text:
Box Office Bust: 'Black Adam' Faces Theatrical Losses
"Black Adam" has hardly been given a hero's welcome in its box office run, generating just $387 million globally after seven weeks on the big screen.
That may seem like a lot of coinage, especially in COVID times when movies of all shapes and sizes are struggling to reach pre-pandemic grosses at the box office. But "Black Adam," a comic book adventure starring Dwayne Johnson as a villain who once promised to change the "hierarchy of power" in the Warner Bros. DC universe, didn't come cheap, costing $195 million to produce. And a big-budget movie led by Johnson — one of the biggest movie stars in the world, who plays against type here as a murderous anti-hero — requires a worldwide marketing spend of $100 million, according to knowledgable individuals. Insiders at Warner Bros. push back, saying that COVID-related box office limitations led the studio to scale back the global advertising campaign to $80 million.
More from Variety
How 'Black Adam' VFX Crew Pulled Off Epic Street Battle Scene
Korea Box Office: 'Confession' Holds Top Spot as Weekend Business Struggles
'Black Adam' Leads Sluggish Box Office as Theaters Desperately Await 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
As a result, the film needed to earn around $600 million worldwide to break even and to surpass that lofty benchmark to turn a profit, according to sources familiar with the financials. Yet box office experts believe "Black Adam" will stall out with less than $400 million globally, which is problematic since movie theater owners get to keep around half of those sales. Now, the movie stands to lose $50 million to $100 million in its theatrical run, according to the estimates of insiders as well as rival executives with knowledge of similar productions. Sources at Warner Bros. dispute those numbers, saying the movie will break even at $400 million. When the film was commissioned, the break even was believed to be $450 million, but that figure has dropped given the particularities of the new home entertainment landscape, one in which "Black Adam" has over-performed projections. They also argue that these ancillary revenue streams have grown more profitable with shorter theatrical windows. Thanks to pandemic era concessions, films hit home entertainment platforms in 33 days rather than 75, which reduces the money needed to revive marketing campaigns for a digital launch. With ancillary revenues, sources at Warner Bros. say that the film is poised to get into the black.
In any case, "Black Adam" isn't the financial winner that DC had hoped when the movie was greenlit in 2019. Theatrical may only be one component of profitability; there's also TV and Pay 1 deals, but box office returns dictate those downstream terms. Even with premium video-on-demand sales, which could bring in an additional $25 million to $35 million, "Black Adam" isn't looking like it will get out of the red by the time it lands on HBO Max.
To be fair, most movies lose money during their theatrical release and depend on rentals, sales and consumer product sales to turn a profit. There's also value in establishing a piece of intellectual property cinematically that isn't always reflected on a balance sheet.
And it's not just "Black Adam" that's struggled greatly to earn back its budget in pandemic times. Disney's "Strange World" and Pixar's "Lightyear," director David O. Russell's star-studded period piece "Amsterdam" and Lionsgate's disaster thriller "Moonfall" were other big-budget properties that failed to turn a profit in theaters. Even as COVID cases dwindle and normal life rebounds, the movie theater business hasn't been able to regain its footing. It's been a huge problem for mega-budgeted films that rely on outsized attendance.
"Black Adam" hit theaters in late October with $67 million, a solid but unspectacular start for a comic book tentpole. But unlike other standalone movies set in the DC Universe, like 2018's "Aquaman" (which opened to $67.8 million) and 2019's "Shazam!" (which debuted to $53.5 million), this superhero origin story didn't have the kind of legs it needed to justify its outsized budget. Mixed reviews (it holds a 43% on Rotten Tomatoes) and its "B+" CinemaScore didn't move the needle in terms of word-of-mouth, so the film struggled to expand its appeal beyond comic book fans. So far, it's generated $165 million in North America and $219 million internationally. Like most Hollywood films, overseas box office has been limited because they've been cut off from playing in China or Russia, two major markets.
By comparison, "Aquaman" managed to earn a sizable $335 million in North America, and though "Shazam" ended its theatrical run with $140 million domestically, it cost $100 million to produce — about half as much as "Black Adam." Other pandemic-era DC properties include "Wonder Woman 1984," which earned $164 million while debuting day-and-date on HBO Max; "The Suicide Squad," which generated $165 million while landing simultaneously on HBO Max; and "The Batman," which grossed a solid $770 million.
And although "Black Adam" managed to hold the No. 1 spot for three weeks — thanks in part to a lack of big titles from other Hollywood players — ticket sales declined by 60% in its second weekend. When Disney and Marvel's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" premiered in theaters on Nov. 11, the superhero sequel steamrolled the competition with its $140 million domestic debut. Johnson, ever the diplomat, took to Twitter to celebrate those record-setting results. "Always rooting for our business to win," he wrote. "We all benefit overall when box office flourishes."
Marvel has long been operating in another stratosphere, but the turnout for "Black Panther 2" compared to "Black Adam" only illuminated the discrepancy in interest among moviegoers. "Wakanda Forever" earned almost as much at the global box office in three days ($331 million) as "Black Adam" generated after four weeks in theaters.
Jaume Collet-Serra ("Jungle Cruise") directed "Black Adam," in which Johnson plays an antihero who is unleashed into modern times after nearly 5,000 years of imprisonment. His baddie tendencies attract the attention of the Justice Society of America, whose members consist of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo), who try to teach him to be a hero.
Johnson hasn't been shy about wanting a sequel to "Black Adam." Based on ticket sales, it's not clear that audiences share his enthusiasm.
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


text:
As a 29-year-old woman with arthritis, I can state with conviction that the disease is not, as many assume, something only elderly people get. Tell friends you can't go on their hiking trip with tents because of arthritis and they will look at you askance. Ditto when they have to chop up your vegetables for you. But these are some of the daily realities of life with this disabling disease.
So a new online community called Arthur's Place has already proved invaluable to me. It is doing its best to dispel the "old age" myth and to help young people with the condition – providing advice on everything from what to wear, to whether or not you should get a tattoo.
One of the contributors is Collette McColgan, a 24-year old journalist. One of 27,000 people under 25 living with a form of arthritis in the UK, she has had juvenile idiopathic arthritis since she was three. "The trouble with the term arthritis is that it covers more than 200 different conditions, and they really are all very different," she says. "Chances are, me and your gran don't have the same type."
Symptoms of the different conditions can range from fairly mild to totally debilitating. I am lucky in that my symptoms receded a great deal after I began taking the immunosuppressant drug methotrexate, a chemotherapy medicine prescribed to many people with arthritis. But this drug comes with problems: after all, who really wants to suppress their immune system? To do so leaves you vulnerable to infection and can make you seem like the world's biggest hypochondriac – "Don't come near me with your cold!" "Do you have any antiseptic for this tiny scratch?"
Methotrexate is particularly problematic for young women, as its use is associated with severe birth defects. If I choose to have children, I will have to come off the medicine that has helped me so much. Would I be able to make that sacrifice? Other drugs are hardly kinder – there is hydroxychloroquine (also used to treat malaria), which carries a very slim (but still worrying) chance of causing blindness, or adalimubab, another immunosuppressant.
Yet despite the many problems arthritis can bring, McColgan talks with humour about it, breezily referring to her "funny hands and perma-bent elbows" and describing how her swimming instructor developed "Collette stroke" for her because she couldn't do the leg movements for breaststroke, so used the ones for butterfly instead. She writes about how and when to tell a potential love interest about arthritis: a good time not to tell him is "after he's playfully pushed you and accidentally really hurt you; again, it's always best to let them know early on to avoid hospital trips on dates". She writes, too, of the frustration of endlessly hearing: "Oh, my gran has that."
Arthur's Place was founded by rheumatology nurse Andrea McBride. "I was sad to see so many young people with no resource," she says. "There's a lot of information for older people, a lot for parents and young children, but nothing in between, and that's what triggered the idea."
With no NHS funding, McBride built the site in her own time, giving over her evenings, weekends and holidays to research and seek funding. It has grown more than she could have imagined, with a lifehacks section, a forum, facts and blogs, all in a very "not hospitally format". Recently, it won an award from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).
Clare Jacklin, director of external affairs at the NRAS, says: "Too often young people with rheumatoid arthritis aren't taken seriously when initially presenting their symptoms to their GPs. Then they have difficulty getting family, friends, teachers and employers to understand that they are not too young to have arthritis. These attitudes 'disable' people from doing the things they want and need to do." However, she also says that a rise in the number of young people with arthritis is less likely to be the result of an increase in occurrence than better recognition of the disease, and diagnosis by doctors.
McBride also points out that young people were reluctant to talk about it. She says: "Some were worried they might lose friendships if they spoke out, so they tended to stay silent and deal with it the best they could with the limited information they could find."
For those with arthritis, maintaining relationships and friendships can be problematic. McColgan describes people taking the mickey when she asks them to open a bottle before she "drops the Arthritis Bomb".
Opening screwtop bottles is only one problem for those with arthritis. Others could be as mundane as brushing your hair, carrying things or lifting your suitcase into an overhead locker without looking "too damsel-in-distress" – and cutting your toenails. When I told people I'd had a pedicure they looked at me as if I were the most spoilt, extravagant girl in the world. I'm not. I was having a flare-up and couldn't reach my feet.
McColgan's blogs remind me of all the times my friends have collected medicine on my behalf when I can't walk the 50 yards to the chemist, or have let me lean on them when my knees decide they no longer want to cooperate with walking. Luckily for me, this only happens when I have a flare-up, but for others it is constant.
Arthur's place is a lively, vibrant, and – most importantly – non-patronising community, where people with arthritis can share stories, funny, touching or sad, about what it is like to be a young person with the condition. It makes them feel less isolated, and perhaps, as it grows, it will begin to alter the perception of arthritis as an elderly person's disease.w

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BY admin IN Uncategorized On 15-05-2019
How to Select Where to Decide to buy Cbd Petrol near Me
In selected circumstances, Hemp engine oil will in no way include some CBD or THC parts to it.https://naturalwellnesscbdoil.com/blog/cbd-in-florida/ The collecting is normally offered effect by Weed petroleum. Plenty of folks might confront commercial hemp petrol if wanting to come across cannabidiol (CBD) olive oil to decide to buy.
The Importance of Where to Buy Cbd Petrol near Me
Engine oil appears to become focused and a substance for individuals who demand reduction to stay found by substantial dosages. It will get very likely to come to a decision to verify make use of the sublingually. Choosing and choosing substandard will be in no way heading to contain some result will pressure you to become stay think foggy.
It can become confusing to check out whether they include been trustworthy. Ordering in large becomes out to come to be a method at the personal life period than finding CBD in trivial amounts. If you should be troubled you happen to be all set to receive.
The CBD vape is definitely remarkable for make use of in tobacco cigarette smokes and oilis a help for males and adult females who would like to give up cigarette smoking. CBD skin oils have got a great cope of skilled gains the number of people do certainly not understand about. Vaping CBD supplies you the impression of cigarette smoking without actually needing deterioration.
Arizona Dispensaries could possess the capability to present consumable nutrition items together with mary-jane granted the dispensaries comply with particular readiness regulators and they're suggested to demonstrate that the bud materials. Truly, the oil's price tag and even excellent level of quality is usually established by the herb. Heating is usually introduced and you may suck in the variety of vape polymer on your own choice.
The Essential to Outstanding Where to Decide to buy Cbd Oil near Me
CBD's rewards, that's the major section of In CBD Essential oil for trading, features come acknowledged around the globe for a selection of a lot of years and years. All CBD products are obtainable on the internet and sent to any or all 50 state governments and 40 expresses. CBD oil stipulates a wonderful cope of advantages to energy and epidermis health and wellness.
The Chronicles of Where to Pay for Cbd Petrol near Me
Specific attributes may, definitely actually take roughly cancer tumor. Cannabis gives you advantages of wellbeing whenever they're processed. As stated by the CDC, it is certainly connected by many different skilled problems in addition to 8090 percent of lung cancer cases.
The Go up of Where to Decide to buy Cbd Oil near Me
You may function a medication test with effects that are rapid, even it is usually incredibly userfriendly. The issue persists, after that please call the administrator of the internet site. You are likely to wager on it.
One of the quickest approaches of soreness relief that is usually trusted would get byway of vaporization. You can locate lots of results in to generate stress. Simply committing in a kit could often come to be defined as considered a deterrent from utilising medication.
What Everybody Dislikes About Where to Pay for Cbd Petrol near Me and Why
If you're receiving pressured and depressed for your give good results tension afterward it's straightforward to take on help of Hemp CBD. You get it feasible to use the same to some influenced location therefore. Happily, in occasions of gift-buying want, CBD considers the attempt yet once again.
CBD petrol is certainly identified as a has. In addition to its innerworkings, pimple might possibly minimize. To begin out with, CBD can be hydrophobic, indicating it's not really truly peppermint.
It's likely to acquire Hemp CBD Vape essential oil out of an internet seller. CBD tincture from the type can be the approach. CBD beverage is certainly a useful way.
Whenever you encounter these products and services and solutions you mightn't include asked for a top-quality find. You will get equipped to turn into highquality offerings and goods. Before you tend to buy the point on collection it really can be a option to glance at the believability of vendor and the product featuring the goods.
4 years ago / No Comments


text:
Twitter said Monday that it had banned more than 70,000 accounts that mainly promote content affiliated with QAnon, the growing conspiracy theory movement that helped inflame the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol last week.
The company said it began removing accounts en masse on Friday after determining such users had the potential to post missives that could "lead to offline harm." The move followed the riot in the halls of Congress, which left at least five people dead — four insurrectionists and a Capitol Police officer.
"Given the violent events in Washington, DC, and increased risk of harm, we began permanently suspending thousands of accounts that were primarily dedicated to sharing QAnon content on Friday afternoon," Twitter said. "These accounts were engaged in sharing harmful QAnon-associated content at scale and were primarily dedicated to the propagation of this conspiracy theory across the service."
Twitter said many of those banned had multiple accounts, which is partially responsible for the large number of banned accounts.
The company also said it would work with law enforcement in advance of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week.
"Ahead of the inauguration, we'll continue to monitor the situation, keep open lines of communication with law enforcement, and keep the public informed of additional enforcement actions," it said.
QAnon followers believe an anonymous figure named "Q" works deep inside the Trump administration alongside the president to take down an alleged cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles throughout the government and in liberal circles. The theories are completely baseless, but they have attracted high-level support. Newly elected Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has expressed support for the movement.
Twitter's move is the latest by Silicon Valley giants to clamp down on those alleged to have contributed to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. President Donald Trump has been banned from Twitter permanently after sharing messaging meant to inflame his supporters to attack the Capitol, and other companies, including Facebook and Snapchat, followed suit with suspensions until at least the end of Trump's term.
"We made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules entirely and cannot use Twitter to incite violence, among other things," Twitter said at the time of its decision. "We will continue to be transparent around our policies and their enforcement."
Twitter also addressed claims made by many prominent conservatives this week who lambasted the company for its declining follower numbers. Other notable figures were banned, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell.
"Our updated enforcement on QAnon content on Twitter, along with routine spam challenges, has resulted in changes in follower count for some people's Twitter accounts," Twitter said. "In some cases, these actions may have resulted in follower count changes in the thousands."


text:
On November 8th join us as we unveil our new state of the art cosmetic rejuvenation center.
We are Alexander Cosmetic Surgery, Alexus Medical Spa & Skincare, and Total T Clinic. We offer the latest technology in head-to-toe plastic surgery inside our AAAASF Surgery Center, under the Medical Direction of Dr. John T. Alexander ll. Our facility features the latest in laser technology and Coolsculpting in our Alexus Medical Spa in addition to offering alternative treatments to help patients feel more vibrant and energized in our Total T Clinic.
Join us to learn how we can help unveil the most beautiful you!


text:
Citizen Observation Project Director
Peace Programs
The Carter Center – Sudan
The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
The Carter Center is currently recruiting, contingent on the continued availability of funds, a highly-qualified individual to serve as Citizen Observation Project Director in Sudan, leading implementation of the Youth Citizen Observer Network Project, which supports youth's ongoing role in Sudan's democratic transition.
Applicants should have 5-10 years of senior level experience working on citizen observation or related programs. Experience in Sudan or relevant contexts is desirable. The position requires relocation to Khartoum, Sudan in August 2022 through July 2023 with a possibility of extension, pending funding and political developments. It will involve some travel within the country. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working as part of a core team on election observation missions, in a leadership position of a citizen observation organization or similar CSO network building. Experience in elections and transition monitoring, guiding observer teams and networks, and knowledge of the applicable international human rights principles associated with civic engagement are essential. Leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and experience of work with and among youth are essential. Candidates should have the professional capacity to work in English; elementary Arabic or stronger is preferred. Demonstrated ability to provide advice and guidance regarding democratic governance and long-term observation is strongly preferred. Only candidates that meet these qualifications are encouraged to apply. Housing and transportation for foreign nationals is provided; salary is commensurate with experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Five to ten years of experience required in implementing election monitoring missions, democracy and governance programs, or peace building / conflict-prevention efforts, ideally in countries transitioning from authoritarian to democratic governance.
- Experience in leading field office programmatic activities and managing personnel are also strongly preferred.
- The successful candidate should be detail-oriented, well organized, and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines when necessary.
- Experience living/working in Sudan or the MENA region is highly desirable.
- Experience working with and among diversified youth groups in challenging contexts.
- Strong writing and communication skills required.
- A high level of personal energy, positive attitude and ability to work in a team setting are essential. Proficiency in English is required; elementary Arabic language skills preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field (political science, law, development studies or similar) or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Masters or advanced degree preferred.
Please complete the form at this link no later than August 31, 2022: Apply Here
Note: Due to the large volume of applicants, the Center is not able to respond to all candidates. No phone calls or in-person contacts will be entertained.


text:
A week as busy as the one we just had merits an extra special weekend, don't you think? After our first full week of school, we finally got the chance to unwind by meeting up with an old friend.
If you read our last blog, you might remember Jeff. While we were living in Miaoli County, he took it upon himself to introduce us to his friends, take us to some of his favorite spots, and help us get a real sense of the local community. We've stayed in touch over the past two years, and it was actually him who introduced us to Yulun and Ren-Hong. So if it wasn't for Jeff, we might never have found Toucheng, or even made it back to Taiwan so quickly!
Jeff had plans in Taipei on Saturday, so we decided to meet up with him that morning to catch up and spend some time together. He's been even busier than we have in the two years since we saw him last, so it was great to catch up and swap stories over a delicious lunch of Indian food (yet another box we can tick in our International Tasting Across Taipei repertoire).
Afterwards, we headed to a popup flea market near Longshan Temple. We were able to see the temple up close last time we were in Taipei, but this time we stuck to the floor just underneath that had been taken over by antiques, games, clothes, and cultural education stations for the weekend. We mostly just walked circles around market, browsing and enjoying one another's company, but we did end up buying a small board game and a vintage Taiwanese flag to decorate our room with.
Seeing as we spent the better part of half an hour hovering around the board game booth, deciding whether we were brave enough get a game entirely in Mandarin (turns out we aren't that brave quite yet), Jeff had the idea to go to a board game cafe down the street afterwards. Apparently, board game cafes are very popular among younger people in Taipei, and when we got to the shop it was absolutely packed with students and young people. If you know Ryan and I, you know we LOVE board games, so we grabbed an early dinner of noodles and bubble tea to go, and settled in for a few rounds of games. We noticed a few of our favorite titles on the shelves ("Betrayal at House on the Hill," anyone?), so we'll definitely be back for more games before long.
We ended our busy day in Taipei with a quick walk through the picturesque Bopiliao Historical Block, a red brick neighborhood that dates back to the late 19th century. It used to be a bustling commercial district, but these days it's a tourist hotspot with a sprawling museum showcasing the area's history and culture. We got a security guard to snap a few pictures of the three of us, reunited once again. As you can see, he had a bit of an…artistic eye, but as Jeff put it, we're the best models he could have asked for!
Finally, we said goodbye to Jeff as he headed back to Miaoli for work, with promises to come visit soon. Once class starts winding down a bit, we definitely plan to take a weekend trip down to see him again, and visit all our old friends from Miaoli!
Instead of taking our usual bus home, we hopped on the train that took us up along the northern coast and right to Wai'ao, where Drifter's was holding an Independence Day bash. These past few months have been a pretty strange time to be an American, especially an American abroad, but it was nice to enjoy some of the more positive reminders of home, namely pizza and folk music. There was even a fiddler! What's more American than that? The two of us spent our actual Fourth of July in class and held our own private celebration at the only McDonald's we've been able to find for miles, so it was nice to have a proper acknowledgement of the occasion.
The next morning, we gave ourselves permission to sleep in a little after our busy day in the city. And good thing too: we ended up spending much of the afternoon getting our hands dirty out in the sun. Yulun and Ren-Hong told us they're planning a press conference for the festival this week, and they wanted to spruce up the front of the house a bit in preparation. I haven't talked too much yet about the place we're staying or the art festival that we're here for (that's coming real soon, I promise!) but this was our first major bit of prep work directly for the festival, and it was a great chance for Ryan to put his gardening talents to good use.
Yulun and Ren-Hong gave us some plants donated by neighbors, some cinderblocks, and some wood, and gave us free reign over the front patio! Ryan has been studying and working professionally with public gardens for the better part of two years, so it was a fun opportunity to show off some of his skills. Some repotting, rearranging, and hasty box-construction later, and we got something that looks awfully like a front garden! We're hoping to get a few more plants and some décor to fill things in later, but I think it looks pretty darn press-conference-ready.
Now that we're pretty well adjusted to Taiwan and settled into our classes, things are going to start ramping up here in Toucheng. We've already had some pretty exciting experiences leading up to the festival, and we're about to start having lots more as it gets closer (less than two weeks away now!). I'm going to give you all a better sense of what that means for us, for the town, and for the people we've met in the next few days, but for now, I'll leave you with this amazing video (starring some familiar faces!) that pretty much sums it all up.


text:
Beauty: Mature skin cosmetics to buy in New York
You know beauty is one of the strong subjects here on the blog – and one of my passions, which led me to even create aNew York beauty app – click here to know more. I've done lots of posts and videos with tips from stores and products here in the city – you can explore the content on the "beauty" menu. And one of the requests I receive most is product tips for those who have mature skin. This request is interesting because, in reality, the products that I suggest here, be it makeup, skin or hair, are indicated for all. My mother, for example, uses everything I bring her – and I use the same ones. She loves! So, to help my readers with mature skin who want to buy skincare products here in New York, I asked my mom to list the products she liked best! She is 55 years old and I think a lot of my love of cosmetics is due to her! I grew up seeing her applying creams, she was always taking care of herself! I hope you enjoy the tips. All the products she quotes were chosen by me. Some were bought and others I got from PR – she ends up helping me test everything!
Taking care of the skin is for the woman who loves herself. We are born and we die. In this interval, we live. And living implies taking care, after all, of our face, our identity. Although there is a certain aesthetic dictatorship today, I think that regardless of age or naturalness, taking care of yourself is good. Our face specifically shows who we are. I know many women who ask for cosmetics suggestions, they buy them and they forget them in the drawer, waiting for the action of the cream by symbiosis … Anyway … I remember what my mother said, from when I became a teenager: "Take care of your skin, because after the damage is done, there is nothing to do it". Wise words. I also remember someone, already advanced in age, saying that taking care of your skin can happen in many ways, from an expensive cream to a white rose tea applied with cotton. So, with this love that I have of taking care of my skin, then I share my experiences.
Revitalift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer, L'oréal – I like moisturizer because it has a silky texture. Also, I think this is due to the ingredients because it leaves skin super hydrated and with a radiant appearance. I noticed that the lines are less evident, which is very good, right? For my skin, there were no problems with pimples. Highly recommend. It's what I'm currently using. And I never forget: always after cleaning. Sometimes I use a tonic before, which enhances the luminosity.
Laura's note: the formula has Hyaluronic Acid, a powerful ingredient to moisturize the skin, and also Pro-Xylane, is an ingredient originally developed by Lancome in 2006. Although Hyaluronic Acid is not present in a large amount in the formula, Pro-Xylane is and this molecule is able to perform better and penetrate the skin more easily. As a result, it gives more elasticity, fill and tonus.
Price: $25, on average. Where to buy it? Drugstores, Target, Walmart and Harmon. Click here to buy on Amazon.
Radiant Youth Firming Crème, Volante Skincare – AMAZING! I started to use it when the summer season was ending. It performed miracles with the appearance of my face. No matter if you use sunscreen, the sun always damages the skin. Maybe that's why the result was so clear: the appearance of lines and wrinkles got better, I noticed my skin was firmer and, better, radiant! I didn't have any pimples at all.
Laura's note: this formula is designed to nourish the skin while providing gentle exfoliation to reveal a retexturized complexion that is always glowing and radiant. A potent cocktail of antioxidants shields the skin from free-radical damage, preventing future signs of aging.
Price: $85.Where to buy it? Volanté website and Cedra Pharmacy. Click here to buy on Amazon.
Egg White Pore Mask, Skinfood – when Laura brought some Korean products, I thought, uh, "I don't think this is good" … but I was being prejudiced because this mask is a dream. Do you know when your skin is tired, especially when the week is ending? Well, nothing better than it: you can apply on your face and forget it. Or rather, you leave it for about twenty minutes, is the time that I leave it. It has a not so smooth texture. I like to apply on my face a little wet, just a little. Then I wash, I apply a toner and a moisturizer. The result is very good: skin refreshed!
Laura's note: let's make it clear that she liked this product so much that she got mine! Since then, she probably has used three masks! This is also one of my favorite masks and is one of Skinfood's best-selling products. If you have oily skin, it is excellent!
Price: $10, on average. Where to buy it? Besfren Beauty – 315 5th Ave. Click here to buy on Amazon
Eye Contour Crème, 19 Orbe: when I use a cream for the first time I can tell if it makes a difference or not. This is what happened to this eye cream: soooo good! I noticed luminosity, firmness, and smoothness in the wrinkles. I like to apply at night and make movements from top to bottom.
Laura's note: the formula has dark circle detox peptide complex, active molecule lift (under eye bags), amino acid complex, oil soluble vitamin C, mugwort and algae extract and barrier protection moisture complex. I know it is pricey, but you can ask for a sample at Space NK to try it.
Price: $180. Where to buy it? Space NK (a lot of locations, check out on my app NYC Beauty). Click here to buy on Amazon.
Revitan Enhancer, Dr. G – this treatment line is very good. The results are encouraging. The fluid in the ampoules smoothes expression lines fantastically. To try it, apply a drop on the back of the hand. The result is worthy of before and after. Use at night, after cleaning. You may notice greater firmness and vigor in the skin if you apply on your neck. But to prove it, take the test I suggested. Your skin will thank you!
Laura's note: this collection features two sets. The first one has cream, toner, and emulsion. The second one has 4 bottles of ampoule within a week for the optimal result as a 4 weeks program. Highly Concentrated EGF Complex with dual functional care for more clear and elastic skin. Dr G is a Korean brand created by a famous doctor.
Price: Revital Enhancer Cream Set $115 – Revital Enhancer Ample $189. Where to buy it? Club Clio (a lot of locations, check out on my app NYC Beauty).
Charcoal Flower Mask, Soo Ae – this whole line of masks is really amazing. Do you know that day when you decide to love your skin? Then, after bathing and cleansing, apply the mask and relax. Think you're in a spa! Laura gave me lots of these masks and I gifted some friends with them. The results were highly commented. Too bad we don't have it here in Brazil. I always use it at night, and after 15 minutes I take the mask off and massage. I leave it on the face until the next day, because the skin absorbs it totally.
Laura's note: these are the famous Sheet Masks, I've talked about them several times, in several videos! Although my mother has written about this one, in particular, every Korean store has a wide range of Sheet Masks. Worth buying several, since the price is great!
Price: $5 on average. You can find sheet masks for less! Check out on my app NYC Beauty.
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum, Lancôme – This product is very good. When I apply it, I realize how my skin needs it. Looks like it's thirsty! Absorption is immediate. It improves the texture of the skin and defines the contour. I always use morning and evening. The results are good.
Laura's note: this Lancôme serum is pricey. Again, I suggest asking for a sample on Sephora to try it. Another amazing tip: L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Serum Intense Daily Treatment is a good dupe for Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate. They share the same benefits and side effects. Lancome serum contains a form of vitamin C. If you use the L'oréal one, follow it up with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer that can counteract the drying effects of alcohol and help fight premature aging.
Price: $105. Where to buy it? Sephora.
Water Vital Sleeping Mask, Dr. G – this was another product that Laura brought me and I loved it. It is like a cream, but it has a mask function and I apply it as the last step of the night care routine. It is remarkable the difference he makes in the skin, the face wakes up revitalized! The formula is super light and not sticky.
Laura's note: I think it is great for those who are lazy to follow a routine, because you just apply it and sleep. It has a cream formula and the benefits of a mask! You should use the product 2 to 3 times a week.
Price: U$36. Where to buy it? Club Clio (a lot of locations, check out on my app NYC Beauty).
Soft Milk Whipping Cream, Mizon – this cream works! Normally, when we apply a cream on our faces, we realize the result, but we do not stand in front of the mirror for 24 hours to see how the skin behaves. I started to use it and I gave it to my mother, since she had finished the one she had it. Well, she's 87 years old and her skin looks wonderful! All about compliments: from her to the cream and from her daughters and sons about her skin: "How beautiful you are!" "What did you have on your face?" That is, Laura, maybe a gift for the next, visit? Radiant skin and smoothing wrinkles. Do you want more?
Laura's note: I bought this one in a Peach & Lily sample sale.
Price: $15 eBay.
Premium Gold Snail Cream, Goodal – another very good cream. The texture is somewhat strange, it's a gel, after all, but if we look at the source, it's explained, right? I noticed, after the first application, the improvement in texture and elasticity. Good for fighting sagging and smoothing lines and wrinkles.
Laura's note: snail extract is an ingredient used by a lot of Korean brands, because of the anti-aging properties.
Price: $52. Where to buy it? Club Clio (a lot of locations, check out on my app NYC Beauty). Click here to buy on Amazon.
Did you like my Mom's tips? Do not forget to download my app NYC Beauty and also follow our profile on Instagram @nycbeautyapp – with daily product tips.
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.


text:
It's been a couple of weeks since I announced the availability of my small book on the history and current status of concealed carry in the United States. I picked a terrible time to launch the book because I took off for a 4,000 mile drive from NC to California immediately after.
It has been gratifying to see some pictures of the book on social media, including one alongside books by Massad Ayoob and Patrick McNamara, two gun culture celebs well beyond me.
As a reminder, you can buy a print copy of the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or any other bookseller for $11.95. A Kindle edition of the book for $8.95 is, according to the publisher, forthcoming any time now.
I sold out of the original batch of 50 signed copies for Buy Me A Coffee annual supporters ($60), but have reordered more and will be signing/shipping those when I get home in mid-June. You can also get a "free" electronic copy of the book as a Buy Me A Coffee monthly supporter ($5).Continue reading


text:
Pensacola police will no longer respond to minor calls to limit officers' exposure to coronavirus
To provide our community with important public safety information, the Pensacola News Journal is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber.
The Pensacola Police Department adopted new policies Monday for how officers will respond to minor calls as a precaution to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Effective Monday afternoon, PPD officers will no longer respond in person to "minor situations that are over with and that do not require the collection of evidence," according to PPD spokesman Mike Wood.
"A minor incident would be, like if a kid's bicycle was stolen from the front yard or a rocking chair was stolen off the front porch, there is no evidence to collect there — something very minor," Wood said. "But if somebody's car was broken into, then an officer would respond, because there are fingerprints to collect there off the car."
The PPD's aim is to cut down on the number of face-to-face interactions officers have with the public, Wood said.
"We are going to try to minimize contact with the public when it's not necessary," he said.
As always, Pensacola residents should still call 911 in an emergency. Callers reporting minor situations will be transferred to officers who will speak to them over the phone and take down their information.
Wood said officers will continue to respond in person to major and life-threatening calls for service. They will also continue to respond in person to scenes that require the collection of evidence or on-scene reports.
"The public will not know the difference," Wood said.
Unlike the PPD, neither the Escambia County Sheriff Office nor the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office had announced changes to their policies as of Monday afternoon.
SRSO spokesman Sgt. Rich Aloy said his agency's deputies "are trained to be aware of potentially hazardous situations and to act accordingly."
Aloy said it is standard practice for SRSO deputies to not enter a private citizen's home — unless in the event of an emergency — if that person is showing signs of illness.
Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 850-435-8680.


text: Jenni Rivera La Gran Senora Tequila Blanco has been ditilled in American oak barrels and made with 100% blue agave, and flavours of fruit and spice. The color ofJenni Rivera La Gran Senora Tequila Blanco is an amazing crystal clear white. Upon each sip, the flavour profiles blend from pears, apples, bananas, mint, and pepper.


text:
Reindeer are semi-wild animals that roam freely on the vast wilderness of Lapland, the northernmost region of Scandinavia. They move in large groups, looking for food, escaping mosquitoes or adjusting to weather and seasons. Every reindeer, however, belongs to a herder, … Read the Story
Tag: Norway
Free book shares tips to travelers planning a trip to Scandinavia
If you haven't visited any of the five Scandinavian countries before, but you believe now is the time go, a bit of research will help you decide where and when to travel. It is a large area, and the further north … Read the Story
Get your free copy of Scandinavia travel guidebook
What is the one thing you know about Scandinavia? Long winters, midnight sun in summer, design, education system, welfare, Abba, HIM, or A-ha? Well, the best way to find out more is to travel in Nordic countries and see how the … Read the Story
Top 5 scenic drives in Lapland for road travelers touring North Europe
It is a long way to the north of the Arctic Circle, Lapland in Scandinavia, from other parts of Europe. Yet, so many road travelers make the trip that during the busiest summer season in July and August, popular camp sites … Read the Story
New Purchase Options for Scandinavian Ebook Readers
Amazon dominates many ebook markets across the globe, but there are some corners of the world where local ebook stores thrive. Scandinavia (in this case, only Sweden, Norway and Finland) is not an easy market for a large international company like … Read the Story


text:
Insurance merger makes sense
While the goals of the Affordable Care Act are noble, the results have certainly increased the costs of health care and caused insurers and medical systems to consolidate in order to absorb costs, which is why Anthem and Cigna are seeking to do just that. Doing so may be the only way to deliver innovative health care and wellness services while absorbing costs to keep their rates affordable for consumers.
While government officials try to break up businesses and stop mergers like this, history has shown us that government intervention always harms the consumer. In his book, "Antitrust and Monopoly: Anatomy of a Policy Failure," University of Hartford professor Dominick Armentano examined 55 of the most famous antitrust cases in U.S. history and concluded that in every single case, the accused companies were dropping prices, expanding production, innovating and generally benefiting consumers. A merger between Anthem-Cigna will allow for improved programs that better identify and manage the factors that drive the cost of care.
These combined efforts, along with the best of their product offerings and available services, mean that consumers will be the winners.
Now that government regulators have moved the cheese and created a new regulatory scheme, it only makes sense that they would allow Anthem and Cigna to adjust and adapt appropriately so they can continue to provide Missourians with access to quality and affordable health insurance.


text:
Wausau's Katie Martell breaks new ground as area's first female Eagle Scout; Marshfield teen not far behind
WAUSAU – When she was a little girl, she used to watch her older brother go off and do cool things in Boy Scouts, and she'd think to herself, "I want to do that, too."
"I was jealous of the things he got to do," said Katie Martell of Wausau. "There's this National Jamboree, and I'd see him leave for that, and I'd look at his pictures and would be so jealous that he got to have opportunities like that."
A few years later, though, doors started to open that allowed girls such as Martell to get involved in Scouting, and when they did, Martell ran through them. Today, she is 19 years old, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and is the first female from the Wausau area to become an Eagle Scout.
Martell is one of 435 female Scouts to earn the Eagle rank across the country, according to Amanda Flannery, the development director of the Samoset Council. There are 81 female Scouts BSA members in the council, about 8% of the total. There are 173 girls in Cub Scouts, about 11% of the total.
Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts, allowed girls ages 11 to 17 to join its ranks nearly two years ago on Feb. 1, 2019. A year prior to that, younger girls were able to join Cub Scouts.
Although Martell is the first girl from the Samoset Council, which is based in Weston and serves northcentral Wisconsin, there are several more just about to earn the rank, or are on their way.
OTHER NEWS: This 12-year-old Wausau girl is a business owner. And she's donating her profits to help the homeless.
OTHER NEWS: From 'HOLY BALLS' to New York Times: The spotlight is on Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg
Riley Degner, 14, of Marshfield, got involved in Scouting because her little brother was a Cub Scout. Like Martell, Degner wanted in. Degner's mother was a Cub Scout den leader, and Degner would often sit in on den meetings. She officially joined as soon as she could.
The system is set up that girls in Scouts form their own troops, but they often are closely affiliated with boys troops.
"It was a little bit nerve-wracking when we started out," Degner said. "It made me nervous because we were linked with a boys troop. And I didn't quite know what to expect yet."
But she soon found that she and other girls were accepted, and it "all just kind of worked. I think part of it is that we are all there for the same reason. We all have the same kind of goals," Degner said.
For her, that meant thriving on learning skills and earning merit badges, and working toward becoming an Eagle. She has one more step, the board of review process.
One of the steps to becoming an Eagle Scout is the completion of a capstone project. Degner and volunteer aids sewed and stocked what she called "hygiene bags," handmade bags made out of cloth place mats. They then filled those bags with hygiene products, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and deodorant. The bags, about 100 of them, were given to needy families through Nutrition on Weekends, a Marshfield Area United Way program.
"I'm going to be very, very honored," Degner said. "And I know I will be paving the way for future generations of girls to do what I'm doing."
Martell got involved in Scouting even before Scouting BSA allowed girls to officially join. She went through a side door by joining Exploring, a program closely affiliated with Scouting BSA. Exploring is a group under the Boy Scouts of America, the umbrella organization that includes Scouting BSA and Cub Scouts. She joined with her brother, Steven, who is two years older that Martell.
The Explorer program focuses on career development more than Boy Scouts did, Martell said. But the program allowed Martell to do activities with local Boy Scout troops. She did the same activities that Scouts did to earn merit badges. "We were earning them," she said, "but not officially."
That meant that Martell, when she officially joined Scouting BSA, had to do many of the same activities again to formally earn the badges. That "bothered me a bit, because I worked hard for the past couple of years to get where I had," Martell said. "But I also understood where people were coming from, and I needed to officially earn them."
Because she had the skills necessary to earn badges quickly, she went on a fast-track toward Eagle Scout, the highest level of Scouting that requires 21 merit badges, an Eagle project and a board of review.
Martell's Eagle Scout project encompassed building eight Leopold benches with the help of other Scouts in boys and girls troops. The benches were placed in the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area in northern Wisconsin.
Often it takes Scouts several years to earn Eagle rank, Martell said, but she did it in two.
It was a lot of work, Martell said. But worth it.
"In terms of Scouting in general, it's taught me to be a better person," she said. "And perseverance and hard work, too."
Martell isn't finished with Scouting yet. While she's at college, she's helping out her hometown troop when she can.
"Obviously it's harder because I'm at college, but I'll still try to go to troop meetings when I can," Martell said. "And we'll see as I get older and start a family and have kids."
Contact Keith Uhlig at 715-845-0651 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him at @UhligK on Twitter and Instagram or on Facebook.


text:
If you're still clinging on to your BB10-powered BlackBerry for dear life, then you might be displeased with the fact that WhatsApp is no longer supported officially on the BlackBerry platform (since 30th June 2017).
The popular messaging app is similar to the now-defunct BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), a secured messaging service that is sent over an Internet connection. The company behind Whatsapp, however, is giving up on the BlackBerry 10 platform which has been slowly losing support from other app developers over the years.
The move comes as a result of BlackBerry moving to Android, creating a secure software solution and handsets that run the Google operating system. While the company still supports its BB10 devices and plans to continue support for its government and corporate clients, users will need to switch to its latest Android handsets to enjoy a wider range of applications.
For those sticking with the BB10 platform, there is, however, there are a couple of tricks that will allow you to keep WhatsApp running on your device. You won't be able to use an official app available on the BlackBerry World app store, but that's not that important since you will get roughly the same functionality as you'll have on an officially supported WhatsApp application.
Because BB10 incorporated the Android runtime, the operating system can download Android apps. As long as these apps do not require Google Play Services, they can run reasonably well on a BB10-powered device.
What BlackBerry Devices Does this Work On?
Any device running BlackBerry 10 can install Snap and run Android applications. With older BB10 devices, applications may not run as smoothly as they would with the latest generation of BB10 devices.
The following BlackBerry handsets run on BB10:
- Classic
- Leap
- Passport
- Passport Silver Edition
If you're looking for a way that will allow you to use WhatsApp on BB10, we have some guides for you. Below you have a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to get past the limitation and use WhatsApp Messenger normally. Feel free to follow whichever method seems more approachable in your particular scenario.
Method 1: Downloading the modified WhatsApp APK
If you're using BB10 version 10.3.3, you might be able to install the WhatsApp application by simply downloading it from an APK market. Keep in mind that the following method is not guaranteed to work on all Blackberry BB10 devices, but some users have reported that this method was effective and the WhatsApp application is as stable as they come. Here's what you need to do:
- On your BB10 phone, open this link (here) with your default browser. You might also try your luck with a newer WhatsApp version, but this one is confirmed to work by several users.
- Download the WhatsApp app to your BlackBerry device, open it, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the Android version of WhatsApp on your BB10 device.
- Once the process is complete, reboot your BlackBerry device and open WhatsApp at the next reboot.
If this method wasn't effective in allowing you to use WhatsApp on your BB10 device, move over to the next method below.
Method 2: Downloading WhatsApp using Snap
Before you start this method, it's important to understand what you are doing to your BB10 device. To download WhatsApp for BB10, you will need to install an unofficial application on your device called 'Snap'. This app gives you access to the Google Play Store, meaning you can search all the Android applications which are available for Android tablets and phones.
This means that you will be going against BlackBerry recommendations. The app is widely used and has no reported security flaws, so there should be no problem for a casual BB10 user.
Follow the guide down below to download Snap for your BB10 device and download the Android version of WhatsApp (as well as thousands of other official Android apps!):
- Connect Your Device
Plug Your BB10 device into your computer. Don't worry about running any kind of BlackBerry software, like BlackBerry Link. Your device simply needs to be plugged in and turned on.
- Open Chrome
The next step requires your computer to have the Google Chrome internet browser installed. If you don't have it, download it. If you do have it, open it up.
- Download Snap
On your Chrome browser and go to this link (here).
This website will allow you to download Snap for free, though there is a suggested donation of $2.99. Download Snap by clicking 'Get Snap' at the bottom of the page. Use the drop-down menu to choose how much you would like to donate if anything.
If you choose not to pay, you will be sent to a page with a 'Download Now' button.
- Download Sachesi Firmware
Now, you will need to download Sachesi firmware. This is available for both Mac and PC, and it allows you to take the .bar file, which contains Snap and put it into your BB10 device.
Head over to https://github.com/xsacha/Sachesi/releases where you will be given the option to download a Windows or OSX file. Once you have downloaded the file, extract the .zip file and open the app. It should look like this.
- Install Snap on Your Handset
Take the Snap .bar file and place it on your desktop, or in an easily accessible folder. Then, make sure that Sachesi is open on the 'Install' tab, and then drag and drop the .bar file from Windows Explorer or your desktop to the Sachesi window. The process is exactly the same on OSC and Mac OS.
Once you drop the .bar file into Sachesi,, a progress circle will appear, showing that it is transferring the .bar file onto your handset. Once it has reached 100%, leave the app and don't change any settings.
- Use Snap on Your Handset
Pick up your BlackBerry device, and look for 'Snap Free' on your app screen. This is a circular icon with an Android and BlackBerry logo. Choose the app and open it up. You'll be asked to agree to give it permission to access certain features on your phone. You will also be asked to sign into your Google account. Simply type in all this information and you will be taken to the app home screen.
- Search for WhatsApp
Tap 'Browse Apps' and search for WhatsApp. When you find the official app, tap 'Download' and then choose 'Open Installer'.
The next screen will offer you a disclaimer, explaining that the app is not coming from the official BlackBerry store, and will ask you if you want to install. Tap 'Install'. A window may appear entitled 'Allow App Installation', if you do not have the correct settings switched on. To install the app, click 'Settings' and then toggle 'Allow Apps from Other Sources to be Installed' to the 'on' mode.
The download and install will then resume again, and once it's complete, the app will open. Now, you can log in and set up the app and use it as normal!
If this method was not effective in allowing you to install and use WhatsApp on your BB10 device, continue down with the next method below.
Method 3: Running the BlackBerry World patch
Another alternate solution is to download the WhatsApp version of Android and then apply the WhatsFixer BlackBerry World patch in order to resolve the sharing files issue and make the app usable again on BB10 devices.
But keep in mind that this method will only work if you connect an SD card to your Blackberry device. If you meet the requirements and you decide to apply this method, follow the steps below:
- Make sure your SD card is connected and uninstall the old WhatsApp version that you currently have installed.
- Visit this official link (here) from your BB10 phone and download the latest WhatsApp version for Android.
- Open the installer and complete the installation. When the box that warns you about the Google Play Services, tap outside of it.
- Visit this link (here), download the WhatsFixer patch and run it.
- Open WhatsApp and use it normally.
If this method wasn't applicable in your scenario, move down to the final method.
Method 4: Using WhatsApp via BB Hub
A couple of users have discovered that you can actually trick your BB10 phone into using WhatsApp even after the official supported period has passed. This method involves changing the date and using WhatsApp through the BB Hub (not the WhatsApp icon). Here's a quick guide on how to do this:
- With WhatsApp closed, go to your Time & date settings and change the date to 1.1.2018.
- With the date altered, open WhatsApp from the icon in your menu, send some messages and make sure you get at least one reply.
- Minimize WhatsApp (don't close it) and change the date to your phone back to what it was.
- Communicate with your Existing Chats cont ONLY via the BB Hub. Avoid entering WhatsApp via the app icon because WhatsApp will become unusable again.
If you mistakenly enter the WhatsApp application, repeat the steps above.


text:
Registration closing for middle school college program
GRANVILLE - There's still time to register for Kids' Tech University (KTU), a program for 9-12-year-olds to explore STEM concepts in classes taught by college faculty members.
A collaboration between The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology; Denison University and The Ohio State University at Newark, KTU is designed to spark youth interest in science, technology, engineering, and math through fun and interesting "why" inquiries while introducing students to a college campus atmosphere.
Students will explore solar and wind power, volcanoes, the human body, and black holes while participating in four interactive sessions led by university faculty members.
Parents will simultaneously attend "Explore College" informational sessions.
Programs will be held on the campuses of Denison University, Ohio State Newark, and The Works one Saturday per month in January, February, March and April.
A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required at registration.
Sponsorships are available to those who qualify.
Applicants can register in person at The Works, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by telephone at 740-349-9277.
Registration forms and additional information can be found at www.attheworks.org.
All sessions are held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•Saturday, Jan. 14: Held at The Ohio State University at Newark, "How do engineers work with solar and wind power?" with Dr. Jolanta Janiszewska, Department of Engineering.
•Saturday, Feb. 11: Held at Denison University, "Why do volcanoes erupt?" with Dr. Erik Klemetti, Department of Geosciences and Environmental Studies.
•Saturday, March 4: Held at Denison University, "How did your body do that?" with Dr. Melanie Lott, Department of Astronomy and Physics.
•Saturday, April 8: Held at The Works, "How do we know black holes exist if we can't see them?" with Dr. Mike Stamatikos, Department of Physics, The Ohio State University at Newark.


text: The changing nature of work in modern capitalist economies – entailed by technological progress, globalisation and political decisions – poses numerous challenges to trade unions, which have been attempting to address them, with various degree of success. The challenges are both ideological and organisational reflecting union attempts to defend, maintain and recreate the solidarity of workers in response to various forms of new managerial techniques. Besides traditional, paternalistic and voluntaristic approaches, many European countries, both in the East and West, have observed the emergence of lean production, HRM, New Public Management, as well as approaches explicitly aimed at union busting in some multinational corporations and local enterprises. This stream is particularly interested in trade union responses to these new, managerial challenges, seen from comparative perspective of cross-country studies as well as in-depth, single country/sector/company research.


text:
Resource Sidebar
Diversity and Inclusion Survey: Building a More Inclusive Future
Culture Amp
This survey was developed as the result of a collaboration between B Corp Culture Amp and consulting firm Paradigm. This survey has been recognized as an industry leader when it comes to measuring the employee experience of all groups of people.
This survey allows you to:
- Measure how inclusive your organization is
- Use heatmaps to highlight disparities between groups
- See how your results compare to other companies with the Inclusion benchmark
- Ensure your team is equipped to take action based on the applied experience of our most successful customers and research-driven interventions that offer promising results
To learn more, click here here.


text:
Phat Birds at MiddleBar: A Soulful Speakeasy: 6 PM (8PM SOLD OUT)
In-PersonMiddleBar on Market Street, Inglewood, Inglewood
Available for purchase
Banquet (20+ Guests)
soul food
Phat Birds returns to Downtown Inglewood to create a unique and jazzy speakeasy experience featuring live music by award winning vocalist, Maria Howell with pianist and Grammy nominated producer/songwriter, Xavier Gordon. Come soothe your soul with us! Fried Chicken. Craft Cocktails. Live Music& May Birthday Love. *IMPORTANT NOTE* PLEASE SELECT YOUR SEATING IN THE 'Addons' SECTION: 6 PM - 7:30 PM 8 PM - 9:30 PM (SOLD OUT!) Ticketed event: Price includes dinner, show and our service fees. Excludes Feastly processing fee. See y'all there!
Menu detail
Corn-Meal Hoe Cakes and Tomato Jam
Small Plate
House made sweet and tangy tomato jam with corn-meal hoe cakes cooked in a cast iron skillet.
Mac N 3 Cheese
Small Plate
Creamy mac smothered in a 3-cheese sauce with a crunch topping. #returnofthemac
'It's Love' Collard Greens
Small Plate
Slow cooked in our house-made chicken stock, our tender collards have just the right touch of spices and smoked ham hock seasoning. So delicious, you'll ask, "what is IT? It's love!" – Jill Scott
Spicy Honey Dipped Fried Chicken
We use free-range organic chicken, brine them overnight, dust them with our secret spice blend and use corn starch and a blend of flours for an extra crispy and very light skin. The spicy honey-glaze is made with organic raw honey. served with our house-made pickles and pickled okra.
Phat Birds at MiddleBar: A Soulful Speakeasy: 6 PM (8PM SOLD OUT)
(Exact Address will be shared upon purchase.)
In-PersonMiddleBar on Market Street, Inglewood, Inglewood


text:
Nareit currently has over 1,200 individual members who work to provide a range of financial, legal, tax, accounting, and other services in the REIT and publicly traded real estate industries. The average Nareit individual member has been a member of Nareit for nearly seven years.
Nareit individual membership is available to companies and individuals who are stakeholders in the REIT community, including various professionals who support, service and invest in REITs.
Nareit individual members benefit from access to REIT management, savings on industry events and publications, access to member-only publications, increased visibility, and more.
Membership is available for only $935 annually.
Save on Key Industry Events and Publications
Nareit individual members receive an average of $900 in savings per registration at Nareit events. These include:
- Nareit's REITwise: Law, Accounting & Finance Conference. This annual event provides attendees with in-depth information on the latest developments impacting legal, financial, tax, and accounting professionals in the REIT and publicly traded real estate industry. REITwise also offers opportunities to earn CPE/CLE credits.
- REITworks Conference. REITworks is an educational conference where REIT industry professionals have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and good governance impacting the real estate sector. Attendees also have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits. Attendees can customize an individualized event program to suit their needs, interests, and goals.
- REITworld: Annual Conference. Every November, Nareit's REITworld: Annual Conference brings together more than 1,400 REIT executives, investors, and industry professionals. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in private meetings, educational sessions, and networking events.
Individual members also receive a 50% discount on the annual Compensation Survey, a comprehensive real estate survey featuring data that help users identify the latest market shifts and developments regarding compensation levels, department sizes and organizational structures.
Connect with REIT Management and Industry Leaders
Individual members gain access to an online directory of all Nareit corporate and individual members to help members connect and grow their networks.
Additionally, Nareit members have the opportunity to participate in committees, subcommittees, and initiatives to help elevate the issues that are important to them.
Access Member-Only Publications and Data
Gain access to member-only publications, including:
- Nareit Weekly, a newsletter sent directly from Nareit's CEO that features updates related to key policy issues, real estate industry news, investor outreach highlights, and the latest news from Nareit.
- Nareit Alerts, email updates that ensure you're first to know about policy updates and information that may impact the REIT and commercial real estate industry.
Nareit also publishes the latest industry news, data, research, and analyses—available on REIT.com.
Increase Your Company's Visibility
Nareit produces video interviews, podcasts, and more featuring individual members. These interviews are promoted on Nareit's website and social media channels, providing you with a new vehicle to promote your business.
Become a Nareit member for only $935 annually. Join now.
Please note that individual membership is for a single individual. Individual membership is non-transferable and non-refundable.
If you have questions regarding Nareit's individual membership, please contact our membership team at email@example.com.


text:
3.2 Emacs user interface
Besides running SINGULAR in an ASCII-terminal, SINGULAR might also be run within Emacs. Emacs (or, XEmacs which is very similar) is a powerful and freely available text editor, which, among others, provides a framework for the implementation of interactive user interfaces. Starting from version 1.3.6, SINGULAR provides such an implementation, the so-called SINGULAR Emacs mode, or Emacs user interface.
Generally, we recommend to use the Emacs interface, instead of the ASCII-terminal interface: The Emacs interface does not only provide everything the ASCII-terminal interface provides, but offers much more. Among others, it offers
In order to use the SINGULAR-Emacs interface you need to have Emacs version 20 or higher, or XEmacs version 20.3 or higher installed on your system. These editors can be downloaded for most hard- and software platforms, sources from either http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/emacs.html (Emacs), or from http://www.xemacs.org (XEmacs). (Download of binaries depend on your OS). The differences between Emacs and XEmacs w.r.t. the SINGULAR-Emacs interface are marginal -- which editor to use is mainly a matter of personal preferences.
The simplest way to start-up SINGULAR in its Emacs interface is by
running the program
The next section gives a tutorial-like introduction to Emacs. This introductory section is followed by sections which explain the functionality of various aspects of the Emacs user interface in more detail: how to start/restart/kill SINGULAR within Emacs, how to run an interactive demonstration, how to customize the Emacs user interface, etc. Finally, the 20 most important commands of the Emacs interface together with their key bindings are listed.


text:
Sean Bean stars in this historically rooted horror-thriller as Ulric, a church-appointed knight in the age of the Bubonic Plague's first wave who's tasked with investigating rumors of a woman (Carice van Houten) who can bring the dead back to life. A young monk (Eddie Redmayne) named Osmund is aiding Ulric on his quest to root out the necromancer — and to determine whether or not she has ties to Satan.
Rating: 9 out of 10
When I saw the trailer for "Black Death," I thought there was no way they couldn't screw it up. It looked promising but seemed to focus a lot on the medieval torture devices that the Christians used on who they believed were heretics. I was flat out wrong. "Black Death" not only makes almost zero missteps, but I'm proud to say it's the first great film of 2011.
What makes "Black Death" truly stand out is showing the darkness of human nature. There are no heroes here. You have flawed men and women trying to survive during a period where the worst plague in human history is storming the land and the church is blaming it on demonic forces. So, not only are our characters fighting against a faceless enemy in the plague but an inner plague in the downfall of men supposedly serving God. The main characters, on orders from the bishop, are going to a land that has not been touched by the plague, and is flourishing despite the worldwide outbreak. They bring their torture devices and want to find the heretic and rid the demonic forces that have rejected God and used witchcraft to keep their town safe and healthy. Now, if that was actually all true, I would say it sounds boring. There are so many twists, surprises, and plot benders that it keeps the film moving in a very dark direction that is worthy of its title. Now, I wouldn't dare give any of them away here but let's say it brings up several question: What makes a person evil? Is God truly present, and if so, why does he make these people suffer? There are many others and they are all profound. Director Christopher Smith holds it all together and gives the film such a uniquely dark and bleak visual style that is a perfect complement to the story. Grays are very gray, blacks are very black, and colors are washed out and flat. The look feels as helpless as the characters. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Eddie Redmayne, who plays the young monk that volunteers to guide the holy crusaders to their destination. There is a real journey to his character and he is spellbinding in the role. I know it will be long forgotten by next year's Oscars, but consideration for best supporting actor is not out of the question. So, for those with strong stomachs (it is very violent) and can handle dark stories (boy, is it ever) I highly recommend "Black Death."


text:
Little simphony
little simphony
Little Symphony of Montreal/Petite Symphonie de Montréal - The Little Symphony of Montreal/La Petite Symphonie de Montréal. The chamber orchestra founded in 1942 by Bernard Naylor (its first conductor) and Mrs ...; Little Symphony ...: Information ... - Affinity Plays Ornette Coleman's Little Symphony and Eight Other Modern Jazz Classics Buy Now Release Date: 1993 Genre: Jazz Label: Music & Arts.; Little Symphony - Offers concerts in schools and for families: includes activities, audio files, printable coloring book.; Symphony no 2, A Little Symphony, etc ... - Low prices on Bostock / Jacob Jacob Symphony no 2, A Little Symphony, etc / Bostock CD music album and songs at CDUniverse, the Internets best online store, ...; symphony (I only gave her songs) - She asked me for a symphony (I only gave her songs). We like to watch the flickering stars ... Little bloody skirts! There are fumes I cannot touch. ...; Little/Junior - About YOOF Contact us Music Director Board of Directors Orchestras Little Symphony Junior Symphony Youth Symphony Little / Junior Symphony Concerts Concerts ...; Little Symphony - Rehearsal Venues: Little Symphony rehearsal venues are subject to change. Calls will be made but if ever in doubt, please watch this site ...; Little Symphony ... - Epinions has the best comparison shopping information on Yufef Lateef's Little Symphony - Yusef Lateef. Compare prices from across the web and read reviews ...; Little Symphony CD - Low prices on Yusef Lateef Little Symphony CD music album and songs at CDUniverse, the Internets best online store, with reviews, track list, ...; - In 1929, Mr. James became the regular conductor of the Bamberger Little Symphony over radio station WOR. In 1932, he won the first prize of $5000 in a NBC ...;
luce libro
DVD - l' inferno e' per gli eroi - DVDit
lg 5410 driver
Lycos - 'Logitech Cordless Desktop Internet Pro' - Tutte le
lo zecchino d oro
Bollettino novità
lexus locklear
lle monde
lettore mp3 sd radio
leone diacono
lettore floppy drive esterno usb
lessini monti
livia azzariti
Centro Studi - Normativa - Dipendenze
maitani lorènzo
leke pehla pehla pyar
macchine da cucire
liscio romagnolo
leccare culo
los manolos
Living In God's Battlefield!: How Will I Survive
lidoc c sal imiv 100f 5ml 2
lg home theatre senza fili
linkin park copertina
liverpool robert banks jenki
lettore dvd denon 3910
liviu guta si daniel de ce ma minti
libri dvd
Re: Banche (lunghissimo!)
lettore mp3 sunstech dp fx110
lee cabrera
mai dire goal
lodi all issimo
mahajanga (citta)
lettore cd mp3 telecomando portatile
le potenzialita del fotovoltaico come risorsa rinnovabile un'analisi di profittabilita
lcd syncmaster 19
ltpp j
Mambo Italiano
I Film
L'INCREDIBILE CASA IN FONDO AL MARE - Film
reVision - Cinema - L'Ultimo Appello
Yusef Lateef Little Symphony CD. Bay Area Little Symphony. She asked me for a symphony (I only gave her songs). Little/Junior. Bostock / Jacob Jacob Symphony no 2, A Little Symphony, etc . Little Symphony of Montreal/Petite Symphonie de Montréal. Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Yufef Lateef's Little Symphony . Affinity Plays Ornette Coleman's Little Symphony : Information . Little Symphony. The Papers of Philip James, UM Libraries.
little simphony


text:
Primary actinomycosis of hand
Sanghamitra Padhi, Muktikesh Dash, Jyotirmayee Turuk, Rani Sahu, Pritilata Panda
Department of Microbiology, M.K.C.G Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India
Correspondence Address:Sanghamitra PadhiDepartment of Microbiology, M.K.C.G Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur - 760 004, Odisha IndiaSource of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: NoneCheckDOI: 10.4103/2277-9175.145700
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous suppurative disease having the propensity for extension to the contagious tissue with the formation of multiple discharging sinus tracts. Primary actinomycosis of extremity is a very uncommon clinical entity and is commonly considered as a soft-tissue infection. We report here, a case of primary actinomycosis of the upper extremity in a 24-year-old male who was treated successfully with surgical excision and extended period of antimicrobial treatment.
Keywords: Actinomycosis, anaerobicbacteria, hand


text:
When talking about NFL football, most people like to talk about the quarterback. However, I like to talk about the other side of the ball as well. A lot of the times, defenses do not get enough recognition to a team's success. Especially if that team has a star under center. In the NFC South, much can be said about the defenses. Who has the best defense in the NFC South? Well, let us take a look at each defense and offer that opinion at the end.
New Orleans Saints
In 2017, the Saints finished the season with the 17th ranked defense in the NFL. While not spectacular, it was good enough to win the NFC South and make the playoffs. Their secondary was much improved in 2017. Vonn Bell was in his second season and the addition of Marshon Lattimore on the other side made it tough for opposing QBs.
In 2018 the New Orleans Saints look to be better with the pass rush. The moved up in the draft to pass rushing specialist Marcus Davenport. They hope is that this addition will help improve on the 72 team sacks they had in 2017.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were a top 10 defense in 2017. In fact, they finished 9th and also made the playoffs. If they can stay healthy, they have one of the best young nuclei's a defense can ask for. Players like Vic Beasley, Keanu Neal, and Desmond Trufant lead the way. As a matter of fact, this defense has six first or second rounders that contribute to their success. The Falcons should at or near the top of the division again thanks to this young group of playmakers.
Carolina Panthers
If it was not for the defense of the Carolina Panthers, I do not believe they would have made the playoffs. This defense was one of the most underrated all of 2017. They finished 7th in the NFL. Their secondary, or lack thereof, made it difficult for them to keep teams out of the end zone. Thus, they attempted to improve that area with the selection of Donte Jackson in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ron Rivera always has his guys playing well and the same should be said in 2018.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs were the worst defensive team in 2017. They gave up an average of 380 yards per game. Mike Smith's defense also gave up 24 points per game. While that may not seem like a lot, it enough when your offense is only averaging 20 points per game.
The 2018 Bucs improved their front seven. The selection of Vita Vea in the first round was fantastic. Putting him alongside Jason Pierre-Paul and Gerald McCoy gives the Bucs a front four that needs not to be taken lightly. It will once again be the secondary that will trouble Tampa Bay.
In my opinion, the Atlanta Falcons have the best defense in the NFC South. Their young nucleus brings them to the top. While statistically, they may have finished just below the Panthers, this young team is primed to do good things in 2018.
Who do you think has the best defense in the NFC South? Leave a comment below.
Stay with BucsReport for all of your NFL news and information. Also, be sure to like Bucs Report on Facebook.
Follow Sean on Twitter and Instagram for all of your NFL news and notes @NFLWBLZ.


text:
Has someone lit the Victim-signal in the sky? For the last several days my Facebook page has been lit up with women "me too-ing" about how they also were harassed and are as victimy, helpless, and deserving as any would-be Hollywood A-lister flung across Harvey Weinstein's casting couch.
It's all "I too was harassed" and "being a woman is so terrible" and "no one is safe" and "patriarchy."
It might be unkind of me, but my first thought – right after, "Really, I didn't know Bill Clinton's staff was that big" – was "No, you were not sexually harassed, because the penalties for that are straight-up horrendous unless you happen to be a big-time leftist. At worst you were inconvenienced by having a pass made at you by a guy you found unattractive."
This thought could be wrong and unkind. Young and hapless women often allow things to happen to them that are objectively sexual harassment. My first boss in the U.S. always found occasion to have me do some sort of work low to the ground like arrange shelves near the floor when I happened to be wearing something even vaguely low cut. This went on so long I started noticing it but didn't stop till my late brother-in-law – a burly biker – whom I had told about this insisted on walking me into work and telling the boss how protective he was of me. However, note this was 30 years ago, and I was a newly arrived immigrant from a country in which this was not unusual, and I was a clerk in a mall shop, which is not the level of professional work most of these women do.
Is there a lot of that type of thing? Yeah, there probably is, particularly where young, stupid women work. And it's probable a lot more goes on where immigrants work, particularly illegal immigrants, whose position is precarious.
But in general, that kind of harassment is only a real problem when it's an industry dominated by very few gatekeepers. These industries/professions — the arts, publishing, filmmaking, politics, etc. — are almost all dominated by the left.
And as we've said, leftist guys can get away with anything. It's like the fact that they're leftist exonerates them from all peccadillos and outright sins. The left showed this amply with Bill Clinton: their feminism was of the sort that cared more about the right to kill your unborn child than about the right to have a profession without having to pay for it in sexual favors. (Imagine for a second if Bush had behaved like Clinton. He'd have been hounded out of office.)
Oh, and in those fields, particularly as more women rise to prominence, men get harassed too, in the exact same way.
So all these women donning the vestments of holy victim can climb off the sacrificial altar. This isn't an #allwomen or #yesallmen. This is human.
The story of humanity proves that those with power often took their "payment" in sexual favors. From kings to ministers, history is littered with the excesses of powerful men and their bastards. But if you look up close, the women who rose to power did the same. Queens and Empresses, and even noblewomen, often treated young men of no fortune as toys.
It's a human thing.
Now, this is not excusing it. It is also human to kill and eat your enemies, and I've been assured we don't do that anymore, no matter how much people annoy you on the internet.
But that sort of bad behavior stops, not by piling on and saying "me too" or worshiping the victims for being so courageous as to admit they let themselves be victimized, but by doing something about it.
What can you do about it? Well, if you're in one of those industries that are dominated by liberals behaving badly, and you don't have the courage to give up your career for the sake of exposing the bad people (and honestly, you shouldn't have to. No one should have to. But the world doesn't run on "should"), you can build alternative paths to success. Build under, build over, build around so you don't need to go through the corrupt gates.
And if you aren't in one of those industries, you can learn to distinguish between real abuse and an unwanted come-on. Real abuse ("you put out or you don't have a career") only happens where the guy (or gal) knows he can get away with it. Circumvent, refuse, expose.
As for unwanted propositions? Be real. You're human. Unless you have three eyes and fifteen elbows, some of them on your teeth, someone is going to find you attractive. Depending on how the come-on is attempted, the appropriate response is a slap (yes, violence does solve something) or a kind "Thank you but no."
Yes, if you're a woman it will be mostly men who will give you a sexual come-on. (Though some of us seemed to attract equal-opportunity interest, at least when young.) This doesn't mean all women are victims and all men are predators.
It means you're a woman and men are attracted to women, and not all of them are couth in their approaches.
"Me tooing" in comments, writing heartfelt sniveling stories of how you're still traumatized, and hashtag activism will do absolutely nothing.
If women want to be in the workplace (as they more or less always were, other than a few exceptional periods), sex will rear its interesting head.
The way to get around that is to be a grown-up human being, from "thank you, no" to more forceful and/or formal disciplinary measures, if needed. And in some industries, yes, it might require going another route and maybe paying the price. (In publishing, I'd like to remind everyone there's indie and some people do very well indeed at it.)
You can either stand on your own two feet and call out the transgressors for their abuses, thereby making sure you leave the professional world better than you found it; or you can choose that "all men exploit all women," beat your chest and don the shining robes of eternal victimhood, which does nothing but perpetuate abuse.
But that victim-signal lighting up the sky doesn't bring equality or the ability to show your professional competence.
All it does is put more shackles on professionals of both sexes until the work world is a minefield where nothing of import can be done for the forest of safe spaces and recovery groups.
And where the predators – who always learn to navigate the craziest rules and use them to their advantage – rule supreme.


text:
Dir. Ridley Scott; UK/USA; 1979; Sci-Fi/Horror/Thriller; Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, 116 mins
The Sitges website advises that they will be screening Scott's "favourite version" of the film. Now whether this specifically implies the "Director's cut" or not doesn't really matter as the chance to see this classic on the big screen, Sitges' Auditori big screen (and big sound) at that, is enough to justify visiting the festival alone.
Having been blown away at Sitges 2007 by the Auditori's screening of Scott's digitally remastered BLADE RUNNER, I can't wait to again regress to my childhood as The Auditori's perfect visual and audio capabilities has me cowering behind my seat as ALIEN stalks The Nostromo's corridors once more (and I get a second adolescent look at Sigourney slipping into her spacesuit)
As with BLADE RUNNER, Sitges have promised that ALIEN related guests will be in attendance. Scott never made it in 2007 so here's hoping he's found an opening in his diary this year.
It's been 30 years so you've no doubt seen the film (a hundred times) before but classics are classics and big screen viewings are how they were meant to be seen. Most will have their own personal opinions and memories of the film but here are a few more to get the slime flowing
Word up:
Four word film review on Alien


text:
Like everyone else I follow a lot of travel accounts on Instagram. When I am at work wanting to escape the desk for a minuet or looking for some travel ideas this is where I go. I think there amazing all of them...but it is always on the back of mind, how real are they? … Continue reading InstaTravel
Last Post 2017
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone! Hope everyone is having a happy and safe break with family and friends. I'm currently on a island in the middle of Fiji and can't sleep... so why not write my last post of the year? Fiji is beautiful, a little worried that all my good healthy work … Continue reading Last Post 2017
No Plans.
We listened to the weather forecast and cancelled our weekend of camping. We should never have listened to the weather as the rain held off and it was decent. Our friends braved the forecast and it paid off hey had a great weekend down in Kiama. I was pretty bummed we stayed home and had … Continue reading No Plans.
Summer Camping Round 2
I had my second camping trip of summer this weekend. It was back down to Coledale. The campsite is right on the beach and all the facilities where built this time. My friends organised a gang of us and we all headed down Friday night (two night minimum now it's summer). It's only over a … Continue reading Summer Camping Round 2
Zip-lining through NSW
On our last day over the long weekend we went to Illawarra Fly Treetop for the afternoon. We drove up from Kiama which is a scenic drive. It is a lot cooler up there so make sure you take a sweater to pop on. We had signed up to do the zip lining which included … Continue reading Zip-lining through NSW
Camping Season.
Summer is starting to appear which means... camping season is here!!! We have already dusted off the tent and went away the long weekend at the end of September. Having left it last minute we really struggled to find a campsite...FYI long weekends in Australia book up so fast don't do what we did. Luckily … Continue reading Camping Season.
Winter Camping in NSW
A couple of weeks ago now I packed up the car and hit the road last minuet for a camping trip with a friend. We did not want to travel far but needed a break from the city. I asked one of my camping pro friends and she suggested Coledale Camp Site so we decided … Continue reading Winter Camping in NSW
Kmart Camping….
My last blog was about our time spent in South West Rocks...I thought I might try a few additional post about how we did it on a budget. Also decided to refer to my boyfriend as MC because boyfriend was getting used far to often. We were both on budgets for the camping equipment as … Continue reading Kmart Camping….
South West Rocks
Hope everyone had a good and safe Easter! As my boyfriend is working away we decided to meet somewhere in the middle to avoid flying with the high prices. We decided on South West Rocks. It is about five hours north of Sydney and a hour and a half south of Coffs. We had our … Continue reading South West Rocks


text:
The Duffer's Diary
Updated: Jan 31, 2021
Image by Payam Tahery from Unsplash.com
Things about boobs that had never occurred to me before I embarked on this little pregnancy adventure…
No matter how big your boobs are under normal circumstances, pregnancy will make them much bigger. You will be able to cut the cups out and wear them on your head in cold weather with no difficulty whatsoever. In fact, stitch on a nicely coloured co-ordinated pom-pom and it'll look like someone brought it back as a gift for you from a nice ski-ing jaunt in Val d'Isere. You'll also find that the sizing variations mean that, from the beginning to the end of your pregnancy, you'll be able to kit out the entire family, including the one person everyone secretly calls "Football head". Or at least you would do if everything didn't come in white, greige and black. I know that most of the time, all one cares about is that the damn things are tamed, but pretty and not the cost of a Bentley would be good.
If you felt mildly discomfited by the people who would stare at your breasts before this takes place, now you are permanently sober and at times, a touch "feisty", wearing the cardboard box that your fridge came in or, if you feeling a little more bohemian, a yurt, has never been more appealing. As does wearing a t-shirt that says "Oi! I've got a ****ing face! Look at that! Tw*t!"
They cease to be "Fun" bags and become slightly itchy "Ouch" bags. In fact, should you ever have been curious about how you get warm fleshy cannonballs into an extremely utilitarian and aesthetically unappealing elasticated hammock, now's your chance. What previously was an inconvenience is now a trial. Lying on your front? Ha! Suddenly crossing one arm across your body without thinking? Bad idea. very, very, bad idea. Sleeping free range? Not a cat in hell's chance. You will now own bras for sleeping, waking, nursing and sport. And several other sets of circumstances that currently elude me.
You are permanently pointy as though you've been standing the chiller aisle of Tesco's for a bit too long.
Likelihood of being defeated by gravity and falling flat on your face due to the sheer weight of the darn things increases by the power of ten. Coupled with general normal levels of clumsiness and yes, it's fair to say, I'm going to spend the following months rocking on my front like a tortoise that's been rolled or in a heap after executing a perfect commando roll to prevent injuring your bump.
The sheer bewildering range of things, products, and advice relating to sucking out and manual or electrical extraction of, mopping up of excess, general containment, and control of all things breasty and milky.


text:
I could go on and on about the coincidental yet serendipitous timing of a pro-tsarist musical being staged on the heels of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address and impeachment acquittal.
Instead …. let's sidestep politics for a moment and focus on how "Anastasia," on tour and at Playhouse Square, is the thoroughly entertaining musical-theater equivalent of a theme-park adventure ride. But not, you know, Disneyland's "The Mad Tea Party" or Universal Studios' "Despicable Me."
Premiering on Broadway in 2017, this stage adaptation of the 1997 animated movie of the same name quickly transports us from the glory days of imperial Russia in 1907 to the last days of the Romanovs amidst the turmoil of the revolutionary Bolshevik regime in 1917. We then jump forward 10 years, to 1927 Leningrad, where it is rumored that the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna Romanov, survived the assassination of her family. We are introduced to Anya (Lila Coogan), a destitute young woman with only a few, fleeting memories of her past.
Soon, Anya meets a handsome young conman, Dmitry (Jake Levy), and a lovable ex-aristocrat, Vlad Popov (Edward Staudenmayer), who hope to travel to Paris to deceive Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress (Joy Franz), into believing Anya is Anastasia to reap a sizable reward. Anya is pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer, Gleb (Jason Michael Evans), who must find and silence the girl because she is feeding the frenzy of idle rumor and, most importantly, because she might be an actual relic of the past.
The ride Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally takes us on leads to discovery after discovery that suggests Anya's authenticity. This turns the quasi-fairytale found in the film into an adventure grounded in Russian history and a century-old mystery while still retaining all the romance and a touch of cartoonary when it comes to the depiction of some minor characters.
Musical theater aficionados also may recognize traces of other shows in McNally's creation of this one – including a very Javert-like Soviet officer, a Jack Kelly-like young conman, an Eliza Doolittle-like Anya and an Anatevka moment at the train station ("Once Upon a December") when our heroes and others say goodbye to their homeland for the last time – all of which, intentional or not, turns what could be viewed as foreign into something overtly familiar.
Composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens pile song upon song, nearly doubling the amount found in the film's score, which reinforce each discovery with dramatic consequence (the best being the Act 1 closer, "Journey to the Past," which is beautifully rendered by Coogan as Anya) or much-needed comic relief (including the wonderfully silly "The Countess and the Common Man," performed by Staudenmayer's Vlad and Alison Ewing's Countess Lily, former young lovers who reunite in Paris). Production numbers are chockfull of Peggy Hickey's gorgeous and perfectly executed choreography.
But the real piling on is undertaken by director Darko Tresnjak and his designers, who make sure very few visually stagnant moments occur on stage and that everything is surrounded by scenic eye candy and draped in Linda Cho's spectacular costuming. Alexander Dodge's detailed set pieces against Aaron Rhyne's often-animated projections under Donald Holder's lighting create both cinematic grandeur and theatrical dimensionality rarely seen on the stage.
Still, the best moments in this musical are the few stagnant ones, where the only things being moved are our emotions courtesy of an exceptional cast of fully committed featured and ensemble players and the detailed and earnest acting they do through their singing.
If you have ever tried to cram everything into a day at Cedar Point, you will recognize the sensation of being emotionally spent, sensory-overloaded and thoroughly entertained while leaving a performance of the touring "Anastasia." This musical is exhilarating and exhausting.
Now, back to the real world, which is already in progress.