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We're Past the Halfway Point: Let's Try to Get #MANCHILD Trending on Twitter
As I say in the video, thank you guys so much for your support. We've gotten this far, but we're past the halfway point and we've started falling behind. So I wanted to share a way you can help make the Man-child campaign a success -- even if you don't want to back the project (or if you already did -- thank you!). Anyone who appears on the Twitter lists below is a prominent member of the basketball community. Let them know about this film -- it's a well-researched movie by an indie filmmaker who's played basketball all his life (@ryanbkoo), it's about part of the basketball world that you don't normally see in the movies (the recruiting of middle schoolers), and it could really use their support! By reaching out to them as a community (and by talking amongst ourselves), let's see if we can get #manchild trending this week on Twitter -- together:
I've included some example tweets below. A couple more things:
If you'd like to know more about how the campaign is doing, I've done a few interviews with other filmmaking sites -- thanks to all of them for having me as a guest.
Also, sorry about the noisy air conditioner in this video! Small New York apartments...
If you're not a Twitter user, you could also try to reach out to any of the editors at the top NBA or College basketball blogs. I'm trying to reach out myself, of course, but as I say in the video, I can only be in one place at a time and there are only so many hours in the day. Thank you so much for your help!
Example Tweets
As for example tweets, here a few I've seen since posting this that are great examples. One essential element to include is that it's a campaign to MAKE a movie -- otherwise folks will think they're about to watch a finished film about youth basketball, and instead they get me talking. I'd be disappointed to see that! Some examples:
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/#!/Efowl4/statuses/111172345850363904
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/#!/fishxpressions/statuses/111198246562566144
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/#!/soniglf/statuses/111162627429896192
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/#!/PGrandstaff/statuses/111238438967197697
Video is no longer available: twitter.com/#!/ryanbkoo/statuses/111214839585714177
Thanks guys! Let's keep this up past just today, it's going to take a concerted effort and Twitter never sleeps!
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43 Comments
So did you just turn your blog into a promo and fundraising tool for your film overnight? I do kind of like the concept of you blogging about your experience doing this, but now you are touching the realm of shameless self promotion. I love your blog and everything, but come on..
September 6, 2011 at 12:01PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
What an unfair and dickish comment. Can't you just browse the free content and keep it moving?
September 6, 2011 at 12:06PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Koo, you're a classy dude. Allow me to point out what you're too polite to: This is YOUR website. Put whatever the hell you want on it. Anybody who doesn't like it has several billion other sites to visit.
September 6, 2011 at 12:32PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Koo, your Posts about your Kickstarter Campaign are as full of Value than the other posts here. Maybe even more for Guys that wanna go that route too. So keep up the posts.
September 6, 2011 at 12:41PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hey Koo!
I've been tweeting like mad...definitely behind you on focusing all efforts (website included) on this campaign. At the end of the day, we all win, since you're sharing your experiences, start to finish, with us. Please let us know how else we can help!
September 6, 2011 at 6:37PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Koo, please don't let guys like that get to you - or rather get to "that guy". All filmmakers should understand. I'll get my tweet on!
September 7, 2011 at 4:45AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
@koo NO they're not. If you have a dickish opinion like Andrew is not welcome to post it on this site we have come to love. I know how hard it can be to get a film made and funding is a major hurdle for indies so any self respecting indie should atleast appreciate/ respect this noble effort.Go Koo! its only for a month anyways.
September 8, 2011 at 9:05AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I don't think Koo's self-promotion is shameless at all. First, as much free content as he's given away over the past 1.5 years, I think he's entitled to as much self-promotion as he likes. Second, I actually love all his blogging about it. He's creating a blue print for a successful Kickstarter campaign (assuming he is successful). Lastly, as someone else pointed out, it is HIS blog. If you can't promote yourself on your own blog, where can you?
September 6, 2011 at 3:51PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Yo Andrew! Good luck funding YOUR next project. You can bet everyone here'll be eager to help after your class act above...
Self-promotion's a bitch. More power to you, Koo. Sideliners taking potshots usually means you're doing something right...
September 6, 2011 at 5:28PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
* you have to admit Andrew was pretty successful at bringing out A LOT of truly positive energy towards Koo... if a guy came to me and called me ugly and half the town came to my rescue pointing out how absolutely awesome I am in every way, including looks, I'd be grinning like that cat in wonderland (and Koo: you deserve this reaction)
* I'll change my signature at dvxuser to promote manchild, and I'll raise my pledge too; I want to read about Koo making his movie; not only will that be awesome for him, it will be great for me too, I know I'll learn a lot
September 7, 2011 at 1:23AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Gonna have to agree with Shawn here. Andrew, get a life, mate. This site has been always been awesome and there's nothing wrong with what Koo's doing. If you want to get a film made you have to keep pushing. Self promotion is what gets a lot of shit done in this industry. You could have the best script in the world sat there on your computer but if you can't get it in front of the right people you may as well not have written it. If you don't like it, do as Shawn says or go somewhere else. I'm sure there's plenty of room on the AICN boards if you want to flame people for trying to get ahead. Koo - keep it up and I really hope it succeeds. You deserve it and I can't wait to see what you come up with.
September 6, 2011 at 12:17PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Wow. Andrew, what a ridiculous comment. If he isn't going to push to make his film....are you??
September 6, 2011 at 12:23PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
No Film School doesn't charge fore their free DSLR Cini Guide or website content which is very good.
I ponied up $10 when you first announced #Manchild for several reasons:
1. No Film School has provided me with a wealth of helpful information.
2. While I am not a huge basketball fan, I enjoyed your pitch and I am looking forward to leaning about the process of making the film as well as watching the film itself.
3. Filmmakers like Koo don't create sites like this to make money. They share their knowledge and interact with others. Asking for a few bucks isn't out of line.
September 6, 2011 at 12:36PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I was umming and ahhing about donating - trying to get a feature off the ground myself so got my own problems - but now, after reading Andrew's frankly out of order comment, I'm gonna put some money in first thing tomorrow morning. There you go, Koo, you first donation fueled almost entirely by spite! Just kidding, I want to see you get it made too.
September 6, 2011 at 12:45PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
even during the busy and uncertain time of working on the film campaign - you still find ways to make it a helpful, learning experience for the readers of this site. posting what you've learned/ways we as readers can improve with funding our own projects is something i greatly respect. anyone who has a problem with it doesn't deserve all the effort you put into this site every day.
September 6, 2011 at 1:16PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Koo im having a hard time trying to figure out how to get the word out on twitter in a way that makes sense in 140 characters. A few of the BBall players have shown some replied interest, but im having a hard time getting them to understand what it is at first glance...these are pro basketball players..not NASA scientists. Could you create some kind of 140 character form letter tweet that we can copy/past easily that gets your point across and doesnt come off sounding spammish? I really want to help, but i need your help.
September 6, 2011 at 3:06PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Thanks Koo,
I just used a couple of those examples and tweeted the shit out of about 20 NBA players. Ill also try and get it spread around with a few of the NFL players I tweet with locally from the Indianapolis Colts. Hopefully one of these guys throws down a few G's themselves. #NFSstreetteam
September 6, 2011 at 6:47PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hey Koo I support what yr doing and really hope to get this dream of yrs accomplished. I have posted the kickstarter page on my facebook 2nd time now will keep doing it for the best of the project. Havent tweeted as all my contacts are on facebook.. will personally request them too. Common buddy lets keep on trying.
September 6, 2011 at 9:11PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Best wishes Koo! I'm not a bball fan, but I get a lot of great info from your site, so if I can help pay you back, count me in. I really can't believe someone would actually complain about you promoting yourself on your own site?! Seriously?? Dude needs to get a life.
September 6, 2011 at 9:52PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
30 more doors Koo ... 30 more doors. Hope this gives you a lift: http://www.zarias.com/?p=440
Good luck!
September 6, 2011 at 10:19PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hey fellow dreamer.....let's fuckin' do this!! I so completely appreciate everything you do for the indie film community so let's make this happen. I'll do all that I can in terms of promotion and support and challage others to do the same. Not only do I really want to see this movie, but this will prove to myself and the rest of the billion budding filmmakers out there that hard work and generosity pay off and pay forward!
September 6, 2011 at 10:24PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
What if all this posts about fundraising also help us filmmakers to think as producers, or at least to find different ways to get our projects done ? You should be happy that those advices are also free. As we say in France, "you're just spitting in the soup"
September 6, 2011 at 10:50PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Shameless? Of course it's shameless. Why should Koo be ashamed? Shameless is good in my book in this instance.
September 7, 2011 at 2:33AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I hate to point out the obvious here but if Koo has no production office staff, no accountants and lawyers, no studio agents, no silent backers, no managers nor anyone else, he has to assume the roll of 'everyone' at once and thus promote himself to the cows come home in order to finance the film. So to those who claim he is initiating 'shameless self promotion', well, actually, he is. That's his job (as producer, director, distributor and line producer all rolled into one) to do so, and Man Child wont get made unless he does. Its also called ***producing***. So good on you Koo, its a great undertaking and hope you get to the 100% mark. Keep it up.
With best wishes - SW.
September 7, 2011 at 6:03AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
As soon as I saw your request I was already thinking about how much to give because I have used your site to help me get a sense of what DSLR shooting filmmakers are doing and you do a great job of collecting information on various new products. Then I read your synopsis and thought, "Oh great, a sexually active 13 year old." Just what we all need to see. Science vs religion in a basketball movie? I know the millions of hours I spent playing basketball it was all we talked about, that is when we were bored with Camus and Sarte. I know your fans will go apoplectic on me, but I'm also hung on the science vs religion question through the eyes of a 13 yr. old inner city basketball player in a somewhat documentary style film. For a no film school guy you seem to have adopted a common film school student approach, infuse edgy, dark, ammoral and controversial into everything. Come to think of it, it's also the new rap artist approach, and the new pop singer, and the new alternative band, and the new. . . Your abilities are obvious Koo, so you needn't fret about getting drafted into the big leagues. Your success in the film industry is assured. I know some will read this as anger or jealousy, but it's not. Just frustrated in our culture's technology assisted visually impressive musicaly scored race to the bottom.
September 7, 2011 at 8:14AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I'm not sure I understand your critique. Are you saying the notion of a 13-year-old, sexually active protagonist is a barrier to you being able to contribute?
If so, I certainly wouldn't try and dissuade you from any moral leanings.
But I do think that a thoughtful critic should at the very least grant a filmmaker his or her subject and judge the work on its merits and shortcomings. In other words, instead of telling him to make the movie the way you would, assess what kind of job he does on the movie he wants to make.
And for that, as Koo said, you'd need to see the film.
September 8, 2011 at 9:31AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I'm too old to attempt meaningful conversations in three sentences or less, and I obviously need a spell checker. I applaud you for being upfront enough that those who back your project can't say they didn't expect it to be controversial.
September 7, 2011 at 1:39PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
if you somehow get lebron james to tweet it, it's game over!
September 8, 2011 at 1:06PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Koo, Try posting on to UIWTV on youtube. This is a San Antonio University page.
There is also a UTSA university page.
September 8, 2011 at 8:29PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I've done what you asked me to do.
I posted your link onto my Face book page, tweeted and sent out a blanket email.
If I could have linked it to my two You tube channels I would have.
I hope it helps and good luck.
September 10, 2011 at 3:15PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
hey don't take this the wrong way but as i scrubbed through the video i landed on you saying "ummm" about 14/16 times haha
really love your site and hoping manchild gets some more exposure :)
September 9, 2011 at 8:58AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Hey Koo maybe you should draft a list of twitter accounts and websites that would make for good promoters of the project, and publish it on kickstarter to orchestrate your supporters into "lobby"ing them to promote. It might come off as spamesque but if you play the wording correctly I'm sure people would love to help. And if not that, I would still recommend giving specific instructions as to what people can do to help promote your awesome project. Good luck!!
September 12, 2011 at 3:46PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to this outstanding blog!
I suppose for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed
to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
August 7, 2014 at 6:25PM, Edited September 4, 8:56AM


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after (somewhat unknowingly) introducing my girlfriend to sabermetrics, she's ravenous to know more and tends to ask questions i don't have answers to. does anyone know of a good book that would serve as a comprehensive intro to sabermetrics and baseball stats in general? she's halfway through a masters in math, so anything number heavy would be fine, and she wants something that can acquaint her with hardcore stuff as well as simpler, every day stats. any help would be greatly appreciated, as she's now expecting this for her quickly approaching birthday. thanks.
intro to sabermetrics?

subset: commoncrawl


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The Field of Peace is located between North Stifford Village and the Mardyke River. It's a great place for a picnic!
Sir Fielding Clarke and Lady Mary Milward Clarke once lived in Coppid Hall. Sir Fielding died in 1928, and later on the 19th June 1933 his widow donated the land to the elderly of the village. The name 'Field of Peace' derives from her wish that the field should be a place to 'sit in peace'.
Davy Down and the Field of Peace form part of the Bridleway which runs from Ship Lane, Aveley, to Fen Lane Bulphan; a distance of 4.2 miles.
Opening Times:
Accessible at all times
Features of the park include:
- Site Area: ~ 17.5 acres
- Picnic area
- Path Length: 1.5km (1.0km – Cycling, 1.0km – Horse Riding)
- Path Conditions: Unsurfaced – 1.5km
Public Transport:
- Nearest Train/Tube: Chafford Hundred, 1.5km
- Nearest Bus: 0.5km
- Bus Number: First London, 269
Contact Information:
- Site Management Organisation: Thurrock Council
- Phone: 01375 652955
Field of Peace
South Ockendon
North Stifford
Do you have anything to add to this page? Click below to submit your content.


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Students often think they need to read fast so they can get through a text they're asked to deal with. But there's no point reading and not understanding or remembering what you've seen. A more important skill is to read with comprehension and memory.
Comprehension and retell of the events from the text is equally important when reading and will affect your child's reading ability. Your child may draw events in sequence, talk about the character's emotions or comment on why they did/did not like the book. All the discussion and dialogue you have with your child about their books will enhance their reading ability.
The same approach should be taken with their library book. Take the opportunity to read to your child and then discuss the events, what strategies you used for 'tricky' words or what they thought of the characters.
Here are few questions to ask your child before, during and after reading.


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I am, essentially, a massive geek. In my younger years I liked to indulge in Warhammer 40,00, I'm a music geek, I like comic books, I'm studying Science Fiction as part of my English degree next year. But my major standout geekiness is my penchant for video games. I bloody love gaming, I'll play online shooters, sports games, RPGs, all of it. And one brilliant knock-on-effect of this is the music side of it all. Sports games particularly always try to invest in a good soundtrack, and my recent purchase of the first skate. game (incidentally, an amazing game if you're at all interested) has proved this spectacularly.
With a soundtrack including Black Flag, Booker T, N.W.A, Bowie and The White Stripes they really have outdone themselves. But my favourite track has been one I'd never heard before, Band of Horses "The Funeral". All plaintive guitar picking and hushed, falsetto vocals it takes a minute before it blows up into a reverb drenched epic beauty of a track. Next time you're playing a game, listen closely, you never know what you'll find to love.
Band of Horses – The Funeral (YSI)


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Fall sports - registration suspended
Cross-Country (4th-8th grade)
La Entrada will compete in a Cross Country league open to all students from 6th through 8th grades. Fourth and fifth graders will participate in a running club meeting twice per week, but no meets. Our teams are entered in a recreational league comprised of teams from public middle schools in the area. The … Continue
Fall Tennis Clinics (4th - 8th grade)
Fall tennis clinics will be run by La Entrada Coach and teaching pro Tony Simon at La Entrada. Clinics will begin September 9 and run through October 25. The week of Oct. 28 will be used for rain makeups. Clinics are offered for 4th – 8th graders. There will be three … Continue
Flag Football (6th - 8th grade)
La Entrada's flag football program is open to all students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. There are two teams, organized by grade level, based on the number of students that register from each grade. We have a 'Varsity Team' comprised of 7 th and 8th graders. Our 'Junior Varsity … Continue
Volleyball Clinic (4th - 5th grade)
The La Entrada Volleyball Program offers a Volleyball Skills Clinic for 4th and 5th grade girls. The young players will be taught all the basic skills (bumping, setting, serving, court rotation) and focus on ball control. The players will learn how to pass a volleyball with good mechanics to prepare them for … Continue
Volleyball League (6th - 8th grade)
The La Entrada Volleyball League is open to girls in the 6th through 8th grades. Teams participate in the recreational league run by the Menlo Park Youth Volleyball Program. There will be two practices and one game per week. Practices begin Aug 26, games begin later in September and the season ends … Continue


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Welcome to St Georges Church
We are aware of the rumours about the demolition of St George's and we would like to put your mind to rest.
We are a active, thriving church who work for the community with many user groups such as Beavers, Cubs & Scouts, a Job Club and lots of other users and activities.
We also have a lovely Saturday morning Coffee Shop where many people come to socialise and we offer fellowship and friendship
We are here to serve Harold Hill
Welcome to the website of St Georges Church, Harold Hill, we are so very glad that you popped by. From this page you can discover all of the things that St Georges has to offer you including its many church services, facilities, groups, and support networks. Happy browsing!
We are an inclusive church and welcome anyone to join with us in our journey through life.
Regular Services
9.15 am Holy Communion
10.15 am All Age Service


text: Did I ever tell you how much I dislike Philip Roth's books? I did, on more than one occasion, and want no more of it: when it comes to ranting about Roth, I'm as depleted of life force as an octogenarian novelist slouching into retirement. But seeing the man emerge as the only author, living or otherwise, to pluck more than one spot on our list of 101 Great Jewish Books aggravated my dormant dislike. Some sort of response, I felt, was in order. Rather than tediously attempt another essay on Roth's failings, I'd like to offer a list of American artists who are better than Philip Roth at doing what Philip Roth does. All of them, coincidentally, are also named Roth.If you like the sweeping vistas of American history, which Philip Roth has attempted to portray in novels such as American Pastoral, I recommend the work of screenwriter Eric Roth, whose Forrest Gump remains a far more astutely observed meditation on America's moral and political fiber than anything the other Roth has ever written.If you like the male libido in its unbridled form—and if you don't, you are no fan of Philip Roth's—you'll have more fun with David Lee Roth, who is like a Portnoy with enough balls to get off the therapist's couch and actually live out his life of unmitigated id.If you like the piercing sensation of contemplating one's mortality, a subject which Philip Roth has explored in his last several novels, making it all too clear that his self-centered simplicity was a very blunt tool with which to dissect the meaning of life, check out Eli Roth, whose movies—Hostel, say, or Cabin Fever—offer less pretentious and more visceral meditations on the same theme.If you like incessant and thinly veiled autobiographical exploration, a trick Philip Roth had mastered by My Life as a Man and of which he never tired, give Asher Roth a listen. He's a middle-class white rapper rapping about middle-class white life in songs with titles like "I Love College" and with lyrics like "I can get pizza a dollar a slice." A swaggering cocksman with nothing but his urges on his mind, he's probably the closest in spirit to the Master.100 Great Jewish Books\nRelated: 101 Great Jewish Books: Portnoy's Complaint, Philip Roth (1969)\n101 Great Jewish Books: The Counterlife, Philip Roth (1986)


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Blending modern hair innovation with natural looking styles, the U-Part wig is a versatile and easy to customize wig line.
Our patented U-Part concept allows for natural dual parting. The hair can be parted on the left or right side, while giving you the flexibility to determine how deep the part goes. Each cap is specially designed and hand made.
The hair in this series features premium synthetic fibers that have gone through nutritional fortification to allow for a remy-like feel. Our U-Part wigs are made to maintain its overall structure; the hair strands retain its curl pattern & remains ressilant overtime. The U-Part wigs are tangle free and safe to heat style hair up to 360 degrees farenheit or 180 degrees celsius.


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Birthing, Bonding & Back-to-work for mums
One thing that fascinates me about the current feisty debate around Prime Minister Tony Abbott's "signature" Paid Parental Leave proposed policy is that women, themselves, are not hailing this initiative as the best thing since sliced bread. The hoo haa from men was always expected, because the vast majority simply continue to go off to work each day once children arrive. Their superannuation upon retirement is big and fat after a long working life. But it is the mothers who suffer the financial deprivation if they drop out of the paid workforce for any length of time. And it is mothers who need to manage the domestic scenario in order to return to paid work. Which means arrangements for paid child care and weighing up the costs.
Where are the losers here if this policy passes the Senate? Women, particularly low paid women in menial jobs, will be big-time winners. They will be paid for six months at their usual salary – as a work entitlement – and surely this will give these women integrity as valued workers – and fortify their sense of independence and equality. Importantly, it also validates their important role as mothers-to-be bearing, birthing and raising children. We have created a two-income society and in doing that, this country can no longer afford to provide middle-class welfare for women to stay at home indefinitely.
The Federal Government is on the right path to insist that once the last child is at school and reaches the age of 6, that it's time for women to return to paid work. Former Prime Minister John Howard's mantra that women needed choice, has run its course and because of the enormous debt the country finds itself in, tough decisions need to be made and implemented. It is madness to think that social policy does not yet fully underscore women to maintain their role in paid work as well as have children – the next generation.
This isn't only about fiscal repair. One of the saddest states of being for a woman is to find herself in her 60s, often alone and with very little superannuation of her own. When freed of her family responsibilities and able to enjoy retirement, she is reliant on the age pension which provides little more than basic living standards for many older Australian women.
Paid Parental Leave for women who earn up to $100,000 will lay the foundation to build an uninterrupted working life as well as raising a family. Disposable income drives our economy and also provides the funds to ensure the nation's children enjoy their fair share of activities such as sporting activities, artistic endeavours and school outings.
This policy which delivers six months full pay, allows women time to bond with their newborn babies and enjoy mothering for the crucial first half year. It endorses women's place as part of the fabric of the nation's working life and builds an expectation that they will returning to their existing jobs. Figures support this with 69 per cent of women now in the paid workforce. The sound idea is to ensure there are no gaps or obstacles in women's smooth transition from paid work, maternity leave and then returning to work. Which means government also needs to closely examine the issue of paid child care. Accessibility is still a problem and now, added to this is the much higher costs of childcare. Costs have risen 44 per cent over five years.
The Federal Government should also examine subsidising child care fees on a sliding scale of need. Availability of child care is still a stumbling block for many women along with its cost, especially for women with two children under five. These women are the ones who need to be encouraged to retain their links with work while establishing their two-child domestic world. Having money in the bank at the end of paying child care fees is a great incentive to take on the juggling act of working and child-rearing. The more low-paid a woman is, the more she is sensitive to childcare costs when deciding whether to return to paid work.
So let's help them. National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling figures shows only 43 per cent of childcare subsidies are paid to families in the bottom 60 per cent by income. The current dual system – a means tested benefit and a universal rebate – needs to change to provide one payment which is means tested. This will ensure a higher percentage rebate goes to lower income workers.
One thing which would help households justify the woman's return to work would be for husband and wife to share the cost of paid childcare so mothers can pocket more of the money they earn and fathers can have half the cost of childcare skimmed off their usually larger take-home pay packet. Why should it be considered only the mother's expense. Daddy should also bear the financial load fairly.
The long-term benefits for women of staying in the work force through their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s manifest in their 60s, 70s and, hopefully 80s and 90s, when their little nest eggs of superannuation can ensure a quality of life for them, either with their partners or alone.
2 Comments to "Birthing, Bonding & Back-to-work for mums"
By Vincenza, 27/06/2014 @ 1:44 pm
Hi Nadine, beautifully written and makes a lot of sense to me, unfortunately the details of how the scheme would help any working woman was not explained well enough, and the general media, the way it should have been explained, is as you say, women in low pay and menial jobs are the winners..
Hope you are keeping warm x
By Nadine Williams, 27/06/2014 @ 2:44 pm
Dear Vin, Many thanks for your feedback. I shall return to the story on the weekend, rihgt now I am very busy with a few other deadlines and getting my printer to work. Keep well and see you soon. Nadine
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI


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Plan for greater time and project complexity than expected.
Experience of seven partner public transportation agencies in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington in setting up a regional fare card program.
Washington,United States
Background (Show)
Lesson Learned
- Assign a full time Site Manager having the requisite project management and substantive skills and experience with the sole responsibility of managing its program implementation.
- Recognize in advance that an iterative, consensus-based process is very time consuming and plan accordingly.
- Anticipate the large amount of time that document review will take for all the parties involved in the project.
- Develop a realistic schedule, and provide adequate time in the schedule to accomplish all the work that needs to be done. Allow additional time as a safety factor to accommodate document review and related activities and to avoid schedule slippage.
- Provide for project management oversight and guidance to gain efficiency and coordination across all the tasks and work groups.
- Take account of the size and experience of each agency to help "level the playing field," and offer extra support where it is needed.
- Look beyond the immediate demands of the project's day-to-day activities and factor into the regional fare card plans for the long-term needs of each agency and the region.
- Leverage the experience and resources of the larger partner agencies, and seek ways to support the staffing requirements of the smaller partner agencies.
- Be flexible and willing to make changes during the development of a successful regional fare card project, as it is impossible to anticipate all the issues and challenges that will arise.
It is helpful for the Site Manager to have worked for the agency long enough to be able to represent the agency's interests effectively in regional meetings and discussions. Consider reassigning the Site Manager's prior responsibilities to other staff so that he or she can work full time on the regional farecard program, and recognize that the time required for this job may compete with other agency demands on a Site Manager's time and attention. Staff assigned part-time to the project may also feel the stress of having to shoulder additional responsibilities.
Because the decision process is based on consensus, considerable emphasis is placed on process. Many of the partner agencies said they would prefer to keep the process simpler, though they don't want to give up the consensus model. Contributing to this degree of complexity are the technical and legal issues that have to be worked out, and an elaborate process for both the vendor and the partners to address issues and questions. Given the large number of participants in the process, the status of pending design issues and the response/resolution needs to be tracked and documented. New vendor and agency staff are continually joining the process (as others leave), and it is important to have a record of decisions. Contract changes may be necessary to reflect these decisions, and this change management process must be carefully documented.
Decision documentation takes place in a variety of ways, including "action items" that are relatively simple follow-up; document review and workshop comments; business rules; and Request for Information (RFI), that are typically used for more complex issues. For example, vendor and agency RFIs are submitted in writing. The response is then reviewed and either accepted and "closed," or the RFI is resubmitted with requests for clarification or additional questions. Some RFI's can be exchanged numerous times between the partner agencies and the vendor and take a period of several months to reach resolution. There can be hundreds of items in each of the documentation categories noted above and the iterative review and resolution process consumes much staff time over and above their normal work load.
The vendor produces very detailed design documentation that must be cycled through each agency for careful review and comment. These documents number in the hundreds of pages and their review requires technical, legal, and other types of expertise on the part of the agencies and Regional Team.
The Site Managers from each of the seven partner agencies, along with selected members of their agency staffs, must attend frequent meetings of the RFC team in order to stay abreast of the project and effectively manage it on behalf of their agency. Site Managers typically attend several meetings a week in Seattle, which entails significant travel time for those coming from outlying agencies. They also attend many Subject Area Advisory Team (SAAT) meetings (some managers attend every one) because they feel this is an important way to exercise managerial control over key decisions and keep up with the flow of information. Time spent away from their agency is time they are unavailable to participate in its regular business, and this has created frustration and problems for agency management as well as the RFC Site Managers.
Many of the partner agencies consider the Puget Sound RFC Project milestone schedule to be excessively tight. The burden of a demanding schedule was exacerbated in some cases by an initial lack of organization. Examples include some SAATs that operated with no work scopes and limited guidance and coordination, and the lack of a clearly identified project management role in the Interlocal agreement. Another consequence of the tight schedule is the perception by participants is that there is too much pressure to make decisions quickly, without sufficient time to review and deliberate.
Elements of the RFC organizational structure duplicate in some respects the internal structures in some of the partner agencies. For example, King County Metro has internal committees that are similar to many of the RFC SAAT committees. The smaller partner agencies on the other hand tend not to have comparable organizational components that could constitute an experience base for the RFC. In circumstances where there is overlap, it is helpful to seek ways to achieve synergies and efficiencies. In addition, the more experienced partners can help and support the less experienced partners as has successfully occurred in the Puget Sound RFC program.
Some Puget Sound RFC agency managers said that they were concerned that the intense day-to-day pressure of schedule and issue resolution was precluding opportunities to give adequate attention to future-oriented visionary thinking about the project and its implications for both the region and the individual agencies. Regional fare card programs require the guidance afforded by a long-term vision of how the program fits into a regional strategy.
From a staffing point of view, the Puget Sound RFC partner agencies say that they have had problems getting the best-qualified staff to work on the RFC project because staff members are assigned to other work, there is a lack of budget to support additional staffing, or the needed skills are hard to find in the agency. Also, a significant time burden has been added to the normal workload of subject area experts within the agencies to review documents, attend meetings, and prepare their agencies for the new systems. The impact has been greater on the smaller partner agencies because they have fewer resources. Thus agencies have had to be selective of what they will focus on and to rely on other partner agencies with particular expertise to focus on some of these topics.
The Puget Sound RFC project is very large, and it is bound to encounter unforeseen problems and challenges. One manager mentioned that no project of this size can expect to get everything right at the outset. It is critical to be flexible and willing to change as circumstances evolve. Because of the project's size and complexity, its schedule is entwined with those of other major projects also underway in the partner agencies (e.g., radio systems; GPS/AVL; automatic passenger counters; point-of-sale system for ferries). Schedule slippage in one project can affect the others, through both resource implications as well as technical integration requirements. Organizations undertaking a regional fare card project must fully understand these inter-dependencies from the beginning if they are to avoid costly problems. Finally, fare card systems that require some degree of customization or modification will involve more time and complexity than acceptance of an off-the-shelf system. In the case of the Central Puget Sound RFC Project, the system is being procured from a vendor who is making modifications to existing devices and software to accommodate the regional business and operating rules and the need to integrate this system with existing third party hardware. One system component in particular, the Driver Display Unit (DDU), has required significant modifications of the vendor's system to accommodate emerging smart bus initiatives. Agencies considering a RFC Project should carefully consider these time and effort implications when choosing between customized and off-the-shelf systems.
Lesson Comments
No comments posted to date
Evaluation of the Central Puget Sound Regional Fare Coordination Project
Author: Cluett, Chris et. al.
Published By: Prepared by Battelle for the USDOT FHWA
Source Date: 4/14/2006
EDL Number: 14300URL: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/3679
Lesson Contacts
Lesson Contact(s):
Chris Cluett
Agency Contact(s):
Candace Carlson
King County Metro, Washington
Lesson Analyst:
Firoz Kabir
Average User Rating
Lesson of the Month for April, 2006 !
Systems Engineering
Goal Areas
smart cards, electronic fare payment, SmartCard, smart card, SmartCards


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Howdy there! I can't even believe it has been eight months since I've checked in here- see the photo above, if you are wondering why I've been so quiet- taking care of this little one gobbles up most of my time. And its my favorite thing I've ever done in my life! That hair! Can't even count the number of times a day I run my fingers through it, and will it to stay whisper-soft and baby-like and sticking-straight-up-ish forever.
The transition to motherhood has been such a sweet and amazing time for me. I get emotional trying to even grasp at words to describe it. I know everyone always says this, and I never could have understood it until he arrived- the depth of love I feel for him is so incredible and overwhelming there is no way I could have anticipated it. It is almost as if it starts to touch everything in its vicinity, like a spreading vine with little tendrils. I'm so awed and honored to be Silas' mama. Our family is so blessed.
And I'm still working on calligraphy. And loving it. Just fitting it into naptime and bedtime and whatever other time I can squeeze out of the day. I've been working on lots of tattoos and hope to be able to start sharing more work soon in this space. I also have an exciting little collaboration with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress which I am thrilled to share with you super soon.
I hope you are well, too, friends! Tell me how you have been. xo


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As a rule, older workers in most professions have it a lot easier than women do. According to federal statistics, mature workers tend to earn higher salaries and they're the least likely to be unemployed.
That's the rule. I'm sure I don't need to tell you which field is the exception.
According to Professors Clair Brown and Greg Linden of the University of California at Berkeley, programming salaries follow the opposite pattern from those in most other careers. Pay rises for coders spike when they're in their 30s, plateau when they're in their 40s, and actually decline from there. Those numbers put the lie to the popular theory that older programmers don't get hired because companies can't afford their inflated salaries.
The other theory -- that mature programmers fail to keep their skills up to date -- doesn't hold water, either. According to this month's Tiobe Index, the most popular programming languages are Java, C, and C++. All three are mature languages with large, complex standard libraries. They take a long time to master.
Programmers with deep knowledge and extensive experience are simply more valuable than newbies, especially if you can pick them up on the cheap. So why don't they get hired?
Is this an industry or a fraternity?
Evidence suggests that the problem is cultural, and it's not just women and older workers who are being excluded. Take the case of Ryan Funduk, who has given up going to programming conferences and events. He fits the demographic of a successful developer in most respects, save one: He doesn't drink.
"Practically every single event, and a huge percentage of the online discussion about these events, revolves around binge drinking," Funduk writes. "The simple truth is all you can do is just opt out of going to these parties ... or put another way, you can opt to exclude yourself."
Put all the pieces together, and you're left with an impression of developers that's markedly different from the geeks and nerds they're made out to be in popular culture. On the contrary, developers harbor the same attitudes and engage in the same behaviors you see whenever a subculture is overwhelmingly dominated by young males. They've even coined a clever name for programmers who think and behave like fraternity pledges: "brogrammers."
But saying "boys will be boys" simply isn't good enough. Developers pride themselves on their skill and intelligence. They like to think of their culture as a meritocracy, where the very best developers naturally rise to the top. But as long as the industry tends to exclude more than half of the potential workforce, that's nothing but pure arrogance.
Today's software business seems to value youthful testosterone more than the stuff that actually matters, such as talent, skill, intelligence, knowledge, and experience. Until that changes, we're doing ourselves, our customers, and our industry a disservice.
This article, "The ugly underbelly of coder culture," originally appeared at InfoWorld.com. Follow the latest news in programming at InfoWorld.com. For the latest business technology news, follow InfoWorld.com on Twitter.


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Patronal feast of St. Photios I of Constantinople in Belgrade
20. February 2012 - 15:06
His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno on Sunday, February 19 served the Divine Liturgy in the church devoted to Sts. Emperor Constantine and Empress Helen on Vozdovac in Belgrade. He was concelebrated by priests of the Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovac and the choir of the church chanted.
The day when St. Photios I of Constantinople and St. Vukol Smiriski are celebrated are also same day.


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The Scarlet passion flower is highly prized and a compact variety producing masses of of scarlet-red blooms.
Typically reaching 1-2 metres tall, it is not hardy but can be grown as a beautiful Patio plant in the summer, or used as a houseplant, either all year round, or just the frosty months.
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The hurt feelings and the culture of psychological entrapment. The long-dormant resentments that seem to redouble like fingernails on a corpse.
Like you, I have often wondered, "How might a hostage negotiator help the average American family get through Thanksgiving?"
I've had this thought not because of my own brood — we Alfords are a wholly agreeable lot, whose emotional vicissitudes take the form of a lot of muffled, Protestant sobbing — but rather because so many reports I receive of others' holiday gatherings sound like football scrimmages subtitled by David Mamet. Surely these are matters for professionals who've received months of intensive training in crisis intervention?
"Just shut up and listen," said Frederick J. Lanceley, the F.B.I.'s former senior negotiator and former principal director of its negotiation course, when asked how to get two parties who are at odds with each other to cooperate at the holiday dinner table. "People want to be heard. They want the attention."
Mr. Lanceley said that during his 26 years with the F.B.I., his active listening skills caused perpetrators in various cases to confess, to ask if they could write him from jail or to even offer him a job. Mr. Lanceley advocated the following course of action: "Repeating what the other person says, we call that paraphrasing. 'So what you're telling me is that the F.B.I. screwed you over by doing this and that,' and then you repeat back to him what he said. Also, emotional labeling: 'You sound like you were hurt by that.' 'You sound like it must have been really annoying.' Little verbal encouragements: 'Unh-huh,' 'Mm-hmm.' A nod of the head to let them know you're there."
Chris Voss, the F.B.I.'s former lead international hostage negotiator who is now the chief executive of the advisory firm Black Swan Group, elaborated on the concept of emotional labeling. "There are presenting emotions and there are underlying emotions," he said. "The grumbly grandfather who doesn't want to spend time at the holiday dinner table: the underlying emotion is that this guy feels passed by. He feels left out. He's speaking up in his own dysfunctional way because he wants attention."
Mr. Voss suggested that, instead of trying to bargain with the grandfather or acknowledge his presenting emotion by telling him he's being impatient, you should address the underlying emotion with appreciation by saying: "We don't see each other all that often. You feel like we don't pay any attention to you at all and you only see us once a year, so why should you make time for us? But for us this is a real treat, and we want to hear what you have to talk about. We want to value this time with you because we feel left out of your life."
Mr. Voss also praised the unsolicited apology. "There've been times," he said, "with people I was close with, when I didn't think I was wrong, but I said, 'You know, I realize I've been a jerk this entire time.' Well over half the time, people are going to respond positively to that. They're going to make a reciprocating sort of confession. Then you're started on the right track."
Jennifer Higby, a detective with the Department of Public Safety in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a board member of the Michigan Association of Hostage Negotiators, concurred with Mr. Voss. "Say you're sorry when you're not sorry," she said. "Let bygones be bygones. I lost my dad to cancer 18 months ago. You just never know when the last time you're going to see someone is."
You've listened, you've paraphrased, you've labeled emotions, perhaps you've even apologized. What next? Gary Noesner, the author of the memoir "Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator," said: "You have to find creative ways to say, 'I really appreciate your point of view, and it's great to have an opportunity to hear how strongly you feel about that, but my own view is different.' Try to find ways to acknowledge what they're saying without agreeing or disagreeing with it."
Tone is king here: subtle vocal inflections can impart either "I disagree, let's move on," or "I disagree, let's turn this into 'The Jerry Springer Show.' "
Mr. Noesner added that creative disagreement may also require a certain amount of discretion.
"You may be a committed atheist, while Grandma and Grandpa are still big in the church," he said. "Maybe you don't need to share the extent of your belief system over a holiday meal. You know it shouldn't be upsetting to them, and maybe you wish they were more progressive, but it's who they are, and they're people connected to you by birth and genetics, so maybe you just say: 'I'm still searching. I'm not in the same place where you are about what you believe.' "
Is lying ever necessary? Jennifer Hardwich, a police officer with the Syracuse Police Department and a regional vice president of the New York Association of Hostage Negotiators, said: "Instead of lying, we call it minimizing. You try to get people to think that a situation isn't so bad, you break it down for them so they see that it isn't the end of the world, that maybe they don't need to make such a big deal of it. We try to reframe things rather than flat-out lie."
Ah, minimizing. Reframing. With such emollient terminology are labeled the tools of the persuasive arts. Fortunately for those who may think they're being manipulative when employing any of the aforementioned gambits, there's cavalry. As Robin Burcell, who spent more than two decades as a police officer, hostage negotiator and detective before becoming a crime novelist, pointed out, you're not alone in these operations.
"A negotiator almost always has a co-negotiator, someone who's listening and taking notes," she said. "Someone who says, 'He mentioned Mom three times now, probably Mom is at the heart of the issue.' Maybe enlist someone to be your co-negotiator."
This Sancho Panza may even take a more active role.
"In the crisis-negotiation world, we call it a third-party intermediary," said Judy Couwels, who works for the Broward Sheriff's Office in Broward County, Fla., and is the statewide training director for the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators. "If you're barricaded in a bank and you say, 'I don't want to talk to anyone except my mother, I love my mother,' we use your mother as a third-party intermediary. She tells you, 'We want you to come out safe, we want this to be resolved.' Sometimes people hear things better from someone they value in their life."
This third party might sometimes be less a go-between than an exemplar, as Cynthia Arnson, a conflict-resolution expert and the director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, explained.
"One thing diplomacy and conflict resolution people talk a lot about, is so-called Track II diplomacy, which means that outside the arena of a formal negotiation, another set of actors from society come together to talk and build confidence and trust," she said.
"In a family situation, you could develop Track II by, say, having some of the cousins who really like each other come and make everyone laugh by putting on a skit," she added. "To keep the attention away from the adults who are at each others' throats."
If, in the end, all of the aforementioned gambits prove ineffective, you may be forced to take more sweeping measures. "There's nothing saying that you have to continue a tradition that makes everyone miserable," Detective Higby said. "There's a polite way to say: 'You know what? This year we're going to start our own family tradition. Thank you for being there in the past, but this year we're going to branch off and do our own thing.' "
In the event your family does, indeed, branch off, it's lovely, of course, to call the other family members to dispense holiday tidings. At which point it may not hurt to shut up and listen.


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Willie Nelson celebrated his 80th birthday in April by releasing this collection of classics. There is 1 Nelson original here, an acoustic version of the relatively obscure track Is the Better Part Over from Nelson's 1989 album "A Horse Called Music," but for the most part, Nelson puts his unique stamp on pop, jazz and country standards.
The '50s pop/rock era is represented by an effective rendition of The Platters' hit Twilight Time and a rocking version of Carl Perkins' Matchbox. The jazz influence is prominent throughout, primarily on the Irving Berlin title track and the Fred Ahlert/Roy Turk tune Walking My Baby Back Home, most notably recorded by Nat King Cole. The instrumentals Vous Et Moi and Django Reinhardt's Nuages are showcases for Nelson's stellar jazz guitar work.
Amongst the strongest tracks are the Moon Mullican classic I'll Keep On Loving You , Spade Cooley's Shame On You and the Gene Autry 1939 movie tune South of the Border.
Nelson's brilliant guitar work is nicely supported throughout, notably by sister Bobbie Nelson on piano (featured most prominently on Twilight Time and Walking My Baby Back Home) and longtime collaborator Mickey Raphael, who delivers a scorching harmonica on Matchbox. Also on hand are Kevin Smith (bass), Paul English (drums), Jim "Moose" Brown (organ), Billy English (drums, guitar) and son Micah Nelson on percussion.
Though Willie Nelson is one of the preeminent songwriters of the past half century he proves once again with this effort that he is also a brilliant interpreter of other composers' work.


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Mexican street corn recipe that will make your mouth water
You don't need to travel south of the border to enjoy this Mexican street food staple. Here's how to make elotes right in your own home:
1. Husk ears of sweet corn.
2. Throw corn on grill until tender.
3. In a bowl, mix the following to create garlic mayo: 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tbs sour cream, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp chili powder.
4. Brush the garlic mayo onto the corn on the cob.
5. Sprinkle corn with crumbled cojita cheese, fresh cilantro and chili powder.
Now grab the corn husk handle and go to town!
Check out our favorite taco recipes to go with your street corn below!
See Gallery
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Amazing American flag cake to impress your friends
Easy Asian chicken salad with peanut dressing


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A sadist?
An exhibitionist?
Yea, verily, he who combineth three in one, for surely he is sadist, as wont to inflict ill-written verse on the eyes and ears of innocent readers; and surely he is masochist, so much that he tortureth his mind night and day to invent audacious topics and flamboyant essays laden with well-turned phrases, even to the point of distraction; and forsooth, exhibitionist moreover, for who would inflict bombastic phrases and mediocre verse on any audience, save to appease his wanton vanity?
Yea, that manner of man bloggeth. And such a man am I.
But woe is not me. Happy I be!


text:
Streamline the Submission Process
Relieve adjusters from much of the time-consuming decision-making associated with EDI submissions. Let Origami Risk's rules-based engine make many of those decisions for them--all the while reducing erroneous submissions and the need to continuously re-file as a result.
- Automatically generate reports from claim records, pre-filling them with relevant claim data required by the jurisdiction(s) where the forms must be submitted.
- The system determines which reports need to be sent to each state and then validates against state rules.
Maximize Resources While Improving Compliance
Let your claims management system be your EDI compliance officer. Spend fewer resources on EDI reporting minutia, and devote more resources to expanding services, adding revenue streams, or making adjusters and IT staff more effective. Meanwhile, you can also decrease data entry mistakes from re-keying information; reduce erroneous submissions and associated costs; and finally, lessen the likelihood of missing reporting deadlines.
- The system evaluates all data and identifies any triggering events that need to be reported within a certain time frame, relieving adjusters from having to know which reports need to be submitted where and when
- The system also sends adjusters notes if they need to reconcile any discovered errors or missing data that is required--helping to get reporting right on the first try and again, saving adjusters from having to know all data requirements off the top of their heads
- Because our system is EDI compliant, your IT staff doesn't have to spend the time and money to make your in-house technology EDI compliant


text:
You can find really just two approaches to do junk car hauling: It's either you have to pay a towing company to look at your vehicle away, or you can contact a junk car buyer and gives your junk car on the market. If you are similar to smart people, you'll perform the latter, but here comes the issue: Just how much could you get for your automobile?- junk car in austin
Well, that really depends on whether your automobile is very junk that this parts can't be salvaged. Yet, different buyers have types of methods assessing the price of the same junk car. It's always smart to call at least three people who buy junk cars as a living and have them what they are happy to truck junk and when they'd be ready to drive away using your car at no cost to you.
Should you ask us, we presume that you need to go with the purchaser which will tow away your truck at no cost although he might give a lesser price. Really, the price of convenience is priceless and yes it can be necessary for somebody that is really as busy when you. – junk car in austin


text:
Donut Erasers, 6 Pack - Multicolor
Everyone Makes Mistakes
Have a donut party - eraser style! Our multicolored six pack lets you and your friends share some treats and fix mistakes at the same time. Just don't eat them!
YOU BUY, YOOBI GIVES - For every Yoobi item you purchase, a Yoobi item will be donated to a child in need, right here in the U.S.
- Great for removing pencil marks
- Non-abrasive and smudge-resistant
- Latex free
- Dimensions: 1.1" x 1.10" x 0.51"
- Reviews


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Look at what I got in the mail today! My new book by children's author J. Hale Turner, Joseph's Surprise Gifts. This is Book 2 in the Joseph Land series, and I can't wait to read it. Ms. Turner is an awesome storyteller, and she also has other books for you and your entire family to read and enjoy.
When you have an opportunity, why not take a look at them on her website. To buy Joseph's Surprise Gifts, please click here.
Happy reading!
And as always, this is from my heart to yours,
Maxine 🙂


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26 December
Christmas 2016 was celebrated with all the board members of the Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) on Saturday, 17 December. The celebration was in conclusion of the two-day annual review of the members. The two day – 16-17 Dec., – schedule included skill upgradation training on MS Office, sharing of reports, review of performance and Capacity Building sessions for improving the MACS.
Evenings on both days were dedicated to fun and recreational activities.


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15 km tratí pre beh na lyžiach nájdete 10 km od Dovalova za obcou Liptovská Kokava smerom na Podbanské. Dozvedieť sa viac >
Vďaka prírodným pomerom je Liptov miestom celoročnej rekreácie
In-počasie na zajtra
|Tatranská príro da
|Rieky, potoky, ja ze rá
|Podzemné gal érie
|Diela ľud ských r úk
Napísali ste nám
Dovalova & Hradok through the eyes of a Kerry man
It all started at Bratislava train station on a crisp mid December morning. First point to note , always arrive early for the train , especially if it's a Thursday or a Friday as the students are going home and get to ride the train for free. I did not arrive on time and ended up standing for a few hours , but if you have good company this should be no problem and part of the experience. The journey takes about four hours and cost €14. Great value and is the way to travel around this beautiful country.
I got to Hradok and stayed in a nice hotel called the F hotel in the town centre by the river. The staff was friendly and more than helpful even though my Slovak was appalling. The hotel was great value at €25 per night.
The first day I was there I walked up and down the river, lovely pathways and trails with lovely scenery, fresh air and crisp clean water. That evening I went up to the castle for dinner with the lake frozen outside it. It was my first time seeing a frozen lake and it was beautiful to see. The outside of the castle is historical and looks as old as the town itself. The food in the restaurant was very nice. I had a lovely spicy beetroot soup starter and a tasty fillet of beef for mains.
Day two was an eventful day with my first trip up the mountains into the High Tatras. It's only about a 40 minute drive from Hradok and the roads are in excellent condition, even in the cold weather. I was very lucky to have some local friends with me to guide me on my way. A good tip before you start out on your travels is to bring a spare set of cloths , and socks with you and make sure you have good water proofed hiking boots. A tip for cloths in general is to be sure to have thermal wear for the winter, thermal socks, gloves and a hat. Back to the mountains, it was beautiful to see the snow everywhere, on the ground, on the trees , on the mountain tops. I didn't know what to expect but the trails up and around the mountain are excellent and easily accessible, just watch your footing in parts as the snow can be icy in patches.
There is one beautiful area about two to three hours into your trek where we came to a huge frozen lake with spectacular scenery around it , and nestled in to it a couple of lovely chalets where you can change your cloths and have a drink and a bite to eat .
We continued on walking for another couple of hours and made our way to the ski slopes. This seems to be a haven for skiers. In Ireland we always think of France, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries for skiing. This area is just as beautiful and accessible and for a fraction of the cost. You can get a ski lift up to the peak of the mountain but in our wisdom we decided to climb the slope. Sections of it were tough and the snow deep (in Irish terms), but even I , not the fittest man in the world managed it and by god was it worth. The views of the surrounding mountain range at sunset was a sight to behold and looking down from where you climbed gives you a great feeling of accomplishment. Coming down was actually a lot easier than going up and I recommend sliding down part of the way on your bum as the way to go for a laugh.
Day 3 was a trip to the Low Tatras. I thought I had seen all that had to be seen until I went here. This was amazing. If your into skiing, another great place to go and seems very popular with the locals with what i would consider to be more testing slopes. You can climb the slopes to the top of this but after the endeavours the day before I choose the ski lifts. If you have a fear of heights I do not recommend this as they are open lifts. Walk up to the second lift and all the lifts are enclosed from there and you will be fine. You have to buy a pass for the lifts for about €15 altogether, but mark my words they are great value for what you get.
Going up on the lifts to the top you will see some of the most stunning scenery you will ever see, that is until you make the top. The top is simply stunning. Covered in snow, over two and a half thousand metres in the sky with the clouds below you, and on a clear day you can see Hungary the far side . to get to the very highest point of this mountain you have to climb a peak about 100 metres high. If you have the courage to do it this is where you would more than likely see even better views again. It was amazing to see so far below and so far away, and in the middle of the Valley you have great views of Hradok and Dovalova in the distance. I recommend you take the lift down the other side under the clouds and then back up again and get the lifts back down the way you came. Just be weary of your time as the lifts stop about 4pm.
On the way back we stopped for a bite to eat in Penzion Drak. The service was superb and the food was the best food I had eating out in Slovakia and very reasonably priced.
After this i went to Ginos Water Park and Spa. This was truly outstanding. €16 gets you everything except for spa treatments. The outdoor hot pools are something i have never experienced before and must be seen and done to experienced it properly. The region is known for its natural hot springs , some of which you are allowed bath in. These weren't natural but amazingly relaxing and a must if you are in the area. The slides here are brilliant. There are different speeds and severity of slides. I went down the "slow" one and was going at a good high speed, very enjoyable and gets the heart racing. Also the wave pool is great fun for adults with huge waves making you feel like you are in the middle of the sea. You also become a laughing , jumping child for just a few minutes of your life again which is great. All in all a great experience.
Day 4 and I walked Hradok for a while. I climbed up to the top of the monument across form the castle where you get great views of the town and surrounding area. I then walked through the forest behind this to Dovalova , roughly about a 5 km trek of through beautiful forests and pathways through fields.
Day 5 and that morning I went to Stanisovska Cave about half an hours drive from Liptovsky Hradok. Caves are a huge part of the tourist industry here but with ice caves and stalagmite and stalactites and they are supposed to be beautiful and big. A lot of the caves are closed in the winter but this smaller newer section of caves were open. They were very dark so we had to wear headlamps but once you had these on it brightened it up. The guide was funny , and informative and after our journey with him it gave me an appreciation of all caves , not just big ones. I would highly recommend a trip here as the guides are friendly and informal and the caves are great to see.
The same company that run the caves also run a mine and mint museum Podzemie Pod vezami in Liptovsky Jan which is also worth a visit , roughly about a 15 minute drive from the caves on the way back to Hradok. In this town Liptovsky Jan there is also a beautiful natural hot spring that you can hop into and a tap nearby that you can drink the spring water from. It actually comes out fizzy.
That night I was lucky enough to see some fantastic classical singers in the church. Afterwards I went to this lovely hotel Permon where they had a huge variety of saunas and steam rooms , over forty I think. I must have tried most and they were all a great experience, different and relaxing .
The next morning was my trip back to Bratislava. The train ride home was good with a stop at the castle in Trencin a must with some great history and stories behind it. I was sad to be leaving this area , where the people are as friendly as home and the scenery just a good , but a different type of scenery. It is a great place if your an active person . want to relax , ski or have a romantic break away. The food and drink is great and very reasonably priced.
I would recommend this area as a must go to place in Slovakia. Flights are cheap to Slovakia with Ryanair into Bratislava. Stay here for a couple of days, December is a must as the xmas markets are great. Make your way to Hradok and Dovalova by train and be in for the trip of a lifetime.
Slan agus beannacht (goodbye and god bless) from Kerry. Hope to see you again some day.
Ian, Írsko, 23.01.2015


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COVID-19 Coronavirus: Attractions/activities can reopen for 'day visitors' from the 6th July 2020 - Please check before travelling
Start Talgarth Car Park GR 154 338
From CP go into Talgarth centre and take minor road to R of the Tower Hotel. Fork R at first junction and at 2nd junction.
At T-junction on open ground turn R and shortly after go L up wide track between two fences. Follow this track up big climb ( pushing and carrying) to top of Y Das. From top go SO in a SE direction and down. Track follows stream to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir. SO down to tarmac road. SO on road for 3km and turn R on to forest road at black tin shed. At hairpin bend go SO on BW. At junction go L on track. SO for 1 km.
At X roads go SO, then bear R and up to deserted farmhouse (Ffordd-Las-Fawr). Turn L after yard and SO out of forest. Follow track along stonewall all the way to road. Go SO. Beware very steep hill at church. SO to Pen y Bair and fork R, SO at next junction and SO again at next junction. Turn almost immediately R up stoney track into trees. Follow track for 2km and cross road. Track continues through woods and up to Llanbedr village. Turn R at church. At next junction turn R. At next junction take middle of 3 roads. SO and past phone box. SO at junction to end of rough road and SO onto BW.
Follow BW for about 4km, around LH hairpin and onto ridge top with small cairn. Now go SO down on grassy track in SW direction. At end of fence go sharp R and SO down to road. Turn R and go SO to Rhyd-y-Car Farm. Turn L up steep track. SO up and over. Bear R, then SO to gate. Turn L.
Where road turns sharp L go R onto track and SO to road. Turn L and SO back to Talgarth.
Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Route 52km
Location and nearby places
From Hereford - A438 to Bronllys/A479; From Abergavenny - A40/A479; From Builth Wells - A470 to Bronllys/A479.
: 20 miles from Abergavenny station


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Those of you who are involved in Sport will know that in addition to developing skills and applying them in a Sporting arena there is another level to just " Playing the Game". That other level is Mental Skills Training (MST).
An important benefit of Mental Skills Training is the development of Mental Toughness. This allows the Sports person to cope exceptionally well with the demands placed upon them during training and competition, along with the lifestyle discipline that is required of the chosen Sport.
There a number of different ways of developing Mental Toughness, that will allow the Sports person to perform beyond their personal best with a focused confidence; remaining composed under pressure especially in those big moments.
Mental Toughness could be defined as the ability to challenge ones self to improve beyond what has been achieved previously. Many athletes have talent, however they sometimes have limiting self beliefs around their ability to cope with the pressures that the Sport brings.
Applied Hypnosis in Sport-
Sport Hypnosis lends itself to performance improvement, as the basis of Hypnosis is to facilitate behavioural change at an unconscious level. Working with athletes is an interesting and rewarding aspect of practice, as athletes generally are not presenting with psychological concerns, instead they desire to improve performance in their chosen sport or activity. The improvements very often come quickly and can be impressive. Importantly, the results can be measured. Those who are active in Sport are generally motivated,disciplined and willing to practice which means they are open to the benefits that applied Sports Hypnosis can bring.


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RCL Beats the Double-Double Target, Rewards All Employees
Miami-based cruise liner conglomerate Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has reported a full year US GAAP and adjusted earnings of USD 1.63 billion, a growth of 23.8 percent year-over-year.
The 2017 full year result beat the January 2017 mid-point guidance by USD 115 million and was achieved despite an unusually ferocious hurricane season which hurt earnings by approximately USD 55 million.
RCL said that it had achieved its three-year Double-Double goal of doubling earnings per share and recording a double-digit return on invested capital.
"Our teams worked hard to achieve the Double-Double goals and now they have done it," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO.
"Each of the brands performed excellently during the past year raising their guest satisfaction and employee engagement scores to new heights. This augurs well as we focus on our previously announced 20/20 Vision."
Due to its record-setting financial performance, RCL has decided to reward all of its 66,000 employees with salary bonuses of five percent.
"Exceptional results require exceptional effort," Fain added. "Reaching the Double-Double required remarkable focus and discipline from our employees, and they delivered."
RCL said that all employees will receive equity awards over three years equal to five percent of their 2017 salaries in a USD 80 million program called the "Thank You, Thank You Bonus." Corporate officers, however, are excluded.
2018 Looking Good
RCL expects 2018 to be a 9th consecutive year of growth as its booked position for this year is better than last year's record high and at higher rates driven by strong demand from North American and European consumers, the company said.
This is coupled with a positive outlook for the company's Asia Pacific products and a strong onboard spend.
Adjusted earnings are expected to be in the range of USD 8.55 to USD 8.75 per share, up from USD 7.53 per share recorded in 2017.
Three ships are set to join the company's fleet, those being Symphony of the Seas and Azamara Pursuit, which will be introduced in Europe, in April and August 2018 respectively, and Celebrity Edge in Fort Lauderdale in November.
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Everywhere you look, traditional media outlets are dying off. Okay, not dying, but laying off staff, being devalued at sale, cutting budgets, trimming corners and falling all over themselves trying to figure out web strategies to save their collective asses. There's even a new website to track layoffs in the newspaper business. Subscription rates are falling. Advertising sales are sinking as well. The American consumer has moved online and the only news she's getting via ink and paper is the row and seat number of her next flight, which she prints out herself.
I recently chronicled what I view as a largely failed attempt by my local daily, the Courier-Journal, which is a Gannett property, to incorporate social media tools into their website redesign. They did a great job of offering the tools, but a lousy one of giving the users a reason to use them. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to speak with the C-J's president and publisher, Denise Ivey, a week or so after that post in an unrelated meeting. I shared my criticisms of the site redesign, but also offered up suggestions and questions about the future of newspapers that seemed to disturb her.
Ms. Ivey was inordinately polite and pleasant despite the fact I actually said I have little reason to read her paper. But she seemed perplexed I would suggest elevating citizen blog material to the same status as news reports and use the Courier-Journal's audience as news gatherers. She threw fact checking and accuracy at me as if I'd never heard of professional standards or journalistic ethics before. I also suggested allowing the online voting and polling of stories to help determine which were positioned above the fold – sort of crowdsourcing the story priority. She scoffed, saying that the section editors and other editorial staff members are trained experts at doing that. True, and I would take nothing away from their expertise, but she may as well as said, "We don't care what our audience thinks is important … we're juuuuhhhhhnalists!"
Add to that an interesting statistic from Zogby International's World Editors Forum and Reuters survey that says one quarter of newspaper editors globally think the quality of journalism over the next 10 years will be worse than it is now and you start to see a theme.
To the old guard newspaper elite out there, have some lovely scones and tea as you pity your own readership. Hide behind your journalistic ethics and training all you want. No one is reading your papers and your websites suck. And letting people have blogs there won't fix it.
Fortunately, there are some papers that do get it. I had the pleasure of meeting Mandy Jenkins, a social networking maven for the Cincinnati Enquirer, shockingly enough, also a Gannett paper. Not knowing the full story of what the Enquirer is doing, but getting the indication from her and conversations with others since, I looked at their site while writing this post. Guess what I found in the community news sections? A by-line that said the following:
Thank goodness vision, innovation and bravery still have a place in today's newsrooms.
The Enquirer isn't the only paper out there doing good things. The Dallas Morning News is, in many ways, pioneering the local relevancy and engagement through its website and NeighborsGo community. There are others. If you know of one, tell us about it in the comments.
So what can traditional newsrooms do to offset their off-line losses and make their on-line assets work for them? First, a quick scan of some of my Twitterati (multiples rearranged for chronological clarity):
pitchengine Utilizing Twitter internally can be a benefit. Perhaps a Twitterfone-like program that turns scanner transmissions in to tweets?
pitchengine Start a network of "coorespondeant" from around the community that can post and discuss news on a site (maybe Ning).
SteMaTo when I was in Savannah I can remember some great message boards talking about local events on the newspapers website.
mozhet Wd be great if fab infographics like this were to allow users to tag data with relevant links http://tiny.cc/eP6uw
joegerstandt they can more authentically engage their customer in the feedback process in the development and guidelines of reporting
joegerstandt but they must understand what an authentic, organic relationship is…or the new tools will be of no real value
dedmond29 How about this? Add new/fresh perspectives to their stories and information
davefleet I wouldn't mind seeing a digg-style feature on newspaper homepages to let readers decide what's the most important.
Here are the things I'd recommend to old guard executives to help them become relevant to the American consumer again. These are strategic and philosophical in nature and not meant to give tactical specifics. Those are hinted at above and around the web in various places.
- Get over yourself
Journalistic standards and ethics will continue to be relevant, differentiating factors in the era of new media. But there is relatively no entry barrier for self-publishing anymore. Random fan/freaks can claim to be an expert on Major League Baseball and have just as many readers as your beat guy if they work at it. Your training sets you apart, but doesn't entitle you. Stop acting like someone who didn't graduate from Columbia and work at the New York Times can't get the inverted pyramid.
- Listen
You learned this skill in the Art of the Interview class, first semester, sophomore year. Unfortunately, it was about your interview subject and not your audience. They have a voice, too, and they're expressing it elsewhere. Stop giving them irrelevant website features and ask them what will make your website relevant to them. I'd bet they'll say, "Better local coverage and use my submissions." This ain't rocket surgery, gang.
- Stop hiding behind accuracy
If you follow step number two above, you'll learn that immediacy trumps accuracy to most people. As a result, corrections and clarifications are okay in today's web environment. (It's not like you guys and gals are exactly perfect, anyway.) If CNN had been paying attention to Twitter on April 18, they could have published a banner newsflash, "Reports of Earthquake in Midwest" either on Twitter or their website, then followed that up with a link to details as they were gathered. Confirmations and fact checking could be done throughout the following hours, making the information resource dynamic, until an ultimate print edition was manifested. Instead, they sat around for 37 minutes letting random people break the news across the country. For a nice look at the balance of immediacy and accuracy in what could be a model for a new newsroom, checkout this post from the Online Journalism Blog.
- Know Your Role
Online readers gather their news from a variety of sources. There's a good chance they don't get national or international news from you, yet upwards of 60 percent of most daily newspapers today is wire copy stories from unrelated towns, people and events. Focus on the news that only you, or your readers, can provide. They won't be able to get it anywhere else and that will set you apart.
These guidelines are a start. There are dozens of tactical executions using social media tools just waiting to be had for newspapers, and even electronic media outlets, that can put meat behind each of those four principles. And I bet you can think of one. So tell us about it in the comments and help us brainstorm a list of ideas the old guard can use to put a little relevancy pep back in their step.
Other Posts You'll Find Interesting:
- Newspapers Missing The Benefits Of Social Media
- Can Newspapers Be Saved?
- NY Times To Test Crowdsourcing Its Data
- How To Use RSS And Social Media For News Gathering
Comments are closed.


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I'm not the biggest new year's resolutions person (I find they typically involve weight loss and equally get forgotten about), but I do love dreaming up when the new year can hold.
The latest craze, that I love, is choosing a word for the new year. One word. Focusing on it, digging deep into it, maybe reading a book or two on it or learning its origin. For the less nerdy, possibly just writing it on the front of their journal and calling it a day? One word. One. As much as I love this idea, I keep failing at it. I keep getting four.
Last year I tried so, so hard. I really did. I still got four. Maybe it's my indecisiveness. Maybe it's my love for words. I think it has more to do with a sneaky God who keeps reminding me it's okay to live my life outside the lines I create for myself. Fine, Jesus, whatever – four it is. So this year, when they were spoken into my life, I didn't even put up a fight. Yup. YUP. That's it. That's me. That's 2017. Read More


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Till date, 5 genuine users have shared their reviews on Maruti Vitara Brezza 2016-2020. Of which, 2 Users are happy with the Maruti Vitara Brezza 2016-2020 whereas 1 Users feel otherwise , while 2 Users choose to remain neutral.
The car has been in the market for some time now and has been selling well too. I am not a fan of the car myself but had to take it out for a spin since my friend bought it with excitement. Looks wise- they are okay, sharp, which is good. The dual tone (both interior and exterior) looks great for a
Maruti Suzuki has finally entered the compact SUV segment and how! The Vitara Brezza ticks each and every box when it comes to styling and comfort. The fit and finish levels are excellent and the cabin itself is a very lovely place to be in. But as they say, perfection is a myth. The engine performa
We expect a spearhead 4 wheeler in SUV segment to check other models from foreign car makers. If this particular model succeeds our rupee value will increase. Two words as model name looks odd. Vitara alone may be sufficient. Pick up is very important for a SUV. The BHP, Torque and rpm should have
its a big confusion,YBA some time Maruthi Cross now Vitra , i dont know its same model or different models,i am agree with some other buyer,its being a long time to start booking ..........maruthi is loosing his own sale,,,,,,
maruti is like nokia not upgrate fast its too long time waiting waiting.
Watch latest video reviews of Maruti Vitara Brezza 2016-2020 to know about its interiors, exteriors, performance, mileage and more.
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BOAC, Marinduque- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA and Landbank of the Philippines have disbursed 9.5 million pesos to 3,369 Listahanan poor under the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program in this province.
UCT is the tax subsidy provided for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to help the poor cushion the adverse economic impact of the law for three years, starting 2018. For this year, beneficiaries will receive P200 per month or P2,400 for one year. In 2019 and 2020, the subsidy will increase to P300 or P3,600 a year.
Listahanan is a government mechanism that identifies who and where the poor are. This database is then used for the identification and selection of potential beneficiaries for various poverty alleviation and social protection programs.
"During the three-day clustered payout in this province, UCT served 814 households in Boac; 609 in Gasan; 413 in Mogpog; 451 in Buenavista; 429 in Torrijos; and 653 in Sta. Cruz," said DSWD Regional Director Wilma D. Naviamos.
DSWD MIMAROPA has piloted the entire process of UCT implementation from the notification, registration and payout activities in six towns of Marinduque starting August 1 to 18, 2018. From the 3,890 total target, 611 beneficiaries were not able to claim their cash grants due to various reasons such as transfer of residence, deceased household heads and inconsistencies in the legal documents of identified beneficiaries.
"We are grateful for the unwavering support of the six local government units together with the provincial government thru the Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes for the successful UCT pilot program implementation. Through this pilot activities, the department will be able to polish its existing guidelines and craft new policies, directions, and strategies based on the experiences and learnings in the province of Marinduque, Director Naviamos added.
DSWD will set a new schedule of payout for those beneficiaries who have not shown to ensure that cash grants will be disbursed within the prescribed timeline.
The UCT full implementation process for Listahanan poor households will be conducted simultaneously in the remaining four MIMAROPA provinces starting this month. ###
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December 7, 2015
Overcoming The Obstacle Of Fear
One of the main differences between a rich person and a poor person is how they manage fear.
Watch this video as I explain the importance of overing the obstacle of fear.
As I promised in the video, here's you free download of "The Self Confidence Formula and Major Definite Purpose."
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Dennis Slamon and Zev Wainberg from the UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have been awarded a Disease Team Therapy Development award to begin clinical trials in human patients early in 2014.
In this clinical trial, Slamon and Wainberg will test a new drug that targets cancer stem cells. This drug was developed by research and development over the last decade on the cancer stem cell hypothesis. The cancer stem cell hypothesis predicts that proliferating stem cells are the main drivers of tumor growth and are also resistant to standard cancer treatments. This new drug, CFI-400945, has prevented cancer growth in an extensive series of laboratory animal tests.
An important extension of the cancer stem cell hypothesis is that cancer stem cells inhabit a particular niche that prevents anticancer drugs from reaching them. Alternatively, tumors become resistant to cancer drugs by a process called "cell fate decision," in which some cancer stem cells are killed by chemotherapy, but other cells replace them and repopulate the tumor. This tumor repopulation is the main reason for cancer recurrence.
The new anticancer drug to be tested in this clinical trial targets the "polo-like kinase 4." Inhibition of this enzyme effectively blocks cell fate decisions that cause cancer stem cell renewal and tumor cell growth. Thus inhibition of this enzyme effectively stops tumor growth.
This clinical trial will test this novel chemotherapeutic agent in patients to establish the safety of the drug. After these initial safety tests, the trial will quickly proceed to further clinical tests. "We are excited to continue to test this drug in humans for the first time," said Wainberg. Slamon, Wainberg and others will also look for biological markers to determine how well their drug is working in each patient.
The US Food and Drug Administration approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) for this drug trial. Also, Health Canada, the Canadian government's therapeutic regulatory agency, also approved this trial. These approvals are part of an international effort to bring leading-edge stem cell science to patients.


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Please explain the following mathematical equation. (How do you obtain -1) (1+(1/1!)+(1/2!)+(1/3!)+...)^pi*i=-1
There is a result called De Moivre's Theorem (Abraham De Moivre, 1667-1754) which says that (cos t + i*sin t)^n = cos n*t + i sin n*t. (You can verify this for n=2 by squaring the left hand side, using i^2 = -1 and the double angle formulas for sine and cosine.)
The series that you mention, 1+(1/1!)+(1/2!)+(1/3!)+..., is usually designated by the letter e, called Euler's constant, and the quantity e^(i*t) is cos t + i sin t. The equation you have given then follows from De Moivre's Theorem with t = pi since cos pi = -1 and sin pi = 0.
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A collection of the best free online games like minecraft.
by videoigrice
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There are games that inspire game developers in their own creating - from graphics, game mechanisms, features and interactions. Without a doubt, Minecraft belongs between the top games to inspirate from - freedom and space for creativity in combination with single but cool graphics is a game-changer mix confirmed by millions of active players and huge communities built in and around the game. If classic Minecraft is not your cup of tea, but you love its graphics and mechanisms, then check our sellection of free games inspired by the famous Minecraft.
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Our category of free games like minecraft features gaming titles from various genres, but with one shared denominator - Minecraft. The craze that is built around this phenomenon will take you on adventure to the world with pixel graphics and amazing stories. Build your own houses, excavate terrains, mine rare ores, or craft equipment for your new virtual world! Join the battlefield, and fight against enemy team in breath-taking warfare. Play a soccer match with square-headed characters. Shoot down wild boars while exploring dark forest nearby the Caverns of Time. Visit Slayway Camp and resolve the truth behind mysterious stories which are supposed to summon dark creatures from unknown realms of evil. Participate in pixel-animated gunfights, crazy pursuits, and intense sniper duels. Stalk upon your prey and stab it from the shadows. Zombie apocalypse in a Minecraft world? The rumors came true. They are spreading faster than a virus, and if no one stops them within one hour, this world will be eradicated. Will you accept this challenge to save the legendary pixel world? Grab rocket launcher and start clutching!
Are you ready to change the future? Warriors, mages, and archers from all over the world have gathered to participate in the biggest battle of our history. You can lead your nation to this bloodbath too and once you become victorious, your name will never be forgotten. Crack square-shaped skulls, crush bones, and thrash carcasses. Fast-paced action mixed with tactical fights, all what demanding gamer needs! Escape hungry monsters, hunt down wild prehistoric animals, or take care of lovely pets right from Minecraft world! Expect explosive action, adrenaline-packed blasts, and furious rides! Challenge the very best drivers from remote places of Minecraft plains and forests and face them in super dangerous race where the stakes are high. Win, or die... Cross the finish line first, else you'll be eaten alive by failed experiment which you really don't want to see... This inhuman creature is more than three metres tall and can break you just with its sight. Are you scared? No? You should be! Stop zombie invasion, and protect this world before cruel invaders!
Related Minecraft games: Free Minecraft online games.


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