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How Should We Breakdown Labor Estimates For Video Systems?
We are planning to survey integrators to collect baseline labor estimates for installing video systems.
The goal is to publish a guide that averages the amount of time it takes to do different tasks. The results could then be useful for developing labor estimates.
We would like your help in putting the 'labor categories' together. Here are basic examples of what we intend to survey:
Video Surveillance Task: (manhours each device)
- Installing VMS Server Software: X hours
- Installing VMS Client Software: Y hours
- Configuring VMS, per camera: Z hours
- Configuring Camera, per camera: P hours
- Hookup Server (physical installation into rack/network): Q hours
Camera Mounting
- Drop Ceiling
- Drywall
- External Wall
- Parapet
- Pole
Camera Focus/Adjustment
- Camera refocus (manual, auto iris)
- Camera cleaning (dome or front view window)
- Camera firmware upgrade
- Configuring motion detection (in camera)
- Setting IP address in camera (initially)
- Connecting NVR appliance
- Installing external Power Supply (not PoE)
Cable Installation
- Cat5/5e/6/6A per 50': N hours
- Coax per 50':
- Fiber Optics per 50'
- Installing Lightning Arrestors:
- Category Cable Termination:
- Coax Termination, 'F' Style:
- Category Cable Certification
- Install Network Patch Block:
- Installing/ connecting media converters
There is also the question of how we handle different mounting locations. Do we break each category into a simple/difficult values? ('Simple' is ladder work, drop ceiling but 'Difficult' is Lift height, hard ceilings?)
What categories should we add, delete, adjust?
PS: We are not looking for your manhours values yet. We are looking for those common tasks you or your installers do on typical jobs.
What is missing?
Should be a catagory for configuring advanced video analytics per channel. They often take up a good amount of time, especially if you have to go back and adjust them.
add configuring network hardware (switches, wireless hardware, router)
I use metrics like this for figuring "Opinions of Probable Cost" but i group the devices into a particuarl door or camera type consisting of all the products that are needed.
I would condition the hours based upon the level difficulty (like Means Construction Estimates does). The cost will differ if you have a camera in a parking lot requiring treching v a camera in a drop ceiling. Another way is to consider ONLY the mounting and programming of the device including license fees, O & P, shipping, project supervision, warranty labor, owner training, shop drawings and submittals. Some of these could be expressed in terms of a metric (i.e. Parts+labor+10%), while others could be a hard cost (i.e. license fee $200 per camera) and not the wire running back to the central IDF.
I would love to see this result in a table of labor hours. And if it were done correctly, I think this would be of great value to our membership. If i were an integrator,I would want to know how my rates stack up against the averages around the country.
I would add performance test after installation day/night to check out if my wonderful day settings are still working at night. Same for analytics .... You can take 1 to 3 hours during the way, but when replaying night sequences you will find a lot to improve .... light bugs in IR, lights , relects..etc
I mean for "strategic cameras" the ones that are supposed to detect or identify or face reco or plate reco.
On the field it's sadly very rare...
I would add "end-user training." Some specs require a certain amount of hours, but even non-spec systems usually entail some amount of time spent in training the end-user.
Safety Orientation. We went to a job where the orientation was 2 hours x 2 techs.
Some more for the lis most of which should be part of the device labor type
- Progress meetings and inspections (Ive seen meetings last hours on end and at the very end, security is dicussed, yet the integrator needs to be present for the entire meeting or otherwise he may miss something from another trade).
- Punch list inspections. (could be as much as 20Min per end point).
- As-built draiwngs
- Travel time and expenses (job dependent but worth mentioning)
After installing and estimating Video Systems for 25 years, I sat at my desk one day estimating an IP solution and came to an enlightened conclusion. Granted, there are still times I estimate by the component, right down to the connectors on a Cat cable, but overall, I cam to the conclusion that having gone over estimates from 30 previous jobs, I was always somewhere between 4-5 hours total for the whole system from cable to commission.
Exceptions to every rule, but with the volume of quotes I do in a week, I don't have the time to value engineer every design I do. I also exclude programming or configuring the Customer network. I leave that up to their IT guys. Just give me IP addresses and I'll do the configuration on my equipment.
John, I team up with a small local integrator who does all my installations for me and he is not an IPVM member (I've been working on that). Do you want me to get his input on this? I can print it out and give it to him as yet another example of why he needs to fork over the hundred bucks & become a member. His argument against it has been that he wouldn't have time to log on anyway so it would be a waste of $. I think he'd use it more than he thinks, if only for this kind of stuff, so showing him things like this might help move to sign up :)
Hello Everyone. A short update on this:
We've sent the first survey out to integrators and had strong response. Thanks to everyone submitting answers!
If you have been sent an invite to take the survey, please complete it ASAP. We are closing it shortly in order to report on the results in upcoming posts.
If you got the link but need it resent, or are an installer interested in taking it, shoot me an email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Oops, please ignore.
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ADT Technician Added His Personal Email Address To Customers' Accounts During Service Visits. That Gave Him Varying Levels Of Access To Their Systems, Including The Video Streams (39)
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A former Amazon executive who helped Jeff Bezos turn shopping into a digital experience has set out to end illiteracy. David Risher is now the head of Worldreader, a nonprofit organization that brings e-books to kids in developing countries through Kindles and cellphones.
Risher was traveling around the world with his family when he got the idea for Worldreader. They were doing volunteer work at an orphanage in Ecuador when he saw a building with a big padlock on the door. He asked a woman who worked there what was inside, and she said, "It's the library."
"I asked, 'Why is it locked up?' And she said it took too long for books to get there," says Risher. "[The books] came by boat and by the time they got there, they were uninteresting to the kids. And I said, 'Well, can we take a look inside? I'd like to see this.' And she said, 'I think I've lost the key.' "
This, Risher thought, can be fixed. If it's so hard to give kids access to physical books, why not give them e-books and the digital devices they would need to read them? Risher had joined Amazon at its beginning, helping it grow into the dominant online retailer it is today. He felt he could apply some of the lessons he had learned at Amazon to the problem of illiteracy.
Here's the Worldreader homepage. I really hope this project takes off.
And, as I have written in this New Atlantis essay, I am watching closely to see how these developments, and the very widespread and still increasing use of cellphones in Africa, will affect Christianity. Many of the people who get e-readers from Worldreader will be Christians, and perhaps the majority of those will download Bibles to their e-readers. What translations will they choose? Will those who encounter the Bible primarily or exclusively in digital form read it in discernibly different ways than those who read it in codices? This inquiring mind really wants to know.

subset: commoncrawl


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December 22, 2014
The fun of exploring doesn't stop at Cincinnati's city limits, or even the state line. Once you've walked the history and enjoyed the new shops and old architecture in the Queen City, try one of our favourite Cincinnati day trips and cross the Ohio River to the "Horse Capital of the World" in Lexington, Kentucky.
Cincinnatians like to dress up and go with a gang of friends to visit the historic charm at Keeneland racetrack for a southern, horse culture outing. One of the top thoroughbred tracks in the United States, Keeneland is a National Historic Landmark and it's attracted many famous visitors since opening in 1936 "" like Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne, and George Clooney. The spring and fall seasons include preps for the world-famous Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup.
The setting has a timeless feeling, and visitors often dress to match it, with hats and dresses for the ladies, and colourful trousers, bowties, and gingham for the men. Get ready for one of these exciting Cincinnati day trips to the racetrack with a visit to Mannequin Boutique, a vintage clothing and accessories store in Over-the-Rhine that donates proceeds to local charities and has everything for travellers who want to celebrate the history and beauty of Keeneland.
Once you're ready in your race track finery, head over the bridge to Lexington – take the back roads if you like, keeping your eyes peeled for the famous bourbon stops along the way. Most of the world's bourbon comes from Kentucky and the distillers have been perfecting the making of it since the early 19th century.
Drive through Versailles on your way in so you can check out the castle and stop at Doughdaddy's for the cream cheese donuts. When you arrive at Keeneland, check out the shops for all your horse culture clothing needs "" or wants. Then head to the clubhouse where you can soak up the scene with a Keeneland Breeze cocktail, made with bourbon, of course.
If you want to see more, the Kentucky Horse Park is a popular destination for people from all over and the place to go for year-around experiences up close to the horses. From mid-March to November you can take the trolley tour, see a show, and try some riding on a horse or pony. The International Museum of the Horse is there too, and you can even schedule a horse farm tour.
After soaking up the sights at the Horse Capital of the World, you're sure to be hungry for some Kentucky cooking. You can expand your experience with Dudley's Restaurant in the historic Northern Bank Building or head to Table Three Ten for the sustainable, farm-driven menu. You'll be feeling pleasantly southern by the time you journey back through the Bluegrass State to Cincinnati.
Booking flights to Cincinnati has never been simpler. Our partnership with Delta offers connections to and from over 70 destinations across the United States and Canada.
Have you been to the Horse Capital of the World? What Cincinnati day trips would you recommend? Share your experiences with us below.
Written by Margy Waller


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click to play
Richard Ward
David Graves
A Meeting of the Minds
(and Palates)
(and Palates)
David Graves and Richard Ward, both UC Davis graduate students at the time, met in brewing class. In addition to sharing a love for the homebrew, they also had similar taste in wine: Burgundies.
David and Dick are housemates working the Napa Valley harvest at Chappellet and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Saintsbury Comes to Life
Saintsbury is founded by David and Dick focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery's namesake honors George Saintsbury, literary historian & oenophile (1845-1933).
First wines released: 1981 Chardonnay ($7.50) and 1981 Rancho Carneros Pinot Noir ($8). Rancho Carneros was a single vineyard wine from across Cutting Wharf Rd from us, owned by Zach Berkowitz.
1500 Los Carneros Ave
Ned Forrest is hired on as the architect for the winery and office. Broke ground in June when we received our use permit with completion of the winery building in December. Bill Knuttel becomes Winemaker. Carneros is named an American Viticultural Area. First bottling of Saintsbury's iconic Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir.
Byron Kosuge hired as Assistant Winemaker and promoted to Winemaker in 1996.
Home Ranch estate vineyard (13 acres) planted with attention to rootstock and clones. Pommard cuttings came from friend and fellow winemaker, David Adelsheim from Oregon.
Cellar expanded. First container of Saintsbury wine is exported to the UK.
Brown Ranch Vineyards is Purchased
Brown Ranch on Old Sonoma Road, once a hayfield and Percheron horse farm, is purchased by Saintsbury and planted to Pinot Noir & Chardonnay in 1992. The first vintage of Brown Ranch is 1996, the small crop in 1995 went into the 1995 Reserve PN, no wonder that wine was so good!
Wine Spectator names 1995 Reserve Chardonnay as the Number 10 wine in their Top 100 Wines of the Year.
First open top fermenters installed at the winery.
Creation of Vineyard Series Wines
Vineyard Series portfolio is created; a selection of high quality vineyards that results in single vineyard Pinot Noir bottlings. Jerome Chery is named Winemaker.
Chris Kajani is hired as Associate Winemaker and becomes Winemaker in 2013.
Saintsbury Goes Green
Installation of 7,000 sq ft of solar panels, 85 kilowatt photovoltaic system. Vin Gris of Pinot Noir and Carneros Chardonnay are bottled with screw cap.
Tim Colla is hired on as Oenologist and becomes Associate Winemaker in 2013.
Fifteen more 5 ton open top fermenters are installed, bringing the total to 21. New packaging on all Vineyard Series wines.
Three new vineyard partners added in the true Sonoma Coast, Green Valley of Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley.


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The main problem in the modern material world was that knowledge was used to create corruption, extremism, and transgression. Knowledge is a divine blessing. It is such ingratitude for a generation, a nation, or a group of people to use knowledge during a particular era for such purposes as oppression, extremism, transgression, and destroying human values. And this is something which has happened in the world during the past, particularly in the past two or three centuries.
Some nations acquired knowledge, and this is a natural phenomenon. Throughout history, different nations have become scientifically dominant in particular eras. Sometimes, eastern parts of the world were the center of knowledge in the world. Other times, it was the western countries which became dominant. When these countries acquired knowledge, they used it to colonize and oppress other nations. Many a country and nation – in both eastern and western parts of the world, such as in Asia and Africa – was oppressed as a result of the knowledge that was acquired by western countries. Millions of people were held captive. The black people who live in the U.S. today are the children of the poor Africans who were held captive by western colonialists. They captured these people in their homes or farms like animals, displaced them, and put them to hard work.
This happened in different parts of the world in the Indian subcontinent, in the farthest end of Asia during the dark periods of history. With the knowledge they had acquired – which was a divine blessing – they oppressed people and ruined their lives for ages.
Later, they built atomic bombs as a result of the knowledge they had acquired. Every piece of knowledge is like a stair in a staircase. You go up one step and you get the chance to reach upper steps as a result. This is something natural. By going up the staircase of knowledge, atomic bombs and chemical weapons were built. Many generations were wiped out. Many people were bereaved by the loss of their dear ones. And the world turned into what you see in the world's geopolitics today: The world was divided into two groups – the oppressor and the oppressed. And there is a great gap in between. Such was the world's geopolitical and geo-cultural status during the latter years of these dark centuries.
(Supreme Leader's Speech to Cadets -15/04/2009)


text:
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The latest version of Microsoft Excel is a great addition to any office as it is now more efficient, functional and intuitive than ever before. Excel's table tools make it easy to link charts and cells, perform searches, and create dynamically updated reports. In this sense, it functions somewhat like a relational database. A relational […]
Google is one of the most commonly known and used search engines on the Internet. It allows anyone to have instant knowledge whenever and wherever they want. The development and innovations of smartphones have enhanced this capability. So, what do you know about Google? Are you taking this amazing search engine for granted? While it's […]


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Saying that Senator John McCain is too old to be president is like saying that Santa Claus is too fat to be -- Santa Claus! After all, Mr. Claus's girth would appear to be a huge hindrance to his getting down all those chimneys to deliver the goods. Nevertheless, as we all know, S. Claus does his job very well. His heart-attack-waiting-to-happen, size-50 waist hasn't caused him to get stuck in a single chimney yet. However, now that I think about it, he is getting a little old, maybe too old for ... -- which brings us back to McCain.
The question being bandied about these days, thanks to actor Chuck Noris, is: Would McCain be able to withstand the pressures of being the leader of the free world? After all, he would be 77 at the end of his first term. What some folks seem to forget (not you and I of course, but some others less well informed) is that one's chronological age and one's physiological age are not the same.
Let me give you an example. San Francisco's Ray Piva ran 109 miles at the 2003 USA 24-Hour-Run Championship in San Diego. He was 77 at the time! As you can see from this age-defying accomplishment, Piva's biological age, or his real age, as some call it, is nowhere near his chronological age (i.e., how many times he's circled the Sun).
How many of the candidates for President could keep up with the 77-yerar-old Piva for 436 laps of a track? Let's see. It's obvious that John Edwards and Mitt Romney couldn't do it; all that running would muss up their hair, and that suitcoat and tie would be a real hindrance to Romney. How about Ron Paul? Paul would be disqualified for not staying in his lane and for not even being able to stay on the track. What about Dennis Kucinich? Even he would get tired of turning left after a while. And can you picture Hillary in running shorts? No, I'm not going there, neither should you, nor would Hillary. Finally, there's Barack Obama. With all his energy, charisma and youthful enthusiasm, he still wouldn't be able to complete this race. From this we can see that age is not a significant deterrent to having all the energy necessary to run long distances, and this is the very same energy needed to do one's job, even if one's job is running the country.
No, I'm not saying that I would vote for McCain to be president, but neither will I dismiss his candidacy based solely on his age. I can say with certainty, however, that Santa definitely gets my vote to stay on no matter how plump or old he gets.
Calendar years are simply not a true measure of one's ability to function well; Ray Piva has made this very clear. The wisdom, insights and experience garnered during years of captivity and a quarter century in the political arena fighting for his convictions are far more important than McCain's age. Maybe the better question is not whether McCain is too old, Chuck, but rather whether the other, less experienced candidates are too young.
Ed Mayhew is the author of Fitter For Life and Fitter After 50. www.FitterForLife.com


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The Inspiration for this poem comes from the great Persian scholar, Poet, theologian, and mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī and the Photo above that I took in 2007.
"The Morning Breeze has secrets to tell you, do not go back to sleep." ~ Rumi
Angel in the Shadows
In painted skies, sunset falls,
the clouds reveal your shape,
Storms in brilliance, heavens halls,
leave my mouth agape.
Angel in the shadows,
embraced by empathic light,
Inspiring moments set me free,
on foundations firm and bright.
Guidance born, in morning peace,
revealing secrets of my soul.
Gathered light from endless stars,
to keep my spirit whole.
Feelings lift, awakened now,
the future no longer grey.
Bathed in peaceful radiance,
new outlook here to stay.
Do not give into doubt now that the moment has arrived. Overcome obstacles by standing firm on secure foundations and lead the way out.


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When people (quickly) discover what a big cinephile I am, the question I get the most often (besides "What's your favorite movie?") is "Have you been to Sundance?" And they're invariably surprised when I tell them No. After all, isn't that what cinephiles do? Isn't Cannes our Mecca? But honestly, I'm not interested in going and never really have been. The newest incarnation of this query is the Turner Classic Movies Festival every spring. I'm a regular on #TCMParty, have met dozens of fabulous film fans from around the US on that hashtag, and even am lucky enough to have TCM follow me on Twitter. But I'm guessing I'll probably never go to that, either.
This year will be my seventh working for the Mill Valley Film Festival. But long before that, I've been going to local film festivals, most notably The San Francisco International Film Festival. So I love the energy film fans bring to a screening. I'm excited by the marathon days, the triangulation of schedules across multiple venues, the bustling from one show to the next. In particular, I love that festivals are usually the only place you can see short films projected, which I consumed voraciously long before it became my job to program them.
But destination film festivals have held little appeal to me. As much as I love travel and movies, they've very rarely overlapped in my life. When I'm somewhere new, foreign, different, I want to explore the landscape, not hole up in a theater. I've seen movies in England and Ecuador when I was living there, and once in Thailand because the humidity was so oppressive, it was the easiest way to cool off (it was one of the Bourne films), but otherwise, my travels meant seeing parks and museums and centers of culture and history, never movies. And that's what it'd be like if I was in the south of France or Park City, too.
Some of it is also the cost. Festivals can be expensive on their own, let alone the additional price tag of planes, hotels, food, etc. The one festival I have been to outside the Bay Area was SXSW, and that was because I'd visited Austin already and my all-access badge was paid for. But everything else on that trip still made a huge dent on my wallet. It was undeniably fun, but not something I had any wish to make a habit of. And that's why I can't see myself spending money to stay in LA for a week for TCM, no matter how great the crowd, the guest list or the program schedule might be.
There are lots of different types of festival patrons, too. Some love to see the big stars, the legends or masters or household names. Some people are drawn to the First Look appeal—the chance to see a film weeks or months before anyone else. Festivals count on that kind of star-power draw and name recognition, and I totally get that. But that's not what draws me. I love festivals for the chance to see films I'll never see anywhere else, arthouse or otherwise. Guests are great and Q&As can often be illuminating and memorable, but that's not the reason I go.
And that's why, given a choice, I'd always prefer SFIFF over TCM (whose schedules overlap annually). Because I live in the Bay Area, there's no shortage of classic films available on the big screen here. Here's a list of all the films that screened in June in a theater within 40 minutes of me that were made at least 40 years ago:
The Gold Rush (Chaplin, 25)
Behind the Front (Sutherland, 26)
Nell Gwyn (Wilcox, 26)
The Scarlet Letter (Sjostrom, 26)
The Big Broadcast (Tuttle, 32)
White Zombie (Halperin, 32)
Duck Soup (McCarey, 33)
The Crime of Doctor Crespi (Auer, 35)
The Great Garrick (Whale, 37)
Four's a Crowd (Curtiz, 38)
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (Curtiz, 39)
The Long Voyage Home (Ford, 40)
Santa Fe Trail (Curtiz, 40)
Hold Back the Dawn (Leisen, 41)
They Died with Their Boots On (Walsh, 41)
Double Indemnity (Wilder, 44)
The Dark Mirror (Siodmak, 46)
His Sister's Secret (Ulmer, 46)
La Otra (Gavaldon, 46)
To Each His Own (Leisen, 46)
The First Legion (Sirk, 51)
The Forbidden Christ (Malaparte, 51)
Strangers on a Train (Hitchcock, 51)
The Lusty Men (Ray, 52)
The Devil's Money (Galindo, 53)
Roman Holiday (Wyler, 53)
Giant (Stevens, 56)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Brooks, 58)
Suddenly, Last Summer (Mankiewicz, 59)
Butterfield 8 (Mann, 60)
La Dolce Vita (Fellini, 60)
The Great Race (Edwards, 65)
Tokyo Drifter (Suzuki, 66)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Nichols, 66)
Spring Night, Summer Night (Anderson, 67)
The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach (Straub/Huillet, 68)
Dillinger is Dead (Ferreri, 69)
The Wild Bunch (Peckinpah, 69)
Two-Lane Blacktop (Hellman, 71)
Fat City (Huston, 72)
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (Peckinpah, 74)
The Sugerland Express (Spielberg, 74)
Kings of the Road (Wenders, 76)
And that's not even including the SF Silent Film Festival, which featured 16 features--including films by Ozu, Clair, Lang, Lubitsch, Fleming, Micheaux, and Wellman's Beggars of Life, starring Louise Brooks--and even more shorts.
TCM fans are drawn to their festival by the opportunity to see those classic films on the big screen (many of which I already have), by the stars, the interviews, and the camaraderie. And I don't doubt for a second that I would have a lot of fun in their company.
But there are far more things I would feel I missed out on by not attending SFIFF--new foreign treasures, innovative docs, experimental shorts I'll never see anywhere else. Every month is like a TCM festival living here in the Bay Area anyway--beautiful Art Deco houses, or film archive theaters, or dungeon-like screening rooms specializing in 16mm arcana--so I save my pennies (or rather, maximize their cinematic heft) by staying put. There are still a lot of places in the world I want to visit. But movies have very little to do with any of them. Which suits me fine.
The Ingrid Bergman stamp is Scott # 5012 . The stamp of Aaron Douglas's painting The Prodigal Son (Scott # 4748g) is part of the "Modern Art in America" series.


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Joe Biden has always had a flair for doing things differently – but his upcoming trip to South Asia may set a new standard.
The vice president-elect will be traveling to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But he won't really be traveling as the vice president-elect – he'll be traveling as the chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Only he'll be resigning from the Senate in a few weeks. Even though he was sworn in Tuesday for his seventh term.
Got that?
By Carol E. Lee, Politico
Many foreign policy observers don't, raising the concern that officials in the countries on Biden's itinerary may hold to the quaint notion that the vice president-elect is the vice president-elect and that Biden will be sending not-very-subtle signals about U.S. policy in the Obama administration – even though George W. Bush is still in office.
Biden first ran the South Asia trip idea by Bush administration officials several weeks ago, said Bush spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
"We discussed the trip and reviewed it in advance with them," Johndroe said. "We are facilitating the trip administratively where necessary."
But that didn't stop some serious eye-rolling by others on the Bush team. "It's certainly unique," quipped a senior Bush administration official. "And I'll just leave it at that."
Biden described the nature of his trip to reporters Tuesday after his swearing-in ceremony. "I'm going to come back and report where I think things stand in each of those countries now," he said.
Read the rest:


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We can engrave your desirable texts or images on this Inside Handle Red Mug as per your request!


text: Dana and David had an amazing wedding at Beverly Heights Church in Mt Lebanon PA. After a fantastic photo shoot on the North Shore, we went to the Sheraton Station Square for their reception. City Heat provided their usual brand of great entertainment. Their cake was provided by Bethel Bakery and Donati's did another remarkable job with the most amazing flowers in all of Pittsburgh. Dana and David are a lovely couple and we had so much fun creating these beautiful memories with them.


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A film by OLIVER HARDT / Written by DARIUS JAMES and OLIVER HARDT / Original Music by ARTO LINDSAY & RABOTNIK
Returning from Germany to his childhood home in Connecticut USA, following the death of his father, African-American author Darius James finds himself faced with the remaining traces of his father's life. Sitting in the family home, surrounded by his father's collection of African masks, James starts to ponder his own life. In search of answers he hits the road.
The United States of Hoodoo focuses on the author's road trip as he crosses the continent. Along a route that moves seamlessly from New York to New Orleans and west, from Oakland to Chicago and beyond, James meets musicians, scholars, spiritual leaders, artists and writers, and slowly discovers the deep spiritual roots behind African-American creative practice. Both a personal journey and a cultural voyage, this film paints a multifaceted picture of contemporary African-American art and culture that draws upon everything from the Delta blues of Robert Johnson through to the art of Nick Cave (not the musician), and always against the background the spiritual traditions of Africa and its diaspora.
International Press
"A fascinating documentary."
Shadow and Act
"A thoroughly absorbing and illuminating film, that - through the uniquely personal nature of Darius James's own quest and Oliver Hardt's careful and sensitive direction – stays with the viewer after the credits have rolled."
Revelation Perth International Film Festival
"Surprising facts, fascinating places and people, great music – plus a rousing family story.
That's the way to make a documentary film."
"Food for the soul."
Neues Deutschland
"Watch this documentary and prepare yourself for an unexpected journey into
a side of the United States I guarantee you have yet to see!"
"An enlightening and wonderfully positive film about the black roots of American culture."
"The United States of Hoodoo has a deceptive quietness with a hidden power underneath it."
Modern Griots Review
"Exciting topic – well worth seeing!"
Bayrischer Rundfunk
"A fascinating, almost hypnotic road movie."
"Leave your preconceived notions at the door and open your mind as you join Darius James on his journey to understand the roots of voodoo within
the United States and how it connects with the African culture that would eventually lead to the Afro-American culture."
"A documentary road movie that carefully examines the roots of urban creativity without being academic."
Onward into an invisible America! Darius James accompanies this remarkable road trip with great literary texts off
and makes the documentary a pleasure in this respect as well. In short: Extremely successful.


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Once again, proving the point that the best kind of Muslims are ex-Muslims. Please keep them safe and allow their voices to be heard in the worldwide media.
It isn't Islamophobia when they really ARE trying to kill you
Gregory the Apostate says
The speaker keeps referring to his community. Who is that? I think he may have said Pakistani immigrant, but everyone seems to be speaking in a Scottish accent, which is wholly indecipherable. Just wondering. It brings home to me why we need to curtail or even eliminate immigration to America until everyone here assimilates. I'm frankly tired of being shot or run over by someone from the "immigrant community". The very use of the term implies that they are not American.
Brave man for speaking out in public. I would take issue with his use of the term white trash in referring to Britons. White Trash is my heritage and it is exclusively American. Not an honorable lineage, but I am inordinately proud of it nonetheless.
Bonnie–I love what you are doing. Semper Fidelis and hoping everyone in this community has an excellent new year in 2018.
Troybeam says
The contemporary (i.e., 1991) Al-Azhar (Cairo) Islamic Research Academy endorsed manual of Islamic Law, Umdat al-Salik (pp. 595-96) states: "Leaving Islam is the ugliest form of unbelief (kufr) and the worst…. When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostasizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed. In such a case, it is obligatory…to ask him to repent and return to Islam. If he does it is accepted from him, but if he refuses, he is immediately killed."
The OIC's Sharia-based Cairo Declaration is transparent in its rejection of freedom of conscience in Article 10:
"Islam is the religion of unspoiled nature. It is prohibited to exercise any form of compulsion on man or to exploit his poverty or ignorance in order to convert him to another religion, or to atheism." Ominously, articles 19 and 22 reiterate a principle stated elsewhere throughout the document, which clearly applies to the "punishment" of so-called "apostates" from Islam: "[19d] There shall be no crime or punishment except as provided for in the Sharia.; [22a] Everyone shall have the right to express his opinion freely in such manner as would not be contrary to the principles of the Sharia.; [22b] Everyone shall have the right to advocate what is right, and propagate what is good, and warn against what is wrong and evil according to the norms of Islamic Sharia.; [22c] Information is a vital necessity to society. It may not be exploited or misused in such a way as may violate sanctities and the dignity of Prophets, undermine moral and ethical values or disintegrate, corrupt or harm society or weaken its faith."
Why so many refuse to leave Islam, death is a sure thing if they are caught after leaving. Sharia Law is not acceptable on any level, please stop supporting this barbaric theocracy.
Linda Rivera says
Peter, We at BNI are definitely on the same side!
You're an intelligent man. Explain to me how there could be no God? The universe, our world and our bodies are highly intricate and complex with amazing design!
Our faith is not based on blind faith! It's an intelligent faith!
Do yourself and your family a big favour! Read this entire, fascinating, SCIENTIFIC article!
Peter, i DON'T want you and your family to die without God!!!
Is There a God?
Does God exist? Here are six straightforward reasons to believe that God is really there.
the thought offender says
Prove it.
Michael Copeland says
Yusuf al Qaradawi, advisor to the Muslim Brotherhood, agrees:
"If they had gotten rid of the death penalty for apostasy Islam wouldn't exist today".
cat says
lovely cult. Leave it and you an be murdered. Wow. What a cult of pieces.
john Daniel. says
always difficult to believe an islam is an ex-islam.
a major characteristic of every islam is permitted deceit for the islam cause.
Propagating untruth is a major factor in islam – like
"If it wasn't so dangerous for Muslims to leave the faith, Islam would collapse"
Now this is a major deceit – a venerable lie !
Like – If all (even most of) the islams left the faith
There would be no islam !
Do you see that happening !
No – even more are submitting!
So – the lie continues !
islam and its islams has to be exterminated !
Kb says
Az gal says
Allah, being actually Satan, is so bad that most exMuslums are atheists. They are turned off on any notion of a God! As for the wanna be exMuslums, the stigma of leaving Islam is so bad, along with the loss of their families (who would disown them), keeps them silent.
Jeleel says
Allah is a masquerade. A devil in God's jacket, a terrorist in hijab. "Who is this Allah?" by Moshay (Amazon.com)
My favorite ex-muslim is IQ al-Rassooli; unsure if he is still active; one of his internet blogs has went dark.
Don Spilman says
Well duuuuuuuu! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that. I fully got that after the second or third book I read. That's why I say it's not a "faith", it's not something anyone would choose to believe. The pitiful fools are born into the nasty pile of steaming camel dung, and threatened with death to dare to leave it, there certainly is no faith involved in THAT.
Lydia says
"It's not what anyone would choose to believe…" how do you explain all who became muSCUMs by converting? The would-be San Francisco attacker was a former marine who converted. There are numerous other examples.
Janet Jackson! They somehow seduced her hotness into a bodysack!
This is also why many of the sand fleas in prison are kept seperated from the rest of the inmates. As keeping them together has a way of infecting other inmates with the same mental rabies the sand flea has. Explain why this is, if it's true that no one can choose to believe this garbage. One of the problems is that there are parts of islam that are very seductive, the quran hides it's real hateful core, literally sandwiched between scores of hypnotic verse about love and mercy. Like when a kid would hide a comic book or porn inside a school textbook, to conceal what they are really reading, the quran is compiled much the same way. muSCUMs only want you to read the quran if you are to convert, and even then, they initiate you with giving islam the candy apple dip treatment and seducting you with the exoticness of it before letting you in to it's real truth. This is one reason why islam is such a successful cult…
Don Spilman says
"One of the problems is that there are parts of islam that are very seductive, the quran hides it's real hateful core."
You just answered your own question. These you named and all like them are purely IGNORANT fools who base their stupid lives on feewins instead of any truth.
Az gal says
You just stated why people convert. They are fed lies about Islam, so they will think it is a good, "peaceful religion".
Don Spilman says
Az Gal you went purple on us I didn't recognize you, like you answer. Faith only really comes after much thought and study, any idiot that converts to izslime are capable of neither. And now the stupid fools can be honor murdered if they try to leave. Doubly brain dead!!!!
Linda Rivera says
Quran (8:12) "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
I DISAGREE that "If it wasn't so dangerous for Muslims to leave the faith, Islam would collapse"
Muslims EMBRACE the Horror and Terror of Islam.
Wherever there are Muslims, non-Muslims suffer. Terribly.
There are huge numbers of no-go Muslim areas in Europe and Britain too dangerous for non-Muslims to enter.
Imported Muslims have GANG RAPED, TORTURED and FORCED INTO PROSTITUTION and SEX SLAVERY up to One Million little white non-Muslim British girls.
Muslim SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE TORTURES and RAPES of Britain's non-Muslim children continues unabated all over Britain — wherever there are Muslims.
Muslims have been ALLOWED by EVIL God-hater British and European leaders to perpetrate RAPE JIHAD on a WAR TIME SCALE in Britain and Europe.
I DISAGREE that "If it wasn't so dangerous for Muslims to leave the faith, Islam would collapse"
British Schoolgirl's Testimony Muslims Threaten Children With Violence Rape Outside School Daily
Scaredofislam says
Corrections:Two best kind of muslims: ex muslims and dead muslims (my favorite one). Islam is for the most a terminal disease.
Roman Catholic from South Africa says
"The best kind of Muslims are ex-Muslims."
It's like waking up one morning to realizing that we all should be brushing our teeth with fluoride, shaving with a close razor and bathing with soap..
Peter35 says
Really? Many have left the cult and are still 'with us', and they don't get 24/7 protection. Seemingly it doesn't occur to the potential 'leavers' that if they all left, what could the faithful do, spend all their time hunting the leavers down? There wouldn't be much time left for rapes, bombings, beatings, etc., and even less time left for job hunting, picking up welfare cheques etc.!
And what about all the prayers to allah, not to mention four wives? What's a moslem to do?!
Don Spilman says
Liked your comment Peter35. … Becoming an atheist is better than being a muzslime of course, but in the long run the old saying, stand for nothing and fall for anything", should be considered. We all must realize that atheists are very religious about their atheism, they are primarily GLOBS pushing the one world totalitarian death to millions agenda.
Peter35 says
Hi Don, I am a non-believer, have been all my life (82 yrs) and I'm not pushing that agenda. Rather, I'm what used to be called a Conservative, which is nowadays referred to as a 'far right radical nazi', or something like that.
Nothing against Christians, Buddhists or anyone else EXCEPT moslems; I loath the bastards!
And even more; I loath the bastards who let them into our countries!
I think we're on the same side, yeah?
CONTACT: [email protected]


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'True Blood' recap: Mystics, mayhem and making out on the front lawn
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtra ... ayhem.html
Thou shalt not kill is one of the most widely accepted of the Ten Commandments - it's hard to find people who think murder should be sanctioned (except maybe on Showtime's "Dexter," but that's a conversation for another time). Still, it's difficult to grieve for Joe Lee Mickens, he with the penchant for unclean underwear and brutal dogfighting, who is killed by his son Tommy at the start of Sunday's episode.
Read more at the source above.


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Highlights of the lecture can be found here
Bowl for Kids Sake
On Saturday March 2, 2019 the Masons of Toronto West together with their family and friends spent the afternoon at Classic Bowl to defend their title and to win big for Big Brother and Big Sisters of Mississauga. Fun was had by all and after winning the most spirited group competing the Masons once again came out on top to keep the coveted trophy and help the less fortunate.
The fundraiser was an enormous success and I thank all those who came out to make a huge difference for a you man or young girl's life. Altogether over $10,000.00 was raised for this important initiative.
Thanks to all who made a difference.
R.W. Bro. Kevin J. Furlong
King Hiram Official Visit
Stone Stock 2019
What a night!! Stone Stock was organized as a fundraiser for Lupus but evolved in to much more than that. Great music, cosy and relaxed atmosphere, fellowship, drinks and snacks. Definitely a template for future events. Hats off to W. Bro. James Andrews for providing an excellent night out. The night started with a brave young girl, Josephine, playing two of her own compositions. Kudos to her for getting up and playing for us. Her father, a fellow Brother, was in the audience, beaming the entire time. What a wonderful experience for her and everyone.
Visited Murray Lodge No. 408 in Beaverton Ontario with the Masons of Victoria District and beyond to celebrate a Masonic milestone of a half century of service to our Craft. Congratulations go out to R.W. Bro. Gary Morgan on this wonderful achievement of Masonic longevity. Family and friends were on hand to help celebrate this momentous occasion. PGM's Shand and Groshaw were in attendance as well as the DDGM for Victoria District R.W. Bro. Robert G. Webster. The ceremony for R.W. Bro. Morgan was spearheaded by his son and brother R.W. Bro. Kevin Morgan both being PDDGM's of Victoria District.
Enjoying Masonic fellowship at Lake Shore Lodge No. 645 as the W.M. W. Bro. T. Saar with Officers and members Initiated Bro. Kerba into Lake Shore Lodge. Friends of the new Mason came from afar to witness the new beginnings of a brother Mason. It was a pleasure to be accompanied by R.W. Bro. Frank Groves, DDGM: Peterborough District and Grand Senior Warden R.W. Bro. Frank L. Thompson and R.W. Bro. John Hay, MOB. Also in attendance was R.W. Bro. Charles A. Woods and R.W. Bro. David Armstrong both distinguished Members of the Board.
Toronto West District News and Events
Click here to submit
March 2019


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Rose & Thorn
Rose & Thorn offers modern interpretations of classic Mediterranean and Italian offerings in an elegant Atrium dining space. In addition to the modern Atrium dining space (designed to service intimate groups, couples, and large private events of up to 150 guests), Rose & Thorn offers a swanky full-service craft cocktail bar, and a private dining space with full AV capabilities and seating for 8-18.
The restaurant features local and seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients prepared with care, attention to detail, and craftsmanship that highlight the talents of the Rose & Thorn culinary team in their innovative kitchen. Rose & Thorn's menu features creative appetizers, Neapolitan style pizzas, fresh pastas, Char-broiled steaks, and fresh, local seafood.
Rose & Thorn's cocktail bar boasts six wines on tap, 12 seasonally rotating draft beer taps, hand crafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, as well as robust and uniquely curated offering of spirits you may enjoy at the stylish booth or bar top seating.


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Mid-year 1972 "L" model Pantera - THPNMDO4336
Red ext./Black int. - 59,159 miles. 100% Rust-free Texas car with numerous upgrades and correct modifications. CJ code 351C, 10.5:1 CR, closed chamber heads, 355 HP, Holley 570 Street Avenger. Finished engine compartment and trunk, recently re-done interior. Clear-coated ZF, Sheel-Mann reclining seats, Koni's, Campy's, Optima battery, etc., etc. Extensive mechanical, electrical and interior work has been done. Complete specs and pics available.
I bought the car from the second owner and have owned it for eight years. A ton of work and $$$ has gone into this car and although it is currently in "driver" condition, with very little work on cosmetics it will be a show winner. Sorry, not interested in trades.
Priced to move at $32,500.
Original Post


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Runway 12-30 was built in 1960 and opened along with the Airport in 1962. Additions to the original runway included a 500-foot extension in 1992 and new asphalt shoulders in 1998. Due to its age and use, the original runway pavement needed to be replaced. Also, additional drainage features and strength improvements were needed to accommodate aircraft much heavier than those estimated in the original design
Since Runway 12-30 is the only crosswind runway at Dulles, its reconstruction would have to be timed to avoid periods when the winds would favor this runway over the others (1L-19R and 1R-19L). A summer timeframe was selected, and construction was completed ahead of schedule and within budget.
The project called for demolition and reconstruction of the runway in two phases. In order to minimize runway downtime, the contractor agreed to combine the two phases. This shaved the total planned construction schedule from 148 days to 134 days. The actual project was completed in 121 days, saving nearly a month off the original schedule.
Statistics about Runway 12-30:
- Original runway dimensions (1962): 10,000 feet by 150 feet
- Runway dimensions after 1992: 10,500 feet by 150 feet
Construction Details:
- Contractors: Michael Baker, Jr. Inc. - Design. Lane Construction Corporation - Construction.
- Runway returned to daytime operations: August 2004
- Runway returned to full service: October 2004
- Program Cost: $49.7 million


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This years Bridal Slide Show by Hopscotch Couture Thursday, Apr 18 2013
Bridal and couture jewelry and fashion Bridal Fashion, Disabled Artist, Haute Couture Neck Piece, Hopscotch Couture, Statement Jewelry, Wearable Art, Wedding Accessories 9:32 pm
When you have your health, you have everything. Wednesday, Apr 10 2013
Uncategorized 10:07 pm
That phrase about having your health means you have everything doesn't seem to faze anyone until you become very ill. At least that has been my experience. I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful souls that are going through so many physical challenges. The one common denominator we all share is this…..your mind is sharp, strong and ready to go but you body just won't cooperate. It is a most frustrating experience. I have been ill for most of my life and I have to say it has its upsides too. I am able to go everywhere and do everything I want in my mind. Some may call it fantasy, imagination or just daydreaming. For me it is planning. For the last ten years I have had a total of fourteen good months. In those times of wellness I work and create as fast as I can just in case. It turns out all those fantasies and daydream were actually plans put into motion just by having the imagination to see them. Some call it the power of positive thinking or putting it out there. What ever you call it, I can attest it works. My success has come in fast and far-reaching bursts. It's like God makes up for my lost time by hurling my work into the spotlight. For this I am so grateful.
I am sure the moment I am feeling up to speed again I will be given wings to fly as fast as possible to make up for the last few months. I had one good day, today, so watch out, I just might be soaring sooner than you think.
(Thank you all for your patience).
This beautiful photo was shot by an amazing artist with one of my necklaces as a headpiece. A most stunning work of art. You can see more of her work here….


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Feb 15 2009
Bulletproof Faith Study Group Starting Soon!
I will be hosting a series of free group book study sessions through a series of teleseminars, beginning on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The study group will meet each Wednesday after that for the next nine weeks. We will use the Bulletproof Faith study guide posted here.
This is a great opportunity to study the book along with me, the author, and gain new insights into how to develop a truly bulletproof faith.
Go here for more information and to register! Even if you can't make the calls, register anyway and get links to the audio from the calls.
Hope to "see" you in the group!
Leave a Reply
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Vegetarians, Lactose Intolerant, Food allergy sufferers, as well as Kosher Pareve consumers can now get quality milk like, though dairy free chocolates! Premium Chocolatiers supplies the finest gourmet truffles and chocolates to people with milk, nut, gluten or egg sensitivities or those without. Website
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Safety and Security
Everyone with a peanut allergy is afraid of anaphylaxis, which can happen when the allergic person is exposed to one of their allergens. Anaphylactic shock happens very quickly and it can be deadly. When someone goes into anaphylactic shock, their body reacts by releasing chemicals and it is the natural reaction that causes the potentially deadly anaphylaxis. The scariest part of anaphylaxis is the speed in which it happens. Once the chemicals are released, the airways narrow and breathing becomes difficult, blood pressure drops dramatically, hives develop, and vomiting can happen. The deadliest part of anaphylaxis happens when the air ways narrow and blood pressure drops. If you or your child has a food allergy to peanuts, an EpiPen could someday save your life. A friend of mine went on vacation to Toronto (they were from the States) and her daughter had a reaction in the hotel. They went to their room and within moments, her daughter could not breathe. She suddenly completely stopped breathing and passed out dead cold on the bed. They were so lucky that her husband had the EpiPen with him, because if he had had to run out to the car, their daughter would have died. He stabbed the shot into her leg so hard that he actually bent the needle on her little thigh, but he saved her life as the epinephrine immediately forced her back into consciousness. Since they were from the States, they were unaware of what to do with her at the hotel. Her husband grabbed the four year old and carried her as he ran to the front desk. The employees called 911 which brought a fire truck and ambulance to the hotel. They spent the day at the hospital, while the doctors made sure their daughter would be alright. She ended up being fine, but they left Toronto and drove home, ending their vacation before it even started. Since people with food allergies cannot be home all of the time, it is extremely important for them to be aware of their surroundings and prepared for the worst. My friend reported that the hotel room was immaculate and there was not any food in the room, but since it only takes 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel, literally the DUST of a peanut, it could have easily bee peanut residue from the previous lodger. To this day, their daughter carries a small purse everywhere she goes, even in her public school classroom. The purse contains her EpiPen, Benadryl, and her inhaler of Albuterol. If you are an adult or older teen with food allergies, you should let your friends and those who eat with you know that you have food allergies, especially if they are the type to cause anaphylaxis. In 2011, actor Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman) was eating with friends Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan when he suddenly went into shock. Neither woman knew that he had a severe food allergy to many different kinds of nuts, so they had no idea what to do when the shock began. Had he told his friends that he had a food allergy, they would have been able to help him by injecting an EpiPen or making sure that their food was free of nuts or other allergens. He was rushed to the hospital and had to stay overnight while the physicians made sure he was stable. Knightley and Mulligan were caught completely unaware and did not know what to do. It turned out that there were traces of nuts in the food that Garfield ordered. Experiencing anaphylactic shock is extremely frightening for the person who is in shock, but it is also incredibly frightening for the people who are watching. It is a great idea for those with tendencies towards anaphylactic shock as a reaction to a food allergy like peanuts, milk or eggs, to tell their dining companions about their food allergies, so if something horrible happens and the people who could help you are totally unaware. Knowledge is power and if you are dining away from home, make everyone knowledgeable when you are dining away from home
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Microsoft takes piracy fight to Kuwait
Vendor carries out anti-piracy raids on resellers after filing criminal complaints
Microsoft's ongoing crusade against dealers selling copied versions of its software has led it to carry out raids on the Kuwaiti channel.
The raids took place last month after Microsoft officially filed criminal complaints in Kuwait, and resulted in the vendor confiscating pirated software CDs and PCs loaded with fake copies of its software.
Microsoft did not reveal how many resellers were implicated in the raids or give any indication of the amount of copied software that it seized.
In a statement announcing the developments, Dale Waterman, Microsoft's corporate attorney for anti-piracy for the MEA region, repeated the message given after other reseller raids in the Gulf this year.
"We are heavily investing our resources and time into winning the battle against piracy by intensifying our collaboration with government and law enforcement agencies in the Gulf region to ensure that pirates are brought to justice," he said. "Our enforcement efforts are a key component in our battle against piracy."
Microsoft claims the latest raids are evidence that by partnering with local government bodies in the region, it has "stepped up" its efforts to take legal action against those who manufacturer and distribute illegal software.
Last month, it revealed that it had carried out five anti-piracy raids in Dubai and Sharjah as it looks to keep up the pressure on the UAE channel.


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Sale: Stock up on ALL things ribbon! Enjoy 20% off EVERYTHING + Free Shipping on orders $55+ through August 18th at Midnight, EST. Moonstitch to CHEER, Satin to Grosgrain - it's ALL on sale! Sales volume will be high - orders will be fulfilled on a first come/first serve basis. *Some exclusions apply.
The holidays can be a time of cheer but also anxiety as you scour the Internet searching for the best deals on all your craft project supplies. When it comes to celebrating the most magical times of the year, Ribbon and Bows Oh My! has the superior selection of seasonal ribbon for you to choose from. We offer several selections categorized by season and holiday. Find fall, spring, winter, summer, patriotic, and Valentine's Day inspirations by exploring our holiday ribbon selection today. With our unique prints and patterns, you will be able to craft adorable ribbon sculptures, tree ornaments, hair accessories for school holiday parties, or incredible gift wrap designs. Browse our inventory today to unlock the excitement each holiday brings. Whether you are celebrating Halloween or Thanksgiving, our Fall collection offers a wide variety of seasonal ribbon to choose from. Enjoy mosaics, sugar skulls, monsters, falling leaves, bright chevron patterns, turkeys, pumpkins, and so much more. Wreaths are fun and simple projects that can be hung on your front door or as part of your interior d�cor from fall until winter. Our Winter selection is full of Christmas graphics, color schemes, and designs that will have you imagining winter wonderlands even if you live in a tropical destination. In addition to supplying high-quality grosgrain, we also offer sequin headbands, mohair flowers, epoxy dots, tulle, and other materials to make your holiday crafting a breeze. Spring into warm weather, cookouts, and outdoor sports in style by exploring our Spring, Summer, and Patriotic collections. Our Spring selection offers dozens of floral prints and Easter-inspired designs. Our Summer collection offers everything you love about taking it easy and soaking up the sun. Enjoy flip flops, ice cream, sunflowers, and coastal inspirations. Do you take part in your hometown's parade each Fourth of July? Creating colorful accessories and hair bows can be simpler with the help of our Patriotic collection. Bring out your red, white, and blue in creative ways by decorating parade floats, concession stands, or signs with any of our patriotic grosgrain. Holiday ribbon is a great place to start when it comes to your celebratory DIY projects and d�cor. Spread joy and love everywhere you go by browsing our inventory today. If you have any questions, please contact us during our regular business hours and a member of our team will help you every step of the way.


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Dezign Interiors
Dezign Interiors provides inspiring solutions for all workspace and commercial environments in Australia. Over the past 40 years, we have become a leader in the Australian workstation and loose furniture market. Dezign Interiors manufactures workstations and furniture, with an impressive portfolio of successfully completed projects nationwide. We are the exclusive distributor of the Rex Kralj range of products in Australia/New Zealand, and a distributor of the prestigious Tabisso seating furniture from France. We specialise in providing solutions to meet all budget and design requirements, based on exceptional lead times. Our aim is to always exceed our customers' expectations. Be sure to stop by and take a look at the Versteel product range, being introduced to Australia at Melbourne Indesign!


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May 2012 – May 2013
Pas de Deux:
1. A dance for two, especially a dance in ballet consisting of an entrée and adagio, a variation for each dancer, and a coda.
2. A close relationship between two people or things, as during an activity.
Pas de Deux is a collaborative blog written by two sisters who share a passion for good food, good friends, and good conversation. Living on opposite coasts, we rarely get to sit down to a meal, or take on a project in the kitchen together. This blog is our opportunity to share with each other, as we share with you. We'll write about our "kitchen projects", we'll tell you about the restaurants we visit, and we'll share our reviews of dance performances, plays, and books–conversations that would be had around the table. We also believe in the importance of holistically healthy living, from local ingredients, to regular exercise, to a diet built on real food and moderation. We'll share stories of the "local food scene" in our respective homes, comparing and contrasting our worlds. As we are contemporary dancers, Pas de Deux will at times be a choreographed, polished piece, but improvisation will surely play a huge role.
About us: We are sisters so close we were often confused for twins. In High School our love of cooking started to grow, and we spent lots of time in the kitchen together. Our family has developed into foodies– cooking gourmet Thanksgivings, loving great restaurants, and more recently, spending many afternoons together wine tasting at local vineyards.
About Lindsey: Arts administrator, advocate, and educator; dancer; yogini; wife; healthy living advocate.
Charlottesville, VA
Working in the Arts, I am surrounded by products of other peoples' creativity. I recently realized that my most frequent creative acts occur in the kitchen. For me, this blog is an opportunity to expand my "kitchen creativity"–to share my creations, to develop visually appealing layouts, and to develop as a photographer. This blog is also about sharing stories, the stories that occur as meals are prepared, and the stories that unfold around a dinner table (or the virtual representation of that table). Lastly, this blog will document my exploration in making things from scratch–not just meals, but the ingredients themselves: breads, kombucha, almond milk, and one day, I dream of a garden that will allow me to can and preserve my fruits and veggies for year-round enjoyment!
About Casey: Professional dancer; Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor; Ballet teacher; Receptionist; chocolate connoisseur.
San Francisco, CA
Since I was young, I have loved dancing. Following my heart, I chose to forego college to pursue a professional dance career. The path I chose has been anything but straight, but I am enjoying the journey. The physical demands of my daily life have led me to experiment with my diet to find how best to fuel my body. I limit my intake of dairy and red meat, but generally have an "everything in moderation" approach. I believe in cookie therapy– baking cookies to put my mind at ease– and often cook for and with friends.


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Extract taken from www.thestory.ie
The 2006 capping of the exempt income has – as artists' lobby group, Visual Artists warned – resulted in some high-earning individuals moving their tax residency abroad. The most infamous case, of course being U2, who moved their tax residency to The Netherlands.
However, a stark majority stayed, obviously, as it's almost always awkward to uproot.
Bertie Ahern's claiming of the exemption is notable for two reasons, one perhaps less noteworthy than the other.
Firstly, it illustrates just how little civic responsibility the man feels for the situation the country finds itself in today, something that will surprise few. Ahern is already in receipt of a number of State pensions, these total more than €120,000. He also has use of a State car 24 hours a day, every day, which transports him wherever he wishes to go at no personal cost. On top of this he receives a TD's salary of more than €100,000. He also earns, or has earned, considerable amounts from private speaking engagements, though it is said business is slow these days for 'the architect of the Celtic Tiger'. In short, he's not in search of a few pence to rub together, unlike many PAYE workers and private sector taxpayers as of late. Still, he actively sought the exemption on a book ghost-written by Richard Aldous for which Ahern received more than €400,000 in an advance when he could have left the money in the nation's coffers. This is where, I argue, it is needed and should be. He did so knowing it would cause controversy and offense.
A well written article indeed well done
However I beg to differ on one small point
I do not believe that anybody having earnings over the average industrial wage should be able to avail of this exemption from income tax , period!
There should be a ban on all public servants from gaining financially from their knowledge of having being a Public servant
Just my humble opinion!


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Midtown Transmission & Auto Care on 15th Street East will close at the end of July. The building and land has been sold to P.A. Autobody, which is planning to expand later in the summer.
Midtown Transmission has operated in Prince Albert since 1982, when it was started by Brian Tuck. Allan Hopkins began working with Midtown Transmission in 1989 and later bought Tuck out to become sole owner in 2000.
Allan said he was not looking to close the business, but received an offer he could not refuse for the building and land. Allan, who grew up in Saskatoon, said he plans to stay in Prince Albert and is considering other employment options once the business closes. He is hoping to continue working in the automotive industry.
"I've got a lot of friends in P.A. and I'd kind of like to hang around," he said.
"I've always liked living here. I like the atmosphere of P.A and enjoy being close to the parks and lakes."
Allan is a long-time supporter of the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce and served as board chair in 2008-2009. Over the years, he has been involved in a number of other community initiatives, including sitting on the board of the Victoria Hospital Foundation from 2006 to 2011.
Allan said he is thankful for the relationships Midtown Transmission has developed over the years and credits his customers and the support of the community with the company's longevity. He will be contacting all his customers to let them know about the company's closure and his future plans.
"A big thank you goes out to all my customers. I hope to be able to serve them again in the future," he adds.
"Our business has always revolved around serving our clients and it's always been rewarding. We've developed really good relationships."
While change can be difficult, it can also be exciting to look at new opportunities.
"I still enjoy coming to work every day, it's very fulfilling," Hopkins added.
"But, I'm also excited about the prospect of having a little bit of free time to enjoy life."
Also excited about the prospect of new opportunities are the folks at P.A. Autobody. Co-owner and general manager Shane Goller said acquiring the Midtown Transmission building will nearly double their work space, to 14,000 square feet. The expansion will also include the addition of office and management space, more parking, a third paint booth and more work bays.
"I personally do not have an office right now," Goller noted.
"We are at 100 per cent capacity at this time."
Goller said P.A. Autobody will be hosting an event in the fall to celebrate the company's expansion.


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Orla Shanaghy asks why, when it comes to gender issues, Irish telly is still in black and white….
It was with great reluctance that I turned on my TV last night to watch the latest episode of RTE's The Frontline. Not because I wasn't interested in the topics (I was), or because Pat Kenny and John Waters don't irritate me (they do). I am always reluctant to tune in to The Frontline and other current affairs discussion programs like it because their false-dichotomy format makes me physically squirm.
Take last night's program, titled "Do women need a quota to get ahead in business and politics?" As the producers clearly recognise, there is no better vehicle for a good false dichotomy and the ensuing media-friendly spat than a gender-related issue.
In the arena sat, on the "men's" side, John Waters, prominent advocate of men's rights. On the supposedly opposing, "women's" side, sat Camille Loftus of the National Women's Council. The audience speakers had, as always, been selected on the basis of which "side" of the "argument" they stood. Pat Kenny as facilitator did excellently what he is paid to do: ensuring that the debate never strayed far from black-versus-white. For example, he lead in to the first audience speaker, Crumlin youth worker Jody Garry, with "The whole business of 'It's a man's world – oh no it's not…'". When Rosemary McCabe, also in the audience, made a deceptively simple and hugely important point, stating "I don't really understand why we can't all just be human together", Pat did his best to pull things back to dichotomy territory with a cringingly simplistic remark on "the feminist lobby".
Clearly, it is the purpose of programs like The Frontline to present a topic in a way that engaged and sustains viewers' attention. The black-versus-white format works well in this context. However, this format is seriously damaging when it comes to issues as complex as the under-representation of women in public life. How many viewers watched the credits roll after last night's program believing that they had listened to a serious debate and feeling that they had gained a more rounded perspective on this issue? Several, I am sure, as The Frontline presents itself as a serious, analytical program and is widely regarded as such.
Sadly, despite the excellence of the individual participants, what we saw last night on The Frontline was an over-simplified, tabloid-style representation of the issue that does justice to nothing and nobody: black versus white, women versus men. Sad, and ironic too, because one thing that unwittingly emerged from the program was that issues such as the lack of formal paternity leave and the gender pay gap, as referred to by Jody Garry, affect everyone, not just one gender or the other. Fathers in Ireland cannot take proper paternity leave, so their partners are obliged to shoulder more of the childcare responsibilities, which reduces women's ability to participate in the workforce, which means that women's economic contribution to society appears to be less than men's, which reinforces a perception of men primarily as breadwinners and producers of economic output, which mitigates against anything that takes them out of the workforce for any length of time, with the result that fathers in Ireland cannot take proper paternity leave.
This illustration of a perfect circular system that ultimately benefits nobody was there in last night's program. It was the unacknowledged nub of the whole debate. You just had to look very, very hard to find it.
If the format had been one that facilitates nuanced debate and shades of grey – such as allowing speakers to avoid coming down completely on one side or the other – this holistic view of the issue could have come to the fore. It would then be possible to move the discussion to the next level of "What can we do about it?"
As it was, the battle-lines remained clearly drawn, chests were beaten, everyone got their say, and the status quo remained firmly in place. As long as the dualism-based format continues to be the dominant one in current affairs programs, the nubs of many important arguments will continue to go unacknowledged on the airwaves.
Orla Shanaghy is a native of Waterford where she lives and works. Her work has been broadcast on RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Miscellany and Lyric FM's Sunday Serenade. She has also been published in The Stinging Fly magazine and in the forthcoming The Sunday Miscellany Anthology 2008-2011. Orla blogs at curmumgeon.wordpress.com.


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USB dial (MHz): 0.136, 0.4742, 1.8366, 3.5686, 5.2872, 5364.7, 7.0386, 10.1387, 14.0956, 18.1046, 21.0946, 24.9246, 28.1246, 50.293, 70.091, 144.489, 432.300, 1296.500
M0XDK MapKB9AMG Monthly StatsWA2ZKD Spot AnalysisDJ2LS WSPR Spot Heat Map
There are currently 63 users online.
Read my blog entry "Swedish icebreaker Oden and the mystery of SA2LLL/63" on http://pa7mdj.blogspot.com
The past two months or so DJ0HO/MM has been making spots from the area around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. It surprises me that almost no information can be found on DJ0HO, that no information about the DJ0HO/MM operations came out in the WSPR community, and that as far as I know nobody did any inquiries as to the background of the Maritime Mobile station. I did some research and I have good reasons to believe DJ0HO/MM is located onboard of the German research vessel RV Polarstern.
Today I did a WSPR monitoring session on 20m. I noticed that a lot of European stations were hearing HZ1SK. I did not. Then I noticed that there was a strong signal in WSPR 2.0 on the same particular frequency that just everytime did not result in a decode. The frequency was close to the one in use by HZ1SK. Then I started WSJT-X to see if maybe this program would produce a decode. It did, and it indeed was HZ1SK, which now in WSJT-X was decoded every time. I ran both WSPR 2.0 and WSJT-X simultaneously and again WSPR 2.0 failed to decode. Why?
Sorry, all spots from PA7MDJ on 2018/02/17 between 1516 and 1518 UTC have the wrong band reported. The band reported is 630m, it should have been 30m.
Sorry, all spots from PA7MDJ on 2018/01/25 between 2234 and 2252 UTC have the wrong band reported. The band reported is 20m, it should have been 40m.
For more information, see also my previous blog entry (of July 6th, 2017) about the Antarctic WSPR beacon.
The past days I've been receiving WSPR beacons on 40m from G4BYO. I noticed the grid locator being quite odd for an English station. The locator (IL16 yesterday, IL04 today) put G4BYO in the Atlantic Ocean somewhere south of the Canary Islands and west of the Western Sahara. I immediately expected a sailing yacht. Callsign G4BYO belongs to mr. William Tee. Googling this name brought me to this webpage: https://cornellsailing.com/sail-the-odyssey/islands-odyssey/rally-2017/m....
From the DARC Facebook page July 5th, 2017
WSPR-Funkbake in der Antarktis
Sorry, all spots from PA7MDJ between 2017/06/04 2230 UTC and 2017/06/05 0012 UTC have the wrong band reported. The band reported is 20m, it should have been 40m.


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Puppies in Pennsylvania looking for homes
New legislation in Pennsylvania tightens regulations on commercial kennels and breeders -- and many are simply throwing in the towel, closing down and dumping their inventory -- i.e. puppies -- on local shelters.
Every little mutt needs a home, but bear in mind that many of these pups are discarded designer mixes that would fetch more than $1,000 on the open market -- so if your girlfriend has her heart set on a puggle or a labradoodle, you may be able to find one for a nominal adoption fees.
One shelter in particular -- the Last Chance Ranch in Quakertown, Pa., (an hour north of Philadelphia, 1.5 hours south of Manhattan) -- has been overwhelmed with homeless puppies in the past several days. Incidentally, the shelter is a finalist in Rachael Ray's Mutt Madness contest; it's safe to say its odds of winning the cash prize just went up substantially.
To help, call any Humane Society branch located in Pennsylvania or Last Chance Ranch -- and kick off 2010 with some great canine karma.


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I read this book recently. Excellent book on something which we know but fail to understand sometimes. Author Seth Godin also runs a blog @ http://sethgodin.typepad.com/. This is the first book I read from his shelf!
Overall a great motivational book for everyone...
- Easy to read book
- Interesting topic to follow - focus on "The Dip"
- Small foot print - just 80 pages to read !
- Thought the advice given in the book is pretty obvious sometimes, it does make a lot of sense with Godin's writing !
- Great buy as a gift to friends & to pass on to friends who will love to read a small book
Overall a great motivational book for everyone...
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Crafting a Superb Othello Essay Isn't Impossible
Othello, otherwise known as The Moorish Captain is one of Shakespeare's greatest hero-turned-tragedy stories. The story explores the fictional tale of Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, who falls in love with a senator's daughter but is manipulated by his ensign, Lago, to develop feelings of jealousy and betrayal. The end result is tragic, with Othello killing his wife Desdemona and taking his own life. Originally taken from 'Un Capitano Moro' by Cinthio (1565), Shakespeare spun new characters and gave new perspectives into the recurrent themes of the time to create this historical masterpiece in 1603.
Othello's tragedy is one of the most covered titles in both high schools and colleges. Numerous plays and theatre productions have been created from it, not to mention hundreds of literary and film adaptations. As a literature student, there is always a high likelihood that you will be asked to write an Othello essay, focused on any of the characters, the prevalent themes, images or symbols. Tackling an essay on any of these subjects isn't easy, especially due to the multi-dimensional nature of Shakespearean work. You need to explore the entire written play from cover to cover, and also read other scholarly interpretations of the same piece in order to have an essay that is completely on point. This might take you a good amount of time, therefore, it is proper to plan your research adequately. Ultimately, Shakespearean work is riddled with different complexities that also give his work a certain level of timelessness. You should always have a pen and a notebook to write down anything of interest. Also, always keep an open mind when reading through his work because Shakespeare tends to intertwine characters with settings and images even on the most subtle levels.
Major Character Development in Othello
Othello, the main protagonist, is initially portrayed as an outsider who has found success and fame in a foreign country. Being a Moorish general in the predominantly white city of Venice (his African origins are often referenced through racial epithets by other characters), his success is always conflicted with his perceived inferior foreign background. He is initially cast as indifferent to the perceptions, visible in how confidently he addresses the Venetian senate and the Duke. However, as the plot unravels, it is revealed that Othello is quite sensitive to his skin tone, which is the primary cause of his insecurities, eventually leading him to lose faith in his wife and the tragic events that follow. His strong, noble character and good judgement are flawed by insecurities which give out when he eventually distrusts the woman that he loves, in typical Shakespearean fashion.
Lago is the archetypal villain; a betrayer always lurking in the shadows to take advantage of other characters' worries. He is a manipulator at all levels, and he gets entangled in a web of jealousy and deceit that wraps around all other characters and eventually causes the entire plot to unravel. Though referred to as 'honest Lago' because of a faux reputation he has built up as a straight speaking and reliable ensign and friend, Lago's true intentions are revealed to the audience but never to any of the characters except Roderigo, to whom he briefly elaborates on his plans. Edwin Booth described Othello as "quick in motion as in thought…lithe and sinuous as a snake."
Desdemona who Othello elopes with is the daughter of the senator Brabantio. She is cast as loyal, unfettered to common beliefs, subtle but wise and one with confidence. Even upon her death and betrayed by the one she loves most, her character remains natural, and she stays defending the one she loves.
There are other important characters such as Roderigo and Emilia, who contribute to major themes in the plot. Your Othello essay cannot tackle these characters in isolation, and you have to take keen note of any interactions with other characters in the story. For example, Lago has perched his heinous plot on his knowledge of Othello's insecurities, and every opportunity he gets he pries on these insecurities ultimately leading to the downfall of most of the major characters, including himself.
How to Stand Out With Your Essay on Othello
With your Othello essay, it isn't enough to understand a single character, plot or theme. Everything is intertwined, and even the often colourful language used by some of the characters has greater ramifications on themes being explored. For example, Othello is referred to as a 'Barbary horse', 'lascivious Moor', and "an old black ram…tupping your white ewe.' These directly speak about the racist attitudes of the time that Africans and other non-white foreigners were subjected to. The use of a white handkerchief supposedly stained with Desdemona's betrayal is an allegory to her perceived laying with Cassio on linen. The story moves beyond superficial characters, and you need to understand the classic Greek tragedy of which Shakespeare is seemingly a fan of. The plot is quite linear, focusing on the impending betrayal of Othello and the doom that surrounds most of the major characters. The play's structure is an important part of creating a focus for your essay, and you need to fully understand the exposition, character development, rising action and complications, changing directions, the final crisis and resolutions.
Your Othello essay might only require you to explore a singular character or theme, but it's necessary to understand their interactions with the entire story, otherwise, you will produce half-baked work. It might be difficult to read the book several times over to get a crystal clear understanding. That's where GradeMiners.com comes in. With expert and original writing, you are guaranteed some of the best papers Australia has to offer. Get your custom paper today!
academic assignments?


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Aug 8, 2016
We kick it off with Jay Porks talking pizza & bad customer service. Then on to the 2016 Slantie Award going to Sal for Host With The Most. Steve & Irena arrive from a high school reunion drunk as skunks and Steve is completely out of pocket. The show goes from 0-90 real fast,
@slantshow on facebook & Twitter
Slant Radio on YouTube
Available on iTunes, Google Play Music, & Stitcher app


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Wolf Hall (season 1)
6 episodes
The film is based on the true story of writer Hilary Mantel. She wrote two books of novels scheduled three meetings of Thomas Cromwell. The catastrophic events moving to England in the 1520 year. In the case of a royal death, which did not leave a heir, the state threatens civil war. Henry VIII wants to terminate the family relationship with Catherine of Aragon, but met opposition from the father and the monarchs of Europe. In the battle for the king and his vain feelings interfere with Thomas Cromwell, original, attractive, ambitious dreamer, a romantic and a skeptic.
Original Title: Wolf Hall
Country, Channel: USA, BBC
Release Date: 2015
Genres: Drama, History
Creator: Hilary Mantel, Peter Straughan
Cast: Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Claire Foy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Joss Porter, Bernard Hill, Hannah Steele, Jessica Raine
Runtime: 60 min
Language: English
Download :
Episode 1: (579,48 MB)
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Episode 2: (515,82 MB)
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Episode 3: (523,3 MB)
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Episode 4: (481,09 MB)
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Episode 5: (525,33 MB)
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Episode 6: (493,04 MB)
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Those who care for loved ones with long-term physical or cognitive ailments can experience anxiety, stress, and burn-out. Our caregiver specialist can assist you in accessing the resources that may be available and provide ongoing support in your journey. If you qualify for respite care services, you may be able to receive a grant that will help to cover the costs of in-home services or adult day care. These services enable the caregiver to get a much-needed break from their responsibilities.
To talk with our caregiver specialist, call 828-692-4203.
Respite Care Eligibility Requirements:
- The care recipient must be at least 60 years of age or be under the age of 60 and have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia
- The care recipient must require assistance with at least 2 activities of daily living or have significant memory loss.
If you or someone you know may qualify for a respite care grant, call our office or complete the application online:


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Estimated delivery Aug 15 - Aug 20
Discover a sports bra range designed for maximum performance. Our bras encapsulate, rather than compress the breast, for superior support.
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Subscribe and we'll give you first dibs on all daily deals and sales. We'll also send coupons for even further discounts.
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Intro to user accounts in Apple School Manager
Accounts in Apple School Manager are copied from your Student Information System (SIS), uploaded from .csv files using the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or linked to by using federated authentication. They can also be manually created.
If you are connected to your SIS, each user account has read-only information from the source. Additional information, such as the Managed Apple ID and associated password, is added to the account information in Apple School Manager. At no time is data written back to your SIS.
Each user account may have the following information associated with it, which can be viewed in the account list or when an account is selected:
Status (with the user's image, if provided) and source
First, middle and last name
Managed Apple ID
Role and location
Email address, if provided
Managed Apple ID password policy
School or academic year, if provided
Person Number and Person ID
After upgrading, your Apple Deployment Programmes account names are changed in Apple School Manager as follows:
Programme Agent is called Administrator.
Administrators are called managers.
The accounts used to buy licenses of content from the Volume Purchase Program become Content Managers with the continued ability to buy content.
The accounts used to manage mobile device management (MDM) servers become Device Managers.


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Last night, with a nearly sold out house at Fayetteville's Walton Arts Center, I saw Jonathan Larson's "RENT" for the very first time. It still surprises even myself I've gone this long without ever seeing a staging, missing out on the movie, not even hearing any more of the music than "Seasons of Love" at Christmas time. So as a theater fan, I've been looking forward to this since the WAC announced their Broadway season last spring -- if for absolutely no other reason than to finally experience the significance of the art form's former "Hamilton."
If, strangely like me, you've never encountered the rock musical based on Puccini's "La Boheme," the story follows roughly 525,600 minutes (one year) in the life of a group of friends/artists/lovers as they struggle to maintain their creative and/or hedonistic lifestyles in the face of poverty, and the possibility of eviction from their rundown loft. Not to mention, many of them are HIV-positive. The entirety of Act I takes place on Christmas Eve night, and Act II chronicles the following year and the effects of the events, decisions and revelations that took place in that one night.
WHEN — 8 p.m. March 3; 2 & 7:30 p.m. March 4
WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
FYI — "Rent" includes adult language and adult situations. The movie version was rated PG-13.
Ticket Lottery
Set For 'Rent'
A lottery before each performance of "Rent" will offer a limited number of $23 tickets.
Two and a half hours before each performance, lottery entrants may visit the McBride Studio and print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they are requesting on a card provided by Walton Arts Center staff.
Two hours before curtain time, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $23 each. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets are subject to availability.
The tradition of discounted tickets began in 1996 in New York when the show moved to Broadway. The producers of the show are committed to continuing the tradition of offering discounted orchestra seats in each city where the show will play.
I've seen a few comments expressing something to the effect of lament over the outdated, aged material in this the show's 20th anniversary tour (which actually started in 2016). But I think the generation-defining piece of theater comes across now more as a period piece -- just far enough removed that it's the themes, relationships, anxieties, fears, and lessons learned that are enduring rather than (obviously) the day-to-day of life in the late 1980's. That said, I felt all this didn't come together until the second act.
A brief glance at the program will reveal a few casting changes since the tour reunited in September, but in spite of the energy and tenacity of the cast, the show felt a bit disjointed -- like they are early in the run and still trying to find their footing as a cohesive unit. The woman next to me even asked how many cities deep in the tour they are, a reflection of her shared reaction. With live theater, that could be due to literally anything: opening night in a new city, a long travel day, an understudy filling in, etc. Whatever the cause, I couldn't shake that feeling the whole first act -- sometimes because the music (provided by a small group of uber-talented musicians on stage right) eclipsed the singers, which can happen with live instruments; sometimes because I (and many in the audience, I overheard at intermission) couldn't understand a word of the lyrics when they upped the pace or the pitch; and sometimes because a song was just out of a singer's range. (Specifically, Mimi's (Destiny Diamond) sexy "Out Tonight." To her credit though, Diamond is working with some vigorous choreography.)
That's not to say, by any means, the first act doesn't have strong, moving and beautiful moments in the acting and in the music. Understudy Jordan Long was filling the role of tortured and withdrawn musician Roger, and his performance was one of the show's best. His duets with roommate Mark (Sammy Ferber) were a delight throughout, and his tender moments with love-interest Mimi are as much a light in the darkness for the audience as they are for the two damaged characters. Diamond's vocal magnetism is in these numbers where she gets to showcase her strength and vulnerability at the same time. Plus, our introduction to Maureen (Lyndie Moe) near the end of the act is a scream.
There's so much going on in the first act, the story itself felt a bit disjointed, as well. That's not a criticism, just an observation. We're following the present of some seven or eight characters while piecing together their pasts and the context of their relationships through lines here and there, while also following the narrative -- which is building to a protest performance at the end of Act I. It all settled into place in the second act, though, as did the company's coherence.
"RENT" is a story about love -- in several of its varying forms -- and comprises characters with HIV. So, you know going in you can expect to be pretty emotionally wrecked. Particularly, Josh Walker as Tom Collins -- and his rich, elegant voice like warm honey -- is devastating and exquisite. In spite of the coming-of-age poignancy and the grief you already know is coming, I still left somehow feeling uplifted and hopeful -- likely due almost entirely to the "live life to the fullest" anthems "Seasons of Love" and "No Day But Today" and their themes serving their purpose.
NAN What's Up on 03/03/2018
Print Headline: Review: "RENT"


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The importance of justification or proof in the mathematics curriculum is well documented (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001; National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers [NGACBP & CCSSO], 2010; National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000). Stylianides noted, "many researchers and curriculum frameworks have recommended that proof and proving become central to students' school mathematical experiences in all content areas and at all grade levels…as proof and proving are fundamental to doing and knowing mathematics" (2007, p 289).
Further, the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) (NGACBP & CCSSO, 2010) includes constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others as one of eight mathematical practices for learning mathematics across all grade levels. The authors of the CCSSM suggest that being able to justify why a particular mathematical statement is true or where a mathematical rule comes from is a hallmark of mathematical understanding, much different from a student simply recalling a mathematical rule from memory without meaning attached. For example, students may recall how to find the area of a triangle with a base of length b and a height of h using A= ½ bh, but have no idea of why the rule involves multiplication by ½. Mathematics classrooms that engage students in mathematical justification "allow students to (a) observe how a rule applies across various cases, (b) construct generalizations to related situations, and (c) reflect on their own reasoning regarding the viability of their rules" (Lannin, Barker, Townsend, 2006).
Given the importance of including justification in the mathematics curriculum, Stylianides and Ball (2008) argued that teachers at all grade levels need opportunities to develop a deep understanding of mathematical justification, if they are to be successful in making this aspect of mathematics an important part of their classroom practices. It follows that similar opportunities should be included in preservice education as well to help the preservice teachers (PSTs) begin to develop an understanding of justification and to consider ways in which they would facilitate this practice in their future classrooms. Kennedy stated, preservice teacher education
… is located squarely between teachers' past experiences as students in classrooms and their future experiences as teachers in classrooms. From their experiences, teachers develop the ideas that will guide their future practices. If these ideas are not altered during preservice teacher education, teachers' own continuing experiences will reinforce them, cementing them even more strongly into their understandings of teaching, and reducing the likelihood that these ideas might ever change. (Kennedy, 1999, p. 57)
To attend to this recommendation, we focused on the practice of justification in a semester-long algebra course designed for elementary education mathematics minors. At the same time, we were mindful that we were preparing the PSTs to teach in a digital age. The CCSSM (2010) promotes the mathematical practice of strategic use of appropriate tools including the use of digital tools to "explore and deepen (the students') understanding of concepts" (NGACBP & CCSSO, p. 7). Further, the International Society for Technology in Education Standards (2002) for teachers indicate that they need to be able to model digital age learning. Again, referring back to Kennedy's (1999) argument stated previously, PSTs need to be involved in experiences that have similar expectations as for current teachers or no change will ever happen in the P-12 classroom, perhaps even more so in the P-12 digital classroom. The use of a Web 2.0 tool, VoiceThread, was incorporated into the course and permitted the PSTs to review and critique their own group justifications as well as observe and critique the justifications of others. We saw the digital tool of VoiceThread as having the potential to broaden the ways technology could be used in mathematics classrooms for developing and communicating mathematical understanding.
Voicethread: VoiceThread is an online application where users upload media files such as documents, photos, and video allowing others to access, review, and post comments using multiple formats.
Toulmin's Model for Argumentation: A framework consisting of six elements that represent the ideal model of a substantial argument; data, warrant, backing, conclusion, qualifier and rebuttal. In the current work, we focused on the first four elements.
Mathematical Justification: A process that is both individual and social in determining mathematical validity and developing mathematical understandings.
Formative Assessment: An instructional practice of involving students in developing shared understanding of learning goals and assessment criteria, providing feedback, and changing instruction in light of feedback.
Peer-Feedback: The process of providing someone else detailed information on performance or task completion in relationship to stated criteria.
Self-Feedback: The process of providing one's self detailed information on performance or task completion in relationship to stated criteria.
Instructional Model: The iterative pedagogical model involving cycles of (re)negotiating a mathematical justification, engaging in problem-solving tasks, video capturing of complete justifications for problems, and self and peer feedback posted to the uploaded VoiceThread videos.