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Kuwait, 19 November 2013
Your Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for your warm welcome to Kuwait. I am honoured to represent the United Nations at this third Africa-Arab Summit – and I commend the government and people of the State of Kuwait for their warm hospitality.
I am particularly pleased to be here on the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's joining the United Nations. On that occasion fifty years ago, it was His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait who raised the flag of his country at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
And I wish to thank His Highness and the Government for the key role humanitarian role Kuwait continues to play, not least through its hosting of the Second Pledging Conference for Syria this coming January. I also wish to thank the Government and people of Kuwait for their generous contribution to the first pledging conference and, just yesterday, to the United Nations Haiyan Humanitarian Action Plan to assist the people of the Philippines.
I carry with me the good wishes and respectful greetings of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who warmly welcomes your coming together to strengthen bonds between Africa and the Arab world.
Your regions share cultures and traditions. You share history and proximity. You even share a continent.
You are natural partners – partners for peace … partners for prosperity, partners for progress … and as the theme of this year's Summit puts it, partners in development and investment.
You are also crucial partners for the United Nations – representing more than one-third of all United Nations members.
As your ties grow stronger, so, too, can our global quest to resolve conflict, build peace, empower women and young people and advance sustainable development.
The time is right to join forces – as we mark the 50th anniversary of African unity and see sweeping change and transition in your regions and our wider world.
Like people everywhere, the citizens of Africa and the Arab world are thirsty for hope, for jobs, for women's empowerment and political participation, and for effective and accountable institutions that listen to their voices and deliver.
As never before, the connection between peace, development and human rights is clear and indispensable to responding to people's aspirations.
The Secretary-General reinforced this message of interdependence during his visit earlier this month to four countries of the Sahel region. He travelled with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the President of the World Bank, the President of the African Development Bank, and the Development Commissioner of the European Commission – the first joint high level visit in the history of these institutions.
I saw this connection myself on a recent visit to Somalia – my first in 20 years. I saw hope and determination – new energy and a spirit of enterprise. I saw the beginning of a new Somalia that can take root if security, reconciliation and development proceed in parallel, and if the international community provides generous support to the Federal Government of Somalia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Africa and the Arab region share a rich common source of opportunities. Resources are abundant. Education is expanding and deepening. Growth is on the rise. But, as we know, too many people are not sharing the benefits.
One vehicle for inclusive growth is capacity to trade, not least between countries in the South. Around the world, regional economic communities have helped reduce barriers and increase jobs and incomes. But, more needs to be done to maximize the South-South potential for trade.
The United Nations stands ready to support you in advancing these goals, not least through support for the Africa-Arab Joint Action Plan and the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States.
Trade and investment are also essential for our larger goal of achieving sustainable development and eradicating poverty.
We are now at a crossroads in the world. We have three huge tasks. We must accelerate progress on the Millennium Development Goals; establish a post-2015 development agenda; and finalize a new climate change agreement.
The deadline for all these objectives is the year 2015.
The nations of the world have made important headway in achieving the MDGs – and I salute your efforts. But progress has been uneven among and within countries – particularly on key challenges such as sanitation and maternal mortality. We must spare no effort to achieve the goals. And we must focus special attention on the particular circumstances of Least Developed Countries.
At the same time, the process of shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda is well underway. We look to your guidance to ensure that this agenda is bold in ambition yet simple in design – universal, yet responsive to the needs of individual countries. It should be rights-based, with special emphasis on women, young people, migrant workers and marginalized groups. Let us also work together for a concise and single set of sustainable development goals which can mobilize the world.
Addressing the threat of climate change is dramatically urgent. We need to finalize an ambitious, legal climate agreement in 2015. To add momentum to this process, the Secretary-General will convene a Climate Summit next September in New York. He has asked me to extend a personal invitation to the leaders of Africa and the Arab world to take part in this vital gathering, mobilising political will for concrete action.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Finally, progress in trade, investment and sustainable development is also related to an enabling environment. Investors and entrepreneurs must do their part, but places where there is perpetual conflict or misrule are likely to fall behind or be left out.
Leaders must continue to show that they are committed to building trustworthy institutions, promoting the rule of law, resolving differences peacefully, and developing human capital through education and the free flow of information and ideas.
Conflict resolution is especially important. Syria and the Syrian economy is in ruins. The riches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have yet to benefit the people. We must create the political and economic climate that will facilitate the emergence of a viable Palestinian state in both the West Bank and Gaza, where the situation is so difficult today.
On these and other challenges, you can count on the full support of the United Nations as you strengthen your cooperation and as we work to build a life of dignity for all.
Thank you.


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What does the legislature do with all the undesirable things they purchased with our duty cash? They sell off it off at levels much beneath what they paid. Government overflow, seized and relinquished resources make up the greater part of things at these barterings. Pretty much everything and anything is sold. The most broad information base with government closeout occasions is the General Services Administration. Likewise alluded to as the GSA, they give a truthful asset without misdirecting the general population into intuition government sales are mystery and for the few select. This is a legislature supported asset and does not cost general society cash to be a piece of. The General Service Administration has its own site with classified sell-offs. Each closeout has a concise portrayal and photo of the item(s) being sold. The site is anything but difficult to explore and is separated into states.
Classes of Auctions
*Agricultural Equipment and Supplies
*Aircraft and Aircraft Parts
*Boats and Marine Equipment
*Communication Equipment
*Computer Equipment and Accessories
*Construction Equipment
*Electrical and Electronic Equipment
*Vehicles (Firetrucks,cars,etc.)
*Shop Tools
*Household/Personal Items
*Treasury Bills
*Financial Assets
*Lab Equipment
*Medical Dental Equipment
*Office Supplies
*Trailers and Tractors
Contingent upon which closeout you go to, much more sorts of things are accessible. Intrigued participents can uninhibitedly peruse the GSA information base on the web. Keeping in mind the end goal to take part in a real closeout, you initially need to enroll with GSA. The enlistment procedure is basic and does not require excessively of your time. The GSA obliges you to just allot yourself a client name and watchword. Besides, you have to give a Visa on record for distinguishing proof purposes. When you have made this profile with the GSA, you can decide how you need your data displayed on printed material for a finished closeout winning. Its critical to have your data all together before going before to offer on closeouts. In the event that your profile is wrong, you can't change the data you provided in your enlistment. For instance, on the off chance that you are offering in the interest of an organization, you should enlist as that organization in the profile. You may likewise make isolate profiles in the event that you are just taking an interest as a person.
In 1996, as per open Law No. 104-134, The Debt Collection Improvement Act was passed. What this way to you, is that you should give a Tax Identification Number so as to direct business with the Federal Government. This isn't something to be stressed over, its in reality simply utilizing your Social Security Number or if a business, you utilize an Employer Identification Number.
Government closeouts are an astounding asset for people in general to discover bargains on pretty much anything. Notwithstanding this being a free administration, no purchaser expenses are related with these barterings. On the off chance that you go over any associations asserting to be partnered with government barters yet require an expense, abstain from working together. Your assessment cash pays for this administration, there is no compelling reason to pay a center man with the expectation of complimentary data.

subset: commoncrawl


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Saturday, 13 October 2012
It's that time again...
The name has been revealed.
In amongst all the political upheaval over the EU getting the Nobel Peace Prize, the recipient for literature has been rather overlooked. Not that Mo Yan is a household name...yet. The first Chinese citizen to receive the award in its 111 year history, Yan is very much a product of the education of life having left school at 12 to work in the fields and subsequently serve in the army.
Indeed, praised for merging 'folk tales, history and the contemporary' with 'hallucinatory realism', Yan's best known books Jiuguo (The Republic of Wine), Shengsi pilao (Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out) and Tanxiangxing(Sandalwood Death) are embedded in culture and experience.
It is still in this humble attitude that the 'overjoyed and scared' author will receive his Nobel Prize for Literature in a lavish awards ceremony on December 10th.
Posted by Kathryn at 15:06 No comments:
Labels: Mo Yan, Nobel Prize for Literature
The Conscientious Objector...
On this day...American poet Robert Lowell is condemned to prison for evading the draft in 1943. Considered one of the founders of the confessional movement, Lowell would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award and serve as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress - yet as a 26 year-old his words only seemed to get him into trouble.
Writing of his decision not to join WWII, Lowell said in his letter addressed to then President Roosevelt: 'Dear Mr President: I very much regret that I must refuse the opportunity you offer me in your communication of August 6, 1943 for service in the Armed Force'. Such a response earned Lowell a year long sentence served first in New York and then Connecticut - an experience recalled in his poem 'Memories of West Street and Lepke' from his collection 'Life Studies'.
Seemingly an ideologically headstrong cohort, Lowell was not the first, and will surely not be the last writer to suffer for their personal convictions.
Posted by Kathryn at 14:28 No comments:
Labels: on this day, Robert Lowell
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Deer Stalker Hats and Monocles: the Annual Sherlock Pilgrimage...
Some people fish, others paint and others watch television. Yet 70 members of the Sherlock Holmes Society spend their spare time making a pilgrimage to the Reichenbach Falls and acting out scenes from their hero's final struggle with Moriarty. Here is a video of them in action.
Posted by Kathryn at 13:22 No comments:
Labels: Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
The Apprentice...
On this day...Aldous Huxley was hired as a schoolmaster at Eton in 1917. After deterioring eyesight had put pay to a career in medicine, the future author of 'Brave New World', returned to his alma mater to teach French. Yet it is one of his students that is arguably more noteworthy. Eric Blair, who would later use the pen name George Orwell, was impressed with his teacher's mastery of language despite Huxley being, by accounts, a poor educator.
This is only one of many relationships forged between authors throughout history. Famous pairings include:
- C.S. Lewis & J. R. R. Tolkein
- Bram Stoker & Oscar Wilde (Stoker married Wilde's fiance)
- F. Scott Fitzgerald & Ernest Hemingway
Posted by Kathryn at 13:11 No comments:
Labels: Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, on this day
Saturday, 2 June 2012
The Queen's Secret Library...
Yet perhaps take a moment to consider. What was the world like 60 years ago? What books, if I may so bold, was the Queen herself settling down to read as she was preparing to assume her responsibilities?
Well, here's a snapshot of her (unofficial) library....
- The Currents of Space - Isaace Asimov
- They Do it With Mirrors - Agatha Christie
- The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemmingway
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C. S. Lewis
- East of Eden - John Steinbeck
- Men at Arms - Evelyn Waugh
- Charlotte's Web - E. B. White (all books published in 1952)
Yet perhaps it is one particular piece of non-fiction work that has seen good our monarch thus far. Indeed, maybe, just maybe, the Queen has tucked in her handbag her own copy of Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking.
Alas for us, we will never know.....
Posted by Kathryn at 20:28 No comments:
Labels: history, Queen Elizabeth II
The Charmer...
On this day...The charismatic author and poet Vita Sackville-West died in 1962 at the age of 70. Born into an aristocratic family, Vita seemingly fulfilled parental expectations through her marriage to career politician Harld George Nicholson. Yet this perfectly ordinary facade was somewhat thrust away by an altogether more exotic lifestyle. Although she and her husband enjoyed a stated closeness, it was understood to be an open marraige, and one which Vita strayed from through numerous partners, including, most famously, the novelist and pillar of modernism Virginia Woolf. Indeed, it was as a result of this affair that Woolf wrote Orlando, described by Sackville-West's son as 'the longest and most charming love-letter in literature'.
However, it should not be assumed that Sackville-West's only contributionto literature was a liason with one of its most profound assets. The author of The Edwardians, (a critique of aristocratic society) and All Passions Spent, Sackville-West also became the only writer to ever win the Hawthornden Prize twice for her poetry and wrote biographies of both Joan of Arc and Aphra Behn. These achievements were crowned in 1947 as she was made a Companion of Honour for her services to literature.
Posted by Kathryn at 20:07 No comments:
Labels: on this day, virginia woolf, Vita Sackville-West
Monday, 16 January 2012
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes continue....
Following another action packed series, the BBC have announced that 'Sherlock' will return for a third installment. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the main role, the series has been praised by both critics and audiences alike, with viewing figures of 10.7 million for its first episode.
Its creator, Stephen Moffat, had been coy when asked about a possible return, telling the BBC that there was 'no guarantee we'll be bringing him back'. Yet following the series' conclusion, 'The Reichenbach Falls' last night, Moffat wrote on Twitter, 'Of course there's going to be a third series - it was commissioned at the same time as the second. Gotcha!' The commission echoes Conan Doyle's own ressurection of the character who had supposedly been killed off after toppling off the Reichenbach Falls with Moriarty in 'The Final Problem'. Dates of filming and broadcasting have yet to be announced.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:35 3 comments:
Labels: Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, TV Drama
The Stickler for the Rules...
On this day...Antonio de Nebrija presented the first Spanish grammar book to Queen Isabella I in 1492. Since compared to names such as Erasmus, de Nebrija, who later latinized his name to 'Aelius Antonius Nebrissensis', had dedicated his life to furthering classical education is his native land.
His 'Gramatica de la lengua castellena', which was the first book to study the rules of a Western European language other than Latin, was split into four books: Orthography, Prosody and syllables, Etymology and diction, and Syntax. A fifth book aided those learning Castillian as a foreign language.
Upon presenting the book to the queen, she is said to have asked, 'Why would I want a work like this? I already know the language.' Nebrija reportedly answered, 'Majesty, the language is the instrument of the empire'
Posted by Kathryn at 11:14 No comments:
Labels: language, on this day, Spanish
Monday, 2 January 2012
A Christmas Extravaganza...
With the last mince pie eaten, the decorations taken down, and the return of work looming, one could be forgiven for experiencing a dose of the post-Christmas blues. The new year however, entices optimism. On a personal level; resolutions, new opportunities, reunions and family. On a literary level; award ceremonies, new releases, anniversaries and enjoyment.
If trying to reconcile the two is proving a seemingly impossible task, why not ease your way in by catching up with some of the tv literary highlights from over the holidays? From enthralling 'Great Expectations' to the more light-hearted 'The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff', from the much loved 'Chronicles of Narnia' to the biopic 'Becoming Jane', there are hours of entertainment available. Suggestions and links for these and many more are located on the right hand side of this blog. Enjoy!
Posted by Kathryn at 15:51 No comments:
Labels: TV
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Cats marauding as ghost pirates, what more do you want?...
Yesterday saw 'Cats Ahoy!' being honoured as the lastest recipient of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. The rhyming picture book, written by Peter Bently, was named the funniest book for children aged six and under and was articulately summised by chair of the judges Michael Rosen, 'Cats marauding as ghost pirates to steal fishy bounty from lily-livered humans: what more do you want from a funny book?'. Bently was honoured alongside Liz Pichon, whose book 'The Brilliant World of Tom Gates', a 'must for anyone who doodles, likes to wind up their sibling, has a serious caramel wafer habit and enjoys having their chuckle muscles exercised', won in the 7-14 category. Both were awarded prizes of £2,500.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:29 2 comments:
Labels: literary awards, Roald Dahl Funny Prize
The Tragic Welshman...
On this day...Welsh poet Dylan Thomas died in 1953 at the age of 39. The child of an English master and seamstress, Thomas was born in Swansea only months after the outbreak of the First World War. Despite his Welsh heritage, Thomas was brought up to speak only English, and continued to use the anglicised form of his name throughout his life. An ill child, and undistinguished student, Thomas spent his time keeping poetry notebooks and between the years of 1930 and 1934, accumulated over 200 entries which would later form over half of his published works.
Sadly it is Thomas' blighted personal life that seems to so often overshadow the remarkableness of his poetry. Having married a dancer in 1937, Thomas was considered to weak to serve in World War Two, instead writing scripts for the government. Indeed the immediate post war period was one of literary success, with the emergence two of his best known works, 'Deaths and Entrances', and 1953 radio play 'Under the Milkwood'. However, by now a committed alcoholic, Thomas soon took a turn for the worst. Whilst in New York to take part in his play, Thomas suffered black outs, turned blue and slipped into a coma, before finally dying of pneumonia. Despite his tragic and early death, Thomas is still celebrated as one of the nation's best loved poets.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:00 No comments:
Labels: Dylan Thomas, on this day
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Anger at Anonymous..
Yesterday saw William Shakespeare's name being removed from sign all around Warwickshire, the county of Startford-upon-Avon. One might think this a work done by vandals, or perhaps even vehement Marlowe fans, but it was in fact an act carried out by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as a campaign against new film 'Anonymous'. Premiering yesterday, and starring Rafe Spall, Rhys Ifans and Vanessa Redgrave, the film is just the newest medium by which people are seeking to put forward the argument that the man we know as Shakespeare was merely a 'barely literate frontman for the Earl of Oxford'.
Thus, in a backlash against this attempt to 'rewrite English culture and history', the Trust has put in place a campaign by which 9 road signs and 10 pub signs are being taped over, as well as a sheet being placed over a memorial in Stratford-upon-Avon itself. The trust said, 'Today's activity barely scratches the surface, but we hope it will remind people of the enormous legacy we owe to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon'. The film 'Anonymous' is in cinemas from October 28th.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:52 No comments:
Labels: Film, William Shakespeare
The Literary King...
On this day...English monarch Alfred the Great died in 899 at the approximate age of 50. The only English royal to be attributed with such an epithet, Alfred is renowned for his miltary achievements, not least the protection of his Anglo-Saxon kingdom from the Vikings. Yet what is perhaps less well known about the youngest son of Æthelwulf of Wessex, is his penchant for learning. Inspired by Charlemange, Alfred created a court school, not only to educate his own children, but also, countering the perception of aristocratic snobbery, to educate those of lesser birth who showed intellectual potential. Indeed, after only a short time, 'they were seen to be devoted and intelligent students of the liberal arts'.
If the younger generation were embarking on a process of learning, it also made sense for Alfred to cement that of the elder, and so he ensured that literacy became a requirement for those holding a position of authority, especially in religious capacities. The king chose to lead this charge on education himself, beginning a Alfredian programme of translation of books into English that he deemed 'most necessary for all men to know'. These works included Gregory the Great's 'Pastoral Care', Boethius's 'Consolation of Philosophy', St. Augustine's 'Soliloquies', and the first fifty psalms of the Psalter.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:20 No comments:
Labels: Alfred the Great, history, on this day
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Will it be a barnstorming performance?...
The king of all literature prizes is upon us once again. With the winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize to be announced later this evening, it seems an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the contenders. The 'odds on favourite' position lies with Julian Barnes, a four time previous nominee, for his work 'The Sense of an Ending'. Yet he faces fierce competition from Carol Birch, Patrick deWitt, Esi Edugyan, Stephen Kelman and AD Miller, the other five authors to make the shortlist. Here, you can watch the nominees reading extracts from their own novels. Make sure you tune in to catch the winner.
UPDATE: Julian Barnes has been announced as the 2011 Man Booker Prize winner
Posted by Kathryn at 17:25 No comments:
Labels: Julian Barnes, Man Booker Prize
The Class of 1386...
On this day...The University of Heidelburg was officially opened in 1386. The oldest univeristy in Germany, and only the third established in the Holy Roman Empire, Heidelburg has many things to boast of. Not least is its alumni, whose numbers include 30 Nobel Laureates, German Chancellors, and even a Pope. However, for those of a literary persuasion, there are also several notable associations. Perhaps the most decorated is Nobel Laureate Carl Spittler who was rewarded 'in special appreciation of his epic, "Olympian Spring"'.
Yet despite his success amongst critics and academics, Spittler is by no means the best known inhabitant of the medieval walls. Mark Twain, who visited the univeristy as part of his European tour in 1878, detailed his impression in the travelogue 'A Tramp Abroad', humorously depicting a student body of aristocratic dandies. Such was the popularity of the American writer, that a US Army base in the city now bears his name. The university also plays fictional host to W. Somerset Maugham's Philip Carey in his novel 'Of Human Bondage' and, perhaps more famously, appears on screen in the Oscar winning adaptation of Bernard Schlink's 'The Reader'.
Posted by Kathryn at 13:16 No comments:
Labels: Bernard Schlink, Mark Twain, Nobel Prize for Literature, on this day, Somerset Maugham, university
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Jane or Joanne?...
It seems unoriginal to begin another awed tribute to the Hary Potter phenomenon, whose last installment has taken £104 million in its opening weekend in the US and Canada. Instead, across the Atlantic, another famous female British writer was proving that endurance of time is the real test.
Almost 194 years after her death, a rare Jane Austen manuscript has sold for £993, 250. 'The Watsons', an unfinished novel complete with revisions and crossings out, was originally owned privately, yet is now in the hands of the Bodleian Library, who beat off competition from New York's Morgan Library. Having secured money from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Bodleian say that they are 'delighted' to have bought 'such a valuable part of our literary heritage'.
Austen may be worth 105 times less than Potter today, but until Rowling influences 200 years' worth of readers, she won't hold the same place in literary hearts as the beloved Jane.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:42 No comments:
The Romancer...
On this day...Famous Italian poet and 'Father of Humanism' Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, died in 1374 at the age of 69. Born in Tuscany, Petrarch spent much of his early childhood in Florence before leaving with his family to Avignon to follow the flourishing papacy of Pope Clement V. There, much against his wishes he was schooled in the practice of law - a profession he could only escape from upon the death of his parents. Instead he pursued his love of classical literature, creating his own Latin epic 'Africa', and his disdain for the ignorance of the intervening centuries led Petrarch to be credited with creating the concept of the 'Dark Ages'.
Although he fulfilled many roles throughout the rest of his life - scholar, diplomat, priest - Petrarch is best known for his poetry, in particular, that devoted to Laura. The identity of the woman is unknown, yet she has become famous world over as the original Petrarchan ideal, which writers such as Sidney and Shakespeare have since incorporated in their own works. 'Il Canzoniere', or 'The Songbook', mainly written in sonnet form, alongside 'Secretum' and 'Itinerarium', Petrarch's guide to the Holy Land, have ensured his place among the greatest and most influential of the world's writers.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:57 No comments:
Labels: on this day, Petrarch
Monday, 11 July 2011
Ordinary people, extraordinary writing...
The time has come for the Guardian First Book Award to appear again, yet this time it has a different dimension. The honour for debut writers has traditionally been chosen by expert panellists, who narrow entries down to a longlist, shortlist, and finally a winner. However, this year, for the first time, the full catalogue of submissions have been released online. The 136 entries from publishers include the 2011 Orange Prize winner Tea Obreht, yet the Guardian believes that the public might know better. At the end of this month, the 10th title of the longlist will be announced, chosen by ordinary people, but hopefully uncovering extraordinary writing.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:57 No comments:
Labels: Guardian First Book Award, literary awards
The Scottish Adventure ...
On this day...English poet John Keats visited the home of another famous composer of verse, Robert Burns in 1818. During a summer walking tour in the North Country, whilst traversing 20 or 30 miles a day, Keats came to the family home of the Scottish Bard in Alloway.
The 'Ploughman Poet', who had died 24 years previously, has since been lauded as a founder of the Romantic movement, and influenced not only Keats himself, but also his contemporaries, such as Percy Bysshe Shelley and William Wordsworth. It was here that Keats composed his sonnet, 'Written in the Cottage Where Burns Was Born' - a poem most notable for its premonitory first line, 'this mortal body of a thousand days'. Keats died 43 days short of this number.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:13 No comments:
Labels: John Keats, on this day, Robert Burns, Romantics
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Tennis in texts...
Wimbledon may have come to an end, but the sport of strawberries and cream remains all year round in literature. Indeed, from Betjemin poetry, to Shakespeare's histories, racquets pervade countless pages. Here is a quiz about tennis in texts.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:45 No comments:
Labels: quizzes
The Class Clown...
On this day...Irish playwright, poet and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan died in 1816, at the age of 64. Born in Dublin to parents both active in the theatre business, Sheridan moved to England at the age of seven and attended the independent Harrow School. The most significant event of his early life however, was not of literary importance, rather, it was two duels fought against Captain Matthews, who had defamed Sheridan's wife-to-be in a newspaper article.
Having barely escaped with his life, Sheridan set up a house in London and began writing for the stage, opening with the play, 'The Rivals'. Although a failure on its first performance, a change of actor ensured that its second was an immediate success, and following another profitable composition, 'The Duenna', Sheridan was able to buy complete ownership of the Drury Lane Theatre. It was there that some of his most famous plays, such as 'The School for Scandal' and 'The Critic', made their debut. At the same time, Sheridan was vigourously engaging in parliamentary work, yet things cam to a head in 1809, when his theatre burnt down. Three years later, he failed to gain re-election after 32 years, and he died in poverty after contracting an illness. Sheridan is buried in Poets' Corner.
Posted by Kathryn at 11:19 No comments:
Labels: on this day, Richard Sheridan
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Magic turns digital...
J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has long been a well-thumbed favourite on book shelves across the globe. Yet the popular wizarding tales are now going to be available to a new audience. Rowling has announced that the seven novels will be launched as e-books in September, alongside digital audio books to ensure subsequent generations will continue to be captivated by the magical world of Hogwarts.
The release will coincide with the launch of Pottermore, a site dedicated to the boy wizard which will provide users with an immersive interactive experience. Fans will be able to, amongst others things, choose a wand in Diagon Alley, travel to school on the Hogwart's Express, and be sorted into houses. Yet perhaps most exciting for Harry Potter's loyal following, is the announcement that Rowling herself will be posting new material online that she has been 'hoarding for years'. 'This is such a great way to give something back to the fans who made Harry Potter such a huge success', said Rowling.
Posted by Kathryn at 13:05 No comments:
Labels: ebook, J.K. Rowling
The Mouse King...
On this day...German author Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, better known as simply E. T. A. Hoffmann, died in 1822 at the age of 46. His father was a successful barrister, yet by Hoffmann's second birthday, his parents had separated and he was later to regret his paternal estrangement. Instead, he lived with his mother in Königsberg and was educated by his two aunts and uncle until his enrollment in a local school. Despite displaying a great talent for the arts from a young age, he was held back by his rural setting and took it upon himself to read Göthe and Rosseau, as well as attending lectures by Kant.
The next few years were spent travelling around Prussia in various capacities, trying his hand both at composing and drawing, before being exiled due to some controversial caricatures. A victim of the Napoleonic wars, Hoffmann was forced to return to Berlin, now married, and it was here that his literary career began in earnest, finding success with 'Ritter Gluck'. Yet finding daily work was becoming increasingly difficult, and with failing health, mainly attributed to alcohol abuse and syphilis, he left theatre management to become a jurist. It was to be his last job. Remembered as a pioneer of the fantasy genre, Hoffmann is best known for his work 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King', on which the ballet is based, and his influence on later authors such as Edgar Allan Poe.
Posted by Kathryn at 12:20 No comments:
Labels: E.T.A Hoffmann, on this day
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Heroines and Feminists...
From a medieval damsel in distress to a contemporary figure of striking independence, the woman has seen a marked transformation in literature. Following International Women's Week, the Guardian has released a podcast, debating the place of the woman in modern writing. 'Heroines and Feminists' can be heard here
Posted by Kathryn at 20:39 No comments:
Labels: women
The fugitive...
On this day...Lithuanian book smuggler Jurgis Bielinis was born in 1846. 1864 heralded the start of the Lithuanian press ban, during which all Lithuanian language books published in the Latin alphabet were forbidden by the ruling Russian Empire. Tsarist authorities hoped that this measure, part of a larger Russification plan, would decrease Polish influence on Lithuanians and would return them to what were considered their ancient historical ties with Russia.
However, Bielinis showed resistance, taking it upon himself to form the Knygnešiai society - the largest contemporary book smuggling organisation. Nicknamed 'The King of the Book Carriers', Bielinis was actively sought by the authorities, who promised a large monetary reward for his capture after he had escaped their guards at least five times. During the 31 years of his activity, it is estimated that he and his society illegally brought about half of all Lithuanian books from East Prussia into the Lithuanian mainland during the entire press ban. Bielinis died in 1918 at the age of 71.
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Labels: history, Jurgis Bielinis, on this day
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
The KJV: influencing the centuries....
This year sees the 400th anniversary of one of the world's greatest literary achievements. Whilst for some that may immediately conjure up images of Shakespeare or John Donne, it is, in fact, the work of King James, and his now eponymous publication of the Bible. The third English translation, the work required 47 scholars of Hebrew and Ancient Greek and took 7 years to complete, eventually selling for 10 shillings a copy. Only recently usurped by the more more NIV and Message translations, the KJV has inspired centuries of Christians, encouraging them to delve into the word and making their gospel more accessible to others. In a series of recent BBC documentaries, the makings and influence of this masterpiece have been explored. 'The King James Bible: The Book that Changed the World' can be seen here.
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Labels: The Bible
The Philanderer...
On this day...German writer Paul Johann Ludwig von Heyse was born in 1830. The son of Felix Mendelssohn's tutor, and a Prussian court jeweller descendant, Heyse was born into a family already heavily connected with the artistic world. Thus he soon befriended names such as Theodor Fontane and Emanuel Geibel, joining the literary group Tunnel über der Spree, before publishing his first poem, 'Frühlingsanfang', in 1848. Although settled on becoming a writer, Heyse's hopes were initially short-lived, as he was discovered to have been conducting an affair with the wife of a university professor and was sent back to Berlin in disgrace.
Yet it was in Munich that his literary revival was secured. Granted an audience with the King of Bavaria, Heyse presented his verse tales, 'Hemen', and preceeded to become known as one of the Nordlichten, establishing his own literary society, Die Krokodile. He continued to write prolifically and his work was recognised in 1910, when he received the Nobel Prize for Literature as 'a tribute to the consummate artistry, permeated with idealism, which he has demonstrated during his long productive career as a lyric poet, dramatist, novelist and writer of world-renowned short stories'. Hysee died in 1914, at the age of 84.
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Labels: Nobel Prize for Literature, on this day, Paul Heyse
Monday, 14 March 2011
£1,600 library fine...
It has travelled with a naval commander to Hong Kong and Australia, but this week a rare library book has found itself back home in Wallington thirty years on. A 1928 volume of Samuel Pepys' Diary, part of a set worth an estimated £200, was taken out in 1981 by former Royal Australian Navy Commander Ron Robb to help his daughter with a school project. Yet shortly afterwards he returned back home from his posting in London, and did not rediscover the book until recently, when he was in the process of moving house.
Although, at the current rate Mr. Robb would face an overdue fine of more than £1,600, local Councillor Graham Tope has waived it and is just pleased to have the book returned, 'We've had the odd overdue library book, but 30 years must be a record..it's great that this valuable book has been returned to complete the set, particularly as they have been part of the library for so long'. The book is now back with the other volumes of the edition in Wallington Library's Mallison Room.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:29 No comments:
Labels: libraries, Samuel Pepys
The Anonymous Writer...
On this day...English author Thomas Malory died in 1471, at the age of approximately 66. The compiler of 'Le Morte d'Arthur', Malory translated the Arthurian romance tales of the King, Guinevere and Lancelot from French prose into eight books of Middle English verse, providing the basis for later literary works such as T.H. White's 'The Once and Future King', and Tennyson's 'The Idylls of the King'. Yet despite a lasting literary legacy, much uncertainty surrounds the man himself.
At least six Thomas Malorys were alive at the time of the books writing, and from those, three main theories have emerged as to the identity of the author. Firstly, it was proposed by John Bale, that Malory was Welsh, hailing from Maloria and related to the poet Edward Rhys Maelor. The second alias is that of Thomas Malory of Papworth St. Agnes - a respected, yet average, country gentlemen. Yet it is to the turn that most scholars look, Sir Thomas Malory of Newbold Revel. A soldier and politician in the early years of his life, Sir Thomas turned to thievery, rape and kidnapping, serving time in both Marshalsea and Newgate Prisons. The most popular claimant, it is this Thomas Malory who died 540 years ago.
Posted by Kathryn at 10:08 No comments:
Labels: Alfred Lord Tennyson, King Arthur, on this day, Thomas Malory
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
The Family Man...
On this day...Romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy moved into Dove Cottage in 1799. The previous autumn had seen the pair in Germany, along with fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. One of his many trips to Europe, Wordsworth was reportedly homesick and thus it was in 1799 that he moved back to the Lake District - the region in which he grew up. His work at this time comprised of 'The Lucy Poems', a series of five poems later included in his 'Lyrical Ballads' collection. Living near Coleridge and Robert Southey, the trio became collectively known as the 'Lake Poets'.
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#1 posted 07-14-2014 10:42 AM
Looks like it is, too. Silver is paint, or ? Where'd the wood come from, what kind? More story is good. Welcome to ljs!
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Jeremy Saulnier's Green Room is a smart, mean and brutal thriller that has an undeniably grimy vibrancy. At its heart, it can trace back its origins to countless westerns, zombie slashers, crime films, or pretty much any story that features scrappy underdogs holed up in a ramshackle outpost surrounded by hostiles. In the past, the others have been Native Americans, monsters, street gangs, aliens, etc. Here, they're neo-Nazis marshalling themselves to eliminate a punk band that's locked itself in a room after strolling into a classic wrong place/wrong time situation.
So far, so ordinary, at least on paper. But being a good filmmaker is often like being a good singer: delivering an old hit in such a way that it makes you feel like you're hearing it for the first time, and that's exactly what Saulnier does with Green Room, substituting our memories of classics gone by with well-constructed storytelling and characters, an eye for smart and telling details, and a way for ratcheting up tension to sickening levels. This isn't a film for the faint of heart. But if you're game, what a ride it is.
The setup is nimble in its execution. We meet a punk band from D.C., The Ain't Rights, trying desperately to survive. They siphon gas to make a gig in upstate Oregon, and when they get there they end up mumbling through interviews in exchange for crash pads, and then screaming their music at a lunch crowd for $6 apiece. A contact puts them in touch with a place near Portland who might pay. "Ultra right-wing," the guys grimaces. "Well, actually, ultra left-wing."
The band arrives at a dingy, depressed-looking bar in the middle of the woods, littered with swastikas and Confederate flags. The feeling of "let's just get this over with" lingers over every uncomfortable look. "I have a dumb idea," says Pat (Anton Yelchin), the lead singer. The group comes out and starts their set with "Nazi Punks Fuck Off," thoroughly angering the crowd before quickly winning them back with the next song. It's a dumb idea that sort of pays off, unlike Pat's next dumb idea, which is to barge back into the green room after Sam (Alia Shawkat), the guitarist, forgets her phone. While they were playing, violence has happened, and now there's a dead girl's corpse with a knife in its head. The club manager herds Pat, Sam and also bassist Reece (Joe Cole) and drummer Tiger (Callum Turner) back into the green room. "We're not keeping you," he says firmly. "You're just staying."
The situation escalates. A gun changes hands back and forth and the power dynamic changes within the room between captive and captor, but that still leaves the hostile elements on the other side of the door, personified by the club owner, the gruff and cold Darcy (Patrick Stewart, in a sublime piece of non-stunt casting stunt casting). Darcy is smart and slides into practical, crisis management mode, already thinking about the most efficient way to dispose of the kids. His plan has a perfect, procedural sense to it as he dismisses the bar crowd, takes stock of his men and resources, and starts mentally calculating what's the smoothest murder scenario to stage for the police. Meanwhile, the group starts to slowly understand how much trouble they're in, despite the faux-reassuring words of Darcy from the other side. The only other innocent in the room, Amber (Imogen Poots), was friends with the dead girl and knows the scene well enough to offer advice, all of it bleak.
From here, Saulnier (who also scripted) uses the setup as a platform for a clockwork chess game with moves and counter-moves, where strict attention is paid to resources, time, money and wits, all while the tension is wrung out of every frame. His plot moves in ingenious ways as the mangnitude of the trap these five kids are in grows and grows: in one of the story's neatest movements, a desperate attempt to improve their situation ends up doing little but supplying the kids with unwanted information that worsens it considerably. Saulnier also refuses to let his characters congeal into cookie-cutter shapes, or become hardcore action heroes, or make speeches where they explain their motivations. Realistic—if heightened–behavior informs character here, not monologues where people share philosophies or backstories. Even Poots' Amber, who offers dry commentary, seems not like artificial comic relief but like a certain kind of person in shock and trying to cope.
But despite all the trappings of a genre exercise (and it is well-done at that – Saulnier is a skilled director capable out of conjuring unease out of thin air), Green Room has more on its mind. It humanizes its villains, to a degree, creating not a thinly-sketched supporting cast out of an American History X casting call, but a group of people who have their own rules, concerns and dramas. "This is not a party, it's a movement," says the grandfatherly Darcy at one point to a gathering of folks, and there's sly commentary when Darcy and his manager have to look to true believers in their newer ranks to get things done. Murder is a game for younger men, it seems. The elders have to resolve having a white supremacist philosophy with keeping the lights on and keeping the books balanced. Yet none of this is spelled out—the movie's most shocking quality might be the way it takes volatile sociopolitical material and just bakes it all into the story, rather than writing on-the-nose dialogue that addresses it.
Stewart's gripping performance is underplayed and controlled, and while Saulnier doesn't waste the shock value of seeing Captain Picard hurling a racial epithet, he and Stewart create a nuanced character who seems weary and sad but you understand why others would flock to him and seek his approval. When one of the goons brings along a pack of attack dogs, the parallels between the men and dogs' relationships with their respective masters is clear, especially with the quiet point made that cruelty is taught. These are touches that show thought, and it's a rare to see a thriller be so circumspect about its violence, and what it's trying to say with it, right down to the final scene.
Saulnier's last film, Blue Ruin, was a terrific and tense deconstruction of revenge stories that stressed cyclical violence and collateral damage (his lead from Blue Ruin, Macon Blair, turns up again here as a panicky club manager with a truly inconvenient conscience). Clearly the effects of violence are things that weigh on his mind, and with Green Room he's made a tight and engaging piece that works on multiple. What a refreshing change of pace, when so many thrillers don't seem to work on any.


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81st Texas Legislature, Senate Concurrent Resolutions 9
Description: Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives relating to requesting that the Texas Legislature send a letter of congratulations to President Barack H. Obama.
Date: March 2, 2009
Creator: Texas. Legislature. Senate.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department


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Science City York welcomes the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival, 9th - 15th September 2007
This programme will include performances of improvised and pre-composed music, workshops and talks in the ColourDome on St Sampson's Square, York daily from Sunday, 9 September to Saturday, 15 September, from 11am to 4pm. Admission £2 Adults; £1 children
Sun, 9 Sept - Ansuman Biswas performs SELF PORTRAIT. Linked up to computers via sensors on his body Ansuman controls the music by his body rhythms (heartbeat and brainwaves). A continuous four-hour event and an amazing feat of endurance exploring the power of the human body.
Mon, 10 Sept - SUPERLUMINAL by RICHARD DURRANT. Superluminal is a musical illustration of my interest in the strange world of quantum theory. I always feel exhilarated by the quantum view which seems to unite the mysteries of the physical and spiritual aspects of the universe under the heading: Things that are definitely there but are still under investigation. In other words, discount nothing. Its all a mystery. It all has terrifying beauty. Richards new work is a seven movement piece for voice (Paul Austin Kelly), guitar, flute and electronics.
Tue, 11 Sept - COLOUR AND MUSIC I - with Colourscape artist Peter Jones. Book in to three talks during the day about colour, light and sound. Talks at 11am; 12.30 and 2pm. Discuss links in our perception of light and sound with Peter Jones and discuss new computer music with composer Lawrence Casserley. Between the talks there will be improvisations and performances of new flute and computer music.
Wed, 12 Sept - SCIENTISTS AND SAXOPHONISTS - Evan Parker and John Butcher
Two international saxophonists started their careers as scientists - Evan as a botanist; John as a physicist. They join forces with computer musician Lawrence Casserley to take the saxophone to new realms of sound.
Thu, 13 Sept - DISABLED STUDENTS AND COMPUTERS. Computer musician David Stevens has been working with disabled students from Applefield school. They perform their own music on special sensors and computer software. David Stevens and Michael Ormiston perform with them.
Fri, 14 Sept - COLOUR AND MUSIC II - composer Michael Ormiston and painter Catrin Webster explore links between music and colour. Book into workshops at 11am; 12.30 and 2pm - learn to create new harmonics with Mongolian Overtone Singing - paint images that appear in your brain from the amazing colours in ColourDome.
Sat, 15 Sept - BETWEEN THE NOTES - Rare Scale Ensemble explore the microtones in between the normal Western scales. New music with oboe, quarter-tone flute, bass clarinet and electronics. Ask questions in the breaks in the music.
More details at:
Lawrence Casserley - firstname.lastname@example.com
Lawrence Electronic Operations - www.lcasserley.co.uk
Colourscape Music Festivals - www.colourscape.org.uk


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Why do we believe what we do? We all appear to be driven by our inherited predisposition to confabulate reality to conform to our need to be the self-conscious hero at the center of the whole universe. Because we all follow this same routine we each become "unpersuadables" when subjected to new information that doesn't conform to our preexisting reality, and we have remarkable abilities to twist things to fit what we already know to be true. Even scientists are subject to these processes, but their methods of checking each other's published works allows the scientists as a profession to challenge assumptions and perform tests of physical reality that affirm or deny each other's ideas. It is a self-correcting process that has created modern high-tech society. However, individual scientists are as prone to confirmation bias as are other people.
In The Unpersuadables: Adventures with the Enemies of Science, author Will Storr literally goes to the ends of the Earth to find remarkable people who have astonishing stories to tell about the hows and whys of their unique world views. We visit with creationists in Australia, climate change deniers, UFO abductees, an Australian aborigine painter, performers of past life regressions, Morgellons itchy-skin sufferers, Swami Ramdev, schizophrenics, a Hitler holocaust denier, a researcher of the extrasensory perception of dogs, and the magician/skeptic James Randi. Mixed with these visits are chapters about hard science and the analysis of how beliefs form. Below are some quotes to give you a flavor of these chapters.
Once your mind has made its mind up, "From then on, its treatment of any new information that runs counter to those views can sometimes be brutal. Your brain is surprisingly reluctant to change its mind. Rather than going through the difficulties involved in rearranging itself to reflect the truth, it often prefers to fool you. So it distorts. It forgets. It projects. It lies." (p. 76) "It makes us happy. It has even been demonstrated that depressed people, with their dysfunctionally gloomy predictions about themselves and the world, are more accurate in their outlook than the mentally 'healthy'. The world, and your life within it, is far bleaker than you have been led to believe." (p. 90) "We look for evidence that supports our hunch. The moment we find some, we think 'Aha!' and happily conclude that we are, indeed, correct. The thinking then ceases." (p. 85) "'All decisions we make are based on whether to approach or withdraw, including our moral decisions.' Without emotions, we would be incapable of making these decisions." (p. 184)
We are all unpersuadables – and once you realize that, you can be more comfortable with yourself and kinder to all those other foolish people.


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That is especially so with regard to the MiG deal involving ex-defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa failing to make headway, he told a meeting at the health ministry.
He called for expeditious investigations into the Dubai bank accounts, murder of Wasim Thajudeen etc. too, noting the government is accused over investigating only the minor incidents.
The law cannot be enforced against certain officials who do not carry out their responsibilities properly, Senaratne charged.
FCID sources say the investigation into the 14 million dollar MiG deal in 2006 is in its final stages now.
FCID awaits OK to make arrest
Gotabhaya is to be arrested in connection with the fraud, and the FCID is awaiting the OK from the political authority, according to the sources.
President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he should be informed in advance before arresting any former or serving member of the defence establishment.
The FCID has informed Colombo Fort magistrate's court that steps were being taken through Interpol to arrest former ambassador in Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, who is another accused in the MiG deal.
Investigations have confirmed that Weeratugna was now in the UAE, but his exact place of residence is yet to be determined, the FCID said.
Furthermore, the FCID said an investigation was underway with the Air Force into the missing original document pertaining to the MiG deal.


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"World change" is such a vague standard to work towards. So how do we, at Average Advocate define world change?
The community at Average Advocate was founded to focus on global social justice issues that go beyond our Western borders.
These include, but are not limited to the following:
-Modern slavery:
- Human trafficking
- Sex trafficking
- Labor trafficking
- Related injustices
-Extreme poverty:
- Famine
- Education
- Clean water
- Distribution of resources
- Homelessness
-Sustainable development
-Women's issues
-Refugees & immigration
-Conflict zones
-Other forms of extreme injustice:
- Racism
- Abuse
- Widows without rights
- Tyrannical governments
-Orphans – children in need of care:
- Adoption
- Foster care
We are not limiting ourselves to these topics of advocacy, let alone requiring our conversations to be concerning what affects other countries–rather, we realize changing the world on a grand-level usually requires us to be active where we are first.
And yet, our passion is to not stay satisfied with responding to needs on a local level, but to get to a place where we love our global neighbor, both literally and globally.
Actually, at our core, that is what Average Advocate is all about–simply to learn the art of loving others. (Which usually means we learn to love ourselves too.)
We do acknowledge that not all causes are listed here. After all, many do-gooder causes are actually opposing forces of each other. So why did we choose these ones?
Average Advocate was birthed out of a response to these ancient words:
"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
"He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing."
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."
"No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 "Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.
"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.
"Give [your entire tithe] it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work."
Do we claim to understand all the passages in the Bible? Is this supposed to be a valid theological argument to respond to these specific social issues? And what about ancient scripture from other religions?
Yes, we do realize there are lots of confusing segments in Biblical scripture, and we are also not making theological statement by choosing only these passages to display. Neither do we claim to understand all the gray areas. In addition, we apprecaited that others, from various backgrounds, motivate individuals to show justice and compassion.
These ancient words were chosen as our standard simply because these were our founder's original inspiration, and birthed an advocacy movement. We still believe the above scriptures are beautiful enough to live by.
Considering, we are not opposed to other respectful conversations being brought up as a response to our interpretation of the word "justice." But we reserve the right to stick by our original inspiration. We aren't here to cause division, rather, simply to try to bring a little heaven to earth in these areas specifically. We know there is a place for you elsewhere if we disagree on what "justice" means. But let's focus on what we do agree on!


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Project Management
The following is a summary of potential services, which can be offered in full or part:
Before the Works Commence on Site:
- Assistance in establishing the brief.
- Advice on terms and conditions for the appointment of other consultants, such as designers, services, structural engineers and the like.
- Preparation of a master programme for the proposed works, both before and on site, identifying the various design stages, key client decision periods, procurement route, statutory applications, cost checks, etc.
- Advice on site-specific implications of leases.
- Dealing with local authorities in connection with planning and building control applications.
- Reporting on design meetings with regular updates on cost, information required, programme, legalities, health and safety.
When the Works are On-Site:
- Managing, co-ordinating and supervising the contractors, artists and consultant team as required.
On Completion of the Works:
- Collating as installed record drawings and all necessary confirmations of statutory consents.
- Organising, programming and inspecting completion of any snagging or unfinished works by contractors and specialists.
- Monitoring and production of O&M manuals.


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AA Members, students and alumni are invited to join the 2016 RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize winner Taro Tsuruta (AADipl 1996) on this visit to the iconic Hopkins' designed Westminster Underground Station and the accompanying parliamentary building of Portcullis House. Completed in 1999 and shortlisted for the Stirling Prize, the station has been described as a "dramatic concrete well, woven with stacked banks of escalators that hang from a dynamic network of flying concrete beams and steel tubes".
Both a building visit and an on-site conversation, AA Building Conversations combines two of the best bits about architecture: walking through buildings and talking about them. AA Building Conversations brings together practising architects and the AA community to discuss in-situ how existing buildings in London have influenced, sharpened or challenged the architects' own practices and understanding of the discipline. The conversations will be triggered by AA graduate school students Alvaro Velasco Perez and Raül Avilla, but will be a collective construction among all those present.
Tsuruta Architects was established in 2006 by Taro Tsuruta, an experienced Japanese architect. Tsuruta worked with leading London design practices on complex multi-award winning projects before setting up his own studio. His original designs are informed by an exacting understanding of construction technology, combined with a deep respect for light, materials, context and the practicalities of everyday life. The practice has enjoyed critical acclaim for House of Trace – a radically different approach to home redevelopment. The project was warmly received in the press and gained numerous industry awards, most notably the Royal Institute of British Architects' Stephen Lawrence Prize 2016.
Please note you will require an Oyster Card of contactless payment card to access Westminster Underground Station as part of this visit.
Open to AA Members, students, and alumni. Book your place using the form below.
Image: Mike Quinn, licensed under Creative Commons Licence


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Costco Cyber Monday 2019 Ad, Deals & Sales
Thanksgiving Hours: Closed
Black Friday Hours: Opens at 9 a.m.
Online Sale Hours: TBD
Average Savings 22.37%
By signing up, you agree to BlackFriday.com terms of service and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
All Costco Ad Scan Deals
You are currently viewing deals from 2019.
Check back soon as we will be posting the 2020 offers as soon as we receive them.
Check back soon as we will be posting the 2020 offers as soon as we receive them.
Latest Costco News
BJ's Officially Announces They Will Be Closed On Thanksgiving 2016 And Open At 7 A.M. On Black Friday — What About Costco And Sam's Club?
October 4, 2016 by BestBlackFriday.com Team
For the 10th year in a row, BJ's Wholesale Club will be closed on Thanksgiving.
GameStop, BJ's, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Costco Will All Be Closed On Thanksgiving 2016
September 22, 2016 by BestBlackFriday.com Team
While Black Friday is still a little over two months away, we are already receiving news regarding retailers that plan on closing their doors on Thanksgiving.


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| 16°C Dublin
A judge has refused to dismiss charges against a former Ohio hospital worker accused of encouraging supporters of the Islamic State terror group to behead US military members.
Judge Dan Polster threw out a motion to dismiss 15 terror-related charges against Terrence McNeil in Cleveland federal court.
Defence lawyers had argued that the indictment against McNeil, 26, was not based on facts.
The FBI says McNeil, of Akron, posted a file on his Tumblr page in September 2015 containing the names and addresses of military members, then urged IS supporters to behead those mentioned.
Court filings indicate that McNeil intends to waive his right to a jury trial and have his case decided by Judge Polster.
PA Media


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At ESS, our workforce outreach is managed by the ESS Foundation, an employee-owner-led, pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of the ESS foundation is to promote careers in construction; provide career opportunities through education, mentorship, and training programs; and benefit community development projects throughout our region.
Whether it's a small scholarship to a local student or a large grant to an organization working across several states, we are committed to engaging in opportunities that align with the ESS Foundation's ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for our current and future workforce for generations to come.
August 19th, 2019 The ESS Foundation hosted its second annual Golf Classic, our annual fundraising event. Due to the generosity of everyone involved we were able to present ABC Heart of America Apprenticeship trust with a check for $20,000 in addition to raising funds for the ESS Foundation scholarship fund. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year at our 2020 Golf Classic. We'll be returning to the greens at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia, MO.
See you there!


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In March 2013, after a three-day fact-finding visit to Pakistan, United Nations terrorism and human rights envoy, Ben Emmerson, issued a statement calling the U.S. drone strikes a violation of international law.
Let's take a look at a summary of several combined reports on US illegal drone strikes with heavy civilian casualties as their consequences:
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called out the U.S. for "illegal" drone strikes in separate reports released on Tuesday. Amnesty focused on nine strikes in Pakistan between May 2012 and July 2013, claiming more than 30 civilians were killed in the strikes. HRW investigated six selected strikes in Yemen since 2009, finding that 57 of the 82 people killed were civilians. Each specific incident had coverage by local and even international news outlets, but the reports go more in depth by interviewing survivors, other witnesses, and government officials. These findings come just days after a United Nations report which found that as many as 600 of the 2,200 people killed by drone strikes in Pakistan were civilians.
Various reports, even those diluted by US mainstream outlets, have established that a large percentage of drone casualties have been born by civilians:
In Yemen, Human Rights Watch investigated six selected airstrikes since 2009 and concluded that at least 57 of the 82 people killed were civilians, including a pregnant woman and three children who perished in a September 2012 attack.
The groups' findings coincide with a report released Friday by a U.N. human rights investigator, who estimated that 2,200 people have been killed in drone strikes over the past decade in Pakistan. Of those casualties, at least 400 were civilians and 200 others were "probable noncombatants," according to the U.N. official, Ben Emmerson. He said the statistics were provided by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
There have been many reports, articles and editorials on this topic. The cost of drones, from civilian casualties to human rights violations to creating increased hatred of Americans, has been an ever-present subject in the news media, academia, NGOs, grassroots activists and political commentary blogs.
You would think, considering the enormity of this issue, its implications and consequences, that Americans would be hungry to learn and examine it further and deeper. You would think that the American people would be eager to tackle this illegal war, since it is being waged in our name, with our dollars and other priceless valuables such as our image, reputation, and safety. Safety, because creating justified hatred and animosity always comes back to haunt us.
You would think all that, wouldn't you? But you would be wrong. Based on what took place last week, it became very clear that over 95% of the people in the United States do not care about the illegal drone wars that are being waged in our name. We do not give a damn about the high percentage of civilian casualties. And we do not consider these aggressions and violations significant or worthy of our attention.
Last week the members of the United States Congress had a chance to hear directly from civilian survivors of such attacks at a special hearing. This was a first since the United States began launching drones attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere. Despite being heralded as the first time in history that U.S. representatives would hear directly from the survivors of a U.S. drone strike, only five elected officials chose to attend the congressional briefing. Only 5.
Believe me, it was not easy to bring these witnesses over here to enlighten us; to let us hear directly of the atrocities that are being waged in our name:
The family was joined by their legal representative Jennifer Gibson of the UK human rights organization Reprieve. Their Islamabad-based lawyer, Shahzad Akbar, was also supposed to be present but was denied a visa by the US authorities—"a recurring problem," according to Reprieve, "since he began representing civilian victims of drone strikes in 2011."
According to journalist Anjali Kamat, who was present and tweeting live during the hearing, the only lawmakers to attend the briefing organized by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), were Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.). Before the handful of reporters and scant lawmakers, however, Rafiq and his children gave dramatic testimony which reportedly caused the translator to break down into tears.
That's right. Of 435 representatives-those who were voted by Americans to represent us, only 5 attended this historical briefing. The rest of them, 430 representatives who represent the American people, declined to attend, and by doing so sent the following message:
We, as the representatives of the people, do not give a damn about the cost of our illegal drone strikes, the civilian casualties, the injured, and the loved ones left behind.
These absent representatives represent the majority of the American people. A big majority. By big, I mean a 98+% majority. Allow me to break this down:
130,292,355 Americans went to the ballots and voted in 2012. We voted to elect representatives because we believe we live in a nation with a representative government. We voted in these representatives so that they would represent us.
Of 130,292,355 people who voted and elected our representatives, only 976,998 people consider the illegal killings of innocent civilians and bystanders in our name as a subject worthy of scrutiny and consequent accountability. Here are the five representatives who represented these 976,998 people:
Rep. Alan Grayson- Florida's 9th Congressional District: 164,891
Rep. John Conyers- Michigan's 13th Congressional District: 235,336
Rep. Jan Schakowsky- Illinois' 9th Congressional District: 194,869
Rep. Rush Holt- New Jersey's 12th congressional district: 189,926
Rep. Rick Nolan- Minnesota's 8th Congressional District: 191,976
These United States Representatives for 976,998 Americans considered the illegal drone wars waged by the United States resulting in many civilian casualties a significant issue. The rest, representing 129+ Million, did not.
What does this say about us? What does it say about the United States of America? How does the rest of the world view us Americans? How do the people of our targeted nations for our illegal strikes view and feel about us? Why wouldn't we be the most hated nation in the world? Why wouldn't they hate us? When you look at it this way, how could we not become the target of more terror? Who wouldn't consider us the evil-doer nation?
Because, you see, if we are who we say we are, a representative nation, and if they are who we say they are, our representatives who represent us, then, we are the ultimate murderers. Our representative government has been murdering nonstop. They are Us. Thus, the hatred and vengeance of millions who have been suffering our illegal wars are deservedly directed at us. After all, as they say, we reap what we sow.
Sibel Edmonds is the Publisher & Editor of Boiling Frogs Post and the author of the Memoir Classified Woman: The Sibel Edmonds Story. She is the recipient of the 2006 PEN Newman's Own First Amendment Award for her "commitment to preserving the free flow of information in the United States in a time of growing international isolation and increasing government secrecy" Ms. Edmonds has a MA in Public Policy and International Commerce from George Mason University, a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from George Washington University.
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Grown Smart
Hi, I'm Daniel MacKay and my Family has grown Bananas around Tully in North Queensland since 1945 when Grandad, Stanley MacKay, started his first small plantation. Recognised as the pioneer of bananas in this region and dedicating his life to helping fellow banana farmers, Grandad was awarded Australia's highest honour 'the Medal of the Order of Australia' in 1985.
Today with my Father Robert, Uncle John, my two brothers, Stephen and Cameron and cousins Barrie and Gavin we continue the banana farming tradition, just on a larger scale. I'm going to take you on a quick farm visit to see how we grow and pack Smart Bananas to make them the best bananas you can enjoy.
North Queensland has a tropical climate, meaning it's warm and wet much of the year – in fact Tully, the town around which our farms are spread, is officially the wettest town in Australia and there is a big gumboot monument as you drive in to prove it! Being warm and so wet provides the ideal conditions to grow magnificent bananas, even though it's quite often hard for us to work in the extreme wet.
Smart Bananas grow in straight rows in large plantations. We need to do a lot of ground preparation to ensure that when the heavy rain comes erosion does not cause small rivers to destroy the planting and wash top soil out to sea. Over the years we have developed a series of settling ponds to ensure we have zero loss of top soil and keep the environment in balance.
Pictured to the right is Gavin examining the health of some 4 month old plants on his farm. Each plant will produce one bunch of Smart Bananas from a larger purple flower."It takes between 9 and 12 months to produce the perfect bunch of Smart Bananas"
Balancing the tree and environment to produce the sweetest bananas, to the right size, with the least amount of damage is the main focus for each of us on our farms each day. It takes between 9 and 12 months to produce the perfect bunch of Smart Bananas. Although we need to add fertilisers to grow our fruit, we are proud to have developed smart practices that have this significantly lower than any other producer in the industry (this actually slows the growth rate and ensures higher sweetness levels).
Each Smart Banana bunch is pruned to have the ideal amount of fruit per tree so that the tree is not stressed but can perfectly develop the nutrients and sweetness for its Smart Banana fruit. At about 50kg per bunch each one is harvested and carried on shoulder, like Cameron shows, is to the padded trailer.
In our packing sheds the bunch has each hand of bananas (about 17 bananas per hand) cut off and placed in large water tubs to wash the fruit and stop the sap bleeding out. All fruit is hand selected and only the best fruit will be packed and labelled as Smart Bananas. You will note that all the fruit is still green when packed - this is because a banana will not ripen well on the palm and goes through a physical change as it yellows where the starch turns to sugars and becomes edible.
Smart Bananas travel along conveyor belts past fans to dry before again being quality checked and individually packaged. This packaging allows the fruit to be sealed in its own perfect environment and now travel undisturbed through the transport and ripening process to you, ready to be enjoyed for all the special elements the Smart Banana represents.
I have had people ask "wouldn't it be better to not use plastic packaging to protect the environment?" This is a good question and we have performed multiple trials on this. In fact we have found the Smart Banana has less impact on the environment in multiple areas than traditional processes, and that it is actually a friendly and much more sustainable product, leaving a smaller footprint on the planet than other bananas. In saying this, our family is committed to a sustainable earth and we continue to look for better processes to implement, including compostable plastics etc.
Thanks for touring around my family's farms and learning about the Smart Banana.


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A modern and light business card for professionals of any field. The item is in 2 layered PSD files (front and reverse), with editable text fields for all your contact information. The logotype is included and is fully editable text on the reverse should you wish to use it-or alternatively just drop in your own logo!
This business card is based on the US standard sizing, includes a 5mm bleed and is ready to go to print.
3.5×2 inches. 5mm bleed. 350dpi. CMYK. Fully editable. 2 layered PSD files. Editable logotype included on reverse. Print ready. Suitable for any modern professional .
Fonts used are Bebas Neue (free) and Lobster 1.4 (free).
Please take a moment to rate this item if you purchase it. Thanks!


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Just in case you didn't know, this is the incorrect way to thread a bobbin.
I will post more about the Bernina 830 later, but this is an example of what I learned to do and not to do during the dealer training I went to this week in Oklahoma City.
March 28, 2010
Just in case you didn't know, this is the incorrect way to thread a bobbin.
I will post more about the Bernina 830 later, but this is an example of what I learned to do and not to do during the dealer training I went to this week in Oklahoma City.
March 28, 2010
I suppose I need to find a better time to blog than on Fridays because that doesn't appear to be working out very well. I guess I will try posting periodically through the week, but sometimes I just don't have anything to blog about. Luckily for you, that is not today. There is plenty to catch up on.
First I will show you a bad picture of my pretty dishes, that I talked about in my last post.
I know that they are avacado green and old, but they are really pretty. I love that they are Corelle – light weight, thin, but awesome quality of glass.
In other news, I've basically completely given up on my sewing machine. It is old and pieces seem to fall off everytime I try to use it, and fixing the mistakes seems to be more effort than just sewing by hand. So that is what I've been doing instead -hand sewing everything. Starting with these hexagons.
I've made twice as many as this, and I have a complete stack of fabric pieces ready to be sewn. At first I was going to make a pillow, but now I think I'm going to size it up to a wall hanging. I really love the light shade of teal and think that it would be beautiful to paint the sewing/living room a shade of that color, which would make the wall hanging really "pop"! (Just add painting the living room to my to do list. Ha!)
With some of the fabric scraps, since I'm using a layer cake of the "Plume" line by Tula Pink I decided to make a mini quilt block. It measures by about 5″, so 4 1/2″ finished. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, especially since I don't really have enough scraps to make more like it, but it sure is cute.
Other than that, the only other thing I've sewn in the last 2 weeks is a lunch bag made with some of the blue ornamental oil cloth I bought at the SewFlakes sale in February. When I finish it, I will post a picture.
March 13, 2010
I usually take time out on the weekends to update my blog since I have Fridays and Sundays off, but last weekend I was so sick I just couldn't sit at the computer. But now my system is back to normal and I'm ready to post again! Today's post is going to be about my extremely lucky day!
I try to spend a day with my Grandma every other month or so, of course I see her more often than that, but on this one day we actually go on a treasure hunting adventure. We visit the usual thrift store, any garage sales on the way, have lunch, and maybe run a few errands in there. Either way, it is always great fun and awesome quality time. (I'm such a Grandma's-girl, being the oldest and all.)
Today we did everything that we normally do, but I hit the jackpot of treasure finding! At the thrift store I found a set of dishes from the 70's. Some of the piece were marked 50% off while others ere not so I asked the cashier about them, and she gave them all to me at half price! You are probably thinking, "Woohoo, big deal, they are just dishes." But they aren't just any dishes! They are the Daisy Chain design from Pyrex and Correll. I have been collecting pieces one or two at a time since I found my first piece 2 years ago and fell in love with the little green daisy borders! So now I have most of the plates for the complete set. (6 plates, 5 bread plates, and 1 saucer for about $7!) This counts as the first "treasure find" of the day.
Then we went to the mall to eat lunch because its the only place that has Gyros, and I'm so on a Gyro kick lately. I really don't like going to the mall, so we had lunch and left. We then visited The Cotton Patch where I found an aqua fabric I need for the Quilt Block Swappers group and that was it and of course a few other pieces ended up in the bag as well. (Fabric has a mind of its own, I can't help it if it insists on coming home with me.)
The next treasure find isn't really a big deal, but I found $10 on the ground at the gas station. I gave it to the clerk and he said since I found it I could keep it, so it paid for the gas. Awesome!
We ran a few other errands, but on the last stop of the day I hit the Jackpot of treasure hunting. We stopped at a new thrift store, not sure if we were going to find anything because it is small and a hole in the wall. However, that quickly changed when I spotted a sewing cabinet with a White sewing machine in it, marked at $3. The sewing machine is shot and not worth the cost or effort of repairing, but the table is steady. It just needs to be sanded and refinished or painted, though Erik might use it for a wood working stand instead – to mount his vice on.
So when you think about it, I either got a free bucks in gas or a set of dishes and a sewing table. Pretty awesome day no matter how you look at it.
I will try and post pictures on Sunday. Hopefully I will have my reversible smock top done by then as well.
March 2, 2010
Every Monday the host of the Flickr Quilting Bee that I'm in asks a question or two for us to answer – it is known as "Getting to Know you Mondays?" This Monday the questions deal with how we learned to sew.
"How are you learning to quilt? Did you take a class? Learn from a friend? Book? Blog?"
I started learning during my Home ec. class while being home schooled. I would go over to my step-grandma's and make all sorts of things. Some of my favorite memories come from her sewing room. I love the smell of freshly ironed fabric, it always makes me think about those times. She use to have boxes, trunks, wardrobes, and drawers of fabrics, to many and to beautiful to recall. It was like entering a magical land of creativity. One of my favorite projects she taught us was a crazy quilt. I don't think we actually ever finished the quilt, but I remember her pulling out this big (clean) trash can she kept next to her work area full of all sorts of scraps. She taught us how to match everything up, sew and trim the pieces, and then she would let us be for a while so we could just flow with it. These were the first times I started sewing.
Now I learn mostly from blogs. It started with Sonnet of the Moon. When I came across her blog last year, about this time, I thought it was wonderful. I spent the evening and part of the next day reading it from the very beginning, all the way through. Through her blog I came to know about some of my other, now favorite blogs, including:
Film in the Fridge
Handmade by Alissa
Craft Apple
Homemade by Jill
Pink Penguin
Sew Much Ado
There are more blogs that I read, but those are just a few for now.
I also learn a lot from working at SewFlakes. My boss, Chris, has been so helpful, and so have the other ladies. At SewFlakes the only classes I've taken have been a couple of "Ways and Means" technique classes. They are an awesome way to learn to do some of the basic stuff without spending the money to take a complete quilt class. So far I've taken binding, mitered corners, and cording. I'm really hoping that we can keep the classes going because I really need to learn to put in a zipper….properly.


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On hold bookings can now be paid online, using the mobile app or the website!
Dear passengers, we are happy to announce you that on hold bookings can now be paid online! You can proceed to payment from Check your trip - website and Manage booking - mobile app in max. 48 hours from the booking time.
On hold bookings can be made using the mobile app and our website.
Your trip will be placed on hold but the reservation is not guaranteed until it has been payed and confirmed. Your booking will be cancelled if payment is not made till the expiry date. If duplicate bookings are found, one of the bookings will be cancelled and the Hold My Booking option will no longer be valid.
The hold option is only available for all passengers in the same itinerary/reservation. There is not an option to choose only one passenger to receive hold if there is more than one passenger on the reservation.
On hold bookings can be paid using the following options: online with automatic issuance, online in 48 hours from booking time, online by MobilPay payment link (please mention the invoice details) or by bank wire/deposit (the proforma can be asked only to TAROM Agencies).
Thank you for choosing TAROM!