and stay in operation. You may even have to pay fees to the company that has say over your franchise. Sometimes, the startup costs of a franchise can be more than the startup costs of a privately owned business that you start and name, yourself.
Which Kind Of Franchise Do You Want?
When you think about buying a franchise, you must think about which kind of franchise you want to run. There are franchises that fill all kinds of niches in society. There are franchises that sell food, give living accommodations, make signs, give haircuts, provide senior care, fix cars, operate banks, clean people's homes, maintain people's appliances, make arrangements out of fruit and sell homes. If you are really into sweets, you can find a Mrs Fields franchise for sale, or perhaps another franchise. There are also many other cafe franchises in existence for those who are into that niche.
Do The Benefits Outweigh The Disadvantages?
There are plenty of good and bad things about buying a franchise. One great thing about owning a franchise location is that the name of the business is already well-known and established in people's minds. So, more people may immediately seek out your business and patronize it. Also, franchises are great because if you are not an experienced business owner, the company that you are buying a franchise from will most likely train you.
The bad thing is that if anything negative happens to the company that your franchise is from, then you and your business will suffer. For example, your business may suffer, and your job may become harder if the company's reputation receives a severe blow. Such an event might result in less people patronizing your business, or rockier interpersonal relations with patrons. Also, if the company suffers, economically, then it is without a doubt that your business may economically suffer.
Another negative aspect of being a franchisee is that you have to follow all of the rules that someone else lays down for you. This may not bother some franchisees, and many franchisees may even like it. However, if you are a person who likes to go the extra mile when it comes to being creative, you may feel that you are being kept back.
If you are a franchisee, you have to constantly share profits with the franchisor. Also, after a contract is up, there is no guarantee whether the franchisor will keep doing business with you.


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It's taken me a bit to get to it but I'm sure you see it coming if you've seen this headline the other day:
Consumer spending, after adjusting for inflation, was flat for the second straight month in January, raising new concerns about a possible recession. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has signaled a further rate cut to shore up the economy.
Once again this whole recession thing is nine yards of crap. The one thing that always makes things worse is acting on fear and fear filled messages as if they were gospel when all they really are is halfway educated guesses.
Lets face it, when Greenspan or anybody else makes some observation or other about the state of the economy or where it's headed. One word from these people and all of a sudden folks are scrapping vacation deals and pulling back all of their spending because they're afraid of what some know-it-all said about the economy.
I am not a hamster nor does it take much more brains than a hamster to realize that too many people acting on this fear mongering will cause the problem they're predicting


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'Ashachu' Commonly spelt Ashchu' 'is the name given to Ash by fans when he was accidently transformed into a Pikachu by a magician named Lily at the end of the episode Hocus Pokémon. Ash remained in this form until the beginning of the next episode As Clear as Crystal, where he was reverted back into a human when the spell wore off.
Though this was a very minor occurrence in the Anime series, it has become a target among some fans, being used in fan-fiction or fan art. Usually, Ashachu commonly makes cameos in the Pokémon series Sinnoh.
After Ash freaked out being a pikachu, he played with his Pikachu and other Pokémon. At the end of the episode, Ash - still a Pikachu - was on his back. But Ashachu turns back into Ash at the beginning of the next episode..


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Good morning!
How are you feeling? I'm basically never going to get over the season finale of True Blood last night.
Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres have inked a deal with NBC to co-produce a new show with the network. It's going to be a sitcom about "dueling sisters" and Portia will play one of them. Apparently there was a bidding war between all of the networks. Not so shocking!
A BBC program called "Getting Bi" will air next Monday night. It's focused on out singer/songwriter Tom Robinson but producer Ashley Byrne says that it will appeal to many people, maybe even you:
If you can get BBC, you can listen in.
It's apparently huge news today that a lesbian couple foster parented a young boy and put photos of him wearing girls' clothing on Facebook. This makes them unfit parents somehow.
There's a lesbian contestant wowing the judges on X-Factor UK. Her name is Samantha Brookes and she told The Daily Star:
She also revealed they are trying to have kids. If she keeps going in the competition, though, that might need to be put on hold for a bit!
For the record, that's one lesbian on X-Factor Australia and one lesbian on X-Factor UK. The ball is in your court, X-Factor USA!
LGBT Iranians want people to know they exist, so they've started a Facebook page called "We Are Everywhere." Seriously, one just popped up behind me and said "Boo!" Scared the crap out of me. Check under your bed!
AE reader Chiaro sent in a hot tip about a very androgynous Thai singer named Zee. I'm already crushing on her and considering a visit to Thailand ASAP. Check her out on Twitter!
Fox has released this Behind the Scenes video of Jane Lynch's Emmy photoshoot. Looks like Jane had a blast!
Today in Lesbianish TV: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, All My Children (ABC 1 p.m.), The Talk (CBS 2 p.m.), *Degrassi: TNG (TeenNick 2 p.m.), *Ghost Whisperer (Ion 3 p.m.), *Primary Colors (Current 3 p.m.), Set It Off (HBO Signature 4 p.m.), But I'm a Cheerleader (Logo 5 p.m.), Gaga By Gaultier (CW 8 p.m.), The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC 9 p.m.), RuPaul's Drag U (Logo 9 p.m.) and SIa on Jimmy Kimmel (ABC midnight) (Thanks Roni!)


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Every Accomplishment Starts With The Decision To Try!
Let me help you build the healthy life you deserve!
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Well, my vacation started a bit rocky with a canceled flight and a 6:40 am replacement flight – wheeee 😦 – but now, with the first moments of Boxing Day upon me, I can say that Christmas was indeed a success 🙂
I've always been a fan of Christmas, but I've found in recent years my enjoyment of the holiday has perhaps understandably changed. As a child, Christmas was all about the 'getting.' I've got fond memories of not being able to sleep because I was so excited for Santa to come, and to be able to rip open my presents. And all points to my parents, because they made my Christmases fantastic – one year I even got a written note and a thimble from 'Mrs. Claus' when I asked for proof of Santa being real.
I firmly believe that Christmas enjoyment is 90% anticipation and 10% actually the day. It's one of the reasons why Christmas always feels the tiniest bit like a let down for me, no matter how fantastic it is. If you've been building up a single day for months, then it's always going to seem a little short. Thus, the anticipation of it is huge to me, for enjoyment. And yet, as a child, all of my Christmas anticipation was about getting, and as such, as I grew older, and out of my 'Santa years' the nature of this had to change. That's not to say I still don't enjoy the presents 'Santa' (who is now me 😉 ) brings:
But the simple fact is, now my anticipation – and enjoyment – comes from giving gifts to my family and watching their reactions. Last year I surprised my mother with a rose gold watch and made her cry, and this year I made my sister a gift that got a couple tears out of her.
This year I got it in my head to make her a plushie of two of her favourite characters – Castiel from Supernatural and the 10th Doctor from Doctor Who – and so despite never hand sewing anything, I stayed up until 4am for 3 nights in a row to get them done, and I was super proud of them 🙂 And watching her love them so much, watching her open them and cry and cuddle them, that not only made it so worth it, but really reminded me about what Christmas is about.
Not getting, but giving. Not taking, but sharing.
Christmas for me is sharing turkey diner with my family, keeping the cat out of the tissue paper. It's a wearing a flannel onsie while my sister also wears one and watches the Christmas Doctor Who episode, and discovering Arthur Christmas, which is an adorable feel good Christmas movie that I now absolutely love. It's watching my mother open the ring I designed for her, my sister loving the presents I'd made for her.
My Christmas always seems a little short to me. At almost 1 am the 26th, it seems impossible it's already over, given how long I've waited for it. But it was lovely, and as its been said "a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts." Christmas is over, but the sentiment remains, and that's more than enough for me.
So, whatever your Christmas was, I hope it was an amazing one, and Happy Holidays to all 🙂


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7ft. Japanese Style Zen Garden Gate
7ft. Japanese Style Zen Garden Gate
- Ornate Japanese style garden entry gate
- Combination of wood, natural fiber, and dark stained bamboo
- Hand-carved embellishments on central support beams
- Suspended swinging lattice gate with black tie accents
- Assembly required
- Brand: Red Lantern
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To answer some of the questions subscribers all over the world have been asking about how TIME gathers, verifies, writes and distributes its news.
I wish you could sit down and read with me some of the letters that are beginning to come in from our old subscribers in France.
What stories they have to tell!
Many of these old-TiMERS have just been freed from concentration camps; others spent long months as prisoners in Germany. One lost everything she possessed when she was "bombed and burnt out of
Saint Nazaire by the Germans." Another tells how "we were chased from our place in Normandy in...
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Looking for something to do? There are dozens of museums, historic sites, art galleries, and live music all around the region. Amarillo also boasts an amusement park, a zoo, and parks for your enjoyment. We can't wait for you to visit!
Listed below are just a few of the many events happening every day in Amarillo.


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"No Man Is An Island" short film about amazing survival of Jewish community on Zakynthos during Holocaust
"It's a sultry, still day in September 1943 on the peaceful island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea.
An innocent seven year old named Dionysis has skipped school and is daydreaming high up in the mountains when all of the sudden a shepherd appears and asks him to run to the town elders to inform them that the 'boogieman' has arrived.
Just as little Dionysis does as he was told, the first Nazi soldiers march into the town square.
Nazi law is imposed on the island. Defiance would be punishable by death. Swastika flags were hung from the Town Hall and SS Kommandant Lütt stepped ashore to deliver the Führer's agenda in person.
The leaders of the island, Archbishop Chrysostomos and Mayor Lukas Carrer were summoned by the Kommandant. All Jews were to be surrendered before noon the following day to be taken by ship bound for a place devoted to their final solution. He warned them that anyone harboring Jews would be shot."
Read more about this film . . . .


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Rocket Gardens – Review
Last week, we were lucky enough to be sent a Large Vegetable Garden (Autumn Winter) to review from Rocket Gardens. The idea behind Rocket Gardens is that they take the hassle out of growing your own food. They do the tricky bit for you – growing the plants from seed into a small seedling that is ready to go straight into the ground. When our large vegetable garden arrived, it consisted of hundreds of tiny plants. They each had their own little bit of compost but they weren't in pots. Instead, they were all packed into a cardboard box full…View Post


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The best way for those who keep things in motion as much as KTR is to do so through moving images.
KTR360° Trailer: OPRA Turbines
KTR360° Trailer: Börger
KTR 360° Trailer: Brunvoll
KTR 360° Trailer: PMC Harvesters
KTR 360° Trailer: Neopost
Industry: Agriculture and Off-Highway Machines
Industry: Agriculture
Industry: Marine
Industry: Pumps and compressors
Comparison of our steel lamina couplings
Assembly of MINEX-S. Showing different containment shrouds
Different types of couplings of KTR for pump-motor-unit.
Our new image film
Our compact OAC coolers provide high-performance cooling of hydraulic and lubricating oils.
Product News: ROTEX GS HP and RADEX NC High Torque - Animation
Ceremonious opening KTR Benelux
Opening of a new plant in China
Assembly of KTR couplings in a pump unit
KTR inaugurates its new Power Transmission Center


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Even as I look forward to sharing Led: Learning to Listen and Follow with you, I've been writing a new book, Surrendered.
The story of the Good Shepherd and His sheep frames Led, inviting readers into the care and leadership of Jesus. The book will be for sale through the website after February 1st.
The story of the True Vine and the branches in John 15:1-10 frames Surrendered. Through Surrendered, readers discover a life where their helplessness is met by Jesus' life and power. By resting in Him, we draw strength and produce fruit.
While writing Surrendered, I've read through Waiting on God by Andrew Murray–twice. I have gained a deeper understanding of the "abiding life" that Jesus described in John 15.
Here are a few nuggets from Waiting on God, a 31-day devotional work.
"Waiting on God is just as indispensable and must be just as continuous and unbroken as the breathing that maintains his natural life." -Day 1
"It is, then, because Christians do not know their relation to God of absolute poverty and helplessness that they have no sense of the need of absolute and unceasing dependence or the unspeakable blessedness of continual waiting on God. But when once a believer begins to see it and consent to it that he by the Holy Spirit must each moment receive what God each moment works, waiting on God becomes his brightest hope and joy." -Day 1
"Let us resolve now that it shall be the one characteristic of our life and worship–a continual, humble, truthful waiting on God." -Day 3
"When you first begin waiting on God, it is with frequent intermission and failure. But do believe God is watching over you in love and secretly strengthening you in it." -Day 31
My favorite and daily prayer:
"Place God first and say, 'God works continually, so every moment I can wait on Him continually.'" -Day 31
I own a copy, but this screenshot is the book on GooglePlay Books, a free app that I downloaded and a copy of the book for $.99. That's cheaper than a fancy cup of coffee! And you'll enjoy it for a month!
And let me know what you thought of the book. I'd love to hear from you.


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return to chairs
Providence Arm Chair - Silver Leatherette
this item is currently not available
Dimensions: 45.5"w 36.5"d 28"h
Assembly: minimal assembly
Unquestionably unique, the Providence Arm Chair blends a modern rounded shape with classical buttons and tufting. The commercially rated chair frame is set atop stylish chrome legs and wrapped in a white or silver leatherette, or neon blue or grey velvet, which is then tufted and buttoned to ensure that Providence makes a bold statement in your space. Coordinates with the entire Providence Collection. Seat height of 18.5".
- more detail images -


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I made this card for my husbands birthday on April 25, and it's from me and the two fur children-Filo Beddoe (Yorkie) and Sophie (Beagle).
I try hard at CAS, but I think I achieved it here. That image is I Heart You Pup, here at the Kitty Bee Designs Etsy Store, colored with Copics. The background paper is from Authentique, and I used MFT's fishtail banner dies and Stampendous dog phrases for the sentiment, and an Elizabeth Crafts Design die (Spiral Pull Card) for the hearts out of red scrap paper.
I hope you like it, and thanks for visiting!


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I would like to let everyone know we now have a Stand full of Aurifil 50 weight thread.
This gourmet cotton thread is great in the machine, but it really shines when used in hand applique projects. We have added Aurifil to our thread offerings as a direct result of many requests from many customers. You can see our full selection on the web-site under the section for Notions and Threads.
They just look like lollies.
This week we catch up with Anne Sommermerlad's Wednesday class.
Serious cutting was undertaken.
Some sewing was done.
This basket full of 1930's hexy flowers appeared.
But mostly it was a parade of finished tops or quilts.
Well done guys!
Staff update - Janet has put the center of her Flower Garden quilt together, she started this top at the Kim Mclean/Kaffe Fasset Workshop in February.
Look at two of the blocks up close.
She's now eyeing off the borders. Go girl.


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World's largest music stream ripping site faces international legal action
Organisations representing record companies in the US and UK took legal action today against Youtube-mp3.org, the world's largest site dedicated to offering illegally "stream ripped" music. Both the site and its operator have generated millions of dollars without paying any remuneration to artists and rights holders. The activities also breach YouTube's Terms of Service.
Stream ripping is the process of 'ripping' or creating a downloadable file from content that is available to stream online. It is often done with music videos, to create copies of tracks that can be downloaded and listened to offline or on other devices.
IFPI Chief Executive Frances Moore said: "This is a coordinated action to protect the rights of artists and labels from the blatant infringements of YouTube-mp3, the world's single-largest 'stream ripping' site.
"Music companies and digital services today offer fans more options than ever before to listen to music legally, when and where they want to do so – over hundreds of services with scores of millions of tracks – all while compensating artists and labels. Stream ripping sites should not be allowed jeopardise this."
Cary Sherman, the Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said: "This site is raking in millions on the backs of artists, songwriters and labels. We are doing our part, but everyone in the music ecosystem who says they believe that artists should be compensated for their work has a role to play. It should not be so easy to engage in this activity in the first place, and no stream ripping site should appear at the top of any search result or app chart."
Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive, said: "It's time to stop illegal sites like this building huge fortunes by ripping off artists and labels. Fans have access now to a fantastic range of legal music streaming services, but they can only exist if we take action to tackle the online black market. We hope that responsible advertisers, search engines and hosting providers will also reflect on the ethics of supporting sites that enrich themselves by defrauding creators."
Alison Wenham, CEO of WIN (Worldwide Independent Network) & AIM (Association for Independent Music) endorsed the action, adding: "Stream ripping is not a victimless crime, it involves ripping off the artists and companies who invest their time and money into making music for the public to enjoy. The more stream ripping takes place, the less investment into music will be made to the ultimate detriment of music fans."
Richard Burgess, CEO of A2IM, representing US independent record labels said: "Stream ripping is yet another illegal activity that deprives artists, songwriters, publishers, and labels of their rightful revenues and their ability to make a living. It must be stopped immediately."
In the US, legal proceedings were filed in federal court in California against the site and its operator, Philip Matesanz, for flagrantly violating copyrights. In the UK, the BPI, representing UK record labels, put the stream ripping site on formal notice of intended legal action if it does not cease infringing.
Stream ripping is the fastest growing form of music piracy globally and has now replaced other forms of downloading as the most prevalent form of online music piracy. Research published earlier this month by IFPI and Ipsos finds that stream ripping sites are operating on a massive scale, with 49 per cent of all 16-24 year olds engaged in the activity, according to Ipsos.
YouTube-mp3.org is the largest stream-ripping site with more than 60 million unique users per month. Based in Germany, the site has a global user base and provides a simple way of creating an audio file from a YouTube video.
Despite paying no money to the creators or owners of music, stream ripping sites are using the high levels of traffic they generate to make money from advertising. The prominently placed adverts on YouTube-MP3, often from major brands, are estimated to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars per month for YouTube-mp3.
For further information please contact:
Adrian Strain or John Blewett
Email: email@example.com and email@example.com
Tel. +44 (0)20 7878 7935


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21 October 2016 · by Laura Smith 5 Most Terrifying Things About Starting a New Job
Everyone gets that first day dread when starting a new job, sure you're excited but there are a few things that are scaring the crap out of you at the same time…
1. Being late on your first day
You leave yourself plenty of time to get up, get ready and grab a coffee on your way in so that you arrive looking completely relaxed and ready for anything… Then there's an unexpected train strike, or a crash on the motorway leaving you flustered and in a mad rush with 30 seconds to spare and scary frizzy hair after doing your best sleek professional styling. A quick loo-run, some hair pins and some deodorant to disguise the fact you've practically just run a 10k to get to the office on time should do the trick…
2. Deciding where to eat lunch
That awkward moment when you have to venture outside and discover the world around you. Local café? Trendy pub? Supermarket sandwich meal deal? You could bring in your own lunch, but going anywhere near the unknown of the office fridge is always a risk, have a nosy at the mould levels before putting any of your favourite recipes nearby. If in doubt, Pret it out and avoid anything reeking of garlic unless you're trying to warn off vampires.
3. Deciding on what to wear
What the heck is business casual? Smart casual? Corporate dress… overdressed is always better than looking sloppy in comparison to your peers with their first day stares. Top Tip: avoid the clown-like make-up in a bid not to scare off your new colleagues, less is more. Take a look at our corporate dress blog for further tips.
4. Remembering everyone's names
Unless your new company has a fancy Intranet where you can sneakily search everyone's name before having to call over to them, this could be tricky. 'Oi' generally isn't accepted as an alternative and could get you some pretty deadly looks.
5. The first office social
Along with all of the above, it's been a long first week, your brain is mush from information overload, and you have precisely 45 minutes before you turn into a zombie on a Friday evening. A few drinks ought to sort you right out… 27 G&T's and 5 tequila shots later, you're dancing all over the club, have lost your bag, and are stranded with a group of people you have only known a few days. You will figure out who your future work besties are quicker than your fairy godmother can turn a pumpkin into a carriage.


text: Roller Shutters Commercial roller shutters provide a barrier preventing unauthorised access and vandalism to premises, whilst maintaining a high level of finished appearance. We provide manual and electrically operated solutions with a choice of material and finish. EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT Name: Email Address: Telephone: Location: Message: 12 + 13 = Submit


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Centipedes, scorpions, cicadas, grasshoppers offer a feast of insects, in Luoyang, Henan province in central China on November 27, 2016. The stall owner said all the insects were full of protein, and after special treatment, would be beneficial to the human body. While attracting a lot of interest from passersby, many were still hesitant to try the food. [Photo: CRI Online]
Editor: Monica Liu
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Ch 2: American Novels for 9th Grade: Homework Help
About This Chapter
How it works:
- Identify which concepts are covered on your American novels homework.
- Find videos on those topics within this chapter.
- Watch fun videos, pausing and reviewing as needed.
- Complete sample questions and get instant feedback.
- Finish your American novels homework with ease!
Topics from your homework you'll be able to complete:
- Life and works of Ernest Hemingway
- Mark Twain's life and works
- Life and writings of John Steinbeck
- Moby Dick
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- The Old Man and the Sea
- All Quiet on the Western Front
- Edith Wharton's life and major novels
1. Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms: Summary and Analysis
Ernest Hemingway's ''A Farewell to Arms'' is considered by some critics to be the best novel written in the WWI era. Learn why readers still love this story almost a century later.
2. Mark Twain: Biography, Works, and Style as a Regionalist Writer
In this lesson, we will learn about Mark Twain's life, his most acclaimed writings and his place as a realist and regionalist writer in this country's literary history.
3. John Steinbeck: Grapes of Wrath and Other Works
John Steinbeck is one of the 20th century's most celebrated authors. In this lesson, we'll look at Steinbeck's most famous work, 'The Grapes of Wrath.' We'll also discuss his style and consider his other major works.
4. Of Mice and Men: Summary and Analysis of Steinbeck's Style
John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' is one of the most enduring American stories of friendship. Watch this video lesson to learn about its characters, main plot events and key themes.
5. Herman Melville: Moby-Dick Summary and Analysis
''Moby Dick'' is not just a boring story about a whale. Its popularity is still strong today (guess what major coffee chain takes its name from the story) thanks to Herman Melville's raunchy jokes about sperm whales. Oh, the fact it's a great story about evil and revenge doesn't hurt either.
6. To Kill a Mockingbird: Summary, Analysis and Quotes
How did a novel that deals with difficult topics like racism and rape become an American classic and a staple of high school English classes? In this lesson, we'll learn all about Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
7. The Old Man and the Sea: Summary, Characters & Themes
The Old Man and the Sea was the last novel Ernest Hemingway published before killing himself in 1961. In many ways, the novel gives us a glimpse into the award-winning author's mind as this story's events and themes connect to Hemingway's life.
8. All Quiet on the Western Front: Summary and Themes
Erich Maria Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' sold millions of copies worldwide. It portrays German soldiers' experiences during WWI, but many say it relates to all soldiers, describing the horrors of war, which transcend time and place.
9. Edith Wharton: Biography and Major Novels
Who was Edith Wharton? Only the author of over 40 books and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In this lesson, we'll explore her life and major novels.
10. Julius Lester: Biography & Books
Julius Lester is an educator and award-winning writer of both children's and adult's books, but how well do you know him and his work? Read on to find out more about Julius Lester's life and work!
11. Little Women: Summary, Characters & Author
Louisa May Alcott's ''Little Women'' is one of the most famous classic novels of American children's fiction. This lesson will introduce you to the story and its characters, and it will briefly look at the book's popularity and theme.
12. Pearl Buck: Biography, Books & Poetry
You may never have heard of her, or you might be quite familiar with the works of Pearl S. Buck. Either way, you can become more acquainted with the author in this lesson with a brief biography and an overview of some of her most cherished works!
13. Russell Freedman: Biography & Books
Growing up, you may have read some of Russell Freedman's books, but do you know how he got his start as a children's author? In this lesson, you will learn about Freedman's biography and some of his major works.
14. Tender is the Night: Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis
This lesson explores F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic 1934 novel, 'Tender is the Night,' examining the novel's primary characters and key themes. The lesson also provides an analysis of the text and its status as one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century.
15. The Age of Innocence: Summary, Themes & Analysis
This lesson explores Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, ''The Age of Innocence.'' It also examines the novel's key characters and major themes.
16. The Blue Hotel by Stephen Crane: Summary & Analysis
Sometimes in tense situations doing nothing is more harmful than taking a stand. Read this summary of Stephen Crane's 'The Blue Hotel' and analyze its meaning to find out why these characters felt doing nothing was the right thing to do.
17. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis
This lesson examines Carson McCullers' 1940 debut novel, 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.' It provides a summary of McCullers' complex plot, and explores the major characters and themes, as well as the novel's iconic status in the genre of Southern Literature.
18. The Outsiders: Summary & Characters
S. E. Hinton's young adult novel 'The Outsiders' has been celebrated as a classic work of fiction for nearly half a century. This lesson summarizes the novel's plot and major characters and discusses its significance and influence on the genre of YA fiction.
19. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Symbolism & Analysis
The novel ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' has deep and underlying meanings that symbolize various ideas. In this lesson, you will learn some of the symbols and then be quizzed on your understanding.
20. To Kill a Mockingbird: Characters, Setting & Author
Harper Lee's classic coming-of-age novel explores issues of racism, family, courage, leadership, and judgment through the eyes of Scout Finch, the protagonist and narrator of the story.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource course
- 9th Grade English - Prose: Homework Help
- American Short Stories for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- Ancient Literature for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- British Fiction for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- Contemporary Fiction for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- 9th Grade Dramatic Literature: Homework Help
- Drama for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- Poetry for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- 9th Grade Literary Terms: Homework Help
- Text Analysis and Close Reading in 9th Grade: Homework Help
- Introduction to High School Writing: Homework Help
- 9th Grade Essay Basics: Types of Essay: Homework Help
- The Writing Process for 9th Grade: Homework Help
- Conventions in 9th Grade Writing: Grammar: Homework Help
- Using Source Materials in 9th Grade English: Homework Help
- Elements of 9th Grade Grammar: Homework Help
- 9th Grade Grammar Usage: Homework Help
- Punctuation in 9th Grade Writing: Homework Help
- American Literature for Middle Grades
- British Literature for Middle Grades


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English Teacher Gets Turned on by Student's Story
I'm almost finished grading papers. My high school senior students keep me so busy. Teaching English is just a dream though… my students are so bright and clever. I've really been enjoying their short fiction stories.
Oh, here's another one written by one of my favorite students. He's very bright… and kinda cute too actually. Sometimes, even a bit of a flirt. I'll read some of his story out loud… ummm… oh, my! He's written about me!
And how attracted to me he is…. OH, MY! He wants to do WHAT to me??!? Oh…. this is making me horny.
Oh, is that what you have in mind for me, little boy? Is that what you'd do if you had your hot teacher all to yourself? Would you bend me over my desk? Would you reach into my blouse and play with my big, bouncy tits?
… I'm going to come so hard… and so many times!
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U.S. Central Command's Tweets Hacked
Jihad has hit cyberspace. The Cyber Caliphate, hackers apparently aligned with ISIS, took control of Twitter and YouTube accounts belonging to the U.S. Central Command yesterday. "American soldiers, we are coming, watch your back," said one tweet. The hackers posted phone numbers of military brass, as well as pro-extremist videos on the military's YouTube channel. Officials say the attack – which lasted 30 minutes – didn't compromise classified information or threaten operations. But it did raise concerns about the military's readiness on the technological front.


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BOSTON - Scientists have long known that the blood vessels of tumors differ markedly from normal blood vessels. Now, a research team led by scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has identified a signaling pathway which, when activated, transforms otherwise healthy blood vessels into the leaky, misshapen vasculature that characterizes cancerous tumors.
The findings, published in the August 2006 issue of Cancer Cell, additionally demonstrate that rapamycin, a compound used for immunosuppression in transplant patients and currently under investigation as a cancer treatment, can successfully block this signaling pathway--known as the Akt pathway-- in blood vessels. This discovery further enhances the drug's promise as a cancer therapy.
"There are three major hallmarks associated with tumor blood vessels," explains the study's senior author Laura Benjamin, PhD, an investigator in BIDMC's Department of Pathology and Associate Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School.
"First, unlike healthy blood vessels which are uniform in structure, a tumor's blood vessels balloon and narrow, forming a highly irregular shape. Second, the layer of smooth muscle that you would expect to find covering the blood vessels is inadequate, often resulting in only intermittent coverage. And last, a tumor's blood vessels are overly permeable or leaky."
The hypothesis that blood vessel formation in tumors is essential for the growth and spread of cancer was first proposed in the early 1970's, and in 1983, it was shown that tumors secrete a factor called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) that induces the permeability associated with blood vessels in cancer.
In this new study, Benjamin and first author Thuy Phung, MD, PhD, of BIDMC's Department of Pathology, hypothesized that the Akt pathway was mediating many of the functions of VEGF in tumors, including the stimulation of blood vessels with abnormal structure and excessive leak. Using a mouse model that enabled them to activate the Akt pathway in healthy blood vessel cells - without the complicating influence of tumor cells - they observed that Akt-induced blood vessels demonstrated the very same abnormalities that are seen in tumor blood vessels. Moreover, adds Benjamin, "We discovered that simply removing the activated Akt was sufficient to reverse these vasculature changes."
The scientists then went on to treat the animals with rapamycin. As predicted, the agent blocked the Akt-induced blood vessel changes. In subsequent experiments, rapamycin reduced tumor growth and vascular leak in a mouse tumor model.
"This paper represents an impressive advance in our understanding of the mechanisms by which tumors generate the new blood vessels they need to survive and grow," says Harold Dvorak, MD, Director of the Vascular Biology Center at BIDMC and Mallinckrodt Professor of Pathology Emeritus at Harvard Medical School, in whose laboratory VEGF was first discovered 23 years ago. "This suggests an attractive new molecular target for cancer therapy."
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an immunosuppressant agent, rapamycin is being tested in clinical trials as a cancer treatment.
"These new findings suggest that we should think about using rapamycin in regimens where anti-angiogenic therapy in cancer patients is desired," says Benjamin. "If human tumors respond in the same way that animal models have, rapamycin may normalize and diminish the tumor vasculature, and this is particularly exciting because these findings are clinically relevant today."
In addition to Benjamin and Phung, study coauthors include BIDMC investigators Donnette Dabydeen, BS, Godfred Eyiah-Mensah, BA, Marcela Riveros, MD, Carole Perruzzi, BA, Jingfang Sun, DVM, Rita Monahan-Earley, BA, Janice Nagy, PhD, Ann Dvorak, MD, and Harold F. Dvorak, MD; Keren Ziv, MS, and Michal Neeman, PhD, of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel; Ichiro Shiojima, MD, PhD, and Kenneth Walsh, PhD, of Boston University School of Medicine; Michelle Lin, PhD, and William Sessa PhD, of Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; and David Briscoe, MD, of Children's Hospital, Boston.
This study was funded, in part, by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Israel Science Foundation.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a patient care, research and teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and ranks fourth in National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals nationwide. BIDMC is clinically affiliated with the Joslin Diabetes Center and is a research partner of Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. BIDMC is the official hospital of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit www.bidmc.harvard.edu.


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Sanja Knežević is a documentary photographer, regular contributor to the National Geographic Serbia, focusing on long-therm social projects emphasizing common humanity. On her numerous trips Sanja enjoys exploring new places and capturing decisive moments. She also does commercial photography with perfectionist approach striving to fully meet client high expectations.
Born in Belgrade in 1984, she graduated photography at the Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Belgrade. From March 2012 till May 2014 Sanja lived in Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and during that period she was traveling in the East Asia region and documenting everyday life of the people. Sanja was chosen to participate at two masterclasses in documentary photography, by World Press Photo in Berlin, 2010, and Noor-Nikon in Bucharest 2011. She is a board member of the ULUPUDS – The Association of Applied Arts Artists and Designers of Serbia. Sanja Knezevic is the owner of Photo Finish Studio, specialized for event photography.
Open Society Foundations
National Geographic Srbija
Vice UK
2016 Ljubljana, Slovenia – Different worlds, second prize, for the project "Family Matters"
2015 Belgrade, Serbia – ArtGet gallery – Kamar