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Academic Award Scheme
There are several ways in which families may qualify for financial assistance.
1. Academic Scholarships
The Gildas Scholarship is available to a student entering Year 11 as either a day or boarding student. The Heavey Scholarship is available to one student entering Year 7 for the following four years. Each scholarship is awarded on the basis of an academic test conduced by ACER, an interview, and the Report of the student's present school. It covers a 100% reduction in tuition fees and is conditional on continued academic success. For more information look under Enrolment/Bursaries and financial assistance.
2. Music Scholarship
A music scholarship is awarded each year to a Year 8 student who wishes to study any musical instrument. Free instrumental tuition and 100% reduction in tuition fees are the benefits. It is awarded on the basis of an audition and an interview.
Each of these bursaries and scholarships are available only to permanent Australian residents. For further information, including procedures and schedule for application please contact the Enrolment Secretary.
3. Government Assistance Schemes
Several schemes exist:
- Transport Assistance
- Living Away From Home Allowance Scheme [LAFHAS]. Contact should be made with Education Queensland on 1800 248 997
- Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme [AIC]. Contact should be made with Centrelink on 13 23 18
- ABSTUDY – Phone 13 23 17


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The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has assured Parliament of the Electricity Company of Ghana's (ECG) capacity to repay the on-lend loan of US$ 60 million which is meant for the phase II of the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP).
Parliament last week approved a loan agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association for an amount of US$ 60 million which the government intends to lend to the ECG for GEDAP.
The Ministry of Finance, when it appeared before the Parliamentary joint committee on Finance and Mines and Energy, said an assessment on the financial capability of the ECG had been undertaken by a joint technical team comprising officials of the World Bank and the results were positive.
The Ministry, led by the Minister, Mr Seth Tarkper, also indicated that adequate repayment security measures had also been instituted to ensure the ECG does not default.
Some of the measures include the opening of an escrow receivable account for the purpose of depositing receivables from the project solely for the repayment of the loan.
The Finance Ministry further stated that the current cash waterfall payment schedule for the power sector being implemented by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) also provided an additional security measure to ensure that the escrow account receives proceeds on time for the repayment of the loan.
Terms and conditions of the loan
The agreement between government and the IDA comes with an interest rate of 1.25 per cent per annum, a service charge of 0.75 per cent per annum on withdrawn balance, a commitment charge of 0.5 per cent per annum on the unwithdrawn balance, a grace period of five years and a repayment period of 25 years.
The government of Ghana in return is lending this facility to the ECG at an interest rate of 5.3 per cent per annum, service charge of 0.75 per cent per annum on withdrawn balance, a commitment charge of 0.5 per cent per annum on the unwithdrawn balance, a grace period of five years and a repayment period of 17 years.
Additionally, the ECG is expected to bear all the exchange rate risk associated with the loan facility.
GEDAP project
In 2007, government initiated the GEDAP project at a total cost of US$296.83 million.
Reduction of system losses
In June 2010, government secured an additional funding credit facility in the amount of US$ 70 million and on-lent it to the ECG to enable it upgrade its distribution network and commercial and technical capacity with focus on improving revenues and reducing commercial losses across the country.
Out of this total financing, about 96.10 per cent has been disbursed and utilized by the project as at end of June, 2016.
With the help of this funding, the ECG has completed the construction and installations of 33/11 KV substations and medium-voltage lines.
It has also completed the construction of seven district offices/customer service centers to deal with the growth in customer population and improve customer service accessibility and has also implemented a new company-wide Commercial Management System (CMS).
The ECG has also supplied and installed 140,000 meters in the Ashanti region.
These measures have led to the reduction of overall system losses from 26 per cent in 2007 to 22 per cent as at December, 2015.
Operational challenges
The Parliamentary joint committee on Finance and Mines and energy in its report on the loan agreement indicated that, in spite of the above investments and achievements, key operational challenges still remained within the ECG.
It said whiles the measures to enhance ECG's operational performance had helped reduced losses, it did not effectively reflect in the improvements of ECG's financial performance, as the company was still grappling with high commercial losses, inadequate revenue collection and limited integration of its systems and functional units.
It noted that the additional funding of US$ 60 million would focus on investments to scale up the activities in the ongoing GEDAP.
It said the investments would be targeted to improve the operational efficiency and financial viability of the ECG.
The project is planned to be implemented over a period of 24 months and is expected to scale up the ongoing activities under the first phase of GEDAP through an improvement in revenue collection and enhancing the management and planning processes of the ECG.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.

subset: commoncrawl


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High Performance, Low Power, Dual 8-Bit, 500 MSPS A/D Converter
The ADC08500 is a low power, high performance CMOS Analog-to-digital converter that digitizes signals to 8 bits resolution at sampling rates up to 500 MSPS. Consuming a typical 0.8 Watts at 500 MSPS from a single 1.9 Volt supply, this device is guaranteed to have no missing codes over the full operating temperature range. The unique folding and interpolating architecture, the fully differential Comparator design, the innovative design of the internal sample-and-hold Amplifier and the self-calibration scheme enable a very flat response of all dynamic parameters beyond Nyquist, producing a high 7.5 ENOB with a 250 MHz input signal and a 500 MHz sample rate while providing a 10 -18 B.E.R. Output formatting is offset binary and the LVDs digital outputs are compatible with IEEE 1596.3-1996, with the exception of an adjustable common mode voltage between 0.8V and 1.2V.
The converter has a 1:2 demultiplexer that feeds two LVDs buses and reduces the output data rate on each bus to half the sampling rate.
The converter typically consumes less than 3.5 mW in the Power Down Mode and is available in a 128-lead, thermally enhanced exposed pad LQFP and operates over the Industrial (-40C d TA d +85C) temperature range.
By National Semiconductor Corporation
|Texas Instruments
|8-Bit, 500-MSPS Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 128-HLQFP -40 to 85
|ADC08500 Pb-Free
|ADC08500 Cross Reference
|ADC08500 Schematic
|ADC08500 Distributor
|ADC08500 Application Notes
|ADC08500 RoHS
|ADC08500 Circuits
|ADC08500 footprint


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All articles from: Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Site Poll: Which of these songs are you hoping to hear on Radiohead's next album?
Posted on March 2, 2013 by Brian and has 29 comments.
With Radiohead confirming they will beginning work on their next studio album in September of this year, which of these songs are you hoping will turn up on the next album? [poll id="3″] You can keep up to date on the latest news, rumors, and speculation on Radiohead's next album here. Also don't forget to vote in our […]Read more
Atoms For Peace debut album AMOK debuts at #2 on Billboard 200
Posted on March 2, 2013 by Josh and has 17 comments.
Update: March 7th, 2013 – Billboard has revealed the Billboard 200 and Atoms For Peace debut album AMOK has debuted at #2 on the charts. Number one on the Billboard 200 is Bruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox, which benefitted greatly from a one-day-only sale on Amazon MP3 for $1.99.Read more


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When account holders enter into transactions with instruments which are denominated in a non-Base Currency, the resultant profit or loss along with any interest charges (in the event of a margin loan) will remain in the currency in which the product was denominated until such time the account holder acts to close the currency position(s). This responsibility rests with the account holder as closing the position requires acceptance of a conversion price which is likely to be subject to continuous fluctuation similar to any other financial instrument.
There are limited instances in which IBKR will act to close a non-Base Currency position, including the following:
1. In situations where a margin deficiency exists and the position is closed in an effort to restore margin compliance; and
2. If the non-Base Currency balance is deemed to be nominal. Nominal balances are defined as those below USD 5.00, or equivalent. Such balances are regularly swept once settlement has been completed into the Base Currency as long as no other unsettled activity remains. Note that balances which are accrued but not yet posted, such as interest debits and credits, are not subject to being swept while in an accrual state.
3. If the account equity is deemed to be nominal. Here, if the account balance is below USD 80.00, or equivalent, the balance consists solely of cash and there has been no trade activity over the prior 10 business days, all non-Base Currency balances will be unwound and converted into the Base Currency. Note that this logic does not apply to accounts managed by a financial advisor or carried on behalf of an introducing broker.
4. If the account has selected the Close Account option in Client Portal. Here, all non-Base Currency balances not greater than 1,000 USD equivalents will be automatically converted into the Base Currency.
IBKR does provide an expedited process to assist account holders who wish to close all non-Base Currency positions collectively. To use this process, start by clicking on the Account button at the top of the TWS, which opens up a window displaying account balances including cash positions in all denominations. In the section titled 'Market Value - Real FX Balance" right click on any row to from the drop down menu to select the option titled 'Close All Non-Base Currency Positions'. Upon clicking that link, the account holder will be guided through a series of steps which will create a market order to close any non-Base Currency positions.
NOTE: Commissions are charged on FOREX conversions initiated by the account holder but not on those initiated by IBKR for the purpose of closing a nominal balance as noted above. IBKR will charge a commission if the position was liquidated in order to restore margin compliance.
IBKR does not allow clients to open currency positions denominated in the Korean Won (KRW). The currency is listed on the IdealPro and odd lot venues solely for the purpose of closing KRW positions incurred through the trading of KRW denominated KOPSI 200 Index futures and options listed on the Korean Stock Exchange.
An account will be subject to interest charges despite maintaining an overall net long or credit cash balance under the following circumstances:
1. The account maintains a short or debit balance in a given currency.
For example, an account maintaining a net cash credit balance equivalent to USD 5,000 comprised of a long USD balance of 8,000 and a short EUR balance equivalent to USD 3,000 would be subject to an interest debit based upon the short EUR balance. There would be no offsetting credit on the long USD balance as it is less than the USD 10,000 Tier I level above which interest is earned.
Account holders should note that in the event they purchase a security which is denominated in a currency that they do not hold in their account, IBKR will create a loan in that currency in order to settle the trade with the clearinghouse. If one wishes to avoid such loans and their associated interest charges, they would need to either deposit funds denominated in that particular currency or convert existing cash balances via the Ideal Pro (for balances of USD 25,000 or above) or odd lot (for balances less than USD 25,000) venue prior to entering into your trade.
2. The credit balance is comprised principally of proceeds from the short sale of securities.
For example, an account maintaining a net cash credit balance of USD 12,000 which is comprised of a USD debit of 6,000 in the security sub-account (less the market value of any short stock positions) and a short stock market value credit of USD 18,000 would be charged interest on the Tier 1 debit of USD 6,000 and would earn no interest on the short stock credit as it falls below the USD 100,000 Tier I level.
3. The credit balance includes unsettled funds.
IBKR determines interest debits and credits solely based upon settled funds. Just as an account holder is not assessed interest charges on funds borrowed to purchase a security until such time that purchase transaction settles, the account holder will not receive an interest credit, or offset against a debit balance, on funds originating from the sale of a security until such time the transaction has settled (and IBKR has been credited funds by the clearinghouse).
If you have requested an IRA account with margin permissions you may trade products which are denominated in a currency other than that of your designated Base Currency. However, as IRA accounts, by regulation, are not allowed to borrow cash (i.e., have a debit balance in any currency type), you would need to first convert a sufficient amount of your current cash balance into the currency in which the product is denominated prior to entering your order to purchase that product. This conversion can be transacted on our IdealPro platform if greater than USD 25,000, or equivalent, or the odd lot venue if below USD 25,000.
In the international forex cash market (known as the Spot Market) currencies are traded in pairs. The first currency in each pair is known as the Transaction Currency, while the second currency in the pair is the Settlement Currency. The quantity bought and sold will apply directly to the Transaction Currency, while the gains and losses from transactions will apply to the Settlement Currency. When you buy a currency pair you are going long the Transaction Currency while simultaneously shorting the Settlement Currency. Conversely, when you sell a currency pair you are shorting the Transaction Currency while simultaneously buying the Settlement Currency. Since the forex market is foreign exchange, each transaction must contain one currency against another.
We'll work through an example, using EUR.USD as our currency pair, with 100,000 being the quantity. In this example, EUR is the Transaction Currency. USD is the Settlement Currency. Buying 100,000 EUR.USD would mean that you are going long or buying EUR 100,000, while simultaneously shorting/selling 100,000 EUR worth of USD at the present exchange rate which exists in the interbank market. If you were to close this position by selling 100,000 EUR.USD, then you would close or go "flat" EUR.USD. However, any profit or loss on this transaction would settle in USD, since it is the Settlement Currency. Therefore, you be left with a positive or negative balance in USD as a result of this transaction. The inverse would be true if the initiating trade was a sell of EUR.USD.
The pip (the equivalent of a tick in most other asset classes) value varies depending on the particular currency pair and the amount of cash being traded. The definition of a pip is; the smallest price change that a given exchange rate can make. Since most major currency pairs are priced to four decimal places, the smallest change is that of the last decimal point (for most pairs this is the equivalent of 1/100th of one percent, or one basis point). As a result of this, the value of a pip is going to be dependent on the quantity that is being traded. In order to determine the pip value a trader needs to know the following information:
To determine the order's pip value, simply multiply the FX order size by the currency pair's increment. For example, EUR.USD typically trades in increments of 0.0001. If you were to place an order for 100,000 EUR.USD, multiply the order size of 100,000 times the increment of 0.0001. This results in a pip value of USD 10 per pip. For a USD.JPY pair order that has a price increment of .01, the pip value would be JPY 1,000 per pip (USD.JPY 100,000 times 0.01).
Please note, the first currency in an FX pair is the order's transaction currency and the second one is the settlement currency. The pip value is an amount of the settlement currency. For more information, please visit the IBKR Knowledge Base articles for Settlement currency and Transaction currency.
Yes, IBKR does offer trading on multiple Forex products. The most heavily traded market is Forex cash, which is commonly known as the Spot Market. This is an unregulated, decentralized market that does not have an exchange or standardized contracts. It is a system of banks and interbank dealers that offer prices (liquidity) for various institutions and individuals to access and trade. IBKR has access to numerous liquidity providers, including several of the largest in the world, through our IdealPro trading platform. Since there are no standardized contracts in the Forex cash market, traders can place orders for various cash amounts, provided they use only whole numbers. The minimum order size to access the Ideal Pro system is USD 25,000 or the equivalent in other currencies.
IBKR also offers trading in Forex futures and options as well as a number of currency related products listed on the US securities option markets.
Yes, albeit, with certain limitations. IBKR provides cash accounts the ability to trade products denominated in a currency other than the designated base currency of the account as long as the account is classified as a multi-currency cash account (i.e., maintains Forex trading permissions). To trade a security denominated in a non-base currency, the account holder must either first deposit the appropriate currency into their account or perform a currency conversion via the IdealPro venue. Regardless of the method selected, one needs to ensure that a sufficient balance of the appropriate currency exists in order to cover the purchase price of the applicable security including commissions prior to submitting the order or it will be rejected. This implies that IdealPro currency conversions must settle prior to the converted funds being available for a subsequent transaction (e.g., if you are converting USD into EUR for the purpose of purchasing a EUR denominated stock, you would not be able to enter the stock order until the conversion trade had settled two business days later).
Individuals trading futures in a cash account should note that futures variation is settled in cash and any variation which serves to generate a cash deficit in any given currency type (i.e. variation exceeds available cash margin) will result in a forced position liquidation in an amount sufficient to eliminate the cash deficit.
Finally, note that cash accounts are restricted from holding a short balance in any non-base currency as this would constitute a margin loan. In addition, clients of IB India are not allowed to maintain a multi-currency cash account and may only maintain assets which are denominated in INR.
In order to provide a comprehensive snapshot of your account equity for statement generation purposes, any long or short cash balance in your account which is denominated in a currency other than that which you have designated as your Base Currency must be converted at the then prevailing exchange rate. As exchange rates tend to vary from one period to another, this conversion process is likely to result in a Cash FX Translation balance that is either positive (i.e., a gain) or negative (i.e., a loss). It should be noted that these gains or losses represent a mark to market calculation (i.e., as if all non-Base Currency balances had been closed out at the end of day exchange rate) and the actual gain or loss, if any, cannot be determined until such time the non-Base Currency balance has been closed.
The Cash FX Translation Gain/Loss for any given non-Base Currency is determined by first calculating the difference between the Base Currency exchange rates as of the current and prior daily statement periods (exchange rateC – exchange rateP , where rates are made available in the Base Currency Exchange Rate section of each statement;). This difference, positive or negative, is then multiplied by the Starting Cash balance for the current statement period to determine the Cash FX Translation gain (if positive) or loss (if negative). As all other non-Base Currency details (e.g., net trade sales and purchases, commissions, interest, etc.) are booked as of the end of day for currency translation purposes, they have, by definition, no translation gain or loss.
The Cash Report section details how each period's cash balance changes from beginning to end. If your account holds a long or short balance in a non-base currency, such balances will be translated (but not converted) into your base currency for statement reporting and account equity aggregation purposes. The rates at which these non-base balances have been converted are detailed in the Exchange Rates section located towards the bottom of your Daily Activity Statement. All other things being equal, any change in an exchange rate from one statement period to another will result in either an increase or decrease in your ending cash balance with the net change across all non-Base currencies being reflected in the Cash FX Translation Gain/Loss line. This does not reflect a realized gain or loss on these open currency positions but rather a mark-to-market calculation across statement periods.


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I met up with Tom and he told me that he wants to go to see if he can find out whether his ex-girlfriend still lives in the same property as she hasn't responded to solicitor's letters. I had a lot of worries around the potential different issues that may arise if he were to go, and how this would affect his current positive mind set; i.e. What if she didn't live there and he felt he would never see his son again? What if she did live there and they ended up arguing; how would he deal with this and would we be dragged in? What if she did live there, but just ignored him? There were a lot of different variables that needed consideration so I phoned Tom and he just reeled of every potential and how he would cope which put my mind at ease because he had obviously been thinking about this a lot and weighed it all up positively. I took Tom over and he found out she did still live there so he posted his phone number through the door and said he would now start legal proceedings. So all-in-all my worries were dispelled and I believe just that 5 minutes it took to do a tad of Sleuthing put Tom's mind at rest and now he has a bit more clarity on the direction he can go.
Jamie, Support Worker


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Column for AIESEC June 1, 2008
It might seem like a long time ago, but my lessons from AIESEC have stayed with me for over 40 years. In fact, as a member of the graduate faculty of the Integrated Marketing communications department at Northwestern University (www.medill.northwestern/imc)
I continue to raise internships for my graduate students (over 50 percent are international) in the tradition of AIESEC every year. One difference might be the price (we secure support of $16,500 for each student for 11 weeks), but the spirit of AIESEC reigns in my process. My Olympic experience this summer will also reinforce my AIESEC education and beliefs.
In 1968 the University of Wisconsin-Madison chapter of AIESEC was vital and exciting. The group of UW students was so dedicated to the concept that we worked overtime to find meaningful internships in our small college town (Madison was under 100,000 populations). First Wisconsin Bank, Oscar Mayer and other firms were the corporate exception in a city dominated by the University and Wisconsin state government, but they knew the value of developing new talent in a global environment. At that time, Madison was thought to have more "foreign" cars per capital than other cities. The influence was the strongly global faculty who often came from international schools, conducted international research and brought home a Volvo, Saab, MiniCooper (the original one), MG or even Allard. I drove an Allard, Austin-Healey and TR-3. (It was a bad habit my Dad taught me and has stayed with me to this day (Porsche C4S)).
From foreign cars (the terms is oddly dated) to global students, the leap was comfortable and fun. While I had "won the lottery" that year for raising more internships than my peers; I regrettably was unable to assume my internship in Copenhagen Denmark due to some surgery from poor skiing behavior. Instead, I stayed in my home town of Madison, worked in the PR function of Oscar Mayer and hosted our international AIESEC guests.
It was a great experience. I wish I could remember their names but the Scandinavian group of men and women was excited to be in Madison. Wisconsin still has a great tradition of celebrating its northern European values and traditions. They found their welcome warm. We took them on weekends to local tourist sites (Frank Lloyd Wright's school Taliesin, Wisconsin Dells (natural rock formations and tacky tourist attractions), the World Circus Museum and more.
The faculty advisors of AIESEC from the School of Commerce also showed their global nature. I particularly remember a backyard event at the home of Management Professor Ed Petersen and his wife Ruthie with Marketing Professor J. Howard Westing and Peg (my future father and mother-in law).
My global halcyon days continue. As I write this I am on my way to Lijiang China by way of Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Bejiing. I will be celebrating my long interest in world issues (not as an athlete) but as a guest of the Olympic Committee, Samsung and China to carry the Olympic Torch for 200 meters. As I carry that torch, I will remember that it was AISEC that gave me my first organizational introduction to a global world. As I run, I plan to carry a memento of my students, family, universities and AIESEC.


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How to reach us
By Car
Our staff will be happy to give you more details.
By train
From railway station Termini
If travelling by train, from Termini station take metro line A towards Battistini to Flaminio, and then catch the urban train (Roma Nord line towards Prima Porta/Montebello, the station is a few metres walk from the metro station) to Due Ponti.
Be careful, Please note: this is a request stop only!
Alternatively, you can catch bus 910 from Termini station to the terminal of Piazza Mancini, and then bus 200 until to Village Flaminio.
The bus stop is located in front of Euclide shopping centre, across the road from Village Flaminio.
For further information, updates and detailed bus, metro and train routes, visit the web site www.atac.roma.it.Useful informaion
By Plane
From Fiumicino
To get from Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci airport to Village Flaminio by public transport, take the Leonardo Express train (€ 14,00) until to Termini.
Then follow the instructions in the "by train" section.
For information on flights www.adr.it/fiumicino.
From Ciampino
To get from Ciampino airport to Village Flaminio by public transport you can take the shuttle bus to Anagnina, then metro line A to Flaminio, and finally the suburban train (Prima Porta line) to Due Ponti.
Be careful, Please note: this is a request stop only!
For information on flights www.adr.it/ciampino.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a shuttle direct to Village Flaminio, send us an airport transfer request and we will organise the transport for you.


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Every business that we help is different and so what?s needed can vary. For that reason, the best place to start is normally for us to have a conversation, about what you are trying to achieve and your current situation. Only then can we recommend services.
From the softer skills that analysts need to drive action on insights, to specialist topics like GDPR & Conduct Risk. Laughlin Consultancy can provide the training your team needs & enable you to embed best practice in your culture.
Qualified Executive Coaching can help busy executives achieve and sustain their peak performance. It is not remedial, not for ?problem? leaders or those who need a crutch to lean on. A better metaphor is sports coaches.
Leading a Customer Insight function is a challenging role, requiring a wide range of skills & knowledge. Drawing on a wealth of experience, our mentoring service offers the support & advice needed to get up the?learning curve. A bespoke programme of monthly mentoring sessions will enable you to identify your needs, learn new skills & grow into being fully effective in your role.
Setting the right strategy, benchmarking your capability or solving business problems. All can be good reasons to engage experienced leaders as expert consultants. Laughlin Consultancy offers both proven best?practice models & practitioner experience to help you make the right decisions.
Paul Laughlin has been an international speaker, at conferences across UK, Europe & USA for over 15 years. Focussed on topics including Customer Insight, Leadership, Data, Analytics, Data Science, Research & Database Marketing.
However, to give you an idea of the kind of services that are available from Laughlin Consultancy, here are a few examples that we have found help clients overcome value barriers:
- A ?Health Check? on your company?s Customer Insight capability. Comparing it to best practice models and identifying any gaps which might be barriers to creating more value.
- Customer Insight Strategy.?One with input from your leadership team, which aligns your customer insight priorities and investment with realising your commercial strategy.
- Communicating insights. Tailored mix of consultancy & training to suit the needs of your organisation (often identified through health check). Transferring the skills to?transform your ?wallpaper Powerpoint? into sustained delivery of compelling reports, which?engage your senior leaders or clients, and result in?action.
- Training for customer insight teams?can also help some businesses. For example, learning how to use analytics and research together, to generate deeper insights, or new challenges for Financial Services companies like using Behavioural Economics understanding to improve your communications.
- Career paths for customer insight roles. Designed around your organisation and its needs, a suite of role profiles, competencies and career paths, so that all levels of analysts & researchers in your team can see how to progress.
- Bespoke consultancy.?Because every business is different, we also deliver flexible, consultancy?that is tailored to help you with your particular business challenge.
Several of these services could sound like one-off interventions, that then leave you to your own devices to deliver value in future.
For that reason, Laughlin Consultancy also offers?coaching services:
- a qualified executive coach to work with your customer insight leader. Coaching will ensure they know how to drive value from their customer insight team and sustain that value generation in future;
- on-boarding coaching, to help new leaders get up to speed with their customer insight responsibilities and be recognised as effective in their roles after their first 90 days.


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At least two of Jane Austen's books tie the aesthetic appreciation of a beautiful abbey with a positive moral judgment of its proprietor: Pride and Prejudice, favoring Mr. Darcy, and Emma, praising Mr. Knightly. Emma's visual assessment of Donwell Abbey is clearly informed by Gilpin's Observations, and although Emma grew up near Donwell, at this point in the novel she looks upon it with renewed interest:
She felt all the honest pride and complacency which her alliance with the present and future proprietor could fairly warrant, as she viewed the respectable size and style of the building, its suitable, becoming, characteristic situation, low and sheltered— its ample gardens stretching down to meadows washed by a stream, of which the Abbey, with all the old neglect of prospect, had scarcely a sight— and its abundance of timber in rows and avenues, which neither fashion nor extravagance had rooted up.— The house was larger than Hartfield, and totally unlike it, covering a good deal of ground, rambling and irregular, with many comfortable, and one or two handsome rooms.— It was just what it ought to be, and it looked what it was— and Emma felt an increasing respect for it, as the residence of a family of such true gentility, untainted in blood and understanding. (Austen, Vol.III ch.VI)
Emma notes that the Donwell is all that an abbey should be, just as Gilpin had explained: it is characteristically located in a low and sheltered area, surrounded by abundant lines of trees, and with ample gardens and a stream. Its location is not "charming," but "becoming" and "suitable." The house attests to the age of the abbey, having a "rambling and irregular" shape with many rooms that are "comfortable," presumably aimed to please guests and provide warm hospitality. The description of the estate evokes the original idea of abbey—hospitable, communal, modest—and inspires respect, arising from the style—which is neither fashionable nor extravagant—and from the size—which is ample.
Here, too, the aesthetic judgment of Emma is linked to the moral approval of Downwell's owner, who is respectable, modest, has good taste, and is hospitable. Furthermore, Emma associates owning an abbey with "gentility," and because of her observation and her moral assessment, she concludes that the Knightleys are "true gentility," who belong in such a respectable abbey both because of their lineage (blood) and because of their good understanding. She further connects the abbey and its owners when she says that "it was just what it ought to be, and it looked what it was," implying that there was no pretense or hypocrisy in the estate—it was a true abbey in the original sense, and it looked like a true abbey: modest, welcoming, becoming, and hospitable.
Austen, Jane. Emma. 2012. Kindle file.


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This book tells you HOW and WHY and WHEN to stretch. The photos make it easy to learn the various stretches. This book allows anyone to customize their own stetching program to exactly what their own focus needs to be. I use it as a powerlifter, my wife uses it as a dancer, my boss even used it to get ready to take a ski vacation. A must for every athlete.
Pavel provides the ultimate in stretching techniques. If you have spent any time in your life being instructed to stretch tendons and ligaments, you now have the ability to lay those dangerous myths to rest and get on with stretching that not only works like a miracle but makes you feel incredibly good. So good I can't put it into words. Pavel will tell you the rest.
Relax Into Stretch will teach you how to be as flexible as a yoga student while being as strong as you wish, all from a few minutes per day two or three times per week. Relax Into Stretch is for people who want to be both flexible and strong, and the principles it will teach you can help you stay strong and injury-free in all the activities of your daily life, not just stretching.
I had a severely herniated lumbar disc a few years back; Pavel's "Power To The People!" was the beginning of my salvation, his "Russian Kettlebell Challenge" taught me to add endurance and some flexibility to my strength, and "Relax Into Stretch" was the icing on the cake, teaching me how to go from not being able to touch my toes to being able to do splits within the space of 6 months while almost 50 years old!
Picture of me in a split - that says it all, and I owe it all to "Relax Into Stretch.
Pavel lines out more information on stretching than I got during the entire 6 years I spent earning a Bachelors degree in exercise physiology and Masters in physical therapy! The information is clear, easy to read, and works like a charm! I've stretched fairly aggressively over the years with the knowledge I had, but I've made significant gains over the past couple weeks with the information contained on these pages! If you want to do the splits you should get this book!
I bought the book as a supplement to the DVD. Frankly the book is quite expensive, and I was concerned whether the amount of material contained therein is worth the cost. However, the quality of the information, on both the DVD and the book, most certainly is. I am recovering from a back injuty that had me laid out for 5 weeks. Part of the reason for the injury, I am convinced, was from a lack of flexibility. Too much muscle and not enough flexibility. I intend to use Relax Into Stretch and Super Joints, along with yoga and other stretching routines, to ensure I never go though that again. I can already say, it is working well in this regard!
I have purchased almost every book and video on stretching available, and without question this is the best, in my opinion. A great source of information and options for every stretch. A great book to own, particularly for martial artists! Worth more than I paid for it!
One of the best books on stretching I've read. More than just a collection of stretching exercises. It includes essential descriptions of how to make your muscles relax, so you can stretch them to better results.
My boyfriend loves this book -- great pictures and good reading and humor from the author - thanks
I would automatically give this book the highest possible rating on any scale because I've yet to learn about a more effective method of developing flexibility. When I first read this book, I was 6 inches from doing a full side split and couldn't go down any further. This book provides a method that will work when all else fails. After six weeks of using the principles contained in this book in my own flexibility training, I did my first full side split. However, it is very tough. I think that the process of developing extreme flexibility is inevitably painful and uncomfortable. However, this book teaches a person how to distinguish between the pain of progress and the pain of injuring yourself. Lots of the former will result in all the flexibility a person could ever possibly need. I have tried a lot of stretching programs and I would recommend this one because it is the most efficient that I have seen and the only one that I think would guarantee results.
ris, is the BEST, practical, book on the subject, paval does not bog you down with scientific jargon.The book can make a more fuctional person, raise a martial artist's skill, and it has raised the bar...the cossack stretch, is really excellent for a chamber postion for kicking,..i use it daily!my splits are over 180 degree and easier maintained, less work...i highly recomend this book to ANYONE, looking to better thier mobility, Paval, thank you, i cant emphisise that enough! and ive only had the book three weeks!thank you..chris wright
My own interest in this company started with kettlebells and got diverted by Convict Conditioning. Five months into my CC 1 and 2 work, I bought this and Superjoints at the same time. For CC2 people, think of the stretches in this book as being a perfect complement to the Trifecta stretches.Though I've only had this and Superjoints a little over two weeks, and have been a little spotty in my application of them, the results were instantaneous. My hip flexors have always been a little tight- that is no longer the case, and the results stay with you. I would suggest that anyone who has the cash purchase the DVD to go along with the book. I did not, and wish I had. As of right now, my 36 year old frame feels better than ever in my life; most of this I attribute to CC, but that's just because I've had more time to get to grips with the material. That said, I went to my Shotokan class the day after finishing up with all the groin stretching variations, and it was personally satisfying for this white-yellow belt to be more flexible than the brown, red, and black belts. HA. In fact, my all around strength and endurance is outclassing theirs in most of the pure workout stuff.In a couple of months, I'll be purchasing the Enter The Kettlebell set, and add kettlebells to my routine. My intuition is telling me that I'll be at the end of my search for a fitness regime, at least for the next couple of years. This way I'll be able to meet the challenges of life in a body that is more fit than ever.One last thing. I've seen some griping about price. My advice? Get over it. Pavel went to school for this stuff, and is giving us the distilled essence of his knowledge. Also, a $35 dollar investment that will help you avoid going to a hospital for as long as possible is priceless.
Can you find all of this information on the web for free?Yes and NoYou will find the information but you not find it presented in such an accessible manner.If you buy this book you will improve you flexibility as soon as you start reading it.So ask yourself this one question:Is it worth $39 bucks to noticeably improve my flexibility in less than a week?For me it was a no brainer.
I have suffered from pain associated with Degenerative Disc Disease in my lower back for over 9 years. Numerous trips to the chiropractor, orthopedic doctors, and massage therapists I really felt defeated, especially because I am a Personal trainer for a living. I bought this book just to learn some new stretches for my clients. As I practiced the stretches one night I felt a release in my hip that almost scared me. I felt great but I didn't know what was really going to happen. Well I kept practicing the stretches in this book and then added super joints to the routine. I can say I have been spasm free in my lower back for over a year and a half. I now use these drills with my clients and have turned my Training practice into a specialty for those suffering with lower back issues like I had. This book gave me hope.
very very good
This book does an excellent job convering safety while still getting the most out of your streaching time. The only issue i had with this book was some of the streches could be a bit difficult to understand. Pavel does do a great job explaining them somethings are easier to understand in person.
Good information here, but it's not worth an entire book, especially at $35. If Pavel combined this with some of his other books on mobility and flexibility, Super Joints and Fast and Loose, this probably would be worth it, but as it is, he gives you a few quick tips and illustrates some well known stretches. Many websites offer more info than this for free. It's the right approach, but not the right package.
excellent stretching guide
Relax into stretch opens new doors into the art of stretching; I made more progress in the front split in one week than I had in conventional techniques for months.The only negative, Paying $34.00 for the book that has twelve pages of commercials (e.g. muscle & fitness) in the back of the book.Thanks!
Stretching is a lost art the Pavel brings back. Lots of these stretches not only give ROM but also strength with them which to me is important. Feel better already
Book has interesting techniques as well as stretches that were developed in the Soviet Union.Pavel has a mastery of the Soviet way of doing things,and a lot of us are greatfull that he is sharing these techniques with the rest of us.
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Monday, August 21, 2006
Don't Miss Spike Lee Tonight
HBO is showing his two-part documentary on Katrina tonight and tomorrow at 9 p.m. Here's the latest rave review, just one of many. If it's half as good as "Four Little Girls" (Lee's masterpiece), it will be tremendous viewing.
Posted by Michael in New York at 2:54 PM
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Sarah Mahood is a national partner based in Dechert's Dubai office. She has over six years of experience working in the Middle East and ten years of experience working in London in the commercial real estate team of a leading City firm. Ms. Mahood focuses her practice on the Middle Eastern real estate legal market, advising master developers, sub-developers, hotel operators, tenants, landlords, investors and lenders on all aspects of development, hospitality and commercial real estate. She concentrates on advising on complex sale and purchase agreements and all aspects of leasing for both landlords and tenants. She has extensive experience with structuring complex mixed-use and hotel development projects involving strata titling and multiple ownership.
Ms. Mahood's London experience includes the sale and acquisition of freehold and leasehold investment properties, acting for developers of numerous city centre redevelopment schemes, portfolio management, investment work and hotel landlord or tenant work with an emphasis on corporate occupiers. She has also assisted in the management of out-of-town shopping centers and industrial estates, and acted for banks in relation to the provision of finance (both Islamic and conventional) of major developments in central London.
Ms. Mahood is recognized in The Legal 500 as a "Next Generation Lawyer" in real estate, and prior to joining Dechert was counsel at a global firm based in Dubai.


text: So the Film Festival has returned to help us Clevelanders pull through this final resurgence of winter. Today was the first full day of films following Opening Night, as well as my first night back as a volunteer for a second straight year. While I tallied attendees, passed out and collected ballots, and ushered people to their seats, I was refreshed that festival season was upon us again as I overheard many film goers revel in the fine films they had seen. It was like music to my ears, even the occasional gripes about a stinker were good for a laugh. As the shift came to a close, and the final attendee was ushered to his seat at my theater before the lights dimmed, I settled into my seat to watch a midnight horror screening, a perfect end to my wonderful first day.


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M. Scott Carpenter, whose 1962 spaceflight nearly ended in disaster, died at age 88 yesterday in Denver. Carpenter was the second American to orbit the Earth - after John Glenn - in a mission that suffered technical glitches and an uncertain landing 250 miles off target.
Carpenter's actions that day and those of NASA's mission control stoked controversy for decades and served as fodder for the famous novel and film "The Right Stuff." Carpenter's ocean explorations were also a significant accomplishment.
In 1965, he spent a month living and working on the ocean floor at a depth of 205 feet off the coast of San Diego with the Sealab project. What do you remember about Carpenter's contributions to space and ocean exploration?
Tom Jones, Former NASA Astronaut & a Planetary Scientist; Jones flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit; the last, in 2001, included three spacewalks to install the American Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station


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Ensemble Theatre Company Presents
A Stunningly Theatrical Adaptation of Mythological Tales
Santa Barbara CA – Ensemble Theatre Company's (ETC) third production of its 2013-14 Season in the New Vic will be the much-anticipated presentation of the award-winning Metamorphoses. Adapted from the classic myths of Ovid and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman, this remarkable work synthesizes the ancient and the contemporary into a unique theatrical experience. Poetic, witty and imaginative, Metamorphoses will run from March 27 to April 13, 2014 under the direction of ETC's executive artistic director Jonathan Fox. Opening night is Saturday, March 29.
The play is staged as a series of vignettes set in and around a pool of water with a cast of nine portraying forty characters. Winner of several Tony Awards and nominated for Best Play, Metamorphoses dramatizes several mythological tales – tales of the transformational power of love – through dreamlike imagery, haunting beauty, lyricism, music and stylized movement, intertwining comedy and tragedy along with the whimsical and reflective.
"Seeing Metamorphoses in a 296-seat theater in New York was a profoundly moving and memorable experience," said Mr. Fox. "It was a few weeks after the tragic events of 9/11, and the play, with its themes of rebirth, transformation, and the eternal power of love, was cathartic. It's a technically challenging piece, and I'm thrilled that, with our new venue, we can now present it."
Zimmerman is the recipient of a 1998 MacArthur Fellowship and the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director. She is an Artistic Associate of Goodman Theatre, a member of Lookingglass Theatre Company and a Professor of Performance Studies at Northwestern University. Other works she has adapted and directed include The Jungle Book, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci and The Odyssey.
A specialist in theatrical movement, Michael Jenkinson will choreograph the stylized staging. He is a familiar artist to central coast audiences, having worked at PCPA for the last decade as resident faculty, choreographer, director and actor. A partial list of PCPA work as director and choreographer includes West Side Story, Les Misérables, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Ragtime and Kiss Me Kate. He has also worked at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and the Old Globe.
Original music will be created by John Zalewski, an award-winning sound designer and composer who has created scores and effects for the LA Phil, Long Beach Opera, the Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court, Antaeus, Actors' Gang, Odyssey and others.
Returning to Santa Barbara after playing Raskolnikov in the ETC production of Crime and Punishment is Brian Patrick Monahan, who will play King Ceyx, the crafty Vertumnus, and other characters. An accomplished actor who was trained at the prestigious Trinity Rep Conservatory, he has performed several times at Portland Center Stage, most recently in Frost/Nixon. Additionally, Mr. Monahan has performed at Will & Company, Cape Playhouse and at Theatrefest/PCPA. Also returning is Daniel David Stewart, who memorably portrayed the youngest son in ETC's production of The Lion in Winter. He'll portray Apollo's young son Phaeton, who tragically sets fire to the world. Mr. Stewart has performed at Malibu Playhouse, Rubicon Theatre Company and LA Theatre Works.
Santa Barbara actor E. Bonnie Lewis will play the charitable Baucis and other characters. Co-artistic director of DramaDogs and Slightly Askew Players, two Santa Barbara-based theatre companies, she has appeared in numerous area productions for Santa Barbara City College, Dijo Productions and Circle Bar B Dinner Theatre. This marks her debut with ETC.
The cast also includes Brian Abraham, who will play King Midas with the golden touch, as well as other characters. He has worked and performed at the Geffen Playhouse, Antaeus, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Fountain Theater and Stella Adler Theatre in Los Angeles. Cynthia Beckert will play Queen Alcyone and other characters. A Los Angeles-based performer who divides her time among classical theatre, theatrical dance and the ever-evolving world of neo-burlesque, she is a member of The Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company, the critically acclaimed all-female ensemble, and has performed regionally with A Noise Within, The Laguna Playhouse, The Colony Theatre and The Pasadena Shakespeare Company.
In the role of Poseidon and other characters will be William C. Mitchell. He has performed at The Antaeus Company, Milwaukee Repertory Company, Portland Stage Company and Jean Cocteau Repertory Company. An accomplished character actor on national television, audiences may recognize him from "Glee," "Community," "Scandal," "Boston Legal," and "Desperate Housewives."
Maya Lynne Robinson will play the love-stricken Myrrha, Psyche and other characters. She recently appeared in In The Red and Brown Water at the Fountain Theatre, for which she won the LA Drama Critics Circle Award.
Michael Cusimano will play Orpheus, who travels to the underworld in search of his lost wife, and other characters. He is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in Acting. He has played Danny Zuko in Grease at the Cabrillo Music Theatre and some 20 roles in The 39 Steps at Glendale Center Theatre.
Playing Orpheus's beloved Eurydice and other characters is Chase O'Donnell, a recent graduate of UCSB with training in acting and ballet. She performed numerous shows for the Pacific Festival Ballet, including Peter Pan, Cinderella and Secret Garden, in addition to performances at the Odyssey Theatre and Cabrillo Music Theatre.
Founded in 1979, Ensemble Theatre is Santa Barbara's leading professional, resident theatre company. Under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, ETC has attracted accomplished performing artists from around the country. The 2013-14 Season is the first in the New Vic, their newly renovated 294-seat performing arts venue.
ETC's 2013-14 season continues with Red by John Logan, running May 15 through June 1, 2014, and Looped, written by Matthew Lombardo, running July 10 through 27, 2014.
Performances for Metamorphoses run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 pm, with a Saturday 4:00 pm matinee performance on April 5th and a Tuesday 7:00 pm show on April 1. Three-play subscription tickets at a discounted price are on sale now. Youth tickets are available for age 29-and-under for only $20.00 each. Single tickets are available through the Ensemble Theatre Box Office at (805) 965-5400, or online at www.etcsb.org. For group sales information, please call (805) 965-5400.


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Healthy food for rabbits includes more than just carrots and lettuce! Made by Oxbow Animal Health, these pellets deliver a complete nutritional profile in a convenient three pound bag. Made from high-fiber, all-natural hay, this organic rabbit food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health, high doses of antioxidants to promote longevity, and nothing but prime organic ingredients.
The very name, BeneTerra, means "good earth", and the company seeks to recreate in its food the kind of diet that a rabbit would naturally encounter in its native environment. The feed contains no soy, but a rich-smelling blend of herbs designed to entice your pet to eat well. Essential vitamins and minerals further fortify the robust nutritional profile.
Adult rabbits will get the most out of the product, especially picky eaters and pets prone to digestive problems.
The resealable bag preserves the freshness of the pellets over weeks of feedings.


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Hi! My name is Lacey and I am new to The Hive family! I am 22 years old and just recently moved to Alexandria from the Columbus, Ohio area to attend graduate school at The George Washington University. I am working towards getting my masters degree in forensic psychology. So yeah, I may be doing one of those cool jobs that you see on TV or I may end up working in assessment and evaluation of prisoners, mediating for child custody cases or sitting behind a desk analyzing data for the government. (Just thought I would cover that.)
Before moving to Alexandria I attended Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio where I studied psychology, was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and played college softball. I have lived in Ohio for most of my life with my parents, younger sister and dogs. While I have never worked retail before joining The Hive I really enjoy talking to people and figured it would be a great fit! Besides work and going to school I really enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, doing anything that has to do with dogs, working out, enjoying any kind of delicious food and going anywhere that involves live music!
How long have you worked at the Hive?
I began working here in August.
Do you have any fun stories or memories from working here?
One day Elizabeth told Christen that we were going to be giving away Unicorn horns to every customer for the gift with purchase and the look on Christen's face was horrified, and priceless. Also, any evening in the store that includes our great customers, my coworkers and wine is one to remember!
What's your favorite thing about working here?
My co-workers are amazing. I also enjoy that every day here is different whether I am helping someone shop for a special event, or modeling all the new clothing for a blog post photo shoot , it is never a boring day!
Who's your favorite designer that we carry?
I LOVE the Mother denim and VEDA jackets at The Hive. I am also a fan of Sam Edelman and Rag and Bone!
What's your go-to shoe trend?
I love a good bootie! Fall shoes in general!
Are there any trends you can't get behind?
Cropped Wide leg pants.. more power to you if you can pull them off.
What's your favorite pair you've acquired while working here?
I haven't acquired many shoes yet but I have my eye on a few. I have june jacket that I have to convince myself not to wear every day.


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The Summer Issue of Heeb is now out on news stands and includes a nice full page on yours truly and this here blog and book project.
It's the appropriately themed 'Notorious' issue which is guest edited by director Brett Ratner, the man behind the Rush Hour films, X-Men 3, among many other achievements. Apparently Mr.Ratner was neighbors with Meyer Lansky as wee lad in his formative days in Miami so there is a nice connection to all this as well.
..my many thanks to publisher Josh Neuman and managing editor Jessie Bodzin for including me in this latest issue.


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Includes Psalms.
Martin Luther German and Pennsylvania Deitsh side by side
49 items
Arabic/French/English New Testament. Blue Papaerback, Trilingual, each language in it's own section, NOT parallel.
Multi-Language Media (MLM) is a division of CLC USA, responding to the tremendous need for foreign language Christian resources in America. Our warehouse stocks Bibles, Christian books, and tracts in over 100 languages and provides materials for ESL groups, International Student ministries, and local church outreaches to refugees.
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I stumbled upon her latest article:
EDITED TO ADD: I just realized where I am posting this and if you are actively planning a homebirth, you might not want to read it. It is designed to fear women who want a homebirth. Just a friendly warning.
www. skepticalob. com/2014/01/homebirth-midwives-reveal-death-rate-450-higher-than-hospital-birth-announce-that-it-shows-homebirth-is-safe.html
I don't even know where to begin. She twists things so much it's hard to tell what's what anymore. I am going to show this to my math whiz of an s.o. and see if he finds it to be as confusing and misleading as I do.
On the other hand, I thought you all would be interested to know that in freshman year of college, I wrote a paper that was a rebuttal to her slamming homebirth and I got an A on it :)
Edited to break link
I didn't actually read the article you posted as I'm 36w2d and don't want to get all worked up over her nonsense but I have read her stuff before and think she's evil.
Great job on the A!
www skepticalob com/2014/01/homebirth-hater-no-but-heres-what-i-do-hate.html
edited to break link
I would love to hear what your SO says, bunny627. I read the research itself, but I'm no statistician. It looked like the fetal and neonatal deaths were mainly cord accidents or shoulder dystocia. Also they mentioned not knowing the status of congenital anomalies due to lack of autopsy in most cases.
She used to have a blog called Treat Me With Respect, about neglect of patient rights in hospitals. Somehow she's never applied that to pregnant women. According to her, any bad outcomes in homebirths are entirely the fault of homebirthers and midwives, and not our messed-up institutional maternity care system.
450% of a low risk is still a reasonably low risk. She used to compare homebirths against all low-risk hospital births, now she is comparing only against low-risk white women, which skews the numbers more in her favor. Most of the homebirth population is indeed white, but there is a large proportion that would not medically be considered low risk (because of VBAC, age, number of previous pregnancies, GD, obesity, etc.) No one has ever really matched the two populations to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the relative safety of birth settings in the U.S.
No one talks about how hospital birth is very strongly correlated with having a small family. I haven't looked at the parity data yet, but I bet it is significantly higher in the homebirth population.
I also noticed that many births were macrosomic (about 25% of babies were above 4000 g), yet the outcomes were generally good. Hospitals tend to over-intervene for larger babies. Also, there was a high breastfeeding rate (87% at six weeks), which probably means fewer neonatal deaths and fewer cases of breast cancer later on. Hospital births are strongly correlated with breastfeeding "failure". If we're going to talk about risks, let's talk about ALL the risks, not just neonatal death.
Yeah this is part of her thought process that I don't understand. Maternal mortality in hospitals is way up compared to 15 years ago, there are rampant reports of women being abused and assaulted in hospitals, I think even infant mortality in hospital birth has climbed significantly, yet she somehow disregards all of this! Where's the logic in that?!
I didn't know about the old blog but it really pisses me off when people argue that everyone should have the right to bodily integrity and autonomy except pregnant women. Makes my blood boil!!
The MANA data revealed two numbers that are relevant to the discussion of hospital vs. homebirth mortality rates (note that it doesn't cover serious birth injuries, which is also a major concern in either setting):
1. The death rate for all homebirth babies was 2.06/1000.
2. The death rate when high risk pregnancies (here defined as breech births, VBACs, mothers with preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes) are excluded is 1.61/1000.
What she then does is compare these numbers for comparable populations in a hospital setting. She uses full-term labors with white mothers. Both provide a reasonable basis for comparison since (as far as I can tell) no one is advocating homebirth for premature births and the MANA stats show that over 92% of the women were white.
For full term white mothers, the hospital death rate is .38/1000 . (That's extremely low, by the way. People often claim that "babies die in the hospital too!" That's true, but it's incredibly rare for a full-term baby to die in the hospital. Most of those who die are preterm, and would have been delivered in the hospital even if the mother had been planning a homebirth. Intrapartum deaths are virtually unheard of in a hospital setting. The MANA study found a 1.30/1000 rate of intrapartum death). She points out that 1.61 is several times higher than .38.
The other clearly relevant issue that was raised by this study concerns high-risk births, and breech births especially.
The MANA study included 222 breech homebirths. Out of those 222, there were 5 deaths. The death rate for breech births in the hospital is .8/1000. For home births it was roughly 20/1000. That's approximately 25 times as high as the hospital rate. That's appalling.
I think that one can reasonably argue that the absolute risk for homebirth remains low, and is still a reasonable option for many women. I don't think that we can say any longer that home birth is a responsible option for high-risk births, and especially not for breeches. It may be "a variation of normal," but it's a very dangerous variation.
2. "450% of a low risk is still a reasonably low risk."
True. And it may be the case that a mother who is aware of this will still choose home birth. However, if there is a substantially increased relative risk, then it's unethical to tell mothers that home birth is as safe or safer than hospital birth for the infant. It isn't.
3. "Maternal mortality in hospitals is way up compared to 15 years ago…"
And yet the maternal mortality rate (for all pregnancies, not just low risk ones) is .21/1000. That's higher than other industrialized countries (in the UK, for example, it is .12/1000) and that's a major cost for concern. However, the risk of maternal mortality and the risk of neonatal mortality are not even in the same neighborhood.
4. "I think even infant mortality in hospital birth has climbed significantly"
Infant mortality measures deaths from birth to one year of age. It is a far more accurate measure of pediatric care than of the safety of a given birth setting.
Unlike appalled, who i strongly suspect works in the health care field, i am concerned about "fuzzier" notions like being mean, rude or annoying. It is not at all surprising to me that OB's disregard the importance of common decency and respect for patient rights in favour of "science", which changes daily but somehow always manages to buttress their power mongering positions.
In other words, i care might care more if someone's an asshat to me than if they're right. But i guess i'm just human, unlike these doctors who are all Gods.
Also, you are several times more likely to die in a car accident than on a bus. Maybe we should strongly argue that pregnant women shouldn't be able to ride in cars.
Similarly, you are several times more likely to die from being struck by lightening if you are outside as opposed to inside, maybe we should make it illegal for pregnant women to leave their homes in the rain.
You are also way more likely to die from a plane crash if you are on a plane, maybe pregnant women shouldn't be allowed to ride in planes.
Leaving the house itself exposes pregnant women to all kinds of possible hazards, maybe pregnant women should not be allowed to leave their homes in the name of fetal safety and fetal rights.
The end of logic train is no where in sight, only more and more reasons to limit women in their unborn babies. And do we really still believe that we are so different than cultures where these are normal practices, because even though we wish to do these things we don't actually carry them out...yet?
My body my choice, every time. Anyone who disagrees can go suck a rotten pear.
This is true. Your body, your choice. But why is it OK for women praising home birth to fling numbers around, but when it comes time to use those same numbers to show that there are increased dangers, suddenly women lose their minds and act like their choices are being taken away?
They aren't. There has been a surge in popularity of home birth lately, and as the numbers roll in, the picture has gotten clearer. In some states, bad outcomes have led to more restriction on care providers - just like in any health related field.
I realize that Dr. Teuter pushes buttons. She does it intentionally, because all of the voices pointing out the reality of the numbers nicely are simply ignored - her strident, sometimes cruel words get more attention. I came across her from MDC years ago when someone was all but screaming that she was evil. I expected to find a pile of lies, and instead I found that I had swallowed a fabricated presentation of the evidence that I had not been truly informed enough to see through (in science, it is not acceptable to just quote an abstract, or construct a sloppy study, or deliberately deceive your audience by asking the wrong questions. All of those things happen daily in the online natural birth community.) My posting history reflects this shift.
Anyhow... I am still considering a home birth for my next and last child. I'm a healthy, low risk multipara with immediate access to tertiary care; I am in the population for whom this is not inappropriate. Folks would benefit from stepping back and recognizing that there has been quite a lot of claims made as to the supposed superior safety of homebirth, and of course there will be backlash against those that were exaggerated.
Mother to R- 2/09, & C- 5/11
I have not once flung numbers around because to me the issue is always fundamentally about choice, not about statistics.
I am also very concerned that the increased limitations on women's choice is alienating women who might need care from getting it. Banning homebirth will only lead to an increase in the number of unassisted births, which is exaclty what's happening in the UK if i understand it correctly.
It is simply illogical and unreasonable to expect a person, or even an animal, to knowingly put itself in harm's way. For women who have been mistreated and abused at hospitals, anything will be better than going back to that, and this is a reasonable response that should be expected and accounted for.
If Dr. Amy truly wants what's best for babies she'd advocate for women to be treated with dignity and respect in hospitals, instead of banging her head against the wall demanding that women agree to be mistreated for the sake of their babies. She's definitely fighting a loosing battle.
Dr. Amy is not calling for banning homebirth.
Single WAH mama to a fourteen-year-old girl.
Now imagine that the auto industry started to air advertisements saying, "All studies show that cars are safer than buses!" That would be wrong.
Oh, and by the way, I am most certainly not a healthcare professional. I would tell you what my job is but, quite frankly, it's none of your business.
And I don't know how many times I have to say this, but I'll repeat it again: I have no interest in banning home birth. I respect your right to make any decision you want, no matter how foolish I think it might be.
The issue is not about banning homebirth. It's about allowing women to be fully and accurately informed of the risks that birth presents--in all settings--and then allowing those women to make the decision they feel is appropriate. No one can make a truly informed decision if the information they receive is falsified, misconstrued, or prejudiced.
Dr Amy is like the person who holds up placards with pictures of dead babies and information about fetal development to try to dissuade women from having abortions but stops short of actually calling for a ban probably in order to not entirely alienate her audience.
I find it really ironic that we're essentially arguing over whether shaming and fear mongering are appropriate ways to further ones goals in the childbirth context.
Also, Dr Amy does not appear to support homebirth in any context, even in a situation where the only hospital nearby has terrible mortality rates and c-sections rates that are through the roof. This leads me to suspect that she has other motives.
No, but she does essentially call for banning CPMs, which given the lack of CNMs and CMs doing home birth in most states, would effectively get rid of home birth options for mothers in many areas.
Midwife (CPM, LDM) and homeschooling mama to:
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I'm not so interested in discussing Dr Amy as I am in discussing the article published by the MANAstats folks.
Has anyone read it? What did you think?
I was particularly alarmed by this: only ~52% of women in the study with EBL >500mL were treated with anti-hemorrhagic agents.
So, is this saying that some subset of MANAstats contributors don't treat PPH? There are many little details in this study that are ... concerning..... to say the least.
The breech mortality rate is alarming - as well as the fact as about 1/2 of the attempted breech home births were not vaginal births. Is this conveyed to clients attempting breech birth at home with a midwife? That there is increased risk of death, as well as a 50/50 chance of a c-section? Wouldn't/shouldn't this be included in proper informed consent?
We can bellyache about Dr Amy, or we can discuss the findings reported in this article. I'm all for informed consent - let's talk about what women deserve to know before they plan an OOH birth with a midwife.
Dated 2014.
Single WAH mama to a fourteen-year-old girl.
It's not at all surprising that she's an OB, is it? Perfect match for her.
She doesn't want it banned (or so she says) but ask her if there's ever a situation where she would support a woman's choice to birth at home. Unless something has changed dramatically in her views in the recent past her answer will be no. And her blog is a forum that she uses to spread her ideology that homebirth is never a wise choice.
Oh yes, the towing the line I don't hate homebirth but really I kind of do and I don't wish homebirth was illegal but I wish no one would do it becaue "dead baby, dead baby..."
It's not at all surprising that she's an OB, is it? Perfect match for her.
She doesn't want it banned (or so she says) but ask her if there's ever a situation where she would support a woman's choice to birth at home. Unless something has changed dramatically in her views in the recent past her answer will be no. And her blog is a forum that she uses to spread her ideology that homebirth is never a wise choice.
I'm okay with her thinking it isn't a great choice.
Single WAH mama to a fourteen-year-old girl.
OK, then, Dr Amy is mean and rude, and I don't really care for her tone.
BUT - I do share some of her concerns regarding the safety - or lack thereof - of OOH birth in the US.
And I didn't see anything in the recent study that supports the claim of safety --- not really. Is it as bad as Dr Amy says ? 500% higher or whatever? Not sure, but doesn't anyone want to find out?
I'm working my way through it but was kind of alarmed, especially given that it was voluntary self-reporting, so one has to assume that some bad outcomes were left out, right? fWIW, I'm very pro-home birth (attempted one last time that ended in non-emergent transfer) but these numbers are not reassuring.
Has anyone seen a good discussion of the statistics?
You mean a critical, open discussion regarding the MANA stats findings? Not yet.
A while ago Evidence Based Birth had an 'impartial 3rd party' review the infamous Wax study.
I would like to see a 3rd party evaluate the recent MANA paper. That might start a good discussion. If that is what you mean by a 'good discussion.'
I would like that as well.
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In case anyone's wondered what I did with the turtles while I was in Poland, the answer is nothing ... they were home alone the whole time. That's what makes reptiles such great pets ... just provide a setup with whatever they need and they don't need you checking on them constantly. If I'm gone for less than a week I don't bother to get anyone to come by and feed them and so on. I just gave them an extra meal on Friday - and it was a pretty big one too - and they were fine till Wednesday night. They were really happy to be fed last night though. ;-)
Today's post is my (so far) latest YouTube video ... a few minutes of my three little guys doing various turtle-y things like climbing, falling down, swimming, begging, biting, looking adorable. :-) Actually a really cute video if I do say so myself. Also with a commentary track by yours truly which makes it sound like I talk to these almost deaf animals constantly ... I don't, just when I'm interacting a lot with them, like in this video. It's all in Norwegian but I've translated it for those non-Norwegian speakers who may be interested ... see below. :-)
And no, Henrik can't really hurt himself falling over like that ... and Herman didn't get hurt when Raphael bit him, he was just startled. :-)
Herman, don't eat things you find on the floor! Yuck! [...] Come on, guys, do something fun! I'm filming. [...] Hello. [...] OK, I think you need to stop doing that. What are you trying to eat now? [...] OK, I'm sorry. [...] Oh no, did Henrik startle you, I mean did Herman startle you? A sad business, sad business. [...] Plop. [...] Henrik, you can't get into the pond that way. There's a wall there. Just here. Come on. Oh, what a stupid ... [...] Snap. [...] Was there no food after all? Alas, no ... That's one of the blows that life will deal you, Herman. Sometimes you're disappointed. [...] Oh no you don't. [...] I said no! [...] You're trying again? Oh, come on. Good boy! What a good Henrik. You did it. First time today. Up that way. [...] Oops. Well, that'll happen when you don't pay attention to where you're putting your feet. [...] Hmm? Are you disappointed? Never any food. [...] Don't give up, Henrik. You did it.
8 hours ago


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Calendar of Upcoming Events
We update our calendar regularly! The best way to stay up to date is to sign up for our list-serv! (We invite Duke community members and Triangle Area Residents to join our list-serv if they want to be in touch!)
Our general body meetings are at 8pm on Monday nights, rotating between east and west campus. If you want to be involved in Duke Dems, keep this time blocked off!
Selected Accomplishments in 2011:
First Place in the College Democrats of North Carolina 2011 Campaign Competition
Ward Armstrong for Virginia House of Delegates
- September 24th: Travelled to Martinsville, Virginia to canvass for Ward Armstrong, Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader
- October 24th 7:30-9: Held a phonebank for Ward Armstrong
Kevin Hill for School Board
- October 11th: During the Wake County School Board Fall Break Trip, Duke Democrats volunteered for 4 days to help get Kevin Hill and Nancy McFarlane elected in Raleigh
- October 30th: Duke Democrats made tons of calls for Kevin Hill during this phone-bank!
Durham Municipal elections
- Published an op-ed endorsing a yes vote on the transit referendum in the Duke Chronicle ("Spare Change for Change" on August 30th, 2011)
- November 3rd: Planned, moderated and hosted the Durham City Council Candidates Forum to provide Duke students and community members an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.
- Flyered Duke's campus with reminders to vote
- Duke Democrats Dorm Captains reached more than 1/3rd of the first-year class in "dorm-storming" between October 27th and November 1st, having personal conversations and distributing quarter paged flyers with facts about the transit referendum and about voter logistics
- Created the website sites.duke.edu/dukethevote as a clearinghouse for voter logistics
- Wrote and distributed an immigration voter guide, an Occupy Durham voter guide, and an LGBT voter guide on the Durham municipal elections to undergraduate student groups who advocate on related issues. Electronic copies are available on the Duke Democrats blog: devildems.com
- Created voting fact sheets for use by professors in the Education Department and Public Policy Departments
- Lobbied Duke Student Government to provide transportation to the polls during early voting on November 4th, and on Election Day (November 8th), and supplemented with volunteer drivers on November 5th and November 8th. Volunteer drivers drove over 40 students to the polls.
- Published City Council endorsements in the Duke Chronicle, "Hughes, Cattoti and Schewel for City Council" on November 8th
- November 7th: phonebanked to remind Duke students to vote and discussing the transit and education referendums
- Voter turnout at the W.I. Patterson Center (where most Duke students vote) tripled in 2011 relative to 2009
Voter Registration: Between September 1st and October 15th, Duke Democrats registered an enormous number of voters, winning 2nd place in the College Democrats of North Carolina Voter Registration Competition
Duke Democrats registered voters at the following events and more:
- Forever Duke Block Party
- Duke Fall Activities Fair
- Duke Coming Out Day
- Blue Ridge Pride in Asheville
Duke Democrats registered voters in front of the East Campus Marketplace, on the Bryan Center Plaza, and during dorm-storming in East Campus first-year dorms


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Today we were treated to the news that OJ Simpson is under investigation for allegedly breaking into a Vegas hotel room. He claims he was just trying to get back some sports memorabilia--and apparently the suit he wore when he was acquitted of double homicide--that he says belong to him.
The Vegas police have a different take. Based on eyewitness accounts, they say he forced his way into the room, flanked by five armed thugs, who forced the memorabilia dealer to hand over the stuff at gunpoint.
We don't know the facts of this case yet. But we do know this: somebody who killed two people is not someone who will feel a particular affinity for the law. He is also a classic narcissist who craves the spotlight. That explains the two perverse episodes that have OJ back in the headlines this week. Only a narcissist would write a so-called "fictionalized" account of how he committed that double murder. And only a narcissist who got away with that double murder would push the envelope by allegedly breaking into a hotel room surrounded by gangsters with guns.
This is what happens when justice does not prevail. When someone is permitted to get away with murder, bad things follow. That's no surprise. The only surprise here is that it took so long for OJ to ensnare himself again.


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"What?! A potty chair that sings 15 songs and warms your coolie? No."
"Risers for a crib that make the entire crib vibrate like a little baby earthquake? No."
"A FIFTEEN DOLLAR onesie? NO."
After years of doing this charade (and ending up buying something that I see at their yard sale a year later) I started thinking outside the box. I started bringing meals after baby is born, diaper cakes (cute and helpful), even non-baby gifts like picture frames (because my son is NINE and I am still working on that "scrapbook") are better choices.
Then came Cookies, Then Milk!. Lactation Cookie Mixes are the PERFECT baby shower gift! They are helpful, fun, delicious and can stay in the pantry until mom needs them. Just think! When her milk is low and she freaks out running to the pantry, she will think: "That Uncle Curly, he really DOES love me!" Don't you want that Uncle Curly? Don't you?!
Give mom a gift that can make a difference in her life. Cookies, Then Milk! gift baskets show mom that you not only support breastfeeding but you want to help in any way you can. Heck! Buy 2 bags and save one to bake fresh and bring to her a couple weeks post-partum. Mom+Cookies+Breastmilk = Happy!
Milky Love,


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We thought it was time to try out some of our fancy new bands – and the Totem Pole Bracelet seemed like the perfect fit! Truthfully, the fancy new bands (all the bands except for the white ones) are hair elastics! Not all hair elastics work well in Rainbow Loom bracelets, but these ones, which we purchased at our local dollar store, work like a charm.
Learn how to make the Totem Pole Bracelet here:


text:
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us improve our websites. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of such cookies.
GLASS MELTING BURNERS-FC are patented non cooled oxy-fuel burners designed for continuous melting furnaces.
Heatox performance is achieved thanks to novel heat recovery equipment coupled with dedicated oxy-fuel burner offered by AIR LIQUIDE : ALGLASS FC.
The concept
Through this innovative system, fuel and oxygen are introduced into the furnace through a unique configuration of separate injectors, which produces a luminous flat and broad flame
Project funded by European Commission for helping industry to reduce its environmental footprint.
Project description available Here.
Others LIFE projects.
ALGLASS FC is an innovative technology with a wide distribution of oxygen staged from the fuel.
Contact us :
Air Liquide CombustioN Product Line (CNPL)
1, Chemin de la Porte des Loges
Les Loges-en-Josas - BP 126
78354 Jouy-en-Josas, France
Phone : +33 1 39 07 62 55
Fax : +33 1 39 07 65 53


text:
During travel, travelers face lot of risks like, trip cancellation, loss of baggage, loss of money or valuables, accidents, terrorist attacks, natural calamities and occasionally death. You cannot stop travel because of the risks involved, but you can reduce the amount of risk involved by buying a travel insurance policy.
The concept of travel insurance is very simple. The insured pays a premium (this is the amount you pay to the travel insurance company), the company in turn pays any costs involved in case of accidents or other types of eventualities. In case there is no eventuality the travel insurance company keeps the premium.
Travel insurance covers lots of risks like:
Trip cancellation: There are lots of reasons, due to unforeseen circumstances that you may need to cancel your air ticket or vacation. If you cancel your ticket at the last moment, you will not get any refund from the airline or you may get a very small airline credit. Travel insurance provides coverage against this kind of loss. The travel insurance company has to provide the cost of cancellation of ticket. However, the cancellation has to be done under circumstances which are covered by the travel insurance policy.
Baggage loss: if your baggage is lost, then the cost of the baggage is paid by the insurance company, but it is governed by the rules of the insurance contract.
Medical cost: if you get sick during your travels and you incur medical costs you will be paid by the travel insurance policy. However, if you have health insurance which covers overseas travel, then there is no need to separately buy a travel health insurance.
Others: Other things that are generally covered by travel insurance are medical evacuation, accidental death, repatriation of remains etc.
I highly recommend that you read the fine print when you buy any travel insurance policy. If you are in an emergency situation, you will not have the time. Colesville Travel offers Travel Guard travel insurance and they offer brochures explaining their policies.
Travel Guard offers several plans to suit your needs. They also have a Price Comparison Tool that can you help you find the right travel insurance plan for your budget.
In conclusion, protect your investment. You worked hard for your vacation and it may have taken you a year to save the money to go away. Unfortunately, it only takes a second to ruin your plans. While you can't do anything to prevent an unexpected storm from closing the airport, the airline losing your bags, sudden illness, or death of a loved one, you can help cover your investment and minimize your loss by buying travel insurance.
Cynthia Amin-Hall
Colesville Travel
Phone: 301-989-1654
Email firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: www.ColesvilleTravel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/colesville.travel


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Article content
A gang associate escaped injury Tuesday afternoon when his black pick-up was sprayed with bullets in a targeted shooting in Vancouver's West End.
Vancouver Police received 911 calls from several shocked residents just before 3 p.m. about the shooting in the alley behind the 1300 block of Comox near Jervis.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Gang Associate Uninjured in West End Targeted Shooting Back to video
The target – whose identity police are not releasing – didn't wait for the VPD to arrive, but was stopped minutes later i his truck on the Burrard Street bridge.
VPD Const. Brian Montague said the truck was seized as evidence in the shooting. But he wouldn't say whether or not the would-be victim was taken into custody or cooperating with police.
"This is a very public shooting. It is fortunate that no one was killed. The level of violence is really concerning to us,: Montague said. "It is unacceptable. Our investigators will be on scene looking for witnesses, canvassing for video and trying to find out who is responsible and bring them to court."
While he described the shooting as both targeted and gang-related, he said it was too early to have a motive nailed down in the attack.
"As you can imagine, it is still really early in the investigation so there is going to be a lot of information that I am not going to have and there is going to be a lot of hold-back," Montague said.
"The information we have at this time is that it was targeted. It was not a random attack. I can't go into what that information is."


text: Adequate Man How The Hell Do I Clean A Pair Of Headphones? | Defamer Is Big Sean Going to Murder Justin Bieber for Touching Ariana Grande? | I Thee Dread Two Ambivalent Women Walk Into a Wedding Expo...and Everything Changes | Vitals Stop Relying on Genetics and Build Muscle with Science | Kinja Popular Posts


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(Hey everybody, it's super bowl time! so i'm reposting this from 2008. It ran as an article in Adweek too. I devoted a fair few years to working on spots for the super bowl. I can't believe how much time I spent thinking of beer ads for THE BIG GAME. now, looking back at it, it seems crazy.)
It's super bowl time. All across the land, the top commercial film directors are turning up their noses and/or taking their pick of the sixty odd scripts currently in production in anticipation of the big game. the viceroy hotel in santa monica is about to get very busy.
the thing about the superbowl is that the viewing situation is unique. EVERYONE is watching. and it's the one time of the year that everyone actually looks forward to watching commercials. so the pressure is on. you'd better be good.
obviously there can be no rules in creativity so these are just things we've learned over the years creating superbowl ads. being on "the big game" is exciting. knowing that a hundred million people will see your work is a great incentive to get it right.
so here goes…
1. Spots that hinge on a reveal or a rugpull can be dangerous. because only one moment of the ad will be funny. Unless the reveal involves something can't-miss. like a t-shirt wearing chimp dancing on a garbage can…for a bank. that's good times. Otherwise you ideally need something that starts big and gets bigger.
2. So, be funny or really compelling in some way all the way through. the reason banking on a single gag is a risk is that you're essentially asking people to judge your humor. you're asking them to ask themselves if what they just saw was funny. and that invites potential failure. ideally you just confidently overwhelm the audience. tickle them. be fresh but familiar. but don't beg them to laugh.
3. Animals work. Dogs work especially. Not my preference creatively, but spots that have dogs in them score higher in the USA Today popularity poll. Kittens work too. but not badgers i'm guessing. yet skunks are a slapstick comedy goldmine. and of course our mini-us friends the apes are hairy hilarities. solidly reliable. and they can be trained to do whatever your idea needs.
4. The superbowl is lowest common denominator time. Just a statistical fact. Grandma and your girlfriend/boyfriend and your teenage male cousin are watching. What will all of them like? The best superbowl spots have universal appeal.
5. Go with the flow. Don't listen to the "hey, everyone else is being funny, let's not be" voice in your head. people are watching the superbowl to have a good time. not to be bummed out or made think too hard.
here's something we did a few years back. this was the toughest superbowl ad i ever did. we had to discourage beer drinking on the superbowl. for a client that sold beer. our solution was to create a commercial that discouraged drinking and driving but felt like a beer spot. trust me, that wasn't easy.
a german intern came up with the original germ of this idea. and the spot was, to my great surprise, the thirteenth most popular spot of the game. this spot suffers from several executional flaws which still make me cringe. so i hesitate to show it to you. it's more to illustrate the point. and hey, it was #13 on the USA Today poll. So it was a hit!
6. Use the unique viewing environment. People gather in crowds to watch the game. so ideally your spot will literally be a crowd-pleaser. and will unite viewers in agreement that "yeah, that was funny!".
7. The audience will have had a few beers, it's good to assume. so their ability to process information and follow plotlines might be impaired. So don't have too many gear changes in your commercial.
8. Where your spot runs in the game matters. you probably have no control over that. and if the game is a blow out and your spot runs in the fourth quarter it will be an uphill battle to get the viewers' attention. the upside is if your spot is really great it won't have to compete with a dramatic game. and so it can really stand out.
9. Keep it simple. Commercials that consist of just one thing are easier to process and follow and remember. The USA Today poll winners tend to be texture-free and almost childishly simple. Again, not our personal creative preference. But a fact nonetheless. maybe that's why we never scored higher than #4 on the poll…. boohoohoo! :-(
Here is that spot. Guess what, it featured a talking dog! This spot scored highest in the pretesting so it was actually the first spot to air within the game. The pole position of superbowl advertising.
It got beaten by spots featuring dogs lighting their farts and kicking each other in the nuts. Kidding!
10. The USA Today superbowl ad popularity poll works like this. A random sample of the population (every race, gender and age) is gathered to watch the game. they are given clickers that they click as they watch the spots that run in the game. the more they like what they see the more they click. i think that's one reason for the preponderance of animal spots. everyone likes cute dogs. so granny and young man click furiously from the opening frame when they see the cute animal behaving like a human. they don't click furiously when they just see a human acting like a human. regardless of what you may think of the USA today poll, i can guarantee your client will care about how well their spot fares in it.
11. Be cool. i know there's a lot at stake and most people are lucky if they get to write one superbowl spot in their careers but the mood on set and in the edit suite will show up on screen. if fun isn't had in the process the commercial itself will suffer. my personal favorite superbowl ad that i wrote was done in an almost casual manner. it was a slender idea made great by performance, direction and editing more than writing. the dialogue actually came from the first words the actor playing the texan said to me upon meeting. he really was like that. so i figured that would be funnier than anything i could think of. and the director had the idea of just "doing the three thing". repeating something three times till it becomes absurd.
plus, we had a lot of creative freedom. the finished spot differed wildly from the original script. which never made me laugh. so we changed it. people really seemed to like this one. they would smile when remembering it. it was just silly fun. great fun to shoot. i was kind of pleasantly surprised by how well it played in the game. we had the good fortune to have this spot be the first ad to run after U2 had just killed it in the half-time show. so everyone was in a good mood. and the game was still wide open. see point 8 above. you can't beat good timing.
and it was the seventh most popular spot in the game according to the aforementioned USA Today poll. not that anyone cared about that. oh yes they did!
12. Don't forget to write a good ad for the product you're advertising. A lot of superbowl ads seem to be over-anxious to entertain. and forget to pack the sell. but remember that part of what consumers judge as a good ad is how relevant to the brand it is. how well does it sell what's being advertised? chances are your brand already has a place in people's heads. so they can intuitively recognize what constitutes a good ad based on previous knowledge.
just showing dancing animals won't distinguish you. Budweiser and Pepsi can do that because they really don't have anything to say. if anything they're over-familiar to viewers. the overarching characteristic of the superbowl is the bigness of it. so be big. but that doesn't necessarily mean being funny. you can be entertaining without simply being funny. masterlock built their brand running this brilliant spot every year on the game. all their media budget, gone in thirty seconds. but a great use of it.
NB: the above are just guidelines based on experience. there will always be brilliant exceptions. in fact the best ones ignore the guidelines. but they're trickier to sell. if i had my way every superbowl spot would be wall-to-wall kittens. nothing but kittens. kittens everywhere!