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The Woman who is MIA happens to be my friend, my teacher, my soulmate, my guide, my partner-in-crime and everything. Words always fall short when it comes to describing her but she never fails to inspire me. She is no one other then my Mother. Born and brought up in Calcutta, she chose to quit her work and instead INVEST herself in bringing up her children to make sure they become not only well-educated but good human beings. My Mother, the Perfectionist that she is, she loves to keep her house spotless, prepare mouth-watering dishes like no one else can, teach her kids. She LOVES what she Does. She is the one who taught us to be a better person, to never a judge a person from his/her education, profession and their appearances. If one day God grants me a wish, I would ask to be the same mother to my kids as her. Sometimes, I wonder if I can be half as good as her. The Perfect homemaker and the best Mother.
But wait, I am not finished yet.
Year 2009 was the turning point in her life, err..I mean Our Lives. Destiny had something very unpleasant in store for us. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer which meant disfiguring surgery, extensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Instead of going into "how-can-cancer-happen-to-me", she started ensuring that everything was in order, cooking and storing tonnes of food in the freezer, because she knows we don't like anyone else's cooking and so on, so that we, the 'shell-shocked' (my Dad, me and my brother) did not face any inconvenience during her treatment, when her movement may be restricted due to surgery and other treatments. Like they Say, 'A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." That's my mother. Beautiful, Gorgeous and so Courageous.
My Parents at the time of their wedding.
The surgery, chemotherapy and the radiation never baffled her and thankfully the hard times are over. (Touchwood). Writing this itself overwhelmed me. But all's well that ends well. By God's grace, she fought every bit of it and is fine now.
That's how women are. They love everything they do and they do it perfectly. For me she is still the Perfect homemaker and the bestest Mother.
My Mom with her brand new hair after the Chemo. The extra smile was for the Photographer (i.e. Yours Truly)
This is my entry for the Tanishq's Mia and Ripple "As Beautiful As Your Work" contest


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Looking to boost your brain power?
COPD and the Decline of Cognitive Function
For those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cognitive function can gradually decline as the lungs provide less oxygen to the brain. However, you can retain your current cognitive function and even improve it. With this in mind, the Lung Health Institute has created a short list of five brain-building exercises to keep your mind sharp.
1. Pick up a Musical Instrument
The cognitive effects of learning a musical instrumental have widely been accepted as crucial to early brain development and the prevention of dementia and other mental illnesses. In the process of learning to play an instrument, the brain is forced to interpret and integrate a large range of sensory information, in effect, strengthening communication between the different brain areas. Those suffering from COPD should avoid wind instruments such as brass and woodwinds, in favor of stringed instruments (violin, guitar) or even piano and drums.
2. Watch TV
Although too much of a good thing can be bad for you, just enough can be great, and when engaging the brain, watching even a half-hour of TV has been shown to increase performance on subsequent intelligence tests. However, keep the binge-watching to a minimum as prolonged sitting and inactivity can produce negative health effects in the body.
3. Take up a New Hobby
For those interested in increasing cognitive function, picking up a hobby is one of the most creative methods out there. Whether it's learning how to sew, paint, sculpt, or craft, picking up a new skill has been shown to help reduce the risk of dementia and preserve memory. It has also been shown that picking up a new hobby often has the added benefit of expanding one's social group and fostering new relationships, promoting both communication, friendships, and social activity.
4. Listen to Music
Music has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years, and it should come as no surprise that simply putting on your favorite song can be largely beneficial on cognitive function and development. Regardless of the genre or tempo, researchers found that listening to music bolstered mental processing, compared to listening to no music at all.
5. Learn Another Language
Perhaps the most challenging and most rewarding entry on this list is learning another language, which can be life-changing at any stage. In the process of learning a second language, the brain is required to find new meaning in words and phrases, retain them, and then organize and communicate them when speaking. As the brain makes these new connections, cognitive function improves.
If you or a loved one suffers from COPD, or any lung disease, the Lung Health Institute may be able to help with a variety of cellular treatment options. Contact us at 888-745-6697 to find out if you qualify for cellular therapy.
Interested in improving your cognitive function? Try one of our methods and tell us about your experience! Share your thoughts and comments on our 5 Ways to Stimulate Cognitive Function below!

subset: commoncrawl


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house on rose lane
- Posted on
- By jessica phuong
- Posted in arlene collective, auguste the label, bb dakota, fall, fall lookbook, house on rose lane, knot sisters, la jolla, little black house, little italy, north park, pierce the veil, raven and sage, rose lane, san diego, womens boutique
catching the fall feels
taking a romantic turn on rose lane, we drift to soft silhouettes and feminine fabrications.
danielle perry indulges in fall 2017 at home in the little black house.
we're in the mood for love.
shot by arlene ibarra | arlene collective @arleneibarra
models danielle perry @xomissdanielle
hair andie jones @andie_jones
makeup sloane wormser | @sloanestylist
styling jessica phuong @theadas / @shopmimiandred
videographer alessandra de roe @duh_roe
location little black house | @littleblack.house
(best viewed on desktop)


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It's amazing what you find in laundries. They seem to be the place where everything that doesn't have a home secretly lies until a home can be found for it – or not! Many things live in the laundry for the whole of their lives, often abandoned and forgotten. They tend to become a dumping ground for dirty clothes and are usually the last room in the house to get a face lift. Together we will create a laundry that is clean, organised and functional, and that makes sense to every household member.
Natalie did an amazing job in my tiny laundry area and put easy to use systems in place that I am able to keep on top of daily. Natalie also helped me to get rid of a whole lot of clutter that I didn't even know I had!!


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I couldn't wait to head back to Paris. I'd enjoyed it so much the first time and yet there was still so much to see. Round 2 didn't get off to good start though.
I had booked my room through lastminute.com and specifically opted for the secret hotel deal where you pay a heavily reduced price for a 'top hotel'. The catch is you don't know the name of the hotel until you book it and you don't know the exact location either. I bought my hotel stay (Novotel Paris Est) and after doing some research I thought that it would be great. It was advertised as a four star but once I arrived I was unimpressed with the room and hotel in general, not to mention the dodgey location. It was appalling with tattered carpets and old furniture and so it didn't take me long to check out.
Luckily I got reimbursed from lastminute.com and was able to purchase a new hotel room (Eurostars Panorama Hotel) in a better area near Gar du Nord that allowed me to get around Paris with ease and safety. It's small but clean and modern and the staff were brilliant. I'd like to stay here again. I really, really like France. I'm thinking of learning French! Oui.
Bottom line: Don't purchase secret hotel deals on lastminute.com The risk is too great. Take the time to find a nice hotel. It's worth it.


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Become our partner and internationalize your school.
Enjoy the opportunity to get your High School Diploma.
Dual Diploma Program
Internationalization of your school. By offering your students the possibility of obtaining two diplomas (Brazilian and American), your instituition stands out and get internationalized.
Virtual Classes with native teachers of English language, in virtual environment where parents can follow the progress of their children.
Internationalization of your school. By offering your students the possibility of obtaining two diplomas (Brazilian and American), your instituition stands out and get internationalized.
Why Franklin?
Franklin is one of the most unique schools you will nd. Students are attending classes 100% online, or at partner schools across the world. Whether they are top athletes or performers and need fexibility to accommodate practice, or international students preparing to study or travel abroad, Franklin offers affordable excel- lence for student success.
Our students come from all over the world and have been enjoying quality, accredited American education, in the comfort of their own countries. AND our high school graduates are going to some of the top universities in the world. Franklin students are overwhelmingly successful in all their pursuits.
Franklin Offers:
• World-class education
• Flexible programs
• Available anytime, anywhere
• Certifed teachers
• SACS/AdvancED accreditation
• Excellent student support
• Integrated tutoring
Our Programs
High School Diploma Program
This program is available as a college or career preparation program, freshman to senior year. The program is 24 credits total, taken at your pace. It can also be customized to help students graduate midway through high school.
AP®/Honors Courses
These advanced courses are perfect for students who need an extra challenge. The courses are designed to be fast-paced and prepare the student for college-level courses.
Credit Recovery or Summer School
These individual courses are great for those students looking to take extra classes to catch up, get ahead, or replace a grade. Instead of sitting in a classroom with direct and indirect instruction, you control the pace, timing, and intensity of preparation.
ACT®/SAT® Preparation
Our powerful test prep engine learns your weaknesses and strengths, then tailors the program to your exact needs. While other prep classes charge by the hour, our package allows you unlimited instructional access each month of use. Study for as long as you need to reach your testing goals.
English As A Second Language (ESL)
Created for new English speakers, Franklin delivers an individu- alized path for each student. Detailed study reports help teachers/coaches follow, direct, and personalize learner progress. Extension activities provide teachers with lesson plans and classroom activities. The blended ESL model combines classroom coaching and individual tutoring instruction with computer/mo- bile device practice.
Student Support
International partners and students are supported by FLC/FVS faculty, tutors, and student services. All students in FLC/FVS graduation programs are enrolled through the registrar's of ce for credit validation and transfer and graduation plan development. Assigned home- room teachers review ongoing progress reports and work directly with students and parents. Core subject experts (certi ed teachers) review coursework document submissions, grade special work as needed, analyze course con tents, and develop success strategies for students.
Graduation Requirements
Franklin Virtual High School is aligned to academic standards and is focused on helping students planning to get in at American universities.
According to the curriculum of the Brazilian High School, the students must complete in general 9 credits to complete the High School, besides the validation of the Brazilian credits with Franklin High School.
9 Credits:
• 4 credits of English (Non-ESL) – English 1, English 2, English 3, English 4
• 1 credit of United States History
• 0.5 of Economics credit
• 0.5 of US Government Credits
• 3 credits of elective courses chosen between Fine Arts, Health / Life Management Skills, Novels, Psychology, Art History, Digital Arts, Computer Science, Game Design, Health Science, Marketing, Personal Finance, and more!
* For students from partner schools, the credits are chosen by the school
English Proficiency Requirements for FVHS Dual Diploma:
To be successful in the rigorous FVHS Dual Diploma program, international students are expected to enter our school with a minimum level of proficiency in English, B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Our Grads Have Attended:
Arizona State University
Brigham Young University
Florida Institute of Technology
Georgia College
Idaho University
Minnesota State University
Ohio University
Southern Utah University
University of Arizona
University of Central Florida
University of Utah
It's very interesting to understand how the United States government works with details and day to day. Here in Brazil we do not learn with so many details like this.Fernanda Zanareli
One of the most interesting things about the Franklin high school environment is to meet and talk to people from all over the world, to know their everyday activities and how the culture is in different places.Vitor Hugo
I like being able to talk and train English with teachers and colleagues. At first it seemed harder but then they help us and everything gets simpler.Ana Luisa Farias


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The Cabot L Shaped Sit to Stand Desk with Hutch and File Cabinet turns your home office into an ergonomic workstation designed to help you get organized and be more productive. With a wide work surface you'll enjoy plenty of room for multitasking, and you can save space as the adjustable desk fits perfectly in a corner. Smoothly lift and lock the Return desktop to standing height positions of 37, 40 or 43 inches from the floor and work comfortably, or use the easy adjustability and have a seat when your legs get tired. The Return desktop holds up to 20 pounds when at standing height so you can bring materials with you when you need to stretch your legs. Organize your workspace as this desk with storage includes a box drawer and cubby shelf for supplies, along with a file drawer. The matching 2 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet holds letter and legal-size files. Spacious full-extension drawers make it easy to reach the back. Chrome-finished drawer hardware complements the Harvest Cherry finish, while the Hutch offers a beautiful flip-up door and includes open storage space for books or decorations. Backed by a Bush Furniture 1 Year Manufacturer's Warranty, the L Shaped Sit to Stand Desk with Storage meets ANSI/SOHO quality test standards for safety and performance. See the full collection of coordinating home furnishings, and design your dream office with the elegant and efficient Cabot Collection.
Bush Furniture is one of North America's premier office furniture brands. With over 50 years of industry experience, Bush Furniture is a proven, trusted name in business and home office products. Find solutions for all of your workspace, organization and storage needs, for just one person or for a whole team. Cymax offers one of the largest Bush Furniture collections online with sale prices every day. No need to search for a discount outlet!
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This consumer rating is based on 2312 reviews of all Bush products. The Bush Furniture Cabot 60W L Shaped Sit to Stand Desk with Hutch and File Cabinet has not yet been reviewed, be the first!


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My slave has been locked in chastity for… "too long", as he says. He complained his balls are big and heavy, full of cum. I'm not sure they are heavy enough though, so I attached some weights to them. Now he can be milked. His cock is already hard from seeing Me dressed in black leather from tip to toe, but it gets really hard once I touch it with My red leather half gloves. I know he has a fetish for gloves, and these ones are among his favorites. A few strokes and he's ready to cum, but not so fast! Some edging will make sure that he builds up more cum and spurts it in larger qualtities ant once, I don't want to waste too much time milking him. When I feel the pressure in his balls is high enough, I allow him to cum. It goes without saying that it was a ruined orgasm, what did he do to deserve a real one? But he's stupid enough to believe that he could get one, so when I tempt him with this idea, he is quickly ready to cum the second time. A really big orgasm this time, with a puddle of cum as a result, but still ruined, of course. Can he go for a third one? A his balls light enough, or should I go get the milking machine?Video quality: HD 1280*720.
Category: ORGASM CONTROL
Related Categories: RUINED ORGASMS, HANDJOBS, LEATHER FETISH, FEMDOM, FEMALE DOMINATION
Keywords: Ezada
File Name : Mistress Ezada Sinn – Red leather half gloves double ruin
Video Length : 6min 49s
File Size : 317 MB
Resolution : 1920×1080
Audio Codec : AAC LC


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- Sacramento County Bar Association, Construction Law Section
916-446-2300 x3034
Practice Area(s): Construction
Cruz Rocha practices civil litigation throughout California state courts, with an emphasis on construction law and construction litigation. He represents public entities, private owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and sureties on a wide range of issues within the construction industry, including, complex litigation matters. Cruz has assisted clients in construction matters involving request for proposal and bid processes, payment bonds, warranty claims, enforcement of mechanics liens, contract disputes, fraud and deceit, quite title, dangerous condition of public property, eminent domain, and CERCLA/HSAA.
Cruz was previously with Porter Scott, where he represented construction industry clients in complex legal issues. He has represented public and private clients in all aspects of civil litigation, including trial and arbitration.
Cruz received his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, and subsequently served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. He was awarded his J.D. from University of California, Davis King Hall School of Law in 2011.
University of California, Davis King Hall School of Law
United States Naval Academy
Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP
J. Scott Alexander, Managing Partner
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 850
Sacramento, CA 95814


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One Wild Journey, One Crazy Couple, One Life to Live
Thats Right! Kabul, Afghanistan to Cork, Ireland in a '68 VW bug, following in the footsteps of some other crazy cats.
Look forward to hearing more–especially when you return from Wakhan
I wanna come along with you! Is there room for a wide bottomed berth and a baby seat? I fear not … Okay I will follow vicariousy …and peraps join you on the latter stages of your trip – perhap along the Frenc Riveria or your final route throuh the emerald isle!
I never thought of that–what a great idea–lets plan on a rendez vous and I will travel with you for awhile. Try to pick a safe part please.
I am a bit skeptical on this one. But great you visited the Wakhan corridor. I just got a visa for Pakistan – and it looks like the visa procedure for Iran is not unsurmountable. But I think I will just fly from Lahore to Mashad and not even try to bike in Afghanistan (or in Baltistan or Baluchistan for that matter). Good luck !
It's an on-line process. See http://www.iranianvisa.com. The payment process was the most complicated. Just go on one of the Lonely Planet travel forum and you'll find all you need… 😉
Oh – and I'll be heading to Pakistan as soon as I have my visa for India – which should not take more than a week in Kathmandu. So I intend to bike through western Nepal, the Indian Himalayas and then to Lahore this month (September), and Iran should be October-November…
Depends on where you are and what you plan to do… I will meet up with Maria – and perhaps another friend – in India (not sure where – probably either Leh (Ladakh) or else its more worldly capital city). What are your plans?
This is marvelous. Cheering you on from Canada.
I'm an auto journalist (Toronto Star) and a good friend of Jen Rowell's, who sent me the link to your fantastic story. What is the time line for your journey?
Can you send me your contact info?
I'd like to talk to you!


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Let's do those introduction pieces people love so much. Look, 2016 was a wild ride folks, and everyone seems to have a different opinion on the quality of music this year has brought us. For me, I think this year has possibly brought out the most quality in content I've ever had the pleasure of sifting through. My list is an amalgamation of different genres and levels of exposure, so everything is fair game from the least recognizable to the most famous of names. Whether that makes my list confusing to decipher, it only really matters to me what the order or reasoning is, so take that with a grain of salt. Because of demand, however, I felt generous enough to write not just 50 of my favorite releases this year, but a whopping 100! Thank you everyone, artist and fan alike, who have created music out of the most eclectic and controversial year. I can only hope next year is just as great.
As a sidenote, here's my honorable mentions. They are not in any order, so they are not 113 through 101 for anyone wondering. They simply don't make the list, but I really wanted to give these releases a shoutout because they come from great artists and bands that impressed me nonetheless.
(Shameless Plug: Since I'm an artist myself, here's my album from this year if you want to check it out. It's called Dissatisfied. As a rule, I don't include myself in my lists. Thanks for listening and supporting me~)
>The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (Dirty Hit/Interscope)
>JPEGMAFIA – Black Ben Carson (Self-Released)
>青葉市子 – マホロボシヤ (Speedstar)
>Ray LaMontagne – Ouroboros (RCA)
>Rangers – Texas Rock Bottom (Self-Released)
>Kill Alters – no self helps (Self-Released)
>James Ferraro – Human Story 3 (Self-Released)
>Hong Kong Express – Hong Kong Express (TKX)
>Dizcrybe – Body & Soul (Self-Released)
>Charli XCX – Vroom Vroom EP (Vroom Vroom)
>Poppy – 3:36 (Music to Sleep To) (Self-Released)
>Youandewan – There is No Right Time (Aus Music)
>ONTHE88 – TECHnically HUMAN (Synthemesc)
100: C. Reider – Sophist I & II (Self-Released)
An experimentation of drum machine integration and noise, Sophist I & II is a two-part release from Colorado's noise composer, C. Reider. Mentioned to be lacking polish, I think such bare editing accentuates the raw nature of tracks like "Matter is Evil." The opener of "Tanajir for Nysso" is remarkably beautiful in its IDM and electronic escapades, and it's one of my favorite tracks as well. While the release is not out digitally yet, you can buy the physical copy to get a lot of digital download codes to share with friends, and I think that makes a release like this a bit more special.
099: Prism Lite – Elements (Mt. Fuji)
It's been a long time coming, but finally a Prism Lite album has blessed us in 2016. Elements is the debut of lo-fi beat and funk artist Prism Lite, and this album is very short but it's one of the better beat tapes of this year. Tracks like "no presidents (x Riverwave 川の波)" offer a tropical vibe a la Monster Rally. "lighters" or "warlords" give a real sense for the richness and detail for diverse loops and deep percussion rhythms. Take a listen to "fly" and hear the strings crescendo into this sparkling intro, the steady beat at the front of the mix and the time limit of the track being so short it leaves a welcoming desire for more. Prism Lite is my pick for an excellent beat tape this year.
098: Prone – Grand Theft Honda Civic (Self-Released)
I first heard of Prone on their label release on BLCR Laboratories, and I liked it enough to check out their Bandcamp. What I found was a beautiful IDM and glitch release that will criminally go under the radar. A favorite from this album is "Peeled Batteries," more because it has conventional rhythm with some nice drone and glitch to accentuate the idiosyncratic melodies. Other tracks for lovers of Autechre and Mouse on Mars is the dance synth-jingles of "Isuzu Amigo" and "GTHC2."
097: starsculptor – ultraviolet (Pizza Beast/Aloe City)
The second release from starsculptor this year, ultraviolet still retains the gentle and brisk overtones of their debut with a bigger focus on VGM, electronic, and Japanese pop elements. An immediate example would be "we may dream (feat. pega)," a soft and emotive pop melody that swiftly transitions to the Megaman X-inspired "epsilon" suites, one of the highlights of the album. If anything should catch your attention, take a listen to the last two tracks off ultraviolet and be swept for an amazing finisher.
096: Equip – I Dreamed of a Palace in the Sky (Dream Catalogue)
I have to admit this was a dense listen from Equip, compact with many VGM references (more specifically from the RPG realm of games like Final Fantasy) and original pieces for its own fictional tale of the listener partaking on a quest for glory. While I could compare this to the work of R23X, I Dreamed of a Palace in the Sky is a distinctly different beast equipped with alluring and winding tunnels of synth crescendos and ever-shifting progressions of new age styles. Listen to the chilling bell tolls of "Hidden Grotto ~FROZEN IN TIME~" or the nostalgic ambiance and electronic shimmers in "Identity" to get a good feel of what makes this Equip album a captivating performance of lo-fi and new age arrangements.
095: Young Thug – Jeffery (Atlantic)
It's not all the time I'd admit to liking this sort of trap music with incredibly sleazy and hollow brag rap, but I also can't ignore that Young Thug does this style of hip hop creatively at the very least. Jeffery really surprised me compared to his other mixtapes this year. The reggae-inspired and melodic bass of "Wyclef Jean" and the seal-sounding oddity of "RiRi" are incredibly entertaining and refreshing. His Future impersonation on the aggressive "Future Swag" and the icy undertones of "Guwop" with Quavo, Offset and Young Scooter can take me to whole other dimensions of appealing abandon. My favorite track has to go to "Pick Up the Phone" (which I would rather consider a Young Thug track and not a Travis Scott track) with the best hook and performance from both artists. While Jeffery isn't necessarily new in the lyrical department (you're in the wrong mindset if you're trying to decode anything meaningful from this), Thugger's charisma and off-kilter personality comes back in full swing to give us ten amazing tracks full of jams, and that's all anyone can ask for from Young Thug.
094: Parallax '48 – Garden of Mind (Doom Trip)
As if the bright and mystifying framework of a thousand kaleidoscopes were condensed to a twinkling delight of audio, Parallax '48's Garden of Mind surprises with its coalescing new age synth and hypnagogic fragments. Being distinctly reminiscent to me of the same Japanese styling of new age listening like 吉村弘's Green and いろのみ's 虹 (specifically on "Window"), Parallax '48 goes deeper in presenting its own atmospheric worlds like on the damp mist of "Cloud" and the disco ball spectacle of "Phonetics," the latter one of my most reared listens on here. Definitely, one should take the time to sit with this one and to let the fiery incense of this album take you away.
093: Euglossine – Canopy Stories (Orange Milk)
Let me set it this way. Imagine easy listening funk and soul music for aliens on foreign music technology and translating that to the human ear. Canopy Stories is somewhat the result of that, because the sounds presented have to be out of this galaxy to be comprehensible. But really, this is an engaging listen with its main focus on the electric guitar to guide the progression of the diverse synthkey melodies and fragments. "Paradise Kiss" is a toasty example of this communion because the call and response between the keyboard and guitar is on a romantic level. The big one for me though goes to the spacey five-minute epic of "Star Optics." Overall, Euglossine has really outdone himself with this album.
092: Tsunxmi (f.k.a. 懐かし2002津波) – Digital Paradise (Bedlam Digital)
Tsunxmi is the new moniker of Draven Stedman, a drone and vaporwave-inspired project I would rate as one of the most skillful. Taking a fascination towards 90's pop culture and aesthetic and placing it in the context of a drone release is quite a feat, and one that reaps a lot of rewards with Digital Paradise. I'd dare call this two hourly listen a real beauty, taking the emotional abandon one would hear from William Basinski into the misty depths with the cinematic tension of "Depression" and "Ocean" looming. The raw breakdown and disintegration of "Digital Paradise/The World Beyond" is one of my favorite moments that deserves the highlight if you have any doubt of the encrusted melancholy and beauty presented.
091: toiret status – ◎omaru◎ (Orange Milk)
I don't know what it is about this album, but whatever toiret status is doing on here surely has me both entertained and engaged. Whether it's the comedic interludes of "#35" and "#0.01" or the unexpected MIDI-fied blast beating of "#28" and "#33," all of it adds to the odd charm and frenetic fun of ◎omaru◎. "#31" with DJWWWW is this wonderful circus of musical manipulation that is in its own compositional realm, and it is a favorite of mine to point out. Words can't describe the nature of this electronic experimental release properly for me. All I know is that it's so strange that I can't help give it an extra listen at every chance I can get.
090: reef frequent – Return (BLCR Laboratories)
This has to be one of the most surprising releases coming from electronic music. I've always considered reef frequent to be fairly versed in ambiance, acoustics, and instrumental hip hop, but never did I imagine the intensity and working magic of Return. Capturing the monumental catharsis and drama of a metal album, reef frequent's choice of such sampling pays off in dividends with the Liturgy-esque palpitations of "Torn" and the blast beat aurora of a track like "Carried." Electronic elements still slip in healthy doses like on the building interludes of "Steeped," one of the more fascinating cuts off Return. While this release may conflict with fans of his electronically varied work, it's possibly one of his best so far.
089: Shura – Nothing's Real (Polydor)
I get the feeling Shura's debut will be slept on hard, because it's one of the more poignant 80's revival synthpop, even on par with Carly Rae Jepsen. Although it's not as bombastic and immediately catchy as her content, Shura has that same level of intricate melodies and nuanced lyricism to boot. With the intimacy and vulnerability of Janet Jackson channeled on Nothing's Real, Shura's vocal delivery, intimate instrumentation, liquid guitar melodies all serve to highlight the subtlety of the themes. Check out "Tongued Tied," because it sounds like it's a straight-up Toto song sometimes. Synthpop is often marked with anxiety obscured with flashy hooks and personality, but this album wants to make a cohesive and simple message about vulnerability in relationships that fail, and in the long-run provides us a humanity not often seen.
088: MOD-COMM 81 – PIXELBRAIN (Antifur)
Possibly one of my most preferred MOD-COMM 81 projects, PIXELBRAIN is marked with a fully ravaging anxiety set to unravel in this humid production that I really like. There are deep and languid grooves like "Love is Math" and noisy eviscerations in the synth fragments and percussive textures of "The Doubt Disco" that progress to effective pieces of house and techno across the record. I think one of my favorite cuts off PIXELBRAIN has to be the confident synthpop and chiptune elements of "Avatar" that really shows the brightness in the audibly dark undertones of this album.
087: KAGAMI Smile – M O U T H T R I P (BLCR Laboratories)
My introduction to KAGAMI Smile couldn't have come at a better time. Something about the eccentric busyness, and this sense of an avalanche of sound crashing on me like the crackling chaos and chimes on "P U P I L D I L A T I O N," urges deeper listens of the subconscious. M O U T H T R I P in the purest sense is a sugary slushy of pop, IDM, noise, and lo-fi graphical experimentation. The buried pop eccentricities of "V H S P U S" and the vibrating dysphoria of "S K Y CL NR" offer the brighter moments of conventionalism, but a track like "DRP2" can also venture to this disfigured, bubbling state of drone and cacophony that is soothing yet slimy on the ears. Whatever your taste may be, KAGAMI Smile offers a complex tray of genre mashing beyond control that is truly the mouth trip.
086: T Montage – On Impulse I (Audmonsters)
A deep rumble and shifting quality of the bass in the furious noise produced on T Montage's label release is sometimes enough to get me feeling a transition to other realms. On Impulse I is a deceptively simple, yet booming, electronic and noisy IDM album that honestly doesn't overstay the steady drone but aims for pulsation and microscopic shifts within instrumental chops and loops. The snippet of dialogue of self-acceptance shifting to the increasing dissonance, and giving way to the blurry crow samplings near the eleven-minute mark, all gives it a frantic mood on "Crawl Out." This adds to the conflict the dialogue mentions that deepens on "Index (Triad)" and "SL Diagram," both equally detailed cuts. T Montage has a psychologically interesting and strangely entrancing album on her hands, and I hope more people get to listen through it.
085: Motion Graphics – Motion Graphics (Domino)
This release thankfully slipped into my radar, because it's the kind of glossy, clean electronic production that I admire from releases that would appear from Orange Milk. This even has vocals to boot! Motion Graphics' debut is a sweet and shiny experimental release with a big focus on percussion. The beats and synth manipulation on a track like "Houzzfunction" are so incredibly catchy and soft on the ears. The big highlight this album gets credit for is "Anyware" for its audio narrative of modern technology through trap beats and phone notifications, and it's easy to see why this stuck as this album's exposure. There are deeper cuts to appreciate on this release though, which is why I think this one of the better records of this year.
084: death's dynamic shroud.wmv – CLASSROOM SEXXTAPE (Orange Milk)
Tech Honors of the original dual project from death's dynamic shroud.wmv returns after the successfully captivating experience of 世界大戦OLYMPICS. This time exploring the lives of the internet millennial, CLASSROOM SEXXTAPE could be described as a mocking parody of our internet image, memes, iPhone generation problems, and mainstream media…but that's being cynical. While it does seek out to understand those problems like in the introductory track "DO YOU LIKE ME?" and enchanting Miley Cyrus sample interpolations of "✰RARE EMOJI COLLECTION✰," I think this album seeks to be a positive narrative and journey to reassure the melancholy with a juxtaposed emphasis on happy, extroverted abandon and decay. Our generation is the most fascinating even with the emoji pillows, internet slang, and questionable sexual expressions, and this is the album to soundtrack that beautiful disaster.
083: Sam Kidel – Disruptive Muzak (The Death of Rave)
This is one of those unexplainable albums that don't make sense with words until one hears it. It's that unique. Composed from an experimentation on the research of muzak, Sam Kidel sought to create the antithesis of "familiar, predictable, non-disruptive" muzak and play it to government offices. The responses and the music were recorded into this release, with an added instrumental "DIY" version for the audience to create. What Disruptive Muzak sounds like, however, is something surprisingly emotional, at least for me. One-sided calls of lonely hellos and goodbyes, confused callers, and a mysterious warping of new age tones fading in and out to a bouncing percussion are all what device the twenty-minute spectacle. Something about it though…the tones and expressions from the callers or the music interrupting one's train of thought, it's so incredibly immersive. Listen to it for yourself, because I have no other words.
082: James Blake – The Colour in Anything (Polydor)
At the first listen, I was blown away from the unexpected shift and mood James Blake tackles on this new project and I admittedly still am. At multiple listens, this album both depresses and astounds me with the themes of disconnection and abandon and the experimentalism with vocal chops and eerie sampling. Take a listen to "Love Me in Whatever Way" which seems to take queues from Father John Misty's "Bored in the USA" with the mocking laugh track under the serious lyricism. Powerful piano ballads like "Waves Know Shores" and the title track coupled with Blake's troubled, solitary soul to see the beauty in life again are standouts to one of his most emotive and devastating listens on record.
081: Schoolboy Q – Blank Face LP (Top Dawg/Interscope)
I always admired Schoolboy Q for his big personality and knack of descriptive language. He's able to create lasting impact, and with the Blank Face LP, I think he's closer to creating the classic West Coast hip hop release. With good guest performances and potent balance between gangbanging and introspective tracks, Schoolboy Q pulls off such a powerful cadence most other rappers would fail to do. Anderson .Paak on the g-funk elements of the title track, "Blank Face" and the amazing verse from SZA on "Neva CHange" are some wonderful examples of that. "St8 Ballin'" and "JoHn Muir" are also expressive examples of his hard-hitting tracks. The one track I want to emphasize is "Black THougHts," a callout to the Bloods and Crips to break down the rivalry, subverting the "#AllLivesMatter" expression towards these groups in the face of police brutality. Schoolboy Q's furthering narrative about a black man being just a "blank face" to the system makes this a highly recommended listen.
080: SYLLABUS – Selections (Pizza Beast)
The closing chapter of SYLLABUS couldn't have gone in any other way than with Selections, the glittering rave and italo-disco bonanza that should highlight the best of their sampling repertoire. Clocking in with a whopping hour and a half (there's a hidden disc to this release), it's hard to ignore how fun and spectacular the music sounds at a distorted level akin to older lo-fi artists like HHOME VVIDEOS and Contact Lens. Take a listen to the bopper of "lead the way" or the immediate synth melody on "up & down" and tell me they're not the grooviest samples you've ever heard. While it may go down as an underrated gem for the lo-fi and vaporwave communities, Selections will most definitely stay on my lists of greats and put SYLLABUS on the map of the best in lo-fi and vaporwave.
079: Austin Godburn – Death FM '83 (BLCR Laboratories)
Inspired by the 1983 novel of Piers Anthony's On a Pale Horse, Austin Godburn takes his own twist of the dark fantasy novel with a heavy synthcore soundtrack polished like reflective chrome in the moonlight. Tracks like the speeding night race of "Mortis" and gabber escalations of "Dance of the Dead" brew the bubblier and intense moments of Death FM '83, but brooding and unsettling moments like "Purgatory" and "Eclipse" remind the listener of the gloomier sides outside the nightlight. This is a listen that is all the better knowing the original narrative of the book, but Austin Godburn lets us know this album is just as enjoyable on its own.
078: LILLITH双生 – (SEASON_0) Hazard Garden (Dream Catalogue)
There is a harsh industrial side of サイバー '98, and its name is (SEASON_0) Hazard Garden. The irregular heartbeats of this album, the frenetic vocal chops and breathy melodies coupled with the sound of a thousand scarabs trying to escape the sarcophagus…it's everything familiar and unfamiliar with an industrial IDM album. Take the slow ascending drizzle of fragmented percussion on "E04: death2saiba (Long Live the New Flesh)," for example, or "E09: Gunnm (Heroic Purgatory)," which switches from a dramatic escapade to a deep kaleidoscope of electronic drum and distorted sampling. One of my favorite tracks from LILLITH双生 is "E07: Without Honor or Humanity," one of the outwardly melodic cuts from this album. If you're really into this kind of experimental electronic, there's no reason why this shouldn't be on your radar.
077: Arca – Entrañas (Self-Released)
This may be a single twenty-five-minute track, but the hellholes Arca ventures are equivalent to the surprise that was the &&&&& mixtape, except wilder than even Mutant was. This has the tortured murmurs of "Torero," the mosh-pit frenzy of "Vicar," and even the unrelenting and noisy force of "Think of" with performances from Mica Levi and Massacooraman. A lot of this mixtape can feel like familiar territory at times, but unmistakably there is a deeper melancholy and overarching vulnerability explored. The most glorious moment of Entrañas, however, is the closer of "Sin Rumbo," where the tragic desperation and sorrow of the Spanish-sung verse concludes the fourteen-piece epic to a tragic, bittersweet ending.
076: §E▲ ▓F D▓G§ – Rain Dance (Bedlam)
This is the fifth release from §E▲ ▓F D▓G§ this year, and if I was told he would have switched to an IDM/electronic and vocal act, well I'd still be very surprised because I should have seen this coming. Rain Dance is an odd specimen to behold. It's not as beat-centric and short as OG GLAZED VOL. 1, but it's not as loud and thunderous and brooding as In Search of God. Tracks like "Pixel Dream" and "Risky Living" still hold the cavernous atmospheres of previous releases, but tracks like the vocal yelps of "I, the Instigator" and the cacophonous synth sizzles of "Drive Up" with apisdavri show the true colors of Rain Dance. This is a dark synthpop release when you get down to it, and nothing crystallizes it better than the lullaby melodies of "This One's for Me," the climactic push of this album. It's a strange album still, but it marks a transition for the evolution of §E▲ ▓F D▓G§.
075: Boocanan – SWEDISHFISH xx MOONWALK (Bedlam Digital)
There was always something special about a Boocanan album, and even after her leave from the music world, she left us with a special double album that is unexpectedly captivating from start to end. SWEDISHFISH will transport you to a halcyon, serene netherworld. Tracks like the cinematic and chilling darkwave of "OHWOW!" with Pursuing Paradise or the hypnagogic and IDM wisp of "FIREWORKS" with Scenebuild are as breathtaking as the first sunrise. MOONWALK is a bleaker affair, albeit just as calm. The stretched weariness of "EIGHTKINGS," the preluding VHS noise from "HUSH," and the warping of a Kanye West sample on "STAGELEFT" offer lengthier moments of tranquility and introspection. Together, this double album is a wondrous feat of sound manipulation and sampling that offer different textures of mood unlike most ambient releases.
074: Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book (Self-Released)
I still have a complicated relationship with Chance the Rapper. While I liked Acid Rap enough yet think Surf is the worst thing he's done, I was skeptical over a new album that had a lot of hands in the pot with some out of place guest appearances. What I get from Coloring Book though is a purposely clumsy and colorful listen that has its flaws, but it's always Chance's charismatic and loving personality that brings me back. He has weighty wordplay to his otherwise lightweight delivery, and his topics about faith from the scars of Chicago like "Same Drugs" or the danger in "All Night" with Knox Fortune make the topics stand out. Other subjects like his newfound fatherhood and the downfall of mixtapes on "Mixtape" are other signs of his messages of faith through the album that I appreciate. Synthesizing gospel into hip hop in the modern era is something I can admire, and Coloring Book with all its messes manages to stay genuine on those gospel roots.
073: BadBadNotGood – IV (Innovative Leisure)
I've always loved anything put out from BBNG, even with the switch to calmer and original compositions on III. However, this particular release took a while to appreciate, because I initially didn't like the rehashing of 80's easy listening jazz or muzak. However, an extra listen proved me just how impressive the performance is and the personalities are behind IV. Whether it's the soothing gloss of drums and Sam Herring's vocals on "Time Moves Slow," or the soulful performance of Charlotte Day Wilson on "In Your Eyes," or the seven-minute jazzy session of the title track, BBNG know how to craft confident and lush tracks for different genres on the fly. In the end, IV is possibly their most confident release as of yet, and I can't wait to hear more.
072: Rez x OSCOB – Virtual High End™ (Bedlam)
The final installment to a two-year long trilogy, the electronic and lo-fi duo of Rez and OSCOB close it off with a twenty-three track finale full of style and an overflow of loose jams and VHS warping. Heightening the glamorous production of its hypnagogic and vaporwave roots with tracks like the sonic warping of "Crime Suite" or the snappy night walk of "Through the Streets," this is progressive material that will be severely overlooked in terms of concept and execution. The expanding, electronic and jazzy realm of Virtual High End™ is nothing to be ignored, however. The rumbling and frantic menace of "Golgotha" and the jungle sounds of a quiet forest birthing into life with a hefty synthkey and saxophone performance on "UNDERGROWTH" only seek to overestimate expectations and satisfy experimental cravings. Rez and OSCOB have truly created quite the finisher to a lovely trilogy.
071: G.L.O.S.S. – TRANS DAY OF REVENGE (Self-Released)
I'm astonished that this is an even shorter affair than their debut. Clocking in at seven minutes, TRANS DAY OF REVENGE charges through five destructive numbers on a call to action for justice and resistance to authority that feels fresher than punk will ever be this decade. Abrasive and unapologetic anthems like "Give Violence a Chance" and "Out from the Desk" may live on the philosophy of violence against violence, but as the first song states: "When peace is just another word / for death / it's our turn to give violence a / chance!" When it's a fight against fascists, abusers, homophobia, and transphobia, G.L.O.S.S. aren't afraid to call it out like on the title track, a la The Dicks' Kill from the Heart. Whether they return to give us a new anthem to sing, we can always lean on this release to get us through 2017.
070: Blank Banshee – MEGA (Self-Released)
It's been a long time coming, but MEGA is finally here, and that long and frustrating and confusing album campaign fortunately doesn't impact this album's quality. Now, is it better than Blank Banshee 0 and Blank Banshee 1? Well, it'll get close to that classic status soon, but this is a satisfying evolution of sound nonetheless. With introduction of vocals from Cormorant on tracks like the dizzying instrumentation on "My Machine" and the zen trap of "Hungry Ghost," and Jaya's contribution to "Web Ring," MEGA still shows how relevant Blank Banshee's seapunk/trap sound is for 2016. My favorite track "Gunshots" is an absolute jam in my books, and I don't even care if this album is super compressed because that hard-hitting sound simply accentuates it for me. Blank Banshee is experimenting, and I hope he continues his flight in the later years.
069: Los Wálters – Isla Disco (Self-Released)
From the depths of Puerto Rico, we have a duo, Los Wálters, a latin synthpop and chillwave duo. With their third album, Isla Disco dances its groove in the light of Puerto Rico's bomba styling with a synthpop and chillwave twist. While it has some compositional inspirations from 80's bands like Devo and New Order, the throwback is enjoyable for the production on the bass and sticky hooks. This may lyrically be typical for this sound, like the thumping beat of "Cabaña" with Elisita Punto is a song full of candy and cinnamon metaphors to a lover, but I'm a sucker for a good song about beaches, romantic connection, and pleasurable abandon. You can't tell me a track like the synth discotheque of "Chíbiribiri" doesn't get you excited, or the steady pulsation of "Mayagüez" doesn't have you imagining yourself basking the beach sun. It could just be me, but I love what's going on in the Isla Disco, and I want to go there.
068: Rashida Prime – Damaged Interface (Bludhoney)
Either the year was dry for the ambient scene or I didn't explore enough of it. Regardless, I found something special within Rashida Prime's release this year. Whether it's the simplistic yet weathered humidity of a track like "{new gathering}," or the spiraling infinity of synth loops and orchestrated drones on the eleven-minute gander of "{unworthy}," Damaged Interface is a futuristic and ponderous listen that works for the same reason 2814's 新しい日の誕生 was to be a successful piece of art in the ambient scene. It was the wanting and romanticism within the harsh isolationism and disconnection, out of a cause of increased industrialism and decreased popularity for new age sounds. Rashida Prime captures similar moments in a much simpler, digestible light, but it doesn't sacrifice the tiny intricacies that lie beneath such an audial narrative. This album is one of the better ambient releases from what I've seen, and I'll make sure to solidify that with my list.
067: Anderson .Paak – Malibu (Steel Wood/Empire)
While he's had music under different names, Anderson .Paak's debut on Dr. Dre's Compton is really what took his name into the mainstream spotlight (and really why the album was so great). I'd consider Malibu to be the consistent and charming release with better production compared to last year's Surf, because in all respects, this album lives the cool that the latter album tried so hard to imitate. While .Paak is more soulful and elastic from Compton, his nasal and rough-edged vocal style reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar creates a good-natured delivery that is infectious and sounds effortless on this record. With great guest performances from Schoolboy Q on the disco groove of "Am I Wrong," The Game on the hook-up jam of "Room in Here," and a good understanding on older funk and soul on the guitar and basslines, Malibu's hour long listen may not jump out but it's so lightweight and earnest with the instrumentation and lyrics to not catch one's attention. This is the sort of mature, breezy, and fun album that hits such joyful spots for me every time, and it's why I still come back to this release.
066: Kai Beckman – yin_yang (Bedlam)
A detailed and tightly-knit release of ten tracks, Kai Beckman's newest release is an offering of "betta dance," a combination of organic IDM and ambient experimentation, raw data manipulation, and a touch of new age structuralism. Give a listen to "discovery" for a fleshed-out body of conventional beats burning their muscles to slithering, microtonal drone and fascinating musical changes. The subtle, jingling water dance of "betta splendens" is also another great track to point out. What my favorite is, however, is the three-part epic of "olm / seabunny / wisp," (taken from an EP) with the rising cinematics blooming to a two-part, emotional underwater romance. Kai Beckman's poetic yin_yang may be a love letter, but damn is it a gorgeous one.
065: YG – Still Brazy (CTE/Def Jam)
I had little expectations for YG after My Krazy Life, being tied to DJ Mustard for most of his career and having little personality against other rappers. Even so, he dared ditch the old production and quietly improve his identity. Still Brazy is the result, an album calling out the music of Spice 1, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, and Too $hort to blow my expectations out the water. The background piano and hollow vocals on "Don't Come to LA" and the rumbling bass on "Twist My Fingaz" coupled with YG's improved flows and vibrant personality, it all speaks volumes. While he may pull from the standard bag of the Compton gangsta life, like on "Bool, Balm & Bollective," one has to owe the production and his confident identity for keeping this exciting. Of course, I can't ignore him speaking out against police brutality and Donald Trump on the last three tracks, arguably the one artist who's done it without sounding corny. I could praise this album all day, but all I have to say that this was a fun listen, through and through.
064: Kendrick Lamar – untitled unmastered. (Top Dawg/Interscope)
Even on a collection of leftovers from live shows and performance art pieces, Kendrick Lamar still impresses us with tracks developed better than most rap albums. While this a looser and rougher release, it's still thought-provoking in its fragments and has more memorable lines than said rap releases. While it's nowhere near the quality of his official work, the production is fascinating in highlighting the best parts in leaving them unfinished. Tracks like the harsh, bleak beats of "untitled 02 l 06.23.2014." or the jazzy pianos of "untitled 05 l 09.21.2014." give a nice contrast between modern production and lo-fi experimentation. Let's not forget the snippets of themes on his relationship with God, wealth, and the hubris of hip hop and the black community, topics that maintain the high levels of Kendrick's storytelling. I don't need to add more, for I think everyone knows this album is great by now.
063: g h o s t i n g – 2D FUN AT GRID WORLD! (Adhesive Sounds)
Some may disagree but every time I listen to 2D FUN AT GRID WORLD!, I get the most giddiest and relaxing feelings from it. This is a stupidly enjoyable release by g h o s t i n g, from the wonderfully goofy and peppy pop of "Ernest Goes to Grid World" to the lo-fi, rock-a-thon of "Live from Slime City U.S.A." G h o s t i n g has perfected the art of James Ferraro's 2010 release of Night Dolls with Hairspray and has transported its sounds, sending the listener back to the glory days of hypnagogic pop and lo-fi collage art with tracks like the pop culture sludge of "Chungo's Quest for Batteries." This album is a healthy reminder that such a cult genre is not dead, but is sleeping and waiting for its golden return. If you're fond of the kitsch yet addictive side of lo-fi, there's no reason this shouldn't be in your music library.
062: Luxury Elite – noir (Self-Released)
Luxury Elite has managed to sustain a relevancy and allure in vaporwave and to the public eye for longer than anyone anticipated. This being her thirteenth solo release to date, noir is but a small change to the effective formula of her sample curation, yet something is still fresh after all these years. The murder novel themes add a cohesive quality to tracks like the bleak synth-daggers of "evil" or the snappy drumming on a venomous number like "lounge." The samples are clearer than ever, letting the instrumentation breathe in the fuller quality. There's not much to say about this new album. It's Luxury Elite, and almost anything she puts out is gold to me.
061: Sims – More Than Ever (Doomtree)
Sims is the unexplainable and odd rapper of the Doomtree collective, and he's been more risks with content and lyrical writing on More Than Ever. This album is something comparable to Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition with the catchy hooks and a disparate subtlety that plays more than reckless abandon. He's spitting intensely with some of the best rap production, from the sharp percussion to the monstrous, Death Grips-refined grooves. The pounding hook from "Brutal Dance," and the amazing footwork from the political track of "What They Don't Know," and even a Clipping.-esque sound to the massive wave of "Spinning Away" speak with a blazing and melancholic fury. Stabs on institutionalization and SJW-isms that try to box his views slowly reveal itself with deeper connotations on the failure to disconnect himself from order into chaos. With real world issues like loss of friends, the blur of where is and where he was, and trying to translate his feelings to an audience, this is such a powerful listen that I hope is not ignored. Really take the time to go through this release, it's something special.
060: The Editor – It's Great to See You Again (Bedlam)
What I see in this release is music that is greater than it realizes, reuniting chillwave and hypnagogic music with rap and experimental screamo in a way I haven't seen since the fallout of Sewage Tapes. Intimate synthwork and vibrant, cool beats like on the jazzy introduction of "Partly Cloudy" or neon, ambient swells from a lone "Cyberpunk Blues" evoke the charm and warmth of what made underground electronic from the '09 and '10 so memorable. But, don't forget tracks like "Basement Dweller" with VOIDDWELLER, a distorted wall of synths with a grimy, buzzing bassline that reminds me a lot from the early Aural Sects catalogue. It's Great to See You Again may pass some radars, but The Editor did something that is nothing short of marvelous with this album.
059: Argiflex – Throatless (Bedlam)
Argiflex is a relentless creative in the realm of acid, breakbeat, and experimental electronics in general, and Throatless is a performative example of that craft. There is a strong menace accentuated in the production, sort of like rabid fangs tugging at the grey matter of the brain. Take the aggressive, blinding club cut of "MARSALT" or even the electric rush of "SLUDGEHAMMER" for a taste of that dark and noisy atmosphere, ripe for the dancefloor. The remixes are amazingly complimentary and extends the genre-crossing presented, like R23X's boggling clusterfuck on the "THROATLESS" remix. The live track, "SLUG LIME [LIVE] @ THE WALL [OXFORD MS] 06-05-16," is a nice behind-the-scenes look at Argiflex's musical process to end the album off. While the main course of Throatless is considerably short, the expansive content within it is something fans of underground electronics will love.
058: Bethlehem – Bethlehem (Prophecy)
I humbly admit that I'm not well-versed in metal, possibly my second least explored genre, but that doesn't stop me from discovering some great acts and expanding my taste palette in such a deep genre. Bethlehem's celebratory release of their self-titled is one of those discoveries, and it's been a pleasurable listen. Knowing them as a German group with at least two decades of releases and numerous line-up changes, including for this release, this is heralded as their biggest return to their black metal roots, and I'd believe that. Onielar's maniacal screams and vocal depth for this album is terrific, expressing the off-kilter presence of cleaner tracks like "Gängel Gängel Gang" and the catchier, belting belch of "Fickselbomber Panzerplauze." Listen to the screaming guitar intro of "Kalt' Ritt in leicht faltiger Leere" to get a taste of the stripped-back, tortured and weathered undertones of the instrumentation. Bethlehem as a whole listen was extremely harrowing and progressive, solidifying this band's relevancy and living up to the experimental standards they have created.
057: The Weeknd – Starboy (XO/Republic)
While I prefer the dark hedonism and abandon of Echoes of Silence and Beauty Behind the Madness (and both are honestly his best), Starboy took a lot longer to click. It's not because of the evolution in a lighter, peppier sound—it's way riskier and memorable than in Kiss Land and in glimpses from his mixtape trilogy—but more is on the fault of lyricism. While it may be the same selfish and drugged Weeknd that felt tiring here, I grew to admire the maturity and self-reflection given to us. Not to mention some of my favorite tracks come from Starboy, like the roaring guitar of "False Alarm," the heavy rumble of "Ordinary Life," and the whispers of "Secrets." To top it all off, he channels a lot of Michael Jackson in his vibrancy and delivery. I can honestly say this is a great evolution for The Weeknd, for a lot the flaws are compensated with his delivery and great choice of instrumentation, so I'm glad he's getting the glory for it.
056: Niku No Sekai – Flesh World Vol. 1 (Doom Trip)
Niku No Sekai's collaboration between M. Bailey of SCRTS/Invisible Paths fame; J. Rodriguez of Chinatown's Pomar; and Z. Emerson, the mixer of the group project is one of the most enchanting listens. While my favorite track of has to be "AM" for its guttural and heavy drone and guitar licks, a definite high mark has to be "WW4," a dank and atmospheric ambient track set to introduce the entire themes of the record. With chilling percussion, heavy acoustic looping, buzzing chimes, and a myriad of instrumental changes happening within each piece, there's a satisfying presence permeating through this record. Flesh World Vol. 1 is a haunting and intricate experience, and it has to be one of the best in the ambient and experimental camps. This will stay in rotation for a long time.
055: Marissa Nadler – Strangers (Sacred Bones)
Compared to the individualistic pieces and folk stories from July, Marissa Nadler's venture unto Strangers is a starker contrast from folk, yet still retains the same elements that make up a Marissa Nadler project. Bringing in the same producer from Earth recognition, Randall Dunn, for this album with a fuller instrumental band backing up her minimal acoustic aesthetic was a smart decision on her part, because every stroke of piano, strings, and percussion amplifies her delivery in smokier and lavish territories. Take the grueling, doom guitar on the back half of "Skyscraper," or the soft drumming and fluttering guitar-driven chorus of "Janie in Love" as a peek to her evolution as a great folk artist. Her quiet delivery is never drowned out in the atmosphere, and in fact her calls and enunciation are engaging. Her songwriting is incredible, telling of love and relationships in interesting ways, like on "Shadow Show Diane" where she's window-watching events occurring from the windows of other apartments. Strangers does what the allure of her previous work did and increases the instrumental backing to a flooring performance. I honestly can't wait what she does next after this.
054: Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor's Guide to Earth (Atlantic)
There's no denying Sturgill Simpson's appeal has expanded beyond country, especially on his last album, but there's no denying that those roots are an integral part of why his experimentation works at all. Knowing that his new album would step into soul and gospel territory without Dave Cobb for production, and being all new for the indie country star, I was a bit dubious listening through it. I'll happily say it's damn close to quality with Metamodern Sounds of Country Music, and while it's not an easy to digest release, it's definitely his most straightforward records to date. A concept album dedicated to share lessons with his son through nautical metaphors, the simplicity from it works because of Simpson's subtlety and control of his voice, even if he can be difficult to decode from his drawl. In terms of his new stylistic shift, it's got a meatier horn and bass section (think of "Keep it All Between the Lines" and "Oh Sarah"), with stronger soul and string inclusion, but it's still defiantly a country sound that not many will give it enough credit for. The cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom" is the most nuanced here, for its original message is re-contextualized for his son, and trust me, it's potent. A Sailor's Guide to Earth is a short and outstanding listen in his catalog, and it's definitely a great country album to boot.
053: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity (Flightless)
Goddamn, this album is a fun listen. My first introduction to the energetic and catchy grooves of Nonagon Infinity to the equally silly, spirited name of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard couldn't have gone any better. They weren't kidding about the infinite looping either, as each track slides like liquid right into the next song, which is a technical feat for a forty-minute rock release. You will never notice that the album ever finished with the chugging thrash of "Road Train" that quickly picks up pace to the jamming guitar and harmonica-embellishments of "Robot Stop." Each cut has their own slice of identity that sets them apart from a simple jam session, like the infectious chorus and blaze of "Gamma Knife." The psychedelic stops of "Invisible Free" oozing to a passionately quite bedroom rock interlude is a favorite from this album in particular. Listening to Nonagon Infinity is a listen that shows all its card, and if you're into a really entertaining and truly rocking garage and psychedelic rock release, you're going to love this album.
052: Hieroglyphic Being – The Disco's of Imhotep (Technicolour/Ninjatune)
Chicago's electronic figurehead, Jamal Moss, experiments with groovy IDM dedicated to the Egyptian pyramid architect and the early physician, Imhotep. An already wild premise to an equally vibrant release, Hieroglyphic Being's concepts on "synth expressionism" and cubism translate to a solid nine-track release rooted in underground club, gabber, and "binaural beats" as he calls them. Tracks like the airy and melodic pounding of "Sepulchral Offerings" and "Spiritual Alliances," or the beautiful synth-like trickles of "Crocodile Skin," all have hard yet soothing drum rhythms and a spacey production perfect for dancing. These aimed concepts of healing through "frequency medicine" as Jamal Moss describes, they also translate incredibly well considering the history and context of club and underground electronic music being a place of escapism and healing. Overall, there's no reason why The Disco's of Imhotep shouldn't be a powerful contender in the electronic scene, for I think he nails history and spiritual context into a uniform and healthy array of sound waves.
051: Oranssi Pazuzu – Värähtelijä (Svart)
Press play, and instantly I fall in love with this project. This is the fourth project from Finnish black metal group Oranssi Pazuzu, and Värähtelijä is a seventy-minute colossal of long and piercing riffs. The guitar, vocals, and array of piano on this album has a groovy, psychedelic and hypnotic mayhem that is reminiscent of modern Swans album. There's the twelve-minute thunderous epic of "Saturaatio," starting off with a monstrous groove that transitions to a dissonant outro of organ. The main course of the album, "Vasemman Käden Hierarkia," has the most addictive and sinister riff here. How it intensifies and progresses with reverb and psychedelic flair, slowing down to a hellish, eerie guitar lead that pumps right back up to a slower version of the original riff…It's a fucking jam! The rest of Värähtelijä is incredibly breezy as well, and I love the twist and turns Oranssi Pazuzu do on this project. Get the chance to hear this one, it's really their best record yet in the metal genre.
Click HERE for the top releases of 2016: 50-01!


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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Huh? (01/21/10)
TITLE: Bum's the Word
By Sharlyn Guthrie
Since the jeans were on hold, I made my purchase quickly. Then, I reasoned that I should shop for a few other items on my list. After all, this mall was larger than our local mall, and I might be spared another trip or some last minute headaches.
Soon I found myself in the jewelry department of a fine department store, selecting some earrings. The rack I was searching reached nearly to the floor, and of course the most compelling colors hung enticingly near the bottom of the display. So there I was, bent over at the waist, with my posterior sticking out into the aisle. I knew it wasn't the most flattering or lady-like pose, but it couldn't be helped. "Hmmm, shall I buy the red chandelier earrings, or the purple sparkly ones?"
Whap! The slap to my derriere brought me immediately erect. Incredulous, I turned to see who had been so rude. To my right there was no one in sight; to my left a saleslady was walking briskly away. She glanced backward, however, and her face wore a mischievous grin.
The saleslady's grin lasted only an instant. She froze when she saw me, and we stood staring at each other with matched expressions, both seeming to say, "Huh?"
Finally, short, exclamatory sentences came tumbling from her lips. "Oh my goodness! You're not Susan! I'm so sorry! I thought you were Susan! You look just like her -at least that side of you did! Oh no! I can't believe it! I just spanked a customer!"
Her face had lost its color and the grin I had glimpsed for a moment had vanished. Her associates gathered around, and were no doubt trying to remember protocol for such an incident. Since they couldn't come up with any, they all just stood there, watching and waiting to see how it played out. The poor woman was distraught.
I couldn't think of any protocol either, so I did what came naturally. I laughed. Soon her co-workers joined in, and finally Saleslady, herself, cracked a feeble smile.
"I'll probably lose my job over this," she lamented as I handed her the purple sparkly earrings. "That was such a stupid thing for me to do. You have no idea how sorry I am. Let me buy these for you," she said, taking them from my hand.
"Look, it was a mistake, and a funny one at that. I have no intention of reporting you," I told her, "and I won't let you buy my earrings; but if it makes you feel better, maybe you can give me the sale price that's supposed to start tomorrow."
"Really? You're not going to report me? I can't believe it."
"Consider yourself forgiven," I said, "just don't expect me to forget this. It's one of the funniest things I've ever experienced. What a great story! Don't worry, though. Mum's the word. I'll never reveal your identity."
We continued our banter while Saleslady rang up the earrings at the sale price, and I could tell she was beginning to relax. Then she handed me the receipt. "Oh Ma'am," she said, leaning in close across the counter, "Spank you very much!"
"Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy." Proverbs 28:13 (Today's NIV)
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Not long ago, I wrote about artificial intelligence (AI), its capabilities and its future.
In that article, the chief technology officer of Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Today, I want to take it a step further: I got my hands on an interesting study by InsideSales.com, an AI-powered predictive sales acceleration platform. The study includes responses from nearly 2,000 Americans from all walks of life about the perceived dangers or opportunities brought on by AI.
Is 2017 the year when artificial intelligence will finally reach the mainstream, and if so, is the general population aware of it? Let's dive into the document and find out.
When asked if they've ever used AI, almost 55% of respondents answered affirmatively. The survey uncovers an interesting correlation between income levels and AI adoption: Those that report the most frequent use of AI are from the lowest income bracket (less than $25,000 a year) and the highest (above $200,000).
Navigation apps (60.3%), video (55.2%) and music streaming (47.4%) are the most common ways AI-enhanced content is consumed. That's understandable, since those technologies had more than a decade to win over the average person.
But what about the more innovative ways in which AI can be used, such as Amazon.com Inc.'s
The biggest hurdle seems to be lack of trust. People don't have enough faith in AI to allow it to work for them. General lack of trust (42% of consumers said they don't trust AI) varies between the East Coast and the West Coast as well as central regions. The most skeptical were respondents in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey (49.2% of them couldn't name a single AI product they trusted), while users from the Pacific, West, South Central and New England regions were far more ready to rely on AI.
Trust levels also varied among different industries. Only 9.3% of consumers would allow AI to run their finances, and 4% would trust it with HR-related work. On the other hand, 35.6% of respondents rely on AI for various entertainment-related recommendations, 30.1% would let it produce goods made by automated machinery, while almost 19% believe it could enhance automated sales procedures. The percentage of those who would trust medical diagnostics made by learning and decision-making algorithms is smaller.
The most trusted company for AI-related products and services is Google (54.3%), followed by Apple Inc.
What about the future of learning and decision-making algorithms? Here's what respondents said:
• Almost 49% of consumers believe AI will lead to medical advancements.
• 46.7% of consumers believe AI will take over dangerous jobs.
• 41.7% of consumers believe AI will automate mundane tasks in their personal life.
• Almost 40% of consumers believe AI will lead to advancements in transportation and travel.
• 35.1 % of consumers believe AI will automate mundane tasks in their work life.
Although Americans may be cautious about AI now, many expect it to keep evolving until it's capable of performing tasks that are currently beyond its capabilities. This conclusion correlates pretty well with the reality of AI and what it can currently do. It also means that the market in general has great, yet realistic, expectations of AI.
Finally, let's address the cyber elephant in the room: Will AI take your job? When asked that same question (click here to read what I think about the topic), 35.4% of respondents acknowledged being concerned about their job safety. Millennials and members of Generation Z are generally more worried than older generations, with almost 41% of them saying AI could be coming after their jobs in the future.
A further examination of the survey data leads to more interesting correlations: The more respondents believe AI is useful, the more they fear being replaced by it:
• 42% of Generation Z has a positive view of AI in the workplace; 36% believe AI will decrease the number of jobs available.
• 35% of millennials have a positive view of AI in the workplace; 37% believe AI will decrease the number of jobs available.
• 24% of Generation X have a positive view of AI in the workplace; 37% believe AI will decrease the number of jobs available.
• 21% of baby boomers have a positive view of AI in the workplace; 26% believe AI will decrease the number of jobs available.
When it comes to income levels of those interviewed:
• More than 42% of consumers making under $25,000 a year believe AI will decrease the number of job opportunities.
• Fewer than 26% of consumers making over $175,000 a year believe AI will decrease the number of job opportunities.
So, the more someone earns per year, the less he or she feels threatened by artificial intelligence.
AI is not a passing trend. It's been with us for decades and is here to stay. As technology and science improve, so will the algorithms behind AI and the hardware that's running it. However, I still believe it must improve before it can become an inseparable and integral part of our lives.
If you were asked the same questions as in the survey, what would you say about AI? Let me know in the comment section below.


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Last Updated: August 2020.
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|Air Conditioning


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Mystery Missile no Airplane Contrail, most likely a ICBM Launch
Mystery missile was no Airplane contrail but most likely an ICBM test launch – in my humble opinion, I think it was some kind of InterContinental Ballistic Missile test, launched from a military submarine or military ship. One theory is, that it was launched unintentionally, but consider all the sercurity levels you have to go through, following a protocol strictly, before you can "punch wrong buttons". It simply outrules the whoops-theory. I think it was an intentionally test launch of a substantial missile, maybe an InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) of some type. We have all seen NASA´s shuttle launches and numerous other cargorocket liftups, and we know how they look like in the sky, you know, the sparkled fire leaving a thick contrail in the sky. I have never seen an airplane sparkle like this craft does, that I strongly believe is a missile, see video below…
Former US Deputy Secretary of Defence Robert Ellsworth told it was a pretty big missile but not a Tomahawk cruise missile. He also aired his opinion about, that it could be a test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine, to demonstrate to Asia that United States can do that. Other speculations are, that it could be a target, which was launched to test anti-missile lasers, which are currently being developed and do get tested in the Pacific.
In the videos above and below, you can see a flash and I wonder why all the videos I have seen so far, don´t show anything about this flash? They cut or zoom out fast when the flash appears. It´s like you stop the movie when it is most exiting. If I was video editor working for Sky2 or CBS8, I would focus on the sequences where the explosion-like flash appears. You know, where some dramatic event unfolds.
You see in one sequence Sky2 cuts the clip just as the flash appears and in another sequence, they zoom out just then the flash appears. CBS8 choose to wait just after the flash (see clip 4 in the video above) and precise that flash looks like an explosion to me. You may have noticed, that the contrail stops at a certain point and we see no more sparkling light, fire in the sky or flashes. The theory it could be a target, which was launched to test anti-missile lasers, could be a very good explanation – the missile was for target practise and they shot it down with lasers? See the video below for slowmotion footage…
New development November 15th 2010
Mysterious submarine missile launch not an accident
The mysterious missile launch november 8th 2010, from a position north of Catalina Island, approximately 35 miles out to sea, could not be an accident and must have been launched from a submarine. But military and aviation agencies and experts have no clue who is behind this rocket launch. It appeared to be a substantial missile, maybe an ICBM missile, that made a spectacular contrail in the skies over Southern California and the Pacific.
According to NBC News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski, "it could not be a planned military launch" and one possibility is, that the missile was "launched unintentionally and someone may have simply punched the wrong button"..? What? We all know, that there are a PROTOCOL to follow before you launch a missile of this kind. You have several security stages to go through before you get a chance to punch wrong buttons! With a reported launch position far out on sea, it must have been a military submarine or ship, no other explanation fits this event.
Another weird theory also expressed on NBC´s website are, that it could be a "sophisticated launch just to create a spectacular sight in the sky"..? They continue with, "yet another theory is that the object was a contrail that, when viewed from a certain angle, appeared to be a signal of a missile launch"..? You just don´t fire an InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) to hundreds of millions of dollars, "just to create a spectacular sight in the sky", and no matter what, you still need a MISSILE of some kind (or airplane), to make a contrail of that size in the sky…
This missile launch was NO ACCIDENT and it came from a submarine. Pentagon knows something, unless it is a "black budget" and only a few elitists + a submarine crew, have knowledge of what was going on that monday evening november 8th 2010. Something is not quite right and why are we not informed? I think it was a secret test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from an underwater military submarine!
New development November 15th 2010
More about the mystery missile…
November 9th 2010:
- Mysterious missile lights up the sky over the Pacific (nbcsandiego.com)
- Pentagon can't explain 'missile' off California (CBS News)
- Pentagon working to solve mystery missile launch (Reuters)
- Mystery missile: Shades of Scare Force One; Update: Was it a missile or not? (Michelle Malkin)
- US test fires secret missile off CA (Press TV)
- Internet Struggles to Explain California's Mystery Missile (Yahoo! News)
- 'Mystery missile' launches in US (Al Jazeera)
- Former NATO Ambassador: Missile "Mystery" Was US "Show Of Force" To Asia (PrisonPlanet.com)
- Mystery "missile launch" off California – solved? (wattsupwiththat.com)
- Mystery missile launch off California could be ICBM (Examiner)
- Missile launch over Southern California explained (Examiner)
- Mysterious Missile Lights Up Sky Off Coast Of Los Angeles, Military Refuses To Comment (Huffington Post)
- It was US Airways flight 808 (Time to Think)
November 10th 2010:
- Mystery Object No Threat to Nation: NORAD (nbcsandiego.com)
- Pentagon calls mystery missile 'unexplained,' cannot rule out threat (heraldsun.com.au)
- Pentagon can't explain mystery missile (Press TV)
- Mystery Missile: this question can be answered (FAS Strategic Security Blog)
- Mystery vapor trail over California was left by plane, not missile, experts say (Washington Post)
- Mystery Missile, Not A Missile (CBS – Video)
- Mystery 'missile' (New York Post)
- Mystery missile launch reported off California coast (BBC News)
- Mystery 'missile' launch in US: the theories (The Telegraph)
- Officials Say "Mystery Missile" a Plane (CBS News Online – Video)
- Mystery Missile, Not A Missile (CBS News – Video)
- US government clueless about mystery missile launch (RT News – Video)
- Mystery 'missile vapour trail' seen over LA (The First Post)
- Out to Launch?: "Mystery Missile" off California Coast Was Probably Just an Airliner, Pentagon Says (scientificamerican.com)
- Blogger Believes Webcam Image Solves 'Missile' Mystery (Fox News)
- Missile mystery: Who launched it and why? (CBS8)
- Military Says Missile-Like Object Wasn't Missile (CBS)
- Wayne Madsen: Pentagon and its embedded media covering up Chinese show of force off LA
November 11th 2010:
- Pentagon: 'mystery missile' was probably airplane (AP)
- Pentagon, NASA experts say mystery plume was plane (AP)
November 17th 2010:
- David Letterman – Mystery Missile Top Ten (CBS)
- Similar contrail seen off the Orange County coast January 2010 (sciencedude.ocregister.com)
- Jet contrails from some angles look like missile trails (Contrail Science)


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I've been holding back on a number of Sufi-related posts, but thought the time has come to feature a short video of a Qawwali performance at the shrine of Nizzam Uddin in Delhi.
The video is by Pierre Monégier; the South Asia Correspondent (based in Delhi) for the French national television France 2. The soundtrack is Allahu by the late legendary and irreplaceable Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Qawwali is the devotional music of the Sufis; primarily those of Pakistan and India. Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan is viewed as one of the greatest singers of qawwali, who extended the 600-year old tradition of his family. He is credited with introducing the music to international audiences, and is popularly known as "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali".
Although it's wonderful to listen to Nusrat's exquisite singing, I'm unsure about using the Allahu soundtrack to accompany the comparatively pedestrian qawwali ensemble seen in the video. I've seen similar performances at the Nizzan Uddin shrine, and they're quite good...nothing compared to Nusrat's virtuosity, but they're authentic.
I would've preferred viewing the video with the real audio, as compared to what it is...but that's me.
I would've preferred viewing the video with the real audio, as compared to what it is...but that's me.


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After a tornado, Dorothy lands in the strange land of Oz to begin an unforgettable journey.
Original Air Date: December 25, 1950
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My wife and I were out paddling and the sunset was very nice.
Guillermo Rey
I have a house on Sam Rayburn and will retire there. I love to fish and just to be on the water and watch birds and wildlife at the lake.
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Mostly Sunny
Hi: 94
Tuesday Night
Mostly Clear
Lo: 76
Slight Chance Thunderstorms
Wednesday Night
Lo: 75
Hi: 96
Thursday Night
Lo: 74
Hi: 97
Friday Night
Extended Weather Forecast
Water Level on 8/11: 162.56
Water Level Details
FAIR. Water stained; 85 degrees; 1.47' low. Largemouth bass are good still working early and on overcast days. Brush and drops below 12 feet are still productive on light-colored worms, and jigs. White bass are fair suspending deep with minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in calm, cool water. Catfish are good on live and stinkbait.
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Every DPC-300A Dual System Pneumatic Calibrator comes ready to go with manual, NIST Cert with data, test leads, battery pack, universal charger/AC adapter, and hose kit shown below.
Did we mention how easy it was to use? No need for a manual. The graphic overlay and intuitive layout make operation a snap.


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To be a Valentine
"All you need is love", sang The Beetles in 1967. In a world that seems focussed on power and money and politicized religion, we probably need to think about love some more. Really think about love you know; the what, the why, the how. And then consider how we are without love. It's easy to be cynical about […]Read Post ›


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Roll forward tipping skips
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Designed for hand pulling operations. Manual tipping at fixed wheel side.
Drain tap with strainer to separate liquids from solid matter.
Product Details
Technical specifications
|load capacity (kg)
|External dimensions L x W x H (mm)
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Who do you think might change their mind for one last fight and come out of retirement in 2019?
Andre Ward, Tony Bellew, Keith Thurman, Wlad?
Haye :-X ;D
A N Other
Printable View
Who do you think might change their mind for one last fight and come out of retirement in 2019?
Andre Ward, Tony Bellew, Keith Thurman, Wlad?
Haye :-X ;D
A N Other
Floyd to fight Manny.
Love for Bellew to rematch Usyk at heavyweight and get out classed again.
Wlad to take on Wilder
Sadly it's probably Floyd, assuming manny beats broner, no idea if he'd come back in the other case. I guess Ward is possible, but there likely isn't a big enough financial incentive for him now. Only other names I can think of didn't officially retire, but would be a lot more interesting. I know Rigo has a tune up shortly, but as he's been out over a year and moved up too much last time, it'd be very interesting to see him back at featherweight, say.
Floyd won't come back, at least not in a real fight, but Dre might. He's done contender, he's done Creed, he's probably free to come back.
I reckon he's finally starting to see the money he missed out on, and wants a piece of it.
Did Jones retire? Isn't he fighting again?
Floyd will be back, they will build either Pac or Broner, whoever wins.
Amir Khan.
Mosley :-X
Hopkins, that would be cool
Joe Bugner?
Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez called out by former world champion Marcos Maidana in comeback announcement
The overweight Argentine has been enjoying life out of the ring after two big-money fights against Floyd Mayweather in 2014
Britain's Amir Khan is among a list of fighters who have been called out by returning former world champion Marcos Maidana.
The 35-year-old ex-WBA welterweight king quit the sport following his two mega fights with Floyd Mayweather in 2014, but has now declared he is coming out of retirement in a bizarre video.
Maidana – currently vastly overweight – posed in boxing gloves in a public call-out to his old foe Mayweather for a trilogy match, before also naming Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan as fighters on his hit list.
It is as yet unclear just how serious his comebacking intentions are, but should the Argentine get back in the ring it will without doubt be a notable event.
Khan defeated Maidana by close, but unanimous decision when they first met in a thrilling affair back in 2010.
Maidana then rebuilt his career by defeating Adrien Broner and leapfrogged Khan in the race to secure a fight with Mayweather.
He pushed the American close first time around, but was outclassed in their rematch which seemingly provided him with enough money never to fight again.
Now however, it appears this may not be the case.
I was expecting him to be heavier when it said "vastly". He just looks average overweight, believe he was one of those guys who'd get that way out of camp when he was fighting. The trouble would be more his age and time out of the ring. His whole camp would likely be about getting down in weight and into shape, and if he needs money he's probably not going to take a tune up and do the thing properly.


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It's September, and it's the day of Apple's iPhone 6 launch event. The media blitz is abound about the release of a new Apple product just like it always is. In just two weeks millions of Apple fans will be lining up out the door to toss their iPhone 5/5s for 6. I should preface this by saying that I own an iPhone 4 and have for 3 or 4 years now, which is a long time. iOS 7 and 8 are really great. So I'm not an Apple hater. But the hype is strong with this release today. I've been scoping getting a new smartphone and have been on the fence… but today's release means I'll be switching to Android.
I'm looking at the "iPhone 6 Plus" as well, because the regular iPhone 6 is a joke(4.7″, non HD resolution – are you kidding?). The release of the iPhone 6 Plus is underwhelming, and doesn't feel innovative in the slightest. They're simply playing catch-up with the market. I'll explain why by comparing it to phones like S5, and the Moto X soon to be released which have already been out for a while.
Apple is finally matched with Samsung Galaxy S5 and Moto X since they increased increased the screen size to the 5.x" category – at 5.5″ – not bad, but this is nothing to write home about. For years they insisted iPhone 5 was the perfect size and wasn't going to be changed. That just wasn't the case – we do too much our on smartphones, a bigger screen is necessary and this (finally) is an admission of that.
The A8 processor will really give the iPhone a big boost over the Snapdragon's found in most of the android phones. I don't really see a processor upgrade like this as something to gush over. It's natural progression of processor technology. I expected that the iPhone 6 would have a significantly better processor than the current gen android phones which came before it, so no surprise here.
About the screen: the iPhone 6 Plus is 1920×1080 (401 ppi) – which they call "Retina HD" – great. But we've had that already (and slightly better) with S5 at 920 x 1080 (430 ppi), and Moto X is the same. Oooh, shiny new screen though. Really nothing to write home about here, just more playing catch up.
The camera in iPhone 6 is amazing, fresh, and new. Oh… wait, iPhone 6's camera is the same as iPhone 5s's rear camera at 8MP! Or should I say "8MP iSight w/ TrueTone flash." Let's just cut the marketing buzz words and call it for what it is: an 8MP camera. The iPhone 4's rear camera is 5MP. So in ~4 years time, since the iPhone 4 was released in 2010, the best Apple does it is increase it by 3MP. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S5 has a 16MP camera, and Moto X 13MP. I actually take a lot of cell phone photos, so the camera quality is important to me. Either way, for what I consider to be a premium phone – at 8MP, what a joke.
My next rant is going to be about the pricing and base model space. iPhone 6 Plus will cost $299/$399/$499 for the 16/64/128gb. 16GB for $299 is a huge disappointment when the S5 is $199-$150 for the same thing. For that price I would have expected 32GB to be the base version. But instead they completely cut out the 32GB version. See what they did there? 16GB by today's standards is really nothing. Even a modest amount of pictures, movies, and music can fill that. But since no 32GB version is even being offered – Apple users are going to have to spend $100 more to get anything decent. There's such a huge gap here – my guess is that they didn't want to lose sales of the 64GB version, so offering a 32GB would be a huge mistake.
It is a shame that iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is just a "me too" phone. Don't worry, Apple will still make record profits and sell these like hotcakes. But anyone willing to take some time to research can clearly see that it is not some godly smartphone with crazy new innovative features. You're just paying more for less.